Dragon Ball, Weekly Shonen Jump 1984 Issue #51

Graded 6.0 with off-white/white pages by CBCS (26-0E0C6BE-001). As of May 2026, only18 copies of this issue recorded in CBCS’ census reporting have achieved a higher grade.

Presented is a copy of Weekly Shōnen Jump #51, published by Shueisha with a cover date of December 1984. This issue features art, a story, and a cover by Akira Toriyama, with additional art and stories by Yudetamago and Yoichi Takahashi. Some of the most popular and best-selling manga series had humble beginnings as serials in Weekly Shōnen Jump, but Dragon Ball is perhaps the prototype for all modern shōnen today, inspiring nearly everything from other Japanese “classics” like Naruto and One Piece to Western media like Stephen Universe and The Matrix. Toriyama himself was inspired by the 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West, as well as Hong Kong martial arts films, showcasing that great media both owes itself to and propagates entertainment when applied on a global scale.

Dragon Ball revolves around the child-to-adult adventures of Son Goku, an alien from the Saiyan race who was sent to Earth as an infant prior to the destruction of his home planet. He grows up under the tutelage of Master Roshi, learning martial arts and journeying with friends like Bulma and Krillin to gather the seven Dragon Balls in hopes of summoning the wish-granting dragon Shenron. Goku eventually grows up to become Earth’s mightiest warrior, continually defending his chosen home from powerful enemies while starting a family of his own and making new friends and allies along the way. His popularity, akin to that of Pikachu from the Pokémon franchise, makes him one of the most iconic and recognizable manga/anime characters worldwide. And to think it all started with this offered issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump, in which the Dragon Ball serial first begins. Goku and Bulma make their first appearances in this issue, while Shenron makes his first cameo appearance.

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