Reading Dragon Ball in 2020. What made me read it? To start a series that has more than over 500 chapters is sometimes not easy. However, I gave in to the wondrous reputation that Dragon Ball has and I live more fulfilled as a result.

I really mean that. Dragon Ball isn't just another shounen series. At least for me, the series develops a 'weight' that increases with every arc. Perhaps that applies to a lot of manga. However, with my initial interest in DB being based around it's reputation (not to be mistaken for popularity), I feel a compounding satisfaction that only heightens with every arc.

I would like to elaborate on that 'weight' Dragon Ball has. To do that, I would like to talk about Goku. It's his nature that is what makes this manga so worthwhile. Goku has always had innate strength, but he always strives to be the best person he can be, even if it isn't necessarily to defeat someone else. It is beautiful how Toriyama has portrayed this. This is explored greater in the manga so I would rather recommend you to find out for yourself but to put it simply... Dragon Ball starts with Goku, but ends with everyone...

Too vague!?

Ultimately, there is a reason that my rating isn't higher than a 7. It isn't that Dragon Ball lacked anything specific. In my opinion, it's success is also what makes it 'fail'. Arguably, there isn't much more to take away other than it is a story about redemption. It isn't by coincidence that enemies may be more friend than foe as the story progresses. That's the formula. Goku's tales are worth the reader's time.

Ideally, in retrospect, it is a 10/10. An experience equates to it's reputation has no reason NOT to be a 10/10, surely? Realistically, there are manga that provoke more from the reader in many different ways, regardless of whether they are shounen manga or not.

I would have more deeply valued this series had I read it as I was growing up. So I would recommend you start Dragon Ball as early as you can. Perhaps if you do complete the manga, you might conclude it was just numerous drawn out battles of who has the highest power level. Because it is. Until it isn't. There are many things to value here. Either way, if you do start reading, even if you only make it to the end of the second volume, I hope you can agree that it was worth reading up until wherever you may stop.