Sagaspedia
PTES

Dragon Ball — Manga timeline

when each title takes place

Dragon Ball (vols. 1–16)

Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1984–1985
Emperor Pilaf Saga, vols. 1–2Where it all starts: Goku meets Bulma and sets out after the seven Dragon Balls; chapters 1–23 (VIZ: Dragon Ball vols. 1–2)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1985
21st Tournament Saga, vols. 2–5Training with Master Roshi and the first martial arts tournament; chapters 24–54 (VIZ: Dragon Ball vols. 2–5)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1985–1987
Red Ribbon Army and Fortuneteller Baba Saga, vols. 5–10Goku takes on an entire army hunting the Dragon Balls, then the fights at the fortuneteller's palace; chapters 55–112 (VIZ: Dragon Ball vols. 5–10)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1987
22nd Tournament Saga, vols. 10–12Three years later, Master Roshi's school faces the Crane school and Tien; chapters 113–134 (VIZ: Dragon Ball vols. 10–12)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1987–1988
King Piccolo Saga, vols. 12–14The Demon King Piccolo is set loose and the story turns dark for the first time; chapters 135–162 (VIZ: Dragon Ball vols. 12–14)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1988
Piccolo Jr. Saga, vols. 14–17Training with Kami and the 23rd tournament, with a grown-up Goku; chapters 163–194 (VIZ: Dragon Ball vols. 14–16 and Dragon Ball Z vol. 1)

Dragon Ball (vols. 17–42): the Z part

Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1988–1989
Saiyan Saga, vols. 17–21The part that became Dragon Ball Z begins: Goku learns where he came from; chapters 195–245 (VIZ: Dragon Ball Z vols. 1–5)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1989–1991
Frieza Saga, vols. 21–28The trip to Namek and the manga's most popular arc; chapters 246–329 (VIZ: Dragon Ball Z vols. 5–12)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1991–1993
Androids and Cell Saga, vols. 28–35A warning from the future, Dr. Gero's androids and the Cell Games; chapters 330–420 (VIZ: Dragon Ball Z vols. 12–19)
Weekly Shōnen Jump, 1993–1995
Majin Buu Saga, vols. 36–42Gohan in high school, a new tournament and Toriyama's last villain in the original manga; chapters 421–519 (VIZ: Dragon Ball Z vols. 20–26)

Dragon Ball Super

V Jump, 2015
Dragon Ball Super: God of Destruction Beerus Saga, vol. 1Super begins, plotted by Toriyama and drawn by Toyotarou: a short take on the Battle of Gods movie; chapters 1–4
V Jump, 2015–2016
Dragon Ball Super: God of Destruction Champa Saga, vols. 1–2A tournament between Universe 7 and Universe 6; chapters 5–13
V Jump, 2016–2017
Dragon Ball Super: "Future" Trunks Saga, vols. 2–5Trunks comes back from the future, running from an enemy with Goku's face; chapters 14–26
V Jump, 2017–2018
Dragon Ball Super: Universe Survival Saga, vols. 5–9The Tournament of Power, with whole universes on the line; chapters 27–42
V Jump, 2018–2021
Dragon Ball Super: Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, vols. 9–15The manga's first original story, never animated: Goku and Vegeta against Moro; chapters 42–67
V Jump, 2021–2022
Dragon Ball Super: Granolah the Survivor Saga, vols. 15–20Another original story: the last of a wiped-out people wants revenge on the Saiyans; chapters 68–87
V Jump, 2022–2024
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Saga, vols. 20–24The Super Hero movie, expanded with a manga-only opening and ending; chapters 88–103

Original text by Sagaspedia. Posters: The Movie Database (TMDB); character photos via Wikipedia. This site uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. All trademarks and titles mentioned belong to their respective owners. Streaming availability may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Sagaspedia earns from qualifying purchases.