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Manga Guide

Dragon Ball Super Manga Series

Series Information

Original Run:  20 June 2015 – ongoing
Chapters: 100+ chapters
Page Count: TBD
Author: Toyotarō (Shueisha)
Supervision: Akira Toriyama (Bird Studio)
Publication: V-Jump (Shueisha)

The Dragon Ball Super manga series debuted in the August 2015 issue of Shueisha’s V-Jump magazine on 20 June 2015, two weeks prior to the Dragon Ball Super TV series’ debut. The manga series is written and illustrated by Toyotarō with supervision and guidance from original Dragon Ball author Akira Toriyama. While both the manga and TV series are based on the same general story developed by Toriyama, each often go with their own separate take on events; this is in contrast to the development of the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z TV series, which were nearly direct adaptations of the original Dragon Ball manga series.

Most notably, following the conclusion of the Dragon Ball Super television series, the manga continued onward into its own original story arcs (the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner” and “Granolla the Survivor” arcs), which as of yet remain exclusive to the manga. Neither Dragon Ball Super: Broly nor Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero theatrical films have been adapted in whole into the manga.

In his interviews included in the series’ first, second, and fourth tankōbon, Toyotarō discusses the rough process of creating the manga series for the initial, TV-adjacent story arcs. To begin, Toriyama provides a written plot of the general story that Toyotarō then expands upon, adding in his own ideas and events between Toriyama’s established main story elements. The story is then broken out into chapters and Toyotarō draws a rough draft of that month’s chapter, and via his editor, submits it to Toriyama for review and comment. Toyotarō then draws and inks the final draft based on any of the notes or corrections provided. This process continued to evolve as the series continued onward into its post-television, original story arcs, with Toriyama notably contributing an outline for the story of the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner” arc.

A NOTE ABOUT AUTHORSHIP:
The “STORY BY AKIRA TORIYAMA” (on the collected volumes) and “WRITTEN BY AKIRA TORIYAMA” (on the individual chapters) credits within Viz’s English translation of the manga are a gross simplification of the 原作 (gensaku) credit; this refers to the “Original Author,” which more specifically refers to the original creation of the underlying Dragon Ball property as a whole.

The words on the page of any given Dragon Ball Super manga chapter are those of Toyotarō. This is backed up by the countless interviews between Toyotarō and Akira Toriyama on the subject (many mentioned above, and many even faithfully translated directly within Viz’s own collected edition of the manga). Even with supervision by and story arc outlines by Akira Toriyama, it is Toyotarō who is responsible for the final art and dialogue within the finalized, printed manga itself. A substantial entry in our “Rumor Guide” is forthcoming regarding this topic, which will delve even further into each specific example to even more definitively explain this situation.

Each chapter of the Dragon Ball Super manga is first serialized in V-Jump. The series began with chapters running anywhere from roughly 15 to 30 pages, but eventually settled into 45 pages per chapter. Chapters are primarily produced in black and white, with very few color pages, and thus far have only been compiled in a tankōbon format.

With the series’ 87th chapter serialization in the October 2022 issue of V-Jump (released 20 August 2022), a note alongside the final page explained that the series would be going on hiatus, “…in order to prepare the next arc.”

Series Story Arcs

Select a story arc to view a chapter-by-chapter break-down of that specific arc, with additional information pertaining to the original serialization. Detailed pages have also been included for each individual chapter, which contain title pages, chapter summaries, notes, and page breakdowns.

It should be noted that prior to the debut of the Dragon Ball Super manga series, Toyotarō penned a three-chapter introductory manga to the Resurrection ‘F’ movie in the April, May, and June 2015 issues of V-Jump. While not officially confirmed, it is believed that for this reason the Resurrection ‘F’ story arc that appears in the TV series was omitted from the manga, which instead “charged ahead” to the God of Destruction Champa story arc.

Documentation of additional bonus chapters — generally first published in event booklets or collected manga volumes — is also available.

Battle of Gods arcChapters 01–04

Beerus, God of Destruction, has awoken after a 39 year slumber. Having had a dream about “Super Saiyan God”, he sets out in search of this mysterious Saiyan. After visiting Kaiō, and eventually ending up on Earth, Goku must find a way to summon the power of “Super Saiyan God” and battle the irritable god before he destroys the Earth!

Publication Dates: 20 June 2015 — 19 September 2015 (4 months)

Gods of Destruction Champa and Beerus have decided to hold a team battle featuring select warriors from their respective universes, with the grand prize being Universe 7’s Earth, and all of the delicious food that comes with it! With so much on the line, Earth’s heroes must defend their home and find the last remaining Super Dragon Ball before it’s too late.

Publication Dates: 21 October 2015 — 21 June 2016 (9 months)
Future Trunks arcChapters 14–26

The future is in danger once again, driving humanity to the brink of extinction. Future Trunks resists, but even the power of a Super Saiyan is no match for this mysterious man called “Black”. With no option left, Trunks travels back to the past once again to enlist the help of Goku and Vegeta. Even with Beerus on their side, can they stop Black’s shocking plan?!

Publication Dates: 21 July 2016 — 21 July 2017 (13 months)
Universe Survival arcChapters 27–42

Having enjoyed watching the martial arts tournament between Universe 6 and 7 firsthand, the Omni-King holds his very own between all 12 universes! With the warriors assembled, the Universe’s Greatest Martial Arts Tournament is set to begin. While Goku is filled with unabashed delight, Beerus and Whis are fraught with fear at the consequences of losing…

Publication Dates: 21 August 2017 — 21 November 2018 (16 months)

Goku and Vegeta volunteer to help the Galactic Patrol capture Moro, an escaped prisoner who had been imprisoned for 10 million years. However, Moro wields powerful magic that allows him to steal other’s power. As Moro shifts his attention to obtaining the Namekian Dragon Balls, can the Galactic Patrol stop him before he makes a universe-changing wish?!

Publication Dates: 21 December 2018 — 21 December 2020 (25 months)

All seems at peace across the Universe as our heroes receive accommodations from the Galactic Patrol for their efforts battling Moro. But in the shadows Granolla moves to retrieve Seven-Three’s remains, which have already been recovered for replication by Goichi, the lifeform’s original owner. What secrets does Seven-Three hold, and what is Granolla’s grand scheme?!

Publication Dates: 21 January 2021 — 20 August 2022 (20 months)
Super Hero arcChapters 88–ongoing

Now teenagers, Goten and Trunks have become super heroes to protect peace! But as remnants of an old organization reemerge, can Earth’s mightiest young protectors save the day, or will they need a little help from some friends?!

Publication Dates: 21 December 2022 — ongoing

Supplemental Works

Bonus Chapters1–ongoing

North Kaiō’s planet is restored back to its small size. Pilaf and co. are wished into babies. Gohan wishes to visit Trunks’ future timeline. Goten and Trunks babysit the island. Anyone remember Broli? These short bonus chapters have been published in each year’s “Jump Victory Carnival” attendee guidebooks since the series’ debut.

Publication Dates: 18 July 2015 — ongoing