This article series commenced on November 20th to coincide with the anniversary of Dragon Ball's first publication. Here, we're retracing the journey of Goku and his friends by selecting one panel from each of the 42 volumes of Jump Comics' Dragon Ball. In part one, we covered the ground between Goku setting off on his grand adventure along with his new friend Bulma all the way to his victory over the Great Demon King Piccolo, while part two covered the now-adult Goku's win at the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai up to his victory over Frieza on Planet Namek.
In this third and final article, we'll look at the rest of the story of Dragon Ball as told through panels taken from volumes 29 to 42.

The battle begins between Goku and Android 19, but Goku soon collapses due to a heart virus. Vegeta comes to Goku's aid just in the nick of time, transforming into a Super Saiyan and defeating Android 19. Taken aback by this unexpected display of strength, Android 20 retreats, shaking off any pursuers as he returns to his laboratory to activate Androids 17 and 18.

Volume 30: Rise of the Machines

Upon awakening Androids 17 and 18, Android 20 is immediately betrayed by his supposed allies and destroyed. The twin androids go on to activate Android 16, another android who was sleeping in the laboratory, and the three leave together. Vegeta tracks them down and challenges them to a fight but is no match against Android 18, an Infinite Energy Model Android; meanwhile, the other warriors are also defeated by Android 17. Here's our pick for this exciting volume that introduces one new foe after another!

On their way to find Goku, Android 17 interestingly chooses to take a less efficient route. It's a scene that shows a surprisingly human side to Android 17, something Android 18 comments on in a later panel. To counter the android threat, Piccolo resolves to fuse with Kami. Unbeknownst to our heroes, however, a monstrous being from the future has arrived and begins to stir.

Volume 31: The Terror of Cell

The new arrival's name is Cell, an android created in the future by a supercomputer owned by Red Ribbon Army scientist Dr. Gero from cells taken from Goku, Piccolo, Frieza, and others. Having traveled to the past in a time machine to absorb Androids 17 and 18 and reach his Perfect Form, Cell first drains the life force from a number of sacrificial humans, which grants him power surpassing that of the fused Kami and Piccolo. During the fight with Android 16, Cell settles on his next target: Android 17. The panel below depicts the moment Android 17 lets his guard down, giving Cell an opening to make his move.

It certainly must have been shocking for readers to see Cell's ability to use his tail to swallow his opponent whole. After absorbing Android 17, Cell evolves into his Second Form and gains power that far surpasses that of Android 16. He sets his sights on Android 18 next, but Tenshinhan slows him down, buying Android 18 enough time to escape along with the injured Android 16.

Volume 32: The Room of Spirit and Time

Having undergone training in the Room of Spirit and Time in order to defeat the androids, Vegeta overwhelms Second Form Cell with his strength. However, after being challenged by Cell, he gives in to his curiosity about the android's Perfect Form and agrees to pause their battle for now. Despite Trunks' best efforts to intervene, Cell absorbs Android 18 and evolves into his Perfect Form. The full-page panel below showcases Cell's new and imposing form.

No longer needing to absorb energy or evolve further, Perfect Form Cell's tail seemingly disappears, and he cuts a more refined, even stylish figure. On top of that, his Power Level has become unfathomably high. This is demonstrated when, upon resuming the battle with Vegeta, he even mocks his opponent by allowing himself to be hit and pretending to be hurt.

Volume 33: The Cell Games

Intrigued by Trunks, who has powered up considerably in an impressively short amount of time, Cell proposes a tournament: the Cell Games. The goal of this tournament is to test out the fearsome might of his Perfect Form and plunge the world into terror. Meanwhile, Goku emerges from the Room of Spirit and Time, where he had been training with Gohan, oddly unbothered as the day of the Cell Games arrives. To represent volume 33, we've chosen an extra-large panel with a lineup of warriors ready to face off against Cell.

This illustration took up a whole two-page spread, and is notable for the contrast between Goku, smiling and appearing to almost be enjoying the situation, and the nervous expressions of Gohan and the rest. After a brief interlude in which Mr. Satan makes an appearance, the match between Goku and Cell at last begins.
Additionally, this volume included "Trunks the Side Story", a spinoff depicting Trunks' battles in the world of the future.

Volume 34: Gohan vs. Cell

In the middle of the fight against Cell, Goku suddenly forfeits the match. He picks out Gohan to enter the ring, having determined that once his hidden power has been awakened by rage, he will be the only one able to defeat Cell. Due to his naturally gentle disposition, Gohan is generally unable to use his anger to his advantage, but the sight of his injured friends and the destruction of Android 16 triggers an explosive fury in the young Saiyan.

With his true power now unleashed, Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 form is awakened. At the sight of a warrior surpassing even Goku's strength, Cell is horrified, remarking, "He's...changed..." Gohan first takes out the Cell Jrs. troubling his companions before facing off against Cell once more.

Volume 35: Death of a Warrior

Even in his Perfect Form, Cell is no match for Gohan's newfound power. After taking an impressive hit from Gohan, Cell regurgitates Android 18 and reverts back to his Second Form. Realizing that defeat is imminent, Cell begins to self-destruct in an attempt to take the whole planet down with him, but Goku is able to swoop in and use Teleportation to transport him to the Planet of the Kai just in the nick of time. The panel below shows his final words to his friends: "Bye, guys."

In a stroke of fortune for him, Cell is able to recover from his self-destruction and return to Earth with even greater power at his disposal. Despite shielding Vegeta and sustaining injuries, Gohan is still able to counter Cell's Kamehameha with a powerful father-son Kamehameha of his own, at last destroying the android for good. With Gohan saving the world in Goku's stead in the present and Trunks defeating the androids and Cell in the future, peace returned to the world at last.

Volume 36: The New Generation

Time passes after the defeat of Cell, and Gohan is now a 16-year-old high school student. Though the world may be at peace, evildoers still run rampant, leading Gohan to take on the alter ego of the Great Saiyaman and become a local hero defending his town. His distinctive pose and self-introduction as "The Great Saiyaman!!!!" are certainly a sight to behold below.

Though his appearance may be disguised, his voice is not, and he is easily found out by his classmate, Videl. She agrees to keep his secret in exchange for a promise to compete in the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai. This tournament is full of familiar faces, including Goku, back from Another World just for the day, and Vegeta. With Gohan's younger brother Gotenks and Trunks competing in the junior division, the next generation of warriors also make their debut at the tournament.

Volume 37: Tournament of the Heavens

In the junior division of the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai, Goten and Trunks have a fierce faceoff in the finals, with Trunks just barely seizing victory. Afterwards, Goku and the others are resting up and getting in a meal before the adult division kicks off when a mysterious pair appears before them, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in the story of Dragon Ball. Check out the panel featuring their arrival below!

The young man calling himself Shin is in fact a Supreme Kai, a deity among the universe's Kais. Gohan has his energy sapped during his match, and the Supreme Kai gives chase to the culprits, but not before asking for help from Goku and the others. They learn that the Supreme Kai's goal is to prevent the revival of the fearsome, monstrous being known as Majin Buu. Unfortunately, it seems our heroes' days of peace are about to come to an end, and a new battle is on the horizon.

Volume 38: Mark of the Warlock

It turns out the one gathering the energy needed to revive Majin Buu is the evil warlock Babidi, and, as part of his schemes, Goku and the others must battle his henchmen. Sensing the evil lying in Vegeta's heart, Babidi uses sorcery to control Vegeta and force him to fight Goku. Desiring the chance to test his strength against his former adversary, Vegeta allows himself to be controlled. Goku accepts the challenge before him and the fight begins.

Although the resurrection of a fearsome foe is at stake and the situation is looking grim, Goku still appears to be enjoying himself in what is perhaps a reflection of his lineage as part of the Saiyan warrior race. Unfortunately, the clash between the two generates enough energy to revive Majin Buu.

Volume 39: Buu Unleashed!

At last, Majin Buu is resurrected and released from the ball he had been sealed away in. What could this being, feared by even the Supreme Kai, look like? Steam emits from Majin Buu's former prison and takes shape; the panel below shows the moment his appearance is revealed!

Majin Buu's unique appearance belies unimaginable strength, against which the likes of Gohan, the Supreme Kai, Babidi's henchman, and King of the Demon Realm, Dabura, are powerless. Vegeta resolves to sacrifice his own life in a desperate attempt to take Majin Buu out with him but ultimately fails. To help them gain the power needed to fight back against Majin Buu, Goku teaches Goten and Trunks the Fusion technique.

Volume 40: Mr. Satan to the Rescue

Majin Buu heads out to destroy West City, but Goku stands in his way in order to buy time for Trunks to retrieve the Dragon Radar. Here, Goku unveils his new Super Saiyan 3 form, far more powerful than Super Saiyan 2 and rivalling even Majin Buu!

Having expended his energy in the Super Saiyan 3 transformation, Goku returns to Another World. Gohan is whisked away to the Supreme Kai's Realm for training, while Goten and Trunks succeed at mastering Fusion, creating the new warrior Gotenks.
Meanwhile, although Majin Buu was beginning to show signs of positive change through his friendship with Mr. Satan, he erupts into a rage when the latter is shot by a gun. The evil part of his personality splits off, setting off a series of transformations that lead him to becoming Super Buu. As you can see, this volume was full of exciting developments all around.

Volume 41: Last Hero Standing!

Piccolo brings Super Buu before Goten and Trunks, who had been training in the Room of Spirit and Time. As the battle begins, the two fuse into Gotenks and make use of a variety of interesting techniques that really show off their childlike imagination. Among these is the Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack 10-Ghost Finish, which produces ghosts that explode on impact. See it in action in the panel below!

Despite its comical appearance, this is a powerful technique indeed. Unfortunately, it isn't powerful enough to defeat Super Buu. Just as Gotenks looks to be in trouble, Gohan arrives to join the fight, now powered up thanks to having his latent potential drawn out by the Elder Supreme Kai. Nonetheless, Super Buu is able to absorb both Gotenks and Piccolo and attain even greater heights of strength. Goku rushes to the scene with Potara Earrings, an item used for Fusion, but he is too late to prevent Gohan from being absorbed as well. With the story unfolding at a breakneck pace, Dragon Ball now races towards its climax.

Volume 42: Farewell, Dragon World!

Vegeta returns from Another World and he and Goku use the Potara Earrings to fuse into the stunningly powerful Vegito. He is able to give Super Buu a sound beating, and then he enters Buu's body and rescues the warriors Buu had absorbed. As a result, Majin Buu (Good) splits off and he returns to his original, pure form, and a battle for the fate of the universe between Goku and Majin Buu (Pure) begins in the Supreme Kai's Realm. The panel below shows the fateful moment where their duel comes to an end.

At Vegeta's suggestion, North Kai's assistance, and Mr. Satan's help rallying the people of Earth, Goku is able to create a massive Genki-Dama and launches it at Majin Buu (Pure), completely destroying him. Goku hopes that someday, Majin Buu is reborn, and they can have a rematch, leaving him with a cheery "'Til then!", showcasing Goku's true spirit as a Saiyan fond of battle, yet gentle to the end.
Later, after the world is at peace, Goku meets Majin Buu (Pure)'s reincarnated form, Uub, and resolves to give him proper training.


Volumes 29 through 42 covered the appearance of the androids, Cell, and Majin Buu, worthy opponents who provided a series of battles that kept readers on the edge of their seats. Not only that, this section of the story gave us a deeper look into the characters of Dragon Ball, from the growth and development of Gohan, Goten, and Trunks as the next generation of warriors, to Vegeta's unwavering pride.

So, how did you like the Story of Dragon Ball in 42 Panels series?
Let us know in the comments if there are any panels we missed that feature your favorite characters, lines, or scenes!