Dragon Ball Volume 2 Explained: Goku’s Growth Continues

In the vast landscape of shōnen manga, few series have captured the imagination quite like Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball. Volume 2, released in 1985 as part of the original Weekly Shōnen Jump serialisation, marks a pivotal turning point. Picking up from the chaotic escapades of Volume 1, where Goku and Bulma’s Dragon Ball hunt introduced a world of adventure, whimsy, and budding martial arts prowess, this instalment shifts gears. Goku, the tail-bearing wild child raised in isolation, embarks on a path of formal training under the legendary Master Roshi. It is here that his raw, untamed power begins to refine into something truly formidable, blending heart-pounding action with Toriyama’s signature humour.

What makes Volume 2 so compelling is its focus on Goku’s evolution from impulsive brawler to disciplined fighter. Spanning roughly chapters 15 to 27 (depending on editions), the volume bridges the introductory Pilaf saga and launches the iconic 21st Tenkaichi Budōkai—the World Martial Arts Tournament. Readers witness Goku grappling with concepts like teamwork, technique, and perseverance, all while Toriyama masterfully balances slapstick comedy with escalating stakes. This is not mere filler; it is the foundation upon which Dragon Ball’s enduring legacy of growth, rivalry, and triumph is built.

As Goku dons the Turtle School uniform and steps into the ring against a roster of quirky opponents, the volume explores timeless themes: the clash between innocence and experience, the value of mentorship, and the thrill of self-improvement. For fans revisiting the series or newcomers diving in, Volume 2 exemplifies why Dragon Ball transcended its origins to become a global phenomenon. Let us delve deeper into its key arcs, character arcs, artistic flourishes, and lasting impact.

Overview of Volume 2: From Pilaf’s Shadow to Tournament Glory

Volume 2 opens in the aftermath of Emperor Pilaf’s failed wish on the Dragon Balls. Goku, ever the optimist, realises he must grow stronger to protect his friends and honour his late grandfather Gohan’s legacy. With Bulma returning home—temporarily bowing out of the adventure—Goku seeks out the elusive Master Roshi, the Turtle Hermit, famed for his Kamehameha technique. This quest introduces one of manga’s most beloved training montages, infused with Toriyama’s playful absurdity.

The narrative swiftly transitions to Kame House, Roshi’s isolated island retreat. Here, Goku meets Krillin, a bald-headed kid with surprising talent and a chip on his shoulder. Roshi’s unorthodox training regimen—delivering milk, ploughing fields with bare hands, and dodging bee swarms—forces Goku to adapt his feral strength to precision and endurance. This setup is no accident; Toriyama draws from classic martial arts tropes, echoing wuxia tales and karate dojos, while subverting them with Roshi’s lechery and the boys’ comical rivalry.

By mid-volume, the action explodes at the 21st Tenkaichi Budōkai. Held at a grand arena near the coast, the tournament pits 137 fighters against each other in preliminaries and quarter-finals. Toriyama uses this as a pressure cooker for Goku’s development, showcasing his growth through increasingly tough bouts. The volume climaxes with high-stakes matches that foreshadow the series’ shift toward pure combat spectacle.

Key Chapters and Pacing

Toriyama’s pacing in Volume 2 is a masterclass in escalation. Early chapters (15-19) emphasise character-building: Goku’s arrival at Kame House, the milk delivery marathon—a 100km dash that nearly breaks him—and mastering the Kamehameha after witnessing Roshi’s effortless demo. These moments humanise Goku, revealing vulnerabilities beneath his superhuman exterior.

Chapters 20-24 ramp up with tournament preliminaries, where off-panel scraps whittle down the field. The real meat begins in the main event: Krillin’s grotesque bout against the odorous Bacterian, Goku’s winged showdown with Giran, and the poignant clash with Nam, a drought-stricken warrior from a ravaged village. The volume wraps on a cliffhanger, teasing further rounds and introducing mysteries like the disguised Jackie Chun.

Goku’s Character Development: From Wildling to Warrior

At the heart of Volume 2 lies Goku’s metamorphosis. Introduced in Volume 1 as a monkey-tailed urchin who mistakes Bulma for a monster, Goku enters this volume with untapped potential but glaring flaws: recklessness, naivety, and a tail that hampers control. Training under Roshi catalyses change. The milk run, for instance, teaches endurance; Goku collapses repeatedly, vomiting from exhaustion, yet persists. This mirrors real athletic training philosophies, emphasising mental fortitude over brute force.

His Kamehameha breakthrough is iconic. Copying Roshi’s cupped-hands energy wave on his first try stuns everyone, highlighting Goku’s prodigious talent. Yet, it is the tournament where growth shines. Against Giran, a horned giant who spits glue-like webs, Goku shatters his tail-induced handicap by biting through the bindings—a clever nod to his primal roots evolving into strategic cunning.

Versus Nam, Goku’s empathy emerges. Learning of Nam’s village plight, he holds back, ultimately winning through kindness and power. This fight underscores Toriyama’s theme of martial arts as a tool for good, not domination. By volume’s end, Goku is no longer just strong; he is resilient, compassionate, and hungry for challenge—traits defining his arc through Dragon Ball Z and beyond.

Milestones in Goku’s Growth

  • Physical Mastery: Overcoming the tail’s weakness, perfecting aerial dodges.
  • Technical Skill: First Kamehameha, adapting to rules-based combat.
  • Emotional Depth: Forming bonds with Krillin, respecting elders like Nam.
  • Mental Toughness: Pushing limits in training, refusing to quit.

These milestones are not checklist achievements; Toriyama weaves them into organic, laugh-out-loud sequences, like Goku’s failed swimming attempts or his appetite-driven antics.

Supporting Cast and New Introductions

Volume 2 expands the ensemble, enriching Goku’s world. Krillin debuts as rival-turned-friend, his bald pate and feisty demeanour contrasting Goku’s innocence. Their head-shaving prank on each other cements a brotherly dynamic that endures.

Master Roshi evolves from eccentric hermit to wise (if perverted) mentor. His disguised entry as Jackie Chun adds layers, protecting the tournament’s integrity while scouting talent. Yamcha and Pu’ar return briefly, showing growth from bandit to aspiring hero. New foes like Bacterian (the hygiene nightmare) and Giran (the cheerful brute) inject variety, each designed for humour and spectacle.

Nam stands out for pathos; his bo staff techniques and tragic backstory humanise the opposition, a Toriyama staple that elevates fights beyond power-scaling.

Artistic Style and Storytelling Innovations

Toriyama’s artwork in Volume 2 matures noticeably. Panels burst with dynamic angles: sweeping ocean vistas during training, chaotic tournament spreads capturing crowd frenzy. Character designs pop—Giran’s goofy grin, Bacterian’s grotesque boils—blending cute chibi expressions with fluid action lines.

Storytelling blends genres seamlessly. Adventure yields to sports manga vibes in the tournament, with scoreboards, announcer hype, and strategic breakdowns. Humour peaks in gags like Roshi’s nosebleeds or Goku’s bottomless stomach, preventing tonal whiplash. Sound effects—Dodonpa!, Kamehameha!—are onomatopoeic poetry, immersing readers in the fray.

Culturally, Volume 2 reflects 1980s Japan: post-economic boom optimism, martial arts craze inspired by Bruce Lee, and folklore nods (Dragon Balls as mythical orbs). Toriyama’s pacing, honed from Dr. Slump, keeps 200+ pages breezy.

Reception, Legacy, and Cultural Impact

Upon release, Volume 2 propelled Dragon Ball’s popularity. Weekly polls favoured Goku’s fights, boosting circulation. Critically, it praised Toriyama’s balance of action and comedy, influencing creators like Eiichiro Oda (One Piece).

Legacy-wise, the 21st Tournament arc birthed staples: Turtle School, Kamehameha, Krillin rivalry. Animations in Dragon Ball (1986) faithfully adapted it, while games like Dragon Ball FighterZ recreate bouts. Globally, it introduced martial arts manga to the West via Viz Media’s 2000s releases, inspiring fitness trends and cosplay.

Analytically, Volume 2 cements Dragon Ball’s thesis: power alone falters without heart. Goku’s growth mirrors readers’, from casual fun to invested fandom.

Conclusion

Dragon Ball Volume 2 is a cornerstone, transforming Goku from precocious kid to tournament contender. Through rigorous training, heartfelt rivalries, and exhilarating battles, it lays groundwork for epic sagas ahead. Toriyama’s genius lies in making growth palpable—visceral, funny, inspiring. As Goku stands victorious yet humbled, ready for more, fans feel the same spark. This volume reminds us why Dragon Ball endures: in every punch, every laugh, every leap forward, it celebrates the human (or Saiyan) spirit’s boundless potential. Revisit it, and watch Goku—and yourself—soar.

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