Reddit reviews Dragon Ball (VIZBIG Edition), Vol. 1: The Quest for the Seven Dragon Balls (1)

>I am looking for an english Dragon Ball Vol. 1 manga that is not censored.

You're looking for the 3-in-1s. So far, this release is as uncensored as it gets. If you order this, and you receive a censored release, you received a misprint, and should get your money back.

>what is the quintessential english version of the manga?

There really isn't one.

• The Full Color manga is mostly uncensored (sans Popo's lips), and will probably be the definitive release over time, but it won't be released in its entirety in English for years to come, and VIZ chose to start with Dragon Ball Z.
  
  
• The VIZBIGs look wonderful, but are missing a couple of the color chapters, and are censored for content.
  
  
• The individual volumes are censored to a slightly lesser degree than the VIZBIGs, and are all in black and white.
  
  
• The 3-in-1s are the least censored black and white release, but are ongoing and can't be purchased in its entirety yet. A handful of title pages are missing as well.
  
  Translation-wise, the official translation by VIZ is as close as it gets.
  They're a little quirky at times, but it's a good translation overall.

From our new FAQ in the sidebar (which I put many hours into!):

>##Q: What is the best way to purchase the manga?
A: There are many different ways to purchase the manga, though unfortunately, every official English release is censored in some way, shape, or form. Your best option is to purchase it digitally from Viz's website, but if you prefer a physical release, the VIZBIGs have the best paper quality, while the individual Tankōbons have the least amount of censorship. The 3-in-1s have atrocious paper quality and are just as censored as before, despite being advertised as otherwise.

I neglected to mention the Full Color releases (which are also censored), because they're incomplete and appear to be indefinitely suspended.

Hey, congratulations on wanting to experience Dragon Ball in its best format. I'd recommend starting from Dragon Ball volume 1 and working your way through the series since that's its proper storyline progression. Unfortunately there have been a lot of English releases and re-releases with varying amounts of censorship, so it's really confusing about what's "best" to buy, and I don't think it's even possible to get the least edited versions anymore.

You should check eBay because you can get some good deals on there if you buy in bulk, and sometimes you can get single volumes for very cheap on Amazon.

• If you're going to look for the single volumes you want to try to find the ones with the old VIZ "eye" logo on the bottom. The new logo means it's more censored. If you can't it's no big deal because they switch before the series ends anyway.
  
• The series was initially released with volumes that looked like this. This was the most unedited version IIRC, but those are harder to find and I don't think it spanned the entire series before it was cancelled. Come to think of it, this version had several releases of varying censorship. Very confusing.
  
• You'll want to keep away from the 3-in-1 releases because I hear that the paper quality and inking are TERRIBLE.
  
• This release has been cancelled/put on hold indefinitely, but VIZ did release the Saiyan arc in full color. The volumes are big, the paper quality is nice, and it's beautiful to look at.
  
• Have you considered buying digitally? It's so convenient having the volumes on your computer. Take them with you wherever you go and enjoy the fact that you can see all of the page that otherwise is tucked into the spine. You can buy the series this way in several formats.
  
• The VIZBIG collection is probably the easiest and cheapest way for you to get your hands on the series. While these don't have all the colored chapters, they do have most and the paper quality is nice. The downside is that you're holding 3-4 volumes in your hands at once while you're trying to read.
  
  tl;dr: I recommend researching! Find what's right for you. I recommend digital, but you might find a better deal if you buy in bulk. The VIZBIG would probably be what I go with if I had to buy them over again. There's a lot more I could have said about these, and a lot of political stuff about how they were advertised vs. what we got, but I hope that this at least gets you started. I'm no expert but if you want more help feel free to respond here or PM me and I'll try to answer your questions or point you to someone else who can.

From our FAQ in the sidebar:

>####Q: What is the best way to purchase the manga?
A: There are many different ways to purchase the manga, though unfortunately, every official English release is censored in some way, shape, or form. Your best option is to purchase it digitally from Viz's website, but if you prefer a physical release, the VIZBIGs have the best paper quality, while the individual Tankōbons have the least amount of censorship. The 3-in-1s have atrocious paper quality and remain censored, despite being advertised as otherwise. The Full Color manga made it only three volumes (51 chapters) before being indefinitely suspended by Viz. This release currently only censors Mr. Popo's lips.

The closest you're going to get to uncensored in English are the unfinished 3-in-1s, but I recommend biting the bullet and buying the Vizbigs instead. It's up to you.

Our FAQ has this answered, should have checked there!

> The 3-in-1s are the least censored release, but are ongoing and currently incomplete. This release is printed on very thin, low quality paper, and does not include any of the special colored chapters.
>
> The VIZBIGs have excellent paper quality and is the only English release to include the special colored chapters, though a few were left in black & white for some reason.
>
> * The individual volumes are censored to a slightly lesser degree than the VIZBIGs, and are all in black and white.

----

> So my question is, are the Vizbigs really that bad? Is it worth giving up some less-child-friendly moments to get the better looking series?

The VIZBigs are not bad. If you're looking for a way to get the completed series, then this is the better release for you. The second best release (that is not visually censored, besides Mr. Popo's lips) would be the Full Color manga.

As long as you're happy with having a censored release, then go with the VIZBigs. If you think that you're going to be paranoid that some panels are clearly censored, then you may want to look into the 3-in-1 set - but you'll have to deal with awful paper quality.

Your submission has been removed for the following reason:

>This topic is addressed in our FAQ.

There are many different ways to purchase the manga, though unfortunately, every official English release is censored in some way shape or form. Censorship in Dragon Ball entails the removal of strong language, female nudity, middle fingers, and near the end, guns. Dark-skinned characters – namely Officer Black and Mr. Popo – have their large lips altered. Mr. Satan's name & Satan City are renamed Hercule and Herculopolis respectively. Violence and gore is unaffected.

Below is a list of VIZ Media's current offerings of DB/DBZ in English:

• The 3-in-1s are the least censored release, but this release is printed on very thin, low quality paper, and does not include any of the special colored chapters. There is an account of the remaining censorship in this version on the Kanzenshuu forums.
  
  
• The VIZBIGs have excellent paper quality and this is the only English release to include the special colored chapters, though a few were left in black & white for some reason.
  
  
• The individual volumes are censored to a slightly lesser degree than the VIZBIGs, and are all in black and white. This is the version used for the digital release.
  
  
• The Full Color manga is mostly uncensored (sans Popo's lips), and will probably become the definitive release over time. Unfortunately, it won't be released in its entirety in English for many years to come.
  
  
  
  If you have any questions, see our extended rules. If you believe this removal was made in error, you can appeal to the moderating team.

Start with either of these ones!

This edition is sturdier and slightly bigger, but a little more censored. Paper quality is very good though, and rarely you'll get light-colored pages, probably the most appealing aspects of this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Vol-1-VIZBIG/dp/1421520591

This next edition is a more recent one. Paper is a little thinner, size is a bit smaller. However, this one benefits from being less censored, and the design is far more appealing for collectors; the illustrations on the front are each special newer pieces from Toriyama, the spine art is like the Japanese where it all makes a big picture, and most importantly, it doesn't split-off 1/3rd or the way through. This is the most consistent English release.

https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-3-1-Vol/dp/1421555646

That's just the thing, as far as I know both versions are published by VIZ though the "yellow" version is called VIZBig and the "red" is simply labeled 3-in-1 which I know is the same thing, so that's why im hesitating

I think this will make it clearer
http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-Vol-1-VIZBIG/dp/1421520591/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419573656&sr=8-1&keywords=vizbig

http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Ball-3-Edition-Vol/dp/1421555646/ref=pd_sim_b_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=18GWPD06M3QPW7MYW163

Edit: Links

Your submission has been removed for the following reason:

>This topic is addressed in our FAQ.

There are many different ways to purchase the manga, though unfortunately, every official English release is censored in some way shape or form. Censorship in Dragon Ball entails the removal of strong language, female nudity, middle fingers, and near the end, guns. Dark-skinned characters – namely Officer Black and Mr. Popo – have their large lips altered. Mr. Satan's name & Satan City are renamed Hercule and Herculopolis respectively. Violence and gore is unaffected.

Below is a list of VIZ Media's current offerings of DB/DBZ in English:

• The 3-in-1s are the least censored release, but this release is printed on very thin, low quality paper, and does not include any of the special colored chapters. There is an account of the remaining censorship in this version on the Kanzenshuu forums.
  
  
• The VIZBIGs have excellent paper quality and this is the only English release to include the special colored chapters, though a few were left in black & white for some reason.
  
  
• The individual volumes are censored to a slightly lesser degree than the VIZBIGs, and are all in black and white. This is the version used for the digital release.
  
  
• The Full Color manga is mostly uncensored (sans Popo's lips), and will probably become the definitive release over time. Unfortunately, it won't be released in its entirety in English for many years to come.
  
  
  
  If you have any questions, see our extended rules. If you believe this removal was made in error, you can appeal to the moderating team.

Your submission has been removed for the following reason:

>This topic is addressed in our FAQ.

There are many different ways to purchase the manga, though unfortunately, every official English release is censored in some way shape or form. Censorship in Dragon Ball entails the removal of strong language, female nudity, middle fingers, and near the end, guns. Dark-skinned characters – namely Officer Black and Mr. Popo – have their large lips altered. Mr. Satan's name & Satan City are renamed Hercule and Herculopolis respectively. Violence and gore is unaffected.

Below is a list of VIZ Media's current offerings of DB/DBZ in English:

• The 3-in-1s are the least censored release, but this release is printed on very thin, low quality paper, and does not include any of the special colored chapters. There is an account of the remaining censorship in this version on the Kanzenshuu forums.
  
  
• The VIZBIGs have excellent paper quality and this is the only English release to include the special colored chapters, though a few were left in black & white for some reason.
  
  
• The individual volumes are censored to a slightly lesser degree than the VIZBIGs, and are all in black and white. This is the version used for the digital release.
  
  
• The Full Color manga is mostly uncensored (sans Popo's lips), and will probably become the definitive release over time. Unfortunately, it won't be released in its entirety in English for many years to come.
  
  
  
  If you have any questions, see our extended rules. If you believe this removal was made in error, please respond to this comment or appeal to the moderating team.