best part of JJBA's entire 35-year run and it's not even close. you owe it to yourself to just read part 7, even if you're not a jojo's fan or you hate jojo's (how can you *really* hate jojo's, though?)

A generic and forgettable manga one-shot that especially pales when you (unfairly) compare it to the strange, highly evocative work of art that Yume Nikki is. Go play Yume Nikki.

Where to begin with a series as large and culturally relevant as Dragon Ball. I've got a good opener: it's mediocre.

Well, that's a bit harsh, but it certaibly makes for an attention-grabber. Toriyama's defining work follows the story of Goku and Bulma on their quest to obtain all seven dragon balls - which summons a wish-granting dragon. As Dragon Ball is a gag manga, we meet a cast of characters that comedically play off of Goku and Bulma - who themselves have great chemistry with one another. The manga got quite a few chortles out of me nearly 40 years later. But in the year 2023, you can't really ignore some of the uglier aspects of the manga's humor. Namely Toriyama's sexism and what is cultural insensitivity at best and outright racism at worst. A lot of the gags include Bulma being coerced into sexual situations, which is uncomfortable to read - especially when Master Roshi, an 80-year-old man, pervs over the aforementioned 16-year-old girl. And a lot of the different cultures that Toriyama draws inspiration from for his characters are reduced to cheap stereotypes. Don't get me started on the characters with dark skin tones - it's downright horrendous. On these points I believe even Dragon Ball's die-hard fans agree.

Despite the humor that should be left long in the past, Toriyama has created a compelling work. The constant sexual humor of the first few chapters is significantly toned down, the art of Dragon Ball is very distinct (Toriyama is a master of character design if you ask me), and the environments and technology of Dragon Ball's alternate Earth are creative. The world that Dragon Ball presents has a lot to love about it, and the side characters that accompany Goku and Bulma all have their redeeming qualities (even the pervy Master Roshi has his finer points). Yamcha and Puar were especially an entertaining duo, and it's a damn shame that both characters are completely tossed to the wayside by the time Dragon Ball Z begins.

TL;DR: An endearing manga dragged down by its time and its creator, Dragon Ball is worth reading if you are either a DBZ fanatic that has not read the original or somebody hellbent on consuming all of the anime/manga industry's most influential works.

An addendum (March 9, 2024): I do know that it is perhaps a bit hypocritical to focus only on the positives after Toriyama's unfortunate passing. But I do feel compelled to state that the man's legacy on anime, manga, and gaming is unparalleled. I don't think the world would be the same without Toriyama's mark on it. So I guess even if I have major criticisms of Dragon Ball, I can respect the legacy Toriyama left behind and the countless hearts he touched with not only his most famous work, but with his contributions to Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and several others I'm neglecting to mention. I guess seeing the entire world gather to pay respects to this man who did nothing but share his artistry and give us dreams of cosmic battles, superhuman were-ape creatures, pure hearts, hope - it has melted by cold, dead heart a bit. No matter what I think, Dragon Ball resonates with people at a scale and in a way I have never seen before. Rest in peace.