Dragon Ball(manga)

Dragon Ball(ドラゴンボール *Doragon Bōru*) is a legendary Japanese manga series created by Akira Toriyama that has captivated fans around the world with its epic storylines and dynamic characters. Originally published in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995, the series follows the adventures of Son Goku as he trains in martial arts and embarks on a quest to collect the seven mystical Dragon Balls, encountering friends and foes alike along the way.

One of the defining aspects of Dragon Ball is its intricate power scaling system, which measures the strength and abilities of its characters through various metrics such as power levels, transformations, and techniques. This power scaling has become a central element of the series, influencing how fans view and interpret the feats and battles of their favorite characters.

With over 160 million copies sold in Japan and 260 million sold worldwide, Dragon Ball has become one of the most successful manga series of all time. Its impact on pop culture cannot be understated, inspiring countless adaptations, spin-offs, and merchandise.

## Overview

Dragon Ball is a Japanese manga series created by Akira Toriyama. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine from 1984 to 1995, with its 519 individual chapters collected into 42 tankōbon volumes by publisher Shueisha. The manga has been adapted into multiple anime television series, animated feature films, video games, and other media. It has become one of the most successful and popular manga series worldwide.

The series follows the adventures of Son Goku, a young martial artist with superhuman strength and agility, as he searches for the seven magical Dragon Balls, which when gathered, summon a wish-granting dragon named Shenron. Along the way, Goku meets and allies himself with various other characters, including the Z-Fighters, a group of martial artists who defend Earth from various threats. The series explores themes of redemption, friendship, and the pursuit of power.

Power scaling is a key aspect of the Dragon Ball series, with characters gaining strength and abilities through rigorous training and battles with other powerful fighters. The series also features a wide variety of powerful villains, each with their unique abilities and strengths. Understanding the power levels and capabilities of the characters is crucial to understanding the story of Dragon Ball.

### Summary of power scaling

Power scaling in Dragon Ball is a method used to determine a character's power level by comparing them to other characters in their series. This is done by examining the feats and abilities of the characters in question and using them to determine their relative strength.

In Dragon Ball, a character's Attack Potency (AP) and Durability are often used as the primary metrics for power scaling. For example, if Character A can destroy a city and has city-level durability, and Character B is shown to be physically superior to Character A, it is safe to assume that Character B also has city-level AP.

Another important aspect of power scaling is speed. If a character is shown to be faster than another, then it is safe to assume that they have a higher speed level.

It is important to note that power scaling should be used in a logical and moderate way to ensure accurate ratings. Misusing or over-extrapolating power scaling can lead to inaccuracies and absurd ratings.

Powerscaling in Dragon Ball is not always straightforward, as characters can have different levels of power for different metrics. It is also important to analyze power scaling on a case-by-case basis, as inconsistencies and outliers can exist.

Overall, power scaling is an essential tool in properly determining a character's power level in Dragon Ball, as it allows for characters to be properly ranked and compared to each other based on their feats and abilities.

### Methods of power scaling analysis

Power scaling is a popular method used by fans to determine the strength of characters in the Dragon Ball manga. Here are some of the common methods used for power scaling analysis:

1. Comparing feats: One method of power scaling analysis involves comparing the feats of different characters in the manga. For example, if Character A is shown to destroy a planet and Character B is shown to be stronger than Character A, it can be assumed that Character B is also capable of destroying a planet.
2. Statements from characters: Statements made by characters in the manga about a character's strength can also be used for power scaling analysis. For example, if a character says that another character is the strongest fighter in the universe, it can be assumed that they are very powerful.
3. Tournament Results: The Tenkaichi Budokai martial arts tournament is a recurring event in the Dragon Ball manga. The tournament serves as a good basis for power scaling analysis, as characters who perform well in the tournament are generally considered to be stronger than those who perform poorly.
4. In-verse statistics: The Dragon Ball manga often assigns numerical values to a character's strength, speed, durability, and other attributes. These values can be used for power scaling analysis, provided they are consistent with the character's feats and statements.
5. Power Scaling by Arc: Each arc of the Dragon Ball manga typically features a new set of characters who are stronger than the previous ones. By comparing the characters from different arcs, it is possible to determine their relative strength.

It should be noted that power scaling is not a perfect method of analysis and can be prone to errors if not used carefully. However, when done properly, it can provide a useful framework for understanding the relative strengths of characters in the Dragon Ball manga.

## Characters

In the Dragon Ball manga, there are many characters with varying degrees of strength and abilities. Due to the nature of power scaling, characters are often compared to one another to determine their relative power levels. This section will provide an overview of some of the main characters in the series and their respective abilities as they pertain to power scaling. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all characters in the series.

### Main characters

* Goku: The main protagonist of the series who starts off as a naive, yet powerful, martial artist. Throughout the series, he grows stronger through intense training and battles with various villains. Goku is known for his signature moves such as the Kamehameha and his ability to transform into various powerful forms such as the Super Saiyan.
* Vegeta: A former villain and prince of the Saiyan race who eventually becomes an ally of Goku and the Z Fighters. Vegeta is a proud warrior who initially seeks to surpass Goku in strength, but later finds his own reasons to fight. He is known for his ruthless fighting style and his own transformation into a Super Saiyan.
* Piccolo: An alien warrior who initially seeks to destroy Goku, but later becomes his ally and mentor to Goku's son Gohan. Piccolo is known for his intelligence and strategic fighting style, as well as his ability to regenerate lost body parts. He also has a unique fusion technique that allows him to merge with another Namekian.
* Gohan: Goku's son who possesses immense hidden potential as a warrior. Initially a timid and shy child, Gohan's fighting spirit is brought out through various battles and his training with Piccolo. He is known for his ability to transform into a Super Saiyan and later into a unique form called the Ultimate state.
* Bulma: A brilliant scientist who invents various devices that aid the Z Fighters, including the Dragon Radar which locates the Dragon Balls. Bulma is also a key ally to Goku and his friends, providing support and technological aid in their battles.
* Krillin: Goku's best friend and fellow student under the martial arts master Roshi. Krillin is known for his quick and agile fighting style, as well as his bravery in facing powerful enemies despite his lack of physical strength. He is also one of the few human characters to possess the ability to fly using ki energy.

### Supporting characters

* Kami: The Nameless Namekian who is responsible for creating the Dragon Balls on Earth. He is also the other half of Piccolo, and trains Goku during the three years leading up to the battle against the Saiyans. Kami has demonstrated powerful techniques, such as the ability to create a dimensional portal, and is considered to be one of the most powerful beings on Earth.
* Mr. Popo: The guardian of the lookout and attendant to Kami. He is known for his calm demeanor and immense strength, as he is able to easily defeat Goku during their first encounter. Mr. Popo is also capable of teleportation and is often tasked with training new guardians of the lookout.
* Master Roshi: Also known as the Turtle Hermit, he is the mentor of Goku and Krillin. Despite his perverted behavior and love for women, Master Roshi is a skilled martial artist who has trained some of the strongest fighters in the series. He has demonstrated the ability to create massive energy attacks and has also been known to use his "Evil Containment Wave" technique to seal away powerful enemies.
* Tien Shinhan: A former assassin and student of Master Shen, Tien is a powerful fighter who has competed in several Tenkaichi Budokai tournaments. He has a third eye which he can open to increase his power, and is known for his unique techniques such as the "Solar Flare" which blinds his opponents, and the "Tri-Beam" which can unleash a massive amount of energy at the cost of his own life force.
* Yamcha: A former desert bandit and friend of Goku, Yamcha has also competed in several Tenkaichi Budokai tournaments. He is a skilled martial artist and is known for his "Wolf Fang Fist" technique which allows him to quickly move and attack his opponents with a flurry of punches and kicks.
* Android 18: Originally an android created by Dr. Gero to kill Goku, Android 18 is eventually reprogrammed and becomes a member of the Z Fighters. She possesses immense strength and speed, and is capable of firing powerful energy attacks from her hands. Android 18 is also immune to the effects of aging and can regenerate from injury.
* Hercule/Mr. Satan: A professional wrestler and self-proclaimed hero who becomes famous for taking credit for the Z Fighters' victories. While he is not a powerful fighter himself, Hercule is skilled at tricking his opponents and has demonstrated impressive feats of strength such as pulling multiple buses with his bare hands.

It is worth noting that while these characters may not be as powerful as the main characters, they still play important roles in the series and have their own unique abilities and techniques. Power scaling can be tricky with supporting characters, as their strength and abilities can vary greatly depending on their role in the story and who they are facing. However, by comparing their feats and abilities to those of the main characters, their relative power levels can still be determined.

Note: This list is not exhaustive, and there are many other supporting characters in the Dragon Ball manga.

### Villains

Throughout the Dragon Ball manga, the main characters have faced a multitude of powerful villains who seek to conquer or destroy the world. These villains come in all shapes and sizes, from small and manipulative to ancient and powerful beings. Despite their differences, each villain possesses unique abilities and strengths that make them formidable opponents.

1. Emperor Pilaf: Pilaf is a small, selfish, and manipulative emperor who seeks to conquer the world using the Dragon Balls. While he is not physically strong, he possesses advanced technology and gadgets that give him an edge in battle.
2. Red Ribbon Army: A paramilitary organization led by Commander Red, whose goal is to take over the world. The army is composed of soldiers, androids, and other powerful fighters, including:
	* a. General Blue: A skilled fighter with powerful psychic abilities.
	* b. Colonel Silver: A powerful cyborg who can transform his arms into weapons.
	* c. Tao Pai Pai: A highly skilled assassin who can fly and has incredible speed.
3. Piccolo Daimao: A powerful Namekian who seeks to conquer the world and eliminate all life on it. He has immense strength, regeneration abilities, and can stretch his limbs to great lengths.
4. Saiyan Saga:
	* a. Raditz: Goku's brother who is sent to Earth to retrieve him. He possesses incredible strength and speed and can fire energy blasts.
	* b. Nappa: A Saiyan warrior who serves as Vegeta's partner. He is incredibly strong and durable, capable of withstanding multiple attacks from the Z-Fighters.
	* c. Vegeta: A powerful Saiyan prince who seeks to use the Dragon Balls to gain immortality and conquer the universe. He is incredibly strong, fast, and can transform into a Great Ape.
5. Freeza Saga:
	* a. Dodoria: One of Freeza's top henchmen, who possesses immense strength and speed.
	* b. Zarbon: Freeza's right-hand man, who is highly intelligent and can transform into a powerful monster.
	* c. Ginyu Force: A team of elite soldiers serving Freeza, each member possessing unique powers and abilities. The members include Captain Ginyu, who has the ability to switch bodies with his opponents, Jeice and Burter, who possess incredible speed and strength, Recoome, who has immense strength and durability, and Guldo, who has the ability to manipulate time.
	* d. Freeza: One of the most powerful beings in the universe, Freeza possesses immense strength, speed, and energy projection abilities.

1. Cell Saga:
	* a. Android 17: One of Dr. Gero's android creations who possesses immense strength, speed, and energy projection abilities.
	* b. Android 18: Another of Dr. Gero's android creations who possesses similar abilities to Android 17.
	* c. Cell: A bio-android created by Dr. Gero, Cell possesses incredible regenerative abilities, can absorb other beings to increase his power, and has access to techniques used by the Z-Fighters.
2. Majin Buu Saga:
	* a. Babidi: An evil wizard who seeks to resurrect Majin Buu, Babidi possesses powerful magic abilities.
	* b. Dabura: A demon who serves Babidi, Dabura possesses immense strength and can turn people to stone with his saliva.
	* c. Majin Buu: An ancient and incredibly powerful entity who is awoken by Babidi. Buu possesses immense strength, durability, and the ability to absorb other beings to increase his power.

From Emperor Pilaf and his advanced technology, to Piccolo Daimao and his immense strength and regeneration abilities, to the Saiyan warriors Raditz, Nappa, and Vegeta, the villains of the Dragon Ball manga are a diverse and powerful group. The Red Ribbon Army boasts skilled fighters such as General Blue, Colonel Silver, and Tao Pai Pai, while the Freeza Saga brings forth Dodoria, Zarbon, and the powerful Freeza himself. The Cell Saga introduces Dr. Gero's androids, Android 17 and Android 18, as well as the bio-android Cell with his regenerative abilities and techniques used by the Z-Fighters. Finally, the Majin Buu Saga presents the powerful magic abilities of Babidi, the strength and petrification powers of Dabura, and the immense strength and absorbent powers of Majin Buu. The villains of the Dragon Ball manga present a formidable challenge to the main characters, and their abilities and strengths make them a vital part of the power scaling analysis within the series.

This list is not exhaustive and there are many other notable villains in the Dragon Ball manga, but these are some of the most prominent ones with relevant power scaling information.