150 Manga Series for Newbies

 

Haven’t read any manga before? Here’s a list of 150 manga series for newbies just like you!

You may recognize some titles from their anime counterparts like Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z. This manga list is divided up by its target audience (shonen, shojo, etc.) and genre.

The differences between each manga demographic:

• Josei: women ages 18 – 40
• Seinen: men ages 18 – 40
• Shojo: girls ages 10 – 18
• Shonen: boys ages 10 – 18

The list includes manga I’ve either read, heard of, or placed in my to-read list.

Enjoy!

JOSEI

Drama

1. With the Light by Keiko Tobe

Historical

1. Ooku, the Inner Chambers by Fumi Yoshinaga

Romance

1. Loveless by Yun Kouga
2. Paradise Kiss by Ai Yazawa
3. Princess Jellyfish by Akiko Higashimura

Supernatural

1. Midnight Secretary by Ohmi Tomu

SEINEN

Action

1. Afro Samurai by Takashi Okazaki
2. Ajin: Demi-Human by Gamon Sakurai
3. Battle Royale by Koushun Takami
4. Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike

Adventure

1. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures by Hirohiko Araki

 Comedy

1. Chii’s Sweet Home by Kanata Konami
2. Crayon Shin-Chan by Yoshito Usui
3. Excel Saga by Rikdo Koshi
4. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto by Nami Sano
5. Mahoromatic by Bunjuro Nakayama & Bow Ditama
6. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid by Coolkyoushinja
7. Moyasimon: Tales of Agriculture by Masayuki Ishikawa
8. One Punch Man by ONE
9. Prison School by Akira Hiramoto
10. Saint Young Men by Hikaru Nakamura

 Dark Fantasy

1. Berserk by Kentaro Miura
2. Ubel Blatt by Etorouji Shiono

 Fantasy

1. Is It Wrong To Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? By Fujino Omori
2. Puella Magi Madoka Magica by the Magica Quartet
3. R.O.D. by Hideyuki Kurata
4. Wolf’s Rain by Keiko Nobumoto

Historical/Historical Fiction

1. Barefoot Gen by Keiji Nakazawa
2. Buddha by Osamu Tezuka
3. Emma by Kaoru Mori
4. Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura

 Horror

1. Another by Yukito Ayatsuji
2. Elfen Lied by Lynn Okamoto
3. Gyo by Junji Ito
4. I Am a Hero by Kengo Hanazawa
5. Parasyte by Hitoshi Iwaaki
6. Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida
7. Uzumaki by Junji Ito

 Romance

1. Chobits by CLAMP

 Romantic Comedy

1. Ai Yori Aoshi by Kou Fumizuki
2. Maison Ikkoku by Rumiko Takahashi
3. Oh My Goddess by Kosuke Fujishima

Sci-Fi       

1. Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo
2. Battle Angel Alita by Yukito Kishiro
3. Ghost in the Shell by Masamune Shirow
4. Inuyashiki by Hiroya Oku
5. Neon Genesis Evangelion by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto

 Slice of Life

1. A Centaur’s Life by Kei Murayama

 Supernatural

1. Dance in the Vampire Bund by Nozomu Tamaki
2. Hellsing by Kouta Hirano

SHOJO

 Comedy

1. Merman in My Tub by Itokichi
2. The Wallflower by Tomoko Hayakawa

 Comedy-Drama

1. Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya

 Drama

1. Limit by Keiko Suenobu

 Fantasy

1. Angel Sanctuary by Kaori Yuki
2. Basara by Yumi Tamura
3. Cardcaptor Sakura by CLAMP
4. Ceres, Celestial Legend by Yuu Watase
5. The Demon Prince of Momochi House by Aya Shouoto
6. From Far Away by Kyoko Hikawa
7. Kyo Kara MAOH! by Tomo Takabayashi
8. Magic Knight Rayearth by CLAMP
9. Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi
10. Revolutionary Girl Utena by Chiho Saito
11. Wish by CLAMP

 Historical

1. Cantarella by You Higuri

 Mystery

1. Petshop of Horrors by Matsuri Akino

 Romance

1. Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase
2. Backstage Prince by Kanoko Sakurakoji
3. Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji
4. Crimson Prince by Souta Kuwuhara
5. Demon Love Spell by Mayu Shinjo
6. Fushigi Yugi by Yuu Watase
7. Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden by Yuu Watase
8. The Heiress and the Chauffer by Keiko Ishihara
9. Honey Blood by Miko Mitsuki
10. Kamisama Kiss by Julietta Suzuki
11. Mars by Fuyumi Soryo
12. Nana by Ai Yazawa
13. Please Save My Earth by Saki Hiwatari

 Romantic Comedy

1. Marmalade Boy by Wataru Yoshizumi
2. My Love Story by Kazune Kawahara
3. Ouran Host Club by Bisco Hatori
4. Otomen by Aya Kanno

Romantic Dramedy

1. Peach Girl by Miwa Ueda

 Sci-Fi

1. Cowboy Bebop by Hajime Yadate & Yutaka Nanten
2. Library Wars by Hiro Arikawa

 Supernatural

1. Hell Girl by Miyuki Eto
2. Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino
3. Vampire Princess Miyu by Toshiki Hirano

 Time Travel

1. Red River by Chie Shinohara
2. Yukarism by Shiomi Chika

SHONEN

Action

1. Future Diary by Sakae Esuno
2. Gunslinger Girl by Yu Aida

 Action Comedy

1. Assassination Classroom by Yusei Matsui

 Adventure

1. Bleach by Tite Kubo
2. Boruto by Ukyo Kodachi & Masashi Kishimoto
3. Slump by Akira Toriyama
4. Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama
5. Dragon Ball Z by Akira Toriyama
6. Hunter X Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi
7. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic by Shinobu Ohtaka
8. My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi
9. Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
10. One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
11. Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki
12. Zatch Bell by Makoto Raiku

 Comedy

1. Azumanga Daioh by Kiyohiko Azuma
2. Food Wars by Yuto Tsukada
3. Hetalia: Axis Powers by Hidekaz Himaruya
4. Lum Invader by Rumiko Takahashi
5. Nichijou by Keiichi Arawi

Comedy-Drama

1. GTO by Tooru Fujisawa

 Dark Fantasy

1. Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama
2. Black Butler by Yana Toboso

 Fantasy

1. Animal Land by Makoto Raiku
2. Black Clover by Yuki Tabata
3. Blue Exorcist by Kazue Kato
4. A Certain Magical Index by Kazuma Kamachi
5. Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima
6. Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa
7. Inu-Yasha by Rumiko Takahashi
8. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa
9. Mermaid Saga by Rumiko Takahashi
10. Negima! Master Negi Magi by Ken Akamatsu
11. The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai
12. The Seven Deadly Sins by Nakaba Suzuki

 Horror

1. Corpse Party: Blood Covered by Makoto Kedouin
2. Scary Book by Kazuo Umezu

 Mystery

1. Case Closed by Gosho Aoyama
2. The Kindaichi Case Files by Yozaburo Kanari & Seimaru Amagi

Romantic Comedy

1. Horimiya by HERO
2. Love Hina by Ken Akamatsu
3. Ranma ½ by Rumiko Takahashi
4. School Rumble by Jin Kobayashi
5. Video Girl Ai by Masakazu Katsura

 Sci-Fi

1. Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka
2. Cells at Work by Akane Shimizu

 Slice of Life

1. Handa-Kun by Satsuki Yoshino
2. A Silent Voice by Yoshitoki Oima

 Sports

1. Haikyuu!! By Haruichi Furudate
2. Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue
3. Yowamushi Pedal by Wataru Watanabe

 Supernatural

1. The Ancient Magus Bride by Kore Yamazaki
2. Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba
3. Mai: The Psychic Girl by Kazuya Kudo
4. Natsume’s Book of Friends by Yuki Midorikawa
5. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan by Hiroshi Shiibashi
6. Twin Star Exorcists by Yoshiaki Sukeno
7. Yu Yu Hakusho by Yoshihiro Togashi

Which manga series will be your first? Comment down below!

 Related articles:

• 1,000 Manga Volumes Goal
• Manga Monday #26: “Blood Lad” by Yuuki Kodama
• Thoughts After Reading 1,000 Manga Volumes

(Gif source: Giphy)

(Book pic sources: Amazon)

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If Santa Gave Me 25 Books for Christmas…

Instead of having all of your presents on Christmas Day, what if Santa came by every day for 25 days giving you one gift?

I’d ask Santa to give me 25 books:

25 Books Christmas Wish List

Fiction

1. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce
   • Read it middle school. Never owned the book.
2. Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
3. The Atlantean Legacy by Paula Bates
4. Mask and Shadows by Stephanie Burgis
5. Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor

Manga

1. Berserk by Kentaro Miura
   • Have to read the manga since the anime ended it with a serious cliffhanger!
2. Dead Tube by Mikoto Yamaguchi & Touta Kitakawa
   • Only available in French for some reason
3. Demon Love Spell by Mayu Shinjo
4. Happy Mania by Moyoko Anno
5. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure by Hirohiko Araki
   • Currently unavailable 😦

New Age

1. The Alchemy of Sexual Energy by Mantak Chia
2. A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Reality by Ramtha
3. Nothing in this Book is True, but It’s Exactly How Things Are by Bob Frissell
4. The Pineal Gland: The Eye of God by Manly P. Hall
   • Currently in love with Hall’s works since I’ve started reading The Secret Teachings of All Ages.
5. The Secret Source by Maja D’Aoust & Adam Parfrey

Non-Fiction

1. Become an Idea Machine by Claudia Azula Altucher
2. Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
3. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
4. The First 20 Hours by Josh Kaufman
5. The Now Habit by Neil Fiore

Writing

1. 2,000 to 10,000 by Rachel Aaron
2. The Fluff-Free Freelance Writing Master Course by Alina Bradford
3. The Miracle Morning for Writers by Hal Elrod
4. On Writing by Stephen King
5. You Are a Writer by Jeff Goins

 

 

 

 

I’m ready to see the books I’ll get this Christmas! If I don’t get any, those lovely  Amazon and bookstore gift cards I always find in my Christmas stocking will do. 😉

Recent posts:

• My November 2017 Book Haul
• 30 Books I’m Thankful for in 2017
• 12 New Age Fiction Books You Can Read Right Now

Which books do you have on your Christmas list?

(GIF sources: Giphy)

30 Books I’m Thankful for in 2017

Have you read a life-changing book this year? Has a book changed the way you work? How about one that made you smile on a bad day?

As a book lover, Thanksgiving’s the perfect time to reflect on the books I’ve read so far this year.

Down below, I’ve listed 30 books I’m thankful for in 2017.

 Adult Fiction

1.  1001 Nights: Demonica Novella Series by Larissa Ione

I’m counting this as one even though I read Azagoth, Hades, Z, and Razr. These sensually charged novellas were pleasant breaks from my usual non-fiction reads.

2. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben (review)

Fool Me Once has encouraged me to add more thriller books into my Goodreads “To-Read” list.

Adult Non-Fiction

3. The 10x Rule by Grant Cardone (review)

I’ve learned I have to go beyond the usual expectations if I want to accomplish amazing feats. You become powerful once you place Grant Cardone’s “1ox Rule” into your daily life.

4. The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach (review)

This book was a bummer, but it has taught me there’s more than one way to become a millionaire. I don’t have to cut out my Starbucks trips to go there.

5. Deep Work by Cal Newport (review)

Deep Work has taught me it’s okay to stay focused a little longer on my projects.

Besides, those who consistently produce rise to higher places faster than the average joe.

6. Hustle by Neil Patel, Jonas Koffler, and Peter Vlaskovits (review)

I appreciate the motivation I’ve gained from this book. According to the authors of Hustle, hustling’s the key to ultimate success.

Imagination and action can take you far if you allow it.

7. Imagining the World Into Existence by Normandi Ellis (review)

I thank Ellis for sharing the ancient Egyptians’ sacred knowledge and mythology.

8. The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco (review)

Thank the stars for MJ DeMarco! He takes on a humorous, informative approach to successful financial freedom.

DeMarco understands people want their freedom now, not when they’re so old they can’t do jack.

9. Your Internet Cash Machine by Joe Vitale & Jillian Coleman Wheeler (review)

Your Internet Cash Machine can relieve any readers’ doubts setting up their online business.

Adult Non-Fiction (Channeled)

10. Ask and It is Given by Esther & Jerry Hicks (review)

Ask and It is Given hasn’t disappointed me.

Reading the Teachings of Abraham books have always inspired me. They remind me I am a limitless, creative being.

11. Bashar: Blueprint for a Change by Darryl Anka (review)

Months ago, I discovered Darryl Anka on Youtube. He channels an inter-dimensional alien named Bashar sharing messages to humanity.

Thank goodness, Bashar has published some books including Blueprint for a Change. 

I loved channeled books.

12. Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts (review)

Another channeled book I’ve come to love. A favorite quote from this book:

“Every thought you have changes reality. Not only reality as you know it, but all reality.” -Seth

Think about it. You can be an incredible creator of your reality.

Adult Non-Fiction (Writing)

13. 5,000 Words Per Hour by Chris Fox (review)

I haven’t written 5,000 words per hour yet, but I’m on my way there and it’s fantastic!

14. Accidental Genius by Mark Levy (review)

Thinking about writing is easy, writing in action can be downright tricky. Accidental Genius has helped me release my writing blocks.

The key: get started already!

15. Get Your Articles Published by Lesley Bown (review)

Thanks to this book, I know how to submit articles online and magazines if I wanted to.

16. Lifelong Writing Habit by Chris Fox (review)

Having a full-time writing career takes time and good habits. I’ve gained valuable writing skills to keep my writing flow running.

17. Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer by Moira Allen

This freelance writing book is a blessing.

Moira  Allen has introduced me to the freelance writing world and inspired me to read much more on the subject.

 18. The Writer’s Market (Writer’s Digest)

I can’t say I can’t find any writing opportunities after checking out the Writer’s Market! The options are endless.

Comics/Graphic Novels

19. The Adventures of TinTin (vol 1.) by Hergé

When I was little, I used to watch the TinTin cartoons and imagined myself traveling the world with him.

Years later, TinTin has returned to my life as a graphic novel. I can relive the adventures with him again.

(Sounds like I have a crush on him but don’t. *coughs*)

20. Aquaman (Vol. One): “The Trench” by Geoff Johns

I don’t know why Aquaman gets so much hate. I found myself hooked on reading the comics.

The haters are liars lol.

21. Doctor Strange (Vol. One):  “The Way of the Weird” by Jason Aaron & Chris Bachalo

One of my first modern Doctor Strange comics. I’m so happy this multi-dimensional hero exists.

22. The Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson

I always wanted to go to summer camp like the cool kids in the 90’s movies.

Noelle Stevenson carries out the magical summer camp adventures I missed out during my childhood.

23. Supermutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki

This graphic novel made me wish I was in this fictional school.

24. Wonder Woman (Volume 1): “Blood” by Brian Azzarello

Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello was my first Wonder Woman comic after watching the summer hit movie.

I’m thankful for Diana Prince’s existence.

Manga

25. Dance in the Vampire Bund II by Nozomu Tamaki

A while back, the original series’ ending left me unsatisfied.  I’m so happy a sequel exists!

26. Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama (Manga Monday)

It’s a pleasure starting over with the Dragon Ball universe with young Goku.

27. Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima (Manga Monday)

I’m happy I’ve picked up this manga after mistaken it for “kiddie” manga. Now I feel like I’m part of the Fairy Tail family. ^_^

28. Haikyu by Haruichi Furudate (Manga Monday)

It’s about time I found a fun sports manga. I love the characters, and I hope they make it to the top!

29. My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi (Manga Monday)

This series, omg.

Izuku Midoriya thought he could never be a superhero since he wasn’t born with any special abilities. His favorite hero gives him his own.

No matter what you lack, you can make it up with your drive and passion.

YA

30. The Lost Code  by Kevin Emerson (review)

Picking up this YA book has broken my old beliefs on YA books. The repeated “love triangle” teen novels turned me off from reading YA long ago.

The Lost Code came into my hands, reminding me there’s more in the YA universe. I’m reading more in the future for sure.

Related articles:

• 3 Ways the Writer’s Market Helps Writers Like You
• 6 Belated Thanksgiving Thank Yous 

(Pic Sources: Giphy, Tumblr)

Comment on the books in your “thankful” list below! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manga Monday #26: “Blood Lad” by Yuuki Kodama

Looking for a new supernatural manga? Blood Lad has all the vampires, demons, and werewolves you want!

The manga series ran from 2009 to 2016 with seventeen volumes. The anime had a short run during the summer and fall of 2013.

The story’s not all dark and serious like I originally thought. It has its hilarious moments.

A Vampire Who Loves Humans

Count Dracula’s descendant Staz T. Blood receives news a human girl has been seen wandering around his demon territory. Good news for him: he loves humans!

Staz is absolutely obsessed with human pop culture. He owns a vast manga library, plays humans’ video games, and collects action figures.

His meeting with the human Fuyumi is cut short when a monster plant devours her. Now, she’s a ghost in an unfamiliar world.

Staz travels through the human and demon worlds searching for a resurrection spell to return Fuyumi back to a fully-fleshed human. If he doesn’t find the spell on time, she’ll fade away into non-existence. Fuyumi drinks Staz’s blood to remain visible in her ghostly form.

The closer Staz gets to returning Fuyumi to human, the more he learns about Fuyumi’s close connection to his monster world.

The rest of the plot gets tangled in deeper conflicts. Staz discovers the only person who knows the resurrection spell for Fuyumi is his suspicious older brother Braz. In exchange for the spell, Staz must do Braz a dangerous favor.

Fuyumi, Bell, and The Executioner of Hell

As I progressed through the series, I kept hoping Fuyumi’s character development would, you know, develop! Fuyumi has a sweet personality, but she lacks a backbone. She has an interesting character role, but it barely changes her.

Luckily, Fuyumi’s dainty self is mixed in with more energetic female characters.

There’s Bell Hydra, the dimension traveling witch. She loves getting in Staz’s way. Has a little crush on him too.

The underworld executioner is Liz T. Blood, Staz’s little sister. Despite being a hardcore kid, she’s hugely jealous of Staz.

You see, Staz was born with greater power than Braz. Braz grew obsessive over Staz’s power and placed him under deadly experiments to test his strength. He eventually manages to seal Staz’s true power away. Only he can unlock it.

Braz still checks up on Staz even though his little brother can’t stand him. It’s a strange relationship.

Liz only wants Braz to stop being so obsessive over Staz so they could share memorable big brother-little sister moments together.  All she wants is his time.

 Reading to The End

Many things are going on in this manga. Something insane happens on every single page!

All Staz wants to do is turn Fuyumi back to human. But no, there’s more, there’s always more.

I must see what happens at the end of this series. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard much about it when it came out. It’s a fun action manga.

Have you read Blood Lad? Comment below your thoughts about this manga or any supernatural manga recommendations! 

Past Manga Mondays You May Have Missed:

• Boruto
• Haikyuu
• My Hero Academia

 (Pic Sources: Giphy)

Manga Monday #25: “A Silent Voice”

Bullying sucks balls. Seriously, all you want to do is have a great time at school, but some doofus with issues wants to make your life miserable.

Movies, TV, and books emphasize how serious bullying is in schools and its effects on its victims. Even manga is taking a part in it.

A Silent Voice takes on a realistic look on bullying, the consequences, and forgiveness.

Shoya Meets Shoko

 New student Shoko Nishiyama comes to Shoya’s class. Shoya Ishida realizes she’s deaf and takes advantage of it. He constantly teases her and throws her hearing aids out of the window. Shoya’s friends don’t mind, they think it’s hilarious.

All this time after enduring Shoya’s bullying, Shoko still wants to be his friend.

It’s torture reading through the bullying scenes. I was waiting for Shoko to stand up for herself and slap the crap out of Shoya!

No worries, karma catches up with him in the end.

One day, Shoya’s bullying hits its limit and Shoko transfers out of his school. Shoya’s friends turn their backs on him. Shoya doesn’t believe he has done anything wrong until he discovers his mom must pay a hefty price for Shoko’s new hearing aids.

Finally, the guilt settles in.

Six years later, Shoya sees Shoko again and decides to make things right. However, he fears Shoko will never forgive him for what he has done to her in the past.

Would You Forgive?

I would’ve never hung out with Shoya again. I’d forgive him, but I’d have moved on with new friends.

Would you forgive Shoya if you were in Shoko’s shoes?

Shoko and Shoya eventually patch things up and become good friends. I praise Shoko’s strength to forgive and Shoya for finally taking full responsibility for his actions.

A Silent Voice is a wonderful original story touching on serious social issues.

Bullying sucks. Don’t be a bully or karma will haunt you.

A Silent Voice Movie

A Silent Voice has made its movie debut in Japan in 2016.  Check out the trailer:

The movie will come to America as a limited release on October 20, 2017.

Past Manga Mondays:

• Princess Jellyfish
• Puella Magi Madoka Magica
• With the Light

(Pic Sources: Tumblr, Giphy)

Comment below if you’ve read the manga or have any related manga recommendations. 

 

Manga Monday #24: “Puella Magi Madoka Magica”

If you think Puella Magi Madoka Magica is anything like Sailor Moon or Cardcaptor Sakura, you are gravely mistaken.

Don’t let the cutesy pretty manga cover fool you! This manga series is seriously dark.

To Be or Not To Be Magical

Madoka Kaname starts another regular day at school until she meets new student Homura Akemi. She has seen her before.

In Madoka’s dreams, Homura repeatedly saves her from a creature with an incredible offer. These events begin to manifest in real life.

Homura is on an important mission: destroy Kyubey. This little creature appears to Madoka offering her magical powers in exchange for a wish. Unknowingly to Madoka, this wish will cost her cherished life.

Madoka is an incredibly kind girl with low self-esteem. With her strong desire to help people, being a magical girl would make her dreams come true. Either she remains a normal middle schooler with an average life or become a powerful fighter burdened with a tragic fate.

Madoka’s friends Nami, Sayaka, and Kyoka have made their wishes and became magical girls. Sure, their wishes came true, but with nasty consequences. They serve Kyubey under an unbreakable contract fighting countless battles until their deaths.

Sounds fun? I think not.

Overall, be careful what you wish for.

Worth Reading?

Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes a heart-wrenching twist to the popular sugary mahou shoujo (magical girl) story. Most manga under this genre makes you feel good in the inside, but Madoka Magica punches you right in the stomach!

Personally, I recommend this series if you’re searching for a new take on magical girl manga.

Don’t read if you’re not interested in crying yourself to sleep.

Past Manga Mondays:

• Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama
• Fairy Tail by Hiro Mashima
• Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi

 Which manga girl manga have you read? Feel free to comment below! 😉

Manga Monday #23: “Dragon Ball” by Akira Toriyama

 

Should I catch up with the latest episodes or not?

That was the first question I had in mind when I heard the latest Dragon Ball series was on air (with a female Saiyan too). I haven’t watched the shows since Dragon Ball Z aired on Toonami over twenty years ago.

I finally decided to start all over by reading the original 1984 Dragon Ball series.

While reading, I’ve discovered some interesting facts:

1. The seven dragon balls have names.
2. Oolong was a villain.
3. Yamcha and Bulma dated.
4. Goku has no clue about females.

The Dragon Balls’ Names

The names goes as followed in order of the number of the stars on the balls:

1. (unknown)
2. Arushinchu
3. Sanshinkyu
4. Suishinchin
5. Oschinchu
6. Liushinkyu
7. Chiishinchu

The collected dragon balls summon the great dragon Shenron to grant one wish. The balls turn to stone and scatter all over the world after the wish is complete. They can only be used once a year after Shenron’s summoning.

In the first Dragon Ball volume, Goku mentions his grandfather gave him Suishinchin. Bulma reveals to Goku she has already gathered Oshinchu and Arushinchu.

While Goku only seeks adventure during the dragon ball quest, Bulma plans to use the balls to wish for a boyfriend.

Funny to say, Bulma doesn’t need a wish once she meets the desert bandit Yamcha.

Bulma & Yamcha

Before Bulma was in a relationship with Vegeta, she briefly dated Yamcha.

Yamcha desires marriage, but he’s afraid of girls. The further along the dragon ball quest, he and Bulma gain an intimate relationship.

I wonder why they didn’t remain a couple. If they did, then Trunks wouldn’t have existed and the entire Dragon ball universe would’ve taken a different turn.

Oolong Was a Terrorist?

Never in the world I would see this little piggy as a villain. Goku and Bulma meet the shape-shifting Oolong terrorizing a small village.

However, Oolong was not entirely bad. All he did was pose as a scary demon and kidnap the village girls to take care of his house. He can be a bit pervert, especially with Bulma, but she always evades his advances.

What’s a Girl?

Goku’s reactions towards girls are hilarious! He thinks girls have tails and boobs were butts on their chests. Goku’s biggest surprise:  they don’t have balls.

Sure, Goku’s only a little boy, but you would think he would’ve known a little more about females before meeting Bulma.

Worth Reading?

Overall, Dragon Ball is a great shonen series filled with memorable adventures and characters. Please do read the original series first if you’re familiar with the Dragon Ball universe. How everything started will surprise you.

Author Akira Toriyama has written sixteen volumes of Dragon Ball before hitting off with Dragon Ball Z.

So far, I’ve read five volumes. It’s time to read the rest!

Past Manga Mondays Posts:

• Black Clover
• My Hero Academia
• One Piece

(Pic Sources: Giphy, Disqus)

Feel free to comment below if you’ve read this manga series or you have any recommendations. 

Thank you!