Manga Guide
Dragon Ball Volume 01
孫悟空と仲間たち
Son Gokū to Nakama-tachi
Son Goku and Friends
Volume Information
| First Release: | 15 September 1985 |
| Retail: | ¥390 (+ tax) |
| Publisher: | Shueisha Publishing Co., Ltd. |
| Size / Pages: | New Book Format (11 × 17 cm) / 192 pages |
| Catalog No.: | ISBN 4-08-851831-4 |
Volume Introduction by Akira Toriyama
Volume Contents (001 – 011)
All chapter title pages shown below are as available in this tankōbon volume, featuring the original chapter tag lines and “Bird Studio” logo. Fortunately, this volume does not omit any of the original chapter title pages. The chapter premiere dates listed below are based on their respective Weekly Shōnen Jump publication dates. Please note that dates listed are the effective publication dates for these issues; the actual sale date would have been approximately two weeks earlier.
Buruma to Son Gokū
Bulma and Son Goku
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1984, Issue #51
Bōru ga Nai!!
No Balls!!
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1984, Issue #52
Gokū · Umi e Hashiru
Goku – Running to the Sea
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #01/02
Kame-Sen’nin no Kinto-Un
Kame-Sen’nin’s Kinto-Un
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #03
Ūron Arawaru!!
Oolong Appears!!
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #04/05
Ūron Taiketsu Son Gokū
Oolong vs Son Goku
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #06
Yamucha to Pūaru
Yamcha and Pu’er
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #07
Yamucha Osorubeshi!!
The Fearsome Yamcha!!
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #08
Doragonbōru Ayaushi!!
Dragon Balls in Danger!!
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #09
Gōtō Dai-Sakusen
A Grand Robbery Scheme
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #10
Furaipan Yama no Gyūmaō
Gyūmaō of Mount Frypan
Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump 1985, Issue #11
Toriyama-san’s Dragon Ball Ask-Me-Anything Corner
| The first 12 tankōbon volumes contain short two page Q&A sessions with Toriyama in which members of his fan club could send in postcards with their questions. Anyone was able to join the fan club while the series was still in publication, but applications for membership where no longer accepted by Shueisha once the fan club had reached an unknown pre-established number of members. The fan club was eventually disbanded at some point between late 1987 and 1988, when he referred to it as no longer in existence. |  |
“I’m fine with anything to do with Dragon Ball or me. Give me all the postcards you’ve got.”
Question #1
Yūji Chiba (Saitama Prefecture):
How do you do. You works are always fun, and they make me laugh. The characters you draw have great personalities, Sensei, and I like them a lot. Even if there’s something causing me grief, these characters cheer me up. Sensei, please keep creating lots of happy characters. (Especially cute girls, if you please.)
Akira Toriyama:
Why thank you, thank you. Your saying so makes me very happy, as well. I shall do my utmost.
Question #2
Kazuhiko Satō (Miyagi Prefecture):
Akira Toriyama-sensei, how do you do. I’m a third-year junior-high student [equivalent to the ninth grade in American schools]. Every week I enjoy reading Dragon Ball in Jump. No matter what, Sensei, your manga has beautiful art and really funny gags. It really seems to draw people in! Goku is always cool, and kind. Kame-Sen’nin is always a pervert! I’m always telling everyone at school to buy Jump. I’ll be rooting for you, so please take care of your health and keep showing us funny gags, if you please.
Akira Toriyama:
My, my, thank you once again. By the way, I’m fine about Jump one way or the other, so please tell them to buy the Comics [i.e., the tankōbon] as much as possible.
Question #3
Hidemori Okano (Ibaraki Prefecture):
Hello, how do you do. My friend Dai-chan and I were walking past this house and these dogs–a big dog and a little dog–started chasing after us. I felt like crying, and we ran away. I can’t forget about what happened then. It was sooo scary. Toriyama-sensei, have you ever experienced anything like this? Anyway, take care.
Akira Toriyama:
When I was young, I too was chased by a dog. But dogs seem to have this trait where, if you run away from them, they want to chase you even more, so next time you see those dogs, I think it would be better if you walk calmly and slowly past them. If you make friends with dogs, they can be really cute! (This really had nothing to do with Dragon Ball…)
Question #4
Taisuke Fujiwara (Saitama Prefecture):
Toriyama-sensei, how is it going? Every week, I buy Jump and read Dragon Ball. I especially like Muten Rōshi-sama. …(omission)… Please have Muten Rōshi play a role in Dragon Ball in the future, as well. Goodbye.
Akira Toriyama:
Oh, Kame-Sen’nin-san, it seems you have a fan.
Kame-Sen’nin:
Of course I do. There are no martial-artists who can do me one better, after all. But Taisuke Fujiwara…! What, a man?! I’d be much happier with gals! Gals across the nation, send me your fan-letters!
Question #5
Kaoru Okino (Hiroshima Prefecture):
Hello, Toriyama-sensei, I’m writing you for the first time. I have a favor to ask: I want the first volume of Dragon Ball soon. When will it be out? Please respond.
Akira Toriyama:
It’s out right now. Go buy volume 2, as well.
