Longest Arcs & Sagas In The Dragon Ball Manga

Highlights

Dragon Ball Super’s Galactic Patrol Arc featured an intense battle with major antagonist Moro over 25 chapters.
The Battle Against Demon King Piccolo spanned 27 chapters, showcasing Goku’s triumph over the demonic threat.
The Saiyan Saga marked the beginning of Dragon Ball Z, introducing Radditz, Nappa, and Vegeta as formidable foes.

As a long-time enthusiast of Dragon Ball Z, I must say that the Android/Cell Saga and the Majin Buu Arc are two of the most captivating arcs in this epic saga. Each arc presents unique challenges for our beloved characters, showcasing their growth, evolution, and determination.

The long-running manga (and anime) known as Dragon Ball has seen a wealth of events unfold over its extensive history, with numerous arcs and sagas rising and falling. Originally starting out as a typical shonen manga, it has since grown into the global phenomenon that is Dragon Ball Super.

Here are the longest narratives and epic tales found within Dragon Ball, encompassing broad storylines, in-depth characterizations of primary villains, significant events, timeframes, and chapter counts from the manga. Proceed with caution as these descriptions might contain spoilers for a thrilling journey that awaits you!

9 The Galactic Patrol Arc

25 Chapters Total

Longest Arcs & Sagas In The Dragon Ball Manga

Release Year: 2018
End Year: 2020
Main Antagonist: Moro

The Galactic Patrol’s Capture of Moro Storyline, often referred to as The Moro Arc, unfolds from Chapter 42 of ‘Dragon Ball: Super’, concluding in Chapter 67 of the comic book series. Goku and Vegeta are tasked by the Galactic Patrol to apprehend Moro, a highly dangerous entity across universes. In earlier times, it was Moro who needed to be subdued by the Grand Supreme Kai and deprived of his magical abilities.

Without realizing it, Moro is heading towards New Namek to acquire the Super Dragon Balls and restore his power. Instead, Goku and Vegeta find themselves up against this escaped convict, but they struggle to keep him under control. With Porunga’s power at his disposal, Moro uses a wish to regain his magical abilities and rejuvenate himself. The decisive battle takes place on Earth, where Goku demonstrates an almost flawless display of Ultra Instinct and defeats Moro permanently.

8 Battle Against Demon King Piccolo

27 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1987
End Year: 1988
Main Antagonist: Piccolo Daimao

The events of the Piccolo saga unfold within chapters 135 to 161 of the Dragon Ball manga. Following the conclusion of the 22nd Martial Arts Tournament, Krillin meets an untimely end under mysterious circumstances, prompting the Dragon Gang to embark on a quest to find his killer. This investigation eventually leads them to confront the treacherous Piccolo Daimao, the Demon King who was once sealed by Mutenroshi and his master long ago.

Piccolo is trying to use the Dragon Ballto recover his youth and power, which he manages to do despite the efforts from Bulma and the rest of the crew to gather all the spheres before him. Meanwhile, Master Karin takes Goku to meet Kami-Sama, who to the distraught of the young Saiyan, is a look-alike of the BBEG. He trains for a while under Kaio Sama and Mr. Popo to prepare to beat Piccolo. After an exhausting confrontation with the Demon King, Goku ends up badly hurt but manages to pull off a last-minute save using the Dragon Punch, destroying Piccolo, but not without him spitting out an egg using his remaining life force.

7 21st Martial Arts Tournament (Mutenroshi’s Arc)

31 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1985
End Year: 1986
Main Antagonist: Jackie Chun (Mutenroshi)

The 21st Martial Arts Championship Series unfolds from Chapter 24 to the 54th installment of the comic book. Following years of rigorous training under Master Roshi, Goku and Krillin receive an invitation from their instructor to join the Battle of Gods (Martial Arts Tournament). Unbeknownst to them, their master is secretly evaluating their martial arts development due to a strong sense of impending evil.

For that objective, Master Roshi transforms himself into Jackie Chun and competes in the tournament. Goku and Krillin encounter challenging adversaries and progress through the competition until Krillin encounters Jackie Chun and loses. This leaves Goku and Roshi to battle in the finals. In their confrontation, the moon ascends, causing Goku to transform into a Ōzaru (Giant Ape). To save the day, Master Roshi damages the satellite, restoring Goku to his normal form and knocking him unconscious, while also winning the tournament.

6 23rd Martial Arts Tournament (Piccolo Jr.’s First Appearance)

33 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1988
End Year: 1988
Main Antagonist: Piccolo Jr.

In manga Chapter 162, the 23rd Martial Arts Tournament starts and runs until Chapter 194. Upon his return after a three-year hiatus, Goku meets up with his companions again. During this time away, many aspects have altered, such as Goku’s height that now surpasses most members of the Dragon Team. This unexpected growth catches Bulma and Krillin off guard, as they struggle to recognize him.

The scene is now ready for the commencement of a fresh Budokai Tenkaichi on Papaya Island, and the risks are greater than ever because an enigmatic competitor known as Demon Junior seeks Goku’s life. It’s revealed later that he is actually the reborn or son of Piccolo. In the finals, Goku and this newcomer face off, leading to a draw, with Goku being declared the winner. From then on, Goku and Piccolo cultivate a unique bond, a mix of rivalry and friendship, which will persist.

5 The Saiyan Saga

47 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1988
End Year: 1989
Main Antagonist(s): Radditz, Nappa, Vegeta

In the Dragon Ball Z comic series, the story arc called the “Saiyan Invasion Saga” unfolds from Chapters 195 to 243. This marks the beginning of the Dragon Ball Z era. Five years have elapsed since the Martial Arts Tournament where Goku emerged victorious over Piccolo, and now, Goku is married to Chichi and they have a son named Gohan. Despite the tranquility, an alien spacecraft crashes on Earth, revealing a mysterious warrior – none other than Goku’s older brother, Raditz, who belongs to the powerful Saiyan race planning to invade Earth. He abducts Gohan and confronts both Goku and Piccolo (who seems to have switched sides).

The Outcome of the fight ends up with Goku and Radditz being killed, and Piccolo taking Gohan under his wing. They find out more Saiyans will come after a few years, and so, Goku goes to Kaio Sama to train in the afterlife, while the rest of the Dragon Team prepares. When the other two Saiyans arrive, they end up being stronger than they thought, and many of Earth’s mightiest die in the battle. In the end, an empowered Goku arrives and defeats both Nappa and Vegeta. Vegeta turns tail and swears to get revenge. However, fans all know he ended up being tamed by Bulma in the end.

4 The Red Ribbon Army Arc

58 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1985
End Year: 1986
Main Antagonist: Commander Red and the Red Ribbon Army

From Chapter 54 to Chapter 112 of the Dragon Ball manga, the main storyline revolves around Goku’s battles against the Red Ribbon Army. This army, filled with various high-ranking officers and assassins such as Sergeant Major Purple and Tao Pai Pai, forms a significant part of the series.

Throughout his journey, Goku experiences numerous adventures filled with side plots, often battling the Red Ribbon Army officers. He is captured at times but manages to break free to continue fighting. His trusted companions – Bulma, Yamcha, Oolong, and Puar – are always by his side, forming the original Dragon Team. Krillin also becomes a recurring member of the team during this period. This storyline introduces one of the first numbered Androids (Android 8), created by the wicked Dr. Gero, who is secretly linked to the Red Ribbon organization. This saga sets the stage for future conflicts.

3 Journey To Namek/Frieza’s Arc

87 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1989
End Year: 1990
Main Antagonist: Frieza’s Army and Frieza

In simpler terms, the Namek Saga, sometimes called the Frieza or Super Saiyan Saga, unfolds from Chapter 243 to approximately Chapter 330, marking the emergence of the Super Saiyans as a new era. This saga is one of the longest in the manga and is divided into three main sections. The initial part involves a journey to planet Namek to gather its Dragon Balls with the intention of resurrecting all those killed during the Saiyan invasion. The second part is about locating the spheres and clashes with Frieza’s army, where Vegeta, an old acquaintance with a complex relationship, re-emerges. Lastly, the longest section revolves around battling Frieza in his four forms.

It turns out that the very same Frieza, the ruthless destroyer of Planet Vegeta, enemy of both Goku’s and Vegeta’s families, was being sought by some. As the saying goes, ‘the enemy of my enemy can be an ally.’ So, Vegeta, after facing Frieza’s brutality, meeting Bulma, and realizing that fighting alongside might be better than against, joined forces with the Dragon Team.

2 The Android/Cell Saga

90 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1991
End Year: 1993
Main Antagonists: Androids 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and Cell

The Android or Cell Storyline kicks off approximately at Chapter 330 of the comic book, marked by Future Trunks’ appearance on Earth. It concludes in Chapter 420 with the vanquishing of Perfect Cell. After Frieza’s demise on Namek, he sought assistance from Cooler, his father. Simultaneously, Goku was honing skills in Yadrat to master unique abilities, while the Dragon Team anticipated his return. Frieza revisits Earth seeking revenge, only to be thwarted by a mysterious Super Saiyan who introduces himself as Trunks. Arriving late (as always), Goku greets everyone.

Trunks shares his hidden truth with Goku, catching Piccolo off guard. Upon learning that he’s the son of Bulma and Vegeta from the future, Piccolo nearly goes insane. He warns the team about powerful Androids planning to destroy Earth, urging them to brace for disaster. It is later discovered that time travel isn’t an exact art, and Trunks’ arrival has already disrupted the balance of the universe.

As a gamer, here’s my take: Five ruthless robots are prowling about, along with an overpowered Android called Cell who absorbs N:17 and N:18, growing stronger by the minute. Infused with genes from all races seen so far in the manga, Cell is a force to be reckoned with, taking down numerous Z Warriors like Trunks, Vegeta, and even Goku. But when it seemed all hope was lost, Gohan steps forward, transforms into Super Saiyan 2, and annihilates Cell once and for all, becoming the mightiest warrior on Earth in the process.

1 The Majin Buu Arc

98 Chapters Total

Release Year: 1993
End Year: 1995
Main Antagonist: Babidi and his Evil Army, Majin Boo (four incarnations)

The Martial Arts Competition.

In the 25th “Number One Under Heaven Martial Arts Tournament”, Gohan and his group join as contestants. This is where Goku returns to Earth, temporarily, due to a special request from Kaio Sama. However, their joy is short-lived when Supreme Kai and his associates arrive, warning them about the mischievous sorcerer Babidi.

2024-08-06 19:36