The Dragon Ball SD manga

Dragon Ball SD is a re-imagining of Akira Toriyama's original work, simplified, more humorous, and with a "chibi" style for drawing its characters. The writer and artist is Naho Ohishi, who is also the illustrator of "The Episode of Bardock" and "Goku and His Friends Return." A curious fact about the artist is that she was almost the illustrator of "Super", but in the end, the other disciple of the sensei, Toyotaro, took the role. Some even say that she draws much better than the latter.

Now let's look at those unique characteristics that define the Dragon Ball manga.

Super Deformed or SD Drawings

Yes, you've guessed it! This is the reason behind the manga's name and its main characteristic: the "chibi" art style, with large heads and small bodies.

A More Humorous Tone with References to the Original Work

It's well known that the original Dragon Ball story, especially in its early days, was filled with humor. Although this was maintained in the Z era, it gradually diminished over time. Well, this manga takes that humor to the extreme, even referencing future Dragon Ball moments in the earlier stages of the story. For example, in his first appearance, Oolong transforms into Zarbon.

A Rather Unusual Start

The first issues released in Japan did not follow the story chronologically and altered the plot quite a bit. They humorously but hastily covered Goku's childhood training, the battle on Namek, and the fight against the Androids and Cell, without a logical order. However, due to the success of these small one-shots, the manga eventually became serialized from the very beginning of Dragon Ball, but in SD format. This time, it followed the chronology and events of the original Dragon Ball, though in a more concise and fun way.

These three characteristics define the Dragon Ball SD manga.

This is the edition we are most familiar with and the one reflected in our complete list. As with all Dragon Ball content that arrives in Spain, the publisher Planeta Cómic is responsible for its publication.

In Japan, this collection is released in magazine format and tankōbon, but in Spain, only the latter has been published, omitting the franchise's first one-shots.

Printing specifications of the volumes:

• Reading direction: Right to left.
• Full color.
• Cover: Softcover with dust jacket.
• Format: Tankōbon.
• Binding: Paperback.
• Number of pages per volume: 192 pages.
• Number of volumes: 9 (ongoing series).

At the beginning and end of each volume, you can find character profiles, extra content, and comments from the author.