Dragon Ball began when a little boy with a monkey tail called Son Gokuh, met a sixteen years old girl named Bulma. She was searching for seven mystical objects called Dragon Balls that had the power to grant the carrier any wish; she wanted to wish for a great boyfriend. It turns out that the only memento of Gokuh's grandfather is the four starred Dragon Ball so the young boy decides to go with Bulma instead of giving her his sphere. During their trip they met many characters that became their friends.

First they met a sea turtle that had lost his way. They help that turtle that turns out to belong to Kame-senin a well known martial arts master. He rewards them with a flying Nimbus, a cloud that only a pure hearten person could ride (Gokuh is the only one that can). Later they encounter Oolong, a pig that can transform in anything he wants, which uses this ability to scare the inhabitants of a small village. Gokuh defeats him easily and after he redeems he tags along. Then they encounter Yamcha and Pual, a thief and his helper (Pual has the same abilities as Oolong). Bulma and Yamcha fall in love at first sight. Next they met the Ox King (who trained with Gokuh's grandfather under Kame-senin) and his daughter Chi-chi; their castle on the top of mount Fry-pan has caught fire; Gokuh and his friends ask Kame-senin to turn off the fire so they an get the Dragon Balls in the castle. He does it by firing a "Kamehameha". Gokuh sees the old man and imitates him destroying Bulma's car. Our friends arrive to Pilaf's Castle in order to take his Dragon Balls. They fail and get trapped by the emperor who steals all their spheres. Pilaf has now all the seven Dragon Balls and attempts to have his world domination wish granted. Oolong and Pual turn into bats and escape the prison. Before Pilaf could ask for his wish Oolong ask for a pair of women's underwear. The wish is granted and and the Dragon Balls spread out again. They all get recaptured and imprisoned in an open-sky room. It's a full moon night and Gokuh turns into a giant ware monkey; as a result they break out. To turn Gokuh in his normal stage again Yamcha cuts his tail. The next morning they spread out: Bulma and Yamcha go away together and Gokuh decides to go train under Kame-senin. Gokuh goes at Kame-senin's house where he meets a young monk named Kuririn who wants to train with the old man too. The old master says that he will train the two boys if they'll get him a good looking girl. They bring a weird, but good looking, girl named Lunch. Training starts and the two boys prove to be really good students. To complete their training they compete in the well known Tenkaichi Budoukai Tournament. Here Gokuh meets his old friends. Neither Gokuh or Kuririn win the tournament since they are beated by an old man called Jakie Chun, who is actually Kame-senin in disguise.

After the tournament Gokuh starts looking for his grandfather's Dragon Ball. Unluckily also the Red ribbon Army is in search of the spheres too. Gokuh defeats all the soldier and generals of the Army: Captain Silver, General Blue (who had ipnothinc powers), Lieutenant Violet, Captain Yellow, General White (at Muscle tower), Commander Red (the Commander of the Army) and General Black. Also during this saga Gokuh meets many friends Bora and Upa (who live at the base of Karin-sama's Tower), cyborg number 8, the inhabitants of penguin village and many others.The main Red Ribbon villain was Tao-Pai-Pai, the world greatest assassin: first he was stronger that Gokuh but eventually he climbs Karin's Tower and trains under Karin-sama.

six Dragon Balls are now in Gokuh's hands and he decides to summon all of them to bring back to life Bora who was killed by Tao-Pai-Pai. Unfortunately, the Dragon Radar seems to be unable to locate the last one. So he asks Urinai Obaba, Kame-senin's sister who is a witch to locate it. She says that she will do it for a large amount of money or if Gokuh and his friend defeated his five warriors. First Kuririn loses against the first warrior but Upa and Pual defeat him with a trick. Then Yamcha defeats the invisible man with Kuririn's help. Next Gokuh defeats the Mummy, a Devil-man and has a little trouble defeating the last warrior (in this match he loses his tail) who is his dead grandfather bought back to life for one day by Obaba's powers. Obaba reveals that Pilaf possesses the last Dragon Ball; Gokuh gets it and and revives Bora.

Kame tells the others that a long time ago a demon called Piccolo Daimao was spreading terror and chaos on the Earth. The old man's master, Mutaito imprisoned him by using a suicide technique called Mafuuba. Meanwhile Gokuh follows Kuririn assassin, Tambourine (one of Piccolo's henchmen) but he is too weak because of the tournament and is defeated. Gokuh then meets Yajirobei, a boy of his age, that defeats another Piccolo's followers, Cymbal. Then Piccolo himself fights Gokuh; Gokuh is no match for the old alien so he gets almost beated to death. With Yajirobei's help Gokuh arrives to Karin's tower and he is healed and powers up thanks to the sacred water. Meanwhile Piccolo has gathered all seven Dragon Balls and earns to be young again. After having his wish granted he kills the Dragon, and also Kame and Chao-zu die trying to stop Piccolo's evil plan.

Tenshinhan and Gokuh face young Piccolo and his henchmen Drum. After an hard Fight Ten almost dies and Gokuh kills Piccolo and Drum. Before he dies Piccolo Spits out of his mouth an egg saying that his son (contained in the egg) will avenge his death. Gokuh goes at God's palace because he can't revive his killed friends since Piccolo has destroyed the eternal Dragon. God (who looks just like Piccolo cause he is his better half) brings the Dragon back to life and revives Gokuh's friends. Then Gokuh agrees to stay at Kami-sama's Palace (God's Palace) to train in order to defeat Piccolo's son. Three years passed and the new Tenkaichi Budoukai Tournament begins. Gokuh is grown up and looks a lot different. Yamcha, Kuririn, Chao-zu, Tenshinhan, Chi-chi, Shen (God in disguise) and Piccolo jr. are among the best ones. Gokuh fights against Ten and wins easily. Piccolo jr. defeats Kuririn who surrenders after realizing he is no match for the alien, and God. The final match is obviously between Piccolo and Gokuh. After an hard battle Gokuh wins. A few days later Gokuh and Chi-chi get married.