“Serialization” refers to the original, first-run printing of a series, generally on a chapter-by-chapter basis. For the original Dragon Ball manga — published weekly over the course of 1984 to 1995 — this was as a part of Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump anthology magazine. For subsequent spin-offs and sequel series, serialization came in the form of everything from quarterly, to bimonthly, to monthly publications across a range of magazines.
The goal of this page is to maintain an up-to-date list of what Dragon Ball-adjacent series are currently in serialization, with descriptions of their respective magazines (or other source publications), and links to additional areas here within our “Manga Guide” where further breakdowns are available.
Original Dragon Ball Serialization
Before moving into the current slate of series in serialization, it is worth reviewing how the original Dragon Ball series was published. Before being compiled into tankōbon (generally known throughout the English speaking world more colloquially as “Graphic Novel” collections), it was printed one chapter at a time within the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump, a weekly manga anthology magazine aimed at young male readers first established in 1968 by Shueisha. Dragon Ball was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 20 November 1984 to 23 May 1995, and in combination with other top series of the time and a record high circulation volume, it was a definitive era for the magazine that came to be known as the “Golden Age of Jump.” This era solidified Weekly Shōnen Jump as the flagship property of Shueisha’s ever-changing Jump line of magazines, and to date it is the longest-running and best-selling manga magazine of all time.
Release Information
Released:20 November 1984 – 23 May 1995
Retail:¥170 – ¥210
Book Size:JIS B5 (18.2 × 25.7 cm)
Publisher:Shueisha
Volumes:516 issues
Current Dragon Ball Serialization — Print
Three Dragon Ball manga are currently serialized in print in Japan. These series are spread across two different magazines, both currently monthly publications from Shueisha, V-Jump and Saikyō Jump.
V-Jump (né “Virtual Jump”) is a monthly multimedia-focused (video games, card games, anime, manga, etc.) magazine by Shueisha dating back to a trial run in 1990. The magazine has historically also been the home of spin-off and sequel manga for series extending beyond their original glory days, with the current serialization of Dragon Ball Super and Boruto (alongside various Yu-Gi-Oh! series) continuing that mission. Before the serialization of Dragon Ball Super, V-Jump was home to spin-offs such as Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (by Naho Ooishi) and Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission (by Toyotarō). V-Jump is generally released on the 21st of each month, barring a Sunday or holiday, in which case it is moved up to the next appropriate day.
Saikyō Jump (né “Super Strong Jump”) is a monthly manga anthology magazine by Shueisha dating back to 2010. The magazine — aimed at an even younger audience than Weekly Shōnen Jump — has shifted from quarterly, to monthly, to bimonthly, to monthly once more over the course of time. Its content are spin-offs of popular Jump franchises created with the goal indoctrinating younger audiences into their ecosystem. Originally home to Dragon Ball SD (by Naho Ooishi), these days Saikyō Jump is home to Dragon Ball Heroes adaptations and adjacent properties. Saikyō Jump is generally released on the 4th of each month.
Release Information
Author:Toyotarō
Publication:V-Jump
Released:2015 – present
Collected Volumes:Yes
Release Information
Author:Yūji Kasai
Publication:Saikyō Jump
Released:2021 – present
Collected Volumes:Yes
Release Information
Author:Yoshitaka Nagayama
Publication:Saikyō Jump
Released:2023 – present
Collected Volumes:n/a
Current Akira Toriyama / Non-Dragon Ball Serialization — Print
Though not specifically related to Dragon Ball, one Akira Toriyama property is currently receiving a new serialization in print.
Release Information
Author:Akira Toriyama
Publication:Saikyō Jump
Released:2023 – present
Collected Volumes:No
Current Dragon Ball Serialization — Digital
One Dragon Ball manga is currently serialized in Japan first as a digital video series (though it originally debuted in print within the pages of Saikyō Jump), which is then later compiled into standard print volumes.
Release Information
Author:Naho Ooishi
Original Publication:Saikyō Jump
Current Publication:Saikyō Jump Official YouTube Channel
Released:2011 – present
Collected Volumes:Yes
Dragon Ball Serializations on (Possible) Hiatus
One Dragon Ball manga series is on possible hiatus, though no announcement has been specifically made about its break or possible return.
Release Information
Author:n/a
Publication:Saikyō Jump
Released:2014 – 2023
Chapters:73
Collected Volumes:Yes (Partial)
Status:Alongside the completion of the Baby arc in the July 2023 issue of Saikyō Jump, a sidebar splash announced that a new colorized version of Akira Toriyama’s Sand Land manga would begin in the following August 2023 issue. In said August 2023 issue, the Dragon Ball GT Anime Comic was not included/continued, and no word on an adaptation of the Super 17 arc has been announced.