Dragon Ball volume 1 summary. New Characters: -- These are in the first character guide listing. Bulma -- I prefer the katakana spelling, Buruma. She claims to be 16 in this volume. However, Gokuu says that he's 14, and later we find out that Gokuu can't count. Ie, this may not be a dependable age for her. Fighting styles: Other notes: Story: A long time ago, some distance a way, in the mountains, this story begins... A little boy is breaking up wood for a fire. He prays in front of a ball, and tells his grandfather that he's going out. He wants something to eat. Elsewhere, a girl stands beside her car, and uses a watch to determine that she has to go west. There's no bear to eat, and it's been a long time since the boy had fish. He uses his tail as bait, and catches a huge fish. He's happy, and gets out on the road. The girl almost hits him with her car, and she yells at him. The boy thinks it's a monster, and tosses the car aside. They fight, she shoots him with a pistol, but he doesn't die. She says that she's human, and he stops attacking. But, she doesn't look like him (therefore, can't be human.) She answers that he's a boy, and she's a woman. He doesn't know what that means, not having seen anyone else in a long time. He looks for her tail, and she laughs at this child who's wearing a tail accessory. She explains that the thing is not a monster, it's a car. They both travel west (he still has his fish.) She thinks he's strong, but strange. He gets home, and tells the ball (grandfather) that he's brought a woman here. She rushes forward to grab the "Dragon Ball," and the boy insists that it's his grandfather. So, she pulls out another one -- which makes it two grandfathers. The girl (she has her name -- Bulma -- on her shirt,) explains that there are 7 Dragon Balls. When they are brought together, a giant dragon named "Shenlon" will appear and grant one wish. But, you can only do this once a year. (Also, it wasn't a watch, it was a Dragon Radar she was using to track down the Balls.) The boy's is the #4 Ball, and it had taken her 10 days to find the #5 Ball. The boy is impressed. Buruma also knows what she's going to wish for -- a great boyfriend. She tries to take the #4 Ball, but the boy refuses. So, she shows him her panties as a bribe, but it doesn't work. Instead, she offers to let him come with her to find the other Balls. They argue over this, and she secretly plans on using the boy as her bodyguard, then sneaking in her wish first. They set out, and Buruma shows that the Radar can tell them where to go to find the next Ball. It's west, 1200 km away. She complains about having her car destroyed, and asks the boy's name. He answers "I'm called Gokuu, Son Gokuu. You are?" She says "Buruma." He laughs at the funny name. She fumes, and pulls the #9 capsule from her case. She tosses it, pushing the boy backwards. There's an explosion, and the capsule becomes a motorcycle. He thinks she's a witch, and Buruma explains that it's just the product inside her "hoipoi capsule." (Hoi is the sound you make when you throw something, and poi is the sound things make when you throw them.) He makes sure that it's not a monster, and she tells him to get on in back. He likes the ride. 20 minutes later, Buruma takes a hill a little fast, and then realizes that she needs to relieve herself. Gokuu asks where she's going, and doesn't understand her answer. There's a scream, and he expects to see a snake. Instead, there's a violent flying dinosaur that ties him up and flies off to have Buruma for supper (long time since it's had human meat.) Buruma yells at the boy to save her. He frees himself using his tail, and tries to figure out how to follow the flying thing -- and gets an idea. By turning the one handle, the motorcycle makes noises. So, he's ready to go. He takes one hill too fast, but doesn't quite get the height he needed to catch the dinosaur. Swearing, he tells his bo to expand. He kills the dinosaur, and saves Buruma. This is how the two of them met. Gokuu and Buruma have set out to find the 7 Dragon Balls which will grant them one wish... The two banter a bit about having to travel around to find the other Balls. But it's getting late, so they pick a spot to camp. Buruma doesn't want to sleep under the stars, so she picks out a capsule. Gokuu can't believe that it has a house inside, but he knows better now, and runs away to avoid the noise that capsule makes when it explodes. [Note: At this time, it's apparently called the Hoipoi Capsule Corporation. Later, it's shortened down to just Capsule Corp.] Gokuu accuses Buruma of being a witch, which she just shrugs off. The house is big inside, too. Gokuu thinks that there's a man inside the TV. Buruma gets a whiff of the boy, and decides that he needs a bath. (A "bath"? What's that?) He gets a towel, but doesn't know that he's supposed to hold in front of himself. They banter some more, and then Buruma discovers that Gokuu's tail is not an accessory after all. Gokuu figures that only men get to have tails, since Buruma is a woman, and she doesn't have one. Buruma thought that men only had those in front of them. But then, Gokuu's dead grandfather was male, and he didn't have a tail either. Buruma takes her bath, and then panics when she sees Gokuu watching her. He asks what the things are on her chest, and she replies that women have breasts. It's only ok for kids under 10 to see them. She asks Gokuu for his age, and he replies 14. Which now makes him a pervert. She threatens him with the police, but he's hungry and wants to eat. However, he doesn't like her choice of food (bread and coffee,) and goes out to eat. A while later, he brings back a caterpillar and a dead coyote. Buruma doesn't want to share the food, so he has to eat alone, outside. Then it's time to sleep, but she wants him to brush his teeth first. He likes the bouncy bed, and wants to sleep with her on it, but she doesn't like that idea (he's 14, after all.) His grandfather slept with him, but she still doesn't go for that idea. They talk a bit about growing up in the mountains, and in the city, and Gokuu falls asleep in the middle of it. In the morning, Gokuu wakes up first, and decides that it's been a long time since he's slept on "grandfather's golden pillow" (ie -- between the old man's legs.) But, her crotch feels funny, so he removes her panties, and shouts out in shock -- "No balls!!" Buruma wakes up, but the Dragon Balls are still there. She yells at him for surprising her like that. Gokuu is complaining about how long Buruma is taking to get ready, and she tells him to shut up. She's having coffee for breakfast, but he turns that down in favor of going out and breaking up rocks as a pick-me-up. However, one of the rocks turns out to be a big turtle. It's surprised. Buruma wants to know what the fuss is about, and the turtle asks for some water. Then, they discover that it's been trying to find the sea for the last year. Looking at a map, the sea turns out to be 120 km away. Gokuu offers to take the turtle there, and Buruma objects. It'd take too long (30 days on foot,) she has to put on her face first, etc. Gokuu steps off alone, until Buruma panics at being left by herself with all of the creatures in the area. Soon, they run into a large punk bear that demands to be given the turtle. Buruma is willing, but Gokuu isn't. The bear threatens them, wanting to eat the turtle, and then it's fighting time. Gokuu uses Janken (scissors/paper) to drop the bear with "stone." The boy adds "peace" to his victory sign, and says that he wants to keep going. However, he also asks the turtle if it really is delicious, and the turtle denies it emphatically. They get to the ocean, and Toriyama has drawn himself as a robot, hanging on a tree. The turtle and Gokuu are both astonished at seeing the ocean, and Buruma isn't impressed. The turtle thanks them, and swims off. Gokuu decides that he doesn't like drinking sea water. Then, the turtle returns, with something on its back. The old man says "good afternoon," in English, and comments on them saving his friend. He then introduces himself as Kamesennin (turtle master.) Buruma repeats this name, the turtle points out the one that had saved him, and the old man gives the boy a present. He calls out for the Phoenix (written as "undying bird") but it doesn't show up. The turtle tells him that the phoenix has died, so the guy tries again with Kintoen. A flying cloud shows up and the boy asks if it's something to eat. Instead, it's something to ride. Buruma wants to know how a turtle master would have a cloud to give away, and he brushes it off. He can't ride the cloud, but the boy can. (Kamesennin didn't think that that was really possible.) Gokuu likes his present, and Buruma asks for something too. But, the turtle states that she hadn't helped him out at all. So, the old man will only give away something if she'll show him her panties. There's some arguing over this, but Buruma goes for it. The old man finally gets to see some muff, and then has to think of something to give her (some briefs, perhaps.) Buruma sees something that she wants to look at closer, and he says "my briefs?" No, it's the Dragon Ball he's wearing on his neck. He'd found it in the sea about 100 years ago. She shows the #3 Ball to Gokuu, and the old man wants to know what a Dragon Ball is. This is the one that the radar had said was out west. The old pervert wants another look at her panties, since they like the Ball so much, and Buruma happily agrees. The old man wishes he had a camera, then he wishes them well and rides off with the turtle. They return to the house, planning on getting the fifth Ball. Then Buruma discovers that she's not WEARING any panties. She realizes what the old man had been seeing, and Gokuu explains what had happened. Buruma inflicts some pain on him with a machine gun. She also wants to ride Kintoen, but the boy says that it's HIS present. She tries anyway, and fails. She wants to know why, whether it's punishment for being pretty. As they ride off, she complains about the cloud being faster than her bike. Three days later, they come to a village that should have the fifth Ball, but the place is deserted. They look around, trying to figure out what's happening, and the radar shows that the Ball is indeed here. An old man tries to protect his home, angering Gokuu by hitting him in the head with an axe. The man apologizes to "Oolong-sama," and offers money and food to keep Oolong from taking his only daughter. Buruma repeats "Oolong?" People realize that the boy is not Oolong, and there's more apologizing. Gokuu gets punished for checking if the daughter is a woman (by patting her crotch.) The villagers tell them about this frightening demon, Oolong, who'd shown up yesterday demanding some women. The big pervert would eat everyone if his demand was not met. Gokuu asks for a description, and is told that the monster is huge and powerful. Buruma asks if anyone has seen something like this Ball, and one old woman says that she found one like it. Her own ancestor had found it long ago -- it's the #6 Ball. Buruma offers to have Gokuu fight Oolong in trade for the Ball (Gokuu pleases the old woman by patting to check if she's female -- he decides that she is.) The next problem is getting Gokuu to Oolong, which Buruma handles by dressing the boy up in the daughter's clothes. (He's not happy about this.) Then, Oolong shows up for his date. Buruma tells everyone to hide, and Gokuu to pretend to do his job. The demon is confused by the girl's behavior (Gokuu keeps talking like a boy,) and it assumes that she doen't like his form. It shouts out "change," and becomes a handsome man. (Gokuu doesn't like being propositioned. Then Buruma steps out, greeting the hunk, saying that she's 16. Oolong asks for her bust size -- 85 cm. The demon fantasizes about putting his face between the 85 cm breasts of a 16-year-old girl. Then, Oolong freaks at seeing Gokuu relieve "herself" beside a tree. The demon hates seeing men's "things" and accuses the "girl" of not being the girl he'd seen the day before. (Gokuu doesn't want to be patted for proof that he's a boy.) Oolong changes to a bull, which Buruma isn't as taken by, and she runs to hide. People panic (the old man thinks about giving the girl away to appease the demon,) and Buruma expects Gokuu to sort things out to save all the girls here. Oolong looks forward to a quick battle. They square off, and the bull keeps blithering on about how the only way out is death. However, with one look at the clock, the bull panics and runs away. Behind a fence, it changes into a pig (which is Oolong's real form) wearing a communist Chinese outfit. Gokuu asks the pig where the bull went, and runs off to follow the pig's directions. [NOTE: The box describes Oolong's power: He can only remain in changed form for 5 minutes. After that, he has to return to his normal shape and rest for 1 minute before changing again.] People wonder what happened, Gokuu returns, having failed to find the bull. One minute has passed, and the pig desperately wants his woman. So, he becomes a "strong" war robot and threatens the hero. However, the hot water in the bowl burns his thumb, and things get out of hand. There's more bantering, and Gokuu has to prove his strength by breaking 3 bricks with just one finger. Oolong panics, and turns into a vampire bat to fly away. Buruma yells at the hero to capture Oolong to make the girls safe. He calls for Kintoen, and the villagers wonder if things will be alright. Oolong is pissed at having to leave the village, then alarmed at seeing that he's being pursued. He becomes a bomb, and almost gets away before the 5 minutes runs out. Gokuu asks if the pig is really Oolong, and pig asks who the hell this boy is. Back in town, people are amazed to see Oolong's real form, and they insult him for their troubles. He apologizes, and secretly curses to himself. The old woman gives Buruma the Ball. He takes them to his estate, where he had taken all of his other victims. The parents run inside, only to find that their daughters aren't interested in leaving. Oolong complains that he needed to get more girls to cover for the expenses of their luxurious lifestyle (apparently, for the ransoms.) The group is after the last two Balls, and Gokuu asks why Oolong was brought along. Buruma answers that the pig may be useful, to which Oolong says that he doesn't want to travel with them. However, the possibility that Buruma may strip down because today is so warm, causes the pig to consider taking a short vacation after all. Gokuu checks to see if Oolong is male. (Which should be obvious, because he likes girls so much.) They go upstream for 3 days, and the two guys get bored. Buruma tells them that the next Ball is probably on Mount Frypan. This panics Oolong, who tells them that this is the place of the great Gyuu Maou (Cow Wizard.) Oolong changes into a fish to escape, and Gokuu is going to give chase, but Buruma knows of a better way of catching the little pervert. She uses her still-warm panties. Oolong curses. Gokuu states that if Oolong tries to escape again, he'll eat the guy. Buruma gives the pig a plum-drop in place of the panties, and Gokuu wants one too. However, she doesn't think Gokuu deserves one, and the pig claims that it's just because he's more of the type that women like. They run out of gas, and Oolong has to change into an oar. Eventually, they land, and Oolong wants a pair of panties for his own. Buruma protests, then discovers that she doesn't have her capsule case. It must have happened when Oolong turned into a fish. Gokuu doesn't understand her crying -- she lost her house, car, and bike. He thinks that things are ok, but Buruma says that's because he has Kintoen. Gokuu suggests that Oolong change into a bike, and she likes that idea. However, Oolong has escaped. There's no way he's going to the mountain without getting a pair of panties in return. Gokuu can't find him, but Buruma knows of another dirty trick -- she calls out 'pee pee pee." This is a way of making pigs go to the toilet; turns out that the plum-drop was a prune-drop, hence the effect of the "pee pee" call. (The effect works for one month.) If he doesn't return, she'll use the trick again. He comes back, apologizing for trying to escape. Oolong bitches about this, and Gokuu thinks it's great fun calling out "pee pee." Buruma tells the pig to change into a bike, but gets a scooter. Which can't hold her weight. He tells her about the 5 minute time limit, and since she wants him to turn into something to ride, he becomes a pair of panties. Instead, they walk. Gokuu is disgusted with Oolong and Buruma (she's about to die.) It's a long way to Frypan, and the two give up where they stand. Buruma wants to find a hotel or ryoukan. Since neither place exists here, she throws a tantrum, and falls asleep. Oolong's also going to nap, and Gokuu is hungry. Some distance away, a cat spots them, and tells his friend that there's a duck out there. Yamcha chuckles -- it's been a while since they've had wild game. He checks their prey -- just the boy and the pig. They probably don't have money, but might have capules. Yamcha tells Pool to get the jet scooter. Oolong is getting hungry, and Gokuu is about to search for food, pausing to ask if roast pork is ok. Then, the bad guys, Yamcha and Pool arrive to fight. The human introduces himself as the hyena Yamcha, and the cat calls himself Pool. They'll let the boy and pig live in exchange for money or capsules. Oolong says, "Hey, you're the crybaby Pool!?" They'd studied together at the shapechanging school, where Oolong had stolen the teacher's panties. They insult each other, and Yamcha demands the money, quickly. The pig makes sure that Gokuu really is strong, then says that Yamcha will have to fight for the money. The man promises to send them to heaven. Gokuu doesn't understand why he has to fight (he hasn't learned about the value of money, yet.) Gokuu tells his bo to expand, getting in a good hit. The two animals root for their humans, and Yamcha asks where the boy got the bo from, (my grandfather) and asks for the guy's name (Son Gohan.) Turns out that Yamcha and Oolong both heard about this famous old dead guy who was really good at hand-to-hand fighting. It's been a long time since Yamcha has had a good fight, and he attacks with Rougafuufuu-ken. Oolong is impressed, Pool calls out his friend's name, and Gokuu is pounded around (he's weak from hunger.) Oolong is about to get beaten up, when he decides to change into a fly to escape. Pool is told to stop the fly. Now, Yamcha demands payment, and gets an M-size capsule, which is apparently worth lots of money. Complaining of hunger, Gokuu gets up and prepares for revenge. Yamcha is surprised that the boy is still alive, and plans on using Ryoufuufuu again. Gokuu does well with janken, but succumbs to his lack of food, as Buruma wakes up, complaining about the noise. Yamcha freezes at the sight of a woman, and has Pool help him escape for the moment (they lost the capsule, too.) Buruma wants to know who the hunk was. Back at the hideout, Yamcha is brooding over the hateful presence of a woman. The group is inside the camper that Oolong had in capsule form. Buruma is bitching about it not having been used before. She asks for the bathroom, Oolong points it out, then complains about how much Gokuu is eating. Buruma notices the shower and western-style toilet, and tells the pig to not spy on her. He has his own plans, then has to get pajamas for her. At the hideout, Yamcha is plotting to get the capsule back. But, there's the woman to contend with -- Yamcha has a plan for that. If Pool turns into the pig and lures the woman out, Yamcha can sneak in and get the capsule. Inside the camper, Oolong asks what this trip is all about, and gets told about the Dragon Balls. Outside, Yamcha realizes that the capsule was a "house wagon." They get closer, and he hears the woman's voice. Pool assumes that the other two are asleep. When Yamcha sees Buruma naked, taking a shower, his brain freezes, and Pool asks what's wrong. Buruma heard something, and Yamcha says that this is a bad dream. Then, they overhear the brat and the pig talking about having 5 of the Balls, (the 6th is at Frypan) and when all seven are together, you get any one wish you like. Yamcha takes Pool off to the side where they can rant about what they heard. If he can make a wish, he'll ask for a woman. Pool asks about the piles of money and stuff, and Yamcha thinks those are great too, but he'd rather get married. Pool doesn't understand. Oolong is getting bored, and Gokuu starts describing the dragon that's supposed to appear with the Balls. But, Oolong would rather see a woman. The boy states that if you see the dragon, you can wish for a woman. The pig likes that idea, but Gokuu doesn't understand WHY you'd want a woman. He's describing Buruma when she shows up (no balls or penis.) She's upset because Oolong gave her his pajamas, and just has to settle for sleeping in her clothes. Then, Oolong gives them after-shower juice to relax. He makes sure that Gokuu drinks too (the boy doesn't like the stuff.) Buruma gets directions to the bed, and makes sure that both guys know that they're supposed to sleep downstairs. The drugged juice takes effect, and the pig gets ready to go after the woman. Outside, Pool tells Yamcha where the others are, and then turns into a key to open the cab door. The guy rushes in, ready to attack Gokuu, but the boy is out cold. Pool states that the pig is also upstairs. So, the cat is to turn into the boy, and lure the woman outside. Yamcha tells Pool that he looks perfect. Upstairs, Oolong hears something as he's about to get under the sheets. He panics at seeing Gokuu (obviously, the drug didn't work) and he hides Buruma before changing into a very ugly copy of her (Pool can't tell the difference.) "Gokuu" asks about Oolong, who's apparently gone out for a stroll. "Gokuu" asks "Buruma" to go outside, and they do that, with "Gokuu" commenting on Oolong having gone for his stroll. This gives Yamcha time to search for the Dragon Balls, which are probably on the second floor with the woman's stuff. Outside, "Buruma" is wondering where they're going, and is cursing at this distraction. The bed looks lumpy, so the Balls must be there. Yamcha rips off the covers. Oolong gets impatient and demands to know what's going on. Pool changes and apologizes, and Oolong recognizes him and changes as well. But, if this is Oolong, that means... Pool rushes to save his friend. The man is busy counting breasts in his mind. In the morning, Oolong is testy, not having gotten any sleep while he was standing guard against Yamcha. Buruma's head is pounding, and she wants her clothes back. Gokuu points out that pig had been watching for the bad guy from yesterday, which cheers the girl up. Gokuu is hungry and eats the rest of one month's worth of food. Oolong told Buruma where to look for clean clothes, and she's upset at having to wear a playboy bunny outfit. She complains about perverts, and declares that the pig is coming with them to Mount Frypan. They drive off while Buruma is busy making up her face, just in case. Yamcha and Pool follow in the Mighty Mouse (an old bugatti) to get the Balls. Oolong sees the villians, and Yamcha's about to fire the bazooka (he calls it the Puncher Fist) when Buruma runs to get a look at the guy. The camper is hit and falls on its side. (Somehow) Pool knows that Buruma has been knocked out. Gokuu is mad, and Yamcha demands the Balls. Oolong wants to know how they learned about that, and Gokuu acts defiant (scaring Oolong.) Yamcha and Gokuu rush forward, taunting each other. Then they fight. Yamcha loses a tooth, which screws up his face, and he runs away. Gokuu is confused, but Oolong praises him a lot. However, they don't have transportation anymore. Some distance away, Yamcha curses the brat, and decides that he'll let the others find the Balls, and then take them away at the last moment. Oolong offers to carry the still-unconscious Buruma. Then, Yamcha pulls up in his car, apologizes for the mistake, and gives them a capsule in return. It's a car. Yamcha leaves, and Oolong checks the car for bombs and traps. Then, the heros head for Frypan, with Yamcha following them on radar. Two days later, the group is still trying to find the mountain. It's hot, and tempers are short. They find it, but the entire mountain is on fire. Oolong won't go any further, because Gyuu-maou lives there. He has to explain that Gyuu-maou is a terrible creature that kills everyone that gets to close to his home. On top of the mountain is the Gyuu-maou's castle, and the Dragon Ball. They argue a bit, and Oolong tries to escape in the car. Buruma calls out "Pee pee pee" again, forcing the pig to take a dump in the bushes. Oolong decides to stick around, after all. Yamcha halts a ways back, and realizes that the 6th Ball must be in Gyuu-maou's castle. Pool tries to warn him of the danger. Yamcha is trying to figure out what to do (he knows about some connection between Gyuu-maou and Kamesennin,) when a girl runs up, chased by a dinosaur. She keeps screaming as she reduces the monster to charred flesh with her helmet-mounted beam weapon. She's still scared, and Yamcha is dumbfounded, as she sees Pool and Yamcha. She attacks again, narrowly missing the villian. Yamcha gets angry, and drops her like a brick. They continue to Frypan, and Pool comments on Yamcha's ability to cope with little girls (Yamcha replies that he doesn't suffer from a Lolita Complex.) Buruma confirms that the Ball is in the castle, and tells Gokuu to get it. The boy stops looking for people (while checking out all the skulls) and calls for Kintoen. The terrified Oolong tells the boy to not shout so loud. Gokuu flies off (with the other two hoping he'll find the Ball and return fast,) and is impressed with the flames. But, it's too hot for him to land. Oolong comments on this, and Buruma insults the boy, while a shadow with an axe looms behind them. Gyuu-maou wants to know what they want, and Gokuu returns to say that he can't sneak into the castle. Gokuu asks who the old man is, and Buruma tells him. The guy recognizes Kintoen, and asks if they know Kamesennin. Gokuu thinks so, and Gyuu-maou pleads for them to find a way to get to Kamesennin's house. End of volume 1. -- Curtis H. Hoffmann Nov. 7, 1993

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