Dragon Ball
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1984, this forty-two volume epic draws spiritual inspiration from Journey to the West and stands as one of the most successful manga series in history with over 260 million copies sold worldwide.
Dragon Ball is a manga series written and illustrated by Japanese artist Akira Toriyama, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995, spanning 42 volumes. Drawing inspiration from Journey to the West, Toriyama integrated the archetypes of characters such as Sun Wukong, Tripitaka, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing into a vibrant, modern martial arts adventure. The protagonist, Son Goku, is based on the Handsome Monkey King, wielding the Ruyi Jingu Bang and riding the Somersault Cloud; Bulma corresponds to the monk Tripitaka, while Oolong is a reflection of Zhu Bajie. The story transforms the spiritual core of the pilgrimage into a fantastical quest to collect seven Dragon Balls, blending comedy with high-octane combat. With total global sales exceeding 260 million copies, it is one of the best-selling manga series of all time and has exerted a profound influence on generations of subsequent manga artists.