Dragon Ball Z, Vol. 1: Volume 1  (English, Paperback, Toriyama Akira)

Son Goku and his friends return after a 7 year hiatus in this first volume of Dragon Ball Z, an action packed sequel to the hit manga series Dragon Ball. Join the battle against the evil Saiya-jin as Goku and his friends battle in a fight for their lives and the planet Earth.

Summary of the Book

Seven years after defeating the evil Piccolo Jr., Goku's life seems to have returned to peace. He is now happily married to Chi-Chi and enjoys training in the woods or watching over his five and a half year old son Gohan. However, not all is well in the universe as a mysterious space pod lands on the planet Earth and a large alien steps out of it, searching for a man he calls Kakarotto. Who is this Kakarotto and what does this alien want with him? The alien himself is mysterious as he sports an monkey-tail, very similar to the one Goku used to have years ago as a child. On a visit at Muten-Roshi's, Goku encounters the alien who has a startling announcement. He is Goku's elder brother and he wants him to kill 100 human beings. If Goku does not, the alien will take Gohan with him to outer space. Goku is outmatched by the alien, and resorts to desperate measures. He must fight alongside one of the most unlikely allies he will ever make: Piccolo himself! Can Goku trust the evil Piccolo? Why does the alien want Goku? And is he really his brother? Watch out, for beams are flying high and the punches won't stop in this action packed beginning to Dragon Ball Z!

About Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama is a Japanese Mangaka and Manga artist. Toriyama is considered one of the pedastals of the Shonen Manga genre and his Dragon Ball series is considered definitive of the entire genre. His work has gone on to inspire a vast array of future generations in the genre and the Manga medium as well, paving the way for them by setting a standard for all of them to aspire to. He is also well known for the Dr. Slump and Arale-Chan manga series, which shot him to fame and launched his career as a mangaka.

The Dragon Ball series has since been adapted into several TV anime series, entitled Dragonball, Dragonball Z and Dragonball GT. The series has also been adapted into several animated and live action movies. The series has been dubbed into English, and several other languages and features multiple games across all gaming consoles. Notable games in the series are the Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Dragon Ball Z. 

He is also the recipient of the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award for best sh?nen or sh?jo manga with Dr. Slump.