Dragon Ball (VIZBIG Edition), Vol. 3 Paperback – March 3, 2009

These VIZBIG editions for Dragon Ball are a wonderful option. They pack three of the regular volumes in one book (except for the last book of each series: book 5 of the VIZBIG edition for Dragon Ball includes 4 volumes while book 9 of the VIZBIG edition for Dragon Ball Z includes only the last 2 volumes) in a larger format (kanzenban, instead of tankoubon) with full-color pages in some chapters (these selected chapters are entirely colored). Also, they're cheaper than trying to buy each tankoubon separately: each tankoubon is roughly $7.95 (Amazon price), whereas each VIZBIG kanzenban is about $12.20. Considering Dragon Ball is 16 volumes (tankoubon) long but only 5 kanzenban long, and Dragon Ball Z is 26 volumes (tankoubon) long but only 9 kanzenban long, well... You do the math.The only caveat is, obviously, that the VIZBIG books are quite bulky: there could be more risk of damage from shipping and the books will fill a lot of space in your backpack if your planning to take them with you anywhere. Also, they're quite heavy and could make reading unconfortable: I read them while lying down on my bed, so I put a pillow over my belly to support the book while reading, otherwise my wrists would hurt after a while from the weight of the book. I also read them while riding the subway and it was quite difficult (definitely no stand-up reading), but I managed. Even with these nuances, I still think the books deserve 5 stars: the printing and binding (very important for such heavy books) are top-notch.Some people complain about the translation because apparently it uses too much childish jargon, but I didn't find it annoying at all. Maybe there are better options for sociolinguistic register, but I can't really vouch for that, as my Japanese is not good enough to read the original manga. For the same reason, I can't confirm if the Viz edition really got censored (I went online for a quick check of some fan scanlations, but couldn't tell if there are actually redrawn panels).Of course, if you're a collector, you might aim for the original tankoubon. Well, that task may prove a bit difficult, as, apparently, Viz is realeasing sort of a new edition of the tankoubon. I haven't confirmed this, but if it's true, soon the 1st edition volumes (the red ones for Dragon Ball -the kanzenban are yellow- and white ones for Dragon Ball Z -the kanzenban are red-) will be rare items soaring through the skies.In all, I really think this was a very nice investment. I don regret it in the least and I actually recommend it strongly.

Loved it

This book is excellent!! Only recently started to read Dragonball, and already a huge fan. I like that these books contain 3 books in 1. Makes it cheaper and easy to obtain.

So huge DBZ fan and watched the original Dragon Ball on Toonnami back in the early early 2000s. I wanted to rewatch the series and realized that was some cash and said hey lets collect the manga and go all the way through. I will say, I am glad I chose this option, VIZBIG Edition is a comfy fit and really makes some of the best Toriyama's artwork ever drawn. A must have for a Dragonball fan and a must have for a reader. This is a great piece of martial arts meets fantasy meets science fiction.

Lo compré como regalo para mi sobrino, aparte de que le encanta, el manga venía perfecto y todo igual a la descripción. De las mejores ediciones por su tamaño que facilitan la lectura.

When I was a kid, Dragonball came on early in the morning on Saturdays. They only had most of the first arc translated, and they had changed a bunch of things to make it less sexual. This was back in the day when if you wanted to watch anime you had to watch Sci-Fi channel's "Saturday Anime" or buy tapes from shady people at conventions. So, the weird, cool story of Dragonball was right up my alley. Seeing these big editions of the Dragonball manga is fantastic. They've kept in all the embarrassing sexual stuff, so you get Dragonball as it was meant to be consumed.I like that I can order it from Amazon, because I'm always a little embarrassed to buy anime or manga from real life people. This is a great buy if you like anime or manga but dislike being associated with the kind of people who buy anime and manga.

Great book in good condition.

Shipped faster than expected and came in perfect condition