From its initial publication in Shonen Jump in 1984, Akira Toriyama's martial arts fantasy epic, Dragon Ball, has inspired a massive transmedia franchise consisting of video games, action figures, movies, and an ultra-popular TV anime.

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While the anime has catapulted Son Goku and friends front and center in terms of public awareness in the West, the manga has slowly made its way through the ranks as well. With such a popular series, it's no wonder that so many people have weighed in on the manga. Goodreads users have rated the best Dragon Ball Z manga.

Updated August 25th, 2022 by Matthew Wilkinson-Swafford: Dragon Ball Z continues to be a powerful influence in the realm of manga and anime. Over time, Goodreads users have changed their ratings on DBZ's many manga volumes. With Dragon Ball Super carrying the franchise now, Dragon Ball's popularity isn't going anywhere. It's been a couple of years since this list was first published, so it's worth looking at the new rankings according to Goodreads reviewers.

10 The Cell Games Are Announced In Volume 17 (4.36 Stars)

In volume 17, Cell announces in just nine days that he'll hold a tournament known as the Cell Games. If Earth cannot produce a warrior that can defeat him, he will kill every last human being. This alarms Goku's friends because Vegeta and Trunks could not defeat Cell even after stepping into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Goku and Gohan step out of the chamber even stronger than before. Goku approaches Korin to see how he compares to Cell. Korin says that Cell is a little stronger. Gohan is baffled by this test. After Goku recruits Dende to replace Kami, the Cell Games formally begin.

9 Namek Explodes & Trunks Arrives In Volume 12 (4.38 Stars)

In Volume 12, the battle between Goku and Frieza finally ends. It seems as though both of them die as Namek explodes. The dragon Porunga reveals to the Z Warriors that Goku is still alive, but he will not allow himself to be teleported to Earth. A few months pass before the story advances.

A few months later, Frieza and his father King Cold arrive on Earth. Frieza has been given a shiny new body and he and King Cold seek to destroy Earth. Suddenly, a strange young man appears before them. The young man, known as Trunks, kills Frieza and King Cold while turning Super Sayian.

8 The Z Warriors Stall For Time In Volume 3 (4.39 Stars)

In Volume 3, Vegeta and Nappa have arrived, and Goku's friends are struggling. Chaotzu tries to sacrifice himself to take out Nappa, but it doesn't work. Tien is quickly dispatched thereafter. Krillin's Destructo Disc proves useless in the fight, and Piccolo's attempts cost him his life as well.

Goku finally arrives, leading to the classic "It's over 9000!" moment. Goku completely destroys Nappa with his sheer might. Finally, the stage is set for Goku and Vegeta to clash. The two warriors meet face to face, and they seem neck and neck as the volume ends.

7 Goku & Friends Give Their All Against Vegeta In Volume 4 (4.40 Stars)

In volume 4, Goku finally squares off against Vegeta. Goku appears to have Vegeta against the ropes during a good portion of the fight. Things look grim when Vegeta brings out an artificial Moon and transforms into a giant ape. Surprisingly, Yajirobe cuts off Vegeta's tail, reverting him back to his usual form.

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Goku is broken down, and Gohan steps up to Vegeta. Gohan uses all his might, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Suddenly, Gohan transforms into a giant ape, too. Gohan is able to crush Vegeta and defeat him. The volume ends with Vegeta attempting to retreat.

6 Goku Arrives To Fight Frieza In Volume 10 (4.43 Stars)

Volume 10 begins with Frieza toying with the Z Warriors. Piccolo seems to have Frieza on the ropes, but then he transforms. Piccolo and Gohan gang up on him, but then he transforms into his final form. Even Vegeta is having trouble, but then Goku finally arrives.

Vegeta is killed after speaking of the legend of the Super Sayian. Goku and Frieza begin their epic battle, but neither is taking the other too seriously at first. Once the fight gets serious, Frieza begins clobbering Goku. Even a 20 times Kaio Ken doesn't seem to be enough.

5 The Cell Games End In Volume 19 (4.43 Stars)

In volume 19, the battle between Cell and Gohan continues. Gohan matches a massive Kamehameha blast with one of his own. Cell tries to blow up the Earth, but Goku teleports him to King Kai's planet, sacrificing himself. That isn't enough to kill Cell quite yet, though.

Gohan's arm is injured, but he makes one last-ditch effort to defeat Cell. With help from Goku, Gohan channels enough strength to blow Cell away. In the confusion, Hercule claims that it was he who defeated Cell. The dragon Shenron is unable to resurrect Goku, so Krillin removes the bombs from 17 and 18.

4 The Story Ends At Last In Volume 26 (4.46 Stars)

In the final volume, Goku takes the fight to Majin Buu. Goku fuses with Vegeta using special earrings to become Vegito. Vegito floors Buu, but Buu is able to absorb him — or so he thinks. Goku and Vegeta separate and free all the fighters he's absorbed.

Buu destroys the Earth and Goku, Vegeta, and Hercule chase after him. Goku fights him for a while, and Vegeta gets the idea to use a Spirit Bomb. Goku has Dende use the Namekian dragon balls to restore Earth and its people. Hercule convinces the people of Earth to lend Goku their energy to contribute to the Spirit Bomb. The attack is successful, and Buu is defeated once and for all.

3 Goku Goes Super Sayian In Volume 11 (4.47 Stars)

In volume 11, Goku's battle with Frieza continues. Goku attempts the Spirit Bomb on Frieza and a perfect execution almost kills him. Frieza gets fed up and kills Krillin, which enrages Goku to the point where he becomes a Super Sayian.

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Goku has a fighting chance against Frieza as a Super Saiyan. Goku has him on the ropes, but Frieza tries to destroy the planet out of desperation. Frieza charges up to his full power, and Goku lets him do it. Mr. Popo revived all the people Frieza and his soldiers killed on Namek, and then teleported them to Earth. This left Goku and Frieza to fight it out alone.

2 The Sayian Saga Begins In Volume 1 (4.49 Stars)

At the beginning of the Dragon Ball Z saga, a mysterious alien has come to Earth. He seeks out powerful energy and is surprised that the whole planet hadn't been devastated. The alien, Raditz, runs into Piccolo, and they have a stare down. Piccolo is terrified of his power. Raditz heads in the direction of Kame House, where Son Goku currently is.

Goku meets with Krillin, Bulma, and Roshi after five years. He brings his son Gohan along. Raditz arrives and makes short work of everyone before kidnapping Gohan and taking him to his ship. Piccolo arrives and agrees to fight Raditz alongside Goku.

1 The Z Warriors Prepare For The Sayians In Volume 2 (4.5 Stars)

In volume 2, Goku has died and continues on to Snake Way, which he must cross to meet King Kai. Meanwhile, Piccolo kidnaps Gohan and leaves him in the woods for survival training. After a few days, Gohan sees a full moon and transforms into a giant ape. Piccolo destroys the Moon to stop him.

Goku finally gets to the end of Snake Way and meets King Kai. Goku trains with him and learns techniques such as the Kaio ken and the Spirit Bomb. Goku's friends had gathered the Dragon Balls in order to wish him back to life. Goku is wished back to life just in time, as the Sayians are about to arrive. He must make the trip back on Snake Way, however.

NEXT: 10 Times Goku Proved Himself To Be A True Hero In Dragon Ball