Dragon Ball: Heya! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

Volluble Essential
Manga2009Finished

Overview

This two-chapter manga holds a unique place in the Dragon Ball catalog as a comic adaptation of a 2008 animated special. Supervised by Akira Toriyama and scripted by Takao Koyama, with art by Naho Ooishi, it represents a distinct collaborative effort. Its brevity makes it a notable collector's item for those who follow the franchise's rarer side media.

As a reading experience, it delivers a brisk, lighthearted adventure that fits neatly into the series' comedic and action-driven mold. The short length means it functions like a self-contained vignette, offering a quick burst of the familiar Dragon Ball tone without demanding a long commitment. It emphasizes charm and pacing over sprawling narrative.

Because it is only two chapters and one volume, this work is approachable for readers curious about Dragon Ball's expanded universe. It may appeal especially to fans who enjoy the lighter, family-oriented moments and to newcomers seeking a low-stakes sample of the franchise's style. Its compact format makes it an easy addition to any digital or physical shelf.

Synopsis

Dragon Ball: Heya! Son Goku and His Friends Return!! is a short manga work adapting the 2008 animated special into comics form. Its story opens with a pair of unruly aliens causing trouble on the home world of Tarble, the younger brother of Vegeta. Unable to handle the intruders on his own, Tarble makes his way to Earth, and the troublemakers follow him there, bringing their mischief to Goku's doorstep.

At the center of the tale are Goku and the circle of friends and fighters who gather around him, who are asked by Tarble to help deal with the two visitors. Vegeta's connection to Tarble gives the situation a personal edge, and the confrontation plays out in the series' familiar blend of martial arts action, superpowered combat, and light comedy. The aliens serve as the main opposing force, while the returning cast carries the humor and the fighting alike.

The manga was published in V-Jump across two chapters collected into a single volume, with the story written by Koyama Takao, supervised by Toriyama Akira, and illustrated by Ooishi Naho. It stands as a compact, self-contained episode within the wider Dragon Ball world, one that assumes some familiarity with the cast while keeping its own small-scale conflict front and center.

Should You Read It?

Read it if you enjoy

  • Read if you want a brisk, two-chapter Dragon Ball side story centered on Tarble, Vegeta's younger brother, and a light alien confrontation on Earth.
  • Try it if you enjoy the franchise's comedic, family-oriented moments and want a low-commitment sample of its expanded universe.
  • Pick it up if you are curious about the V-Jump manga adaptation of the 2008 JSAT special, with art by Naho Ooishi.

It may not suit you if

  • May not suit readers seeking a mainline Dragon Ball saga, long arc, or major franchise continuation; it is a compact spin-off.
  • May not appeal if you prefer original manga stories over adaptations of animated specials or want extensive new lore.
  • May be less satisfying for newcomers wanting full cast context, since the story assumes some familiarity with Goku's circle.
Volluble Test Drive Try 2 chapters About 24 minutes

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Why It Connects With Audiences

Why people love it

  • The work benefits from Akira Toriyama's supervision and Takao Koyama's script, connecting it to the special's creative team.
  • Its short length and single-volume format make it a quick, approachable read that emphasizes charm and pacing.
  • Fans may appreciate it as a rare side-media collector's item that expands Dragon Ball's alien and family lore around Tarble.

Common criticisms

  • The two-chapter length can make the story feel like a brief vignette rather than a fully developed narrative.
  • As a manga adaptation of a 2008 animated special, it may be viewed as inessential by readers focused on core continuity.
  • Some may find the spotlight on Tarble and the alien troublemakers too slight compared with main Dragon Ball arcs.

Volluble DNA

A quick profile of the title’s dominant storytelling ingredients.

Action
80
Comedy
70
Emotion
40
Mystery
10
Romance
0
Horror
0
Philosophy
5
Anime/Manga Convention Intensity
75
Characters30 characters

Gokuu Son

Main character

Vegeta

Main character

Goten Son

Main character

Trunks

Main character

Tarble

Main character

Pu’ar

Supporting character

Bulma

Supporting character

Piccolo

Supporting character

Majin Boo

Supporting character

Gohan Son

Supporting character

Gyuumaou

Supporting character

Chi-Chi

Supporting character

Lunch

Supporting character

Marron

Supporting character

Oolong

Supporting character

Videl

Supporting character

Umigame

Supporting character

Chaozu

Supporting character

Kuririn

Supporting character

Yamcha

Supporting character

Jinzouningen 18-gou

Supporting character

Abo

Supporting character

Tenshinhan

Supporting character

Cado

Supporting character

Higashi no Kaioushin

Supporting character

Gure

Supporting character

Muten Roushi

Supporting character

Narrator

Supporting character

Rou Dai Kaioshin

Supporting character

Mister Satan

Supporting character
Manga Staff2 credits
Story & ArtNaho Ooishi
Original CreatorAkira Toriyama

Production Background

This two-chapter manga is an adaptation of the 2008 JSAT animated special. The original story was written by Koyama Takao and supervised by Toriyama Akira, while Ooishi Naho handled the manga illustration. It was published in V-Jump.

The manga ran from March 21, 2009 to April 21, 2009 and was collected in a single volume. With only two chapters, it presents a short comics version of the special's story.

Its production context centers on the move from the animated special to print. The special's writer and supervisor shaped the source story, and Ooishi Naho's manga adaptation carried that material into V-Jump as a compact release.

Franchise Context

This manga is part of the wider Dragon Ball franchise, but it is a compact side story rather than a main series installment. It adapts the 2008 animated special centered on Tarble, Vegeta's younger brother, and his arrival on Earth after being pursued by aliens.

Released in 2009 as a two-chapter, single-volume manga, the work functions as a spin-off adaptation within the franchise. It is not a remake of an earlier Dragon Ball manga arc, nor is it the beginning of the main storyline. Instead, it expands the franchise's family and alien lore through a self-contained adventure featuring established characters.

The manga was published in V-Jump and based on a story supervised by Akira Toriyama, with art by Naho Ooishi. Within the broader Dragon Ball catalog, it belongs alongside other specials, side stories, and ancillary adaptations rather than serving as a primary continuation or standalone franchise entry.

Franchise Path

  1. Dragon Ball franchise side story adapting the 2008 animated special; read as a self-contained vignette, not a main-line arc.
  2. Best approached after basic familiarity with Goku, Vegeta, and the Z-era cast so Tarble's arrival and the ensemble humor land.

After You Finish

Continue with

  • Complete in two chapters and one volume; there is no direct sequel to this manga adaptation.
  • For more Dragon Ball, continue with the main Dragon Ball manga or other Toriyama-supervised side stories and specials.

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Sources1 sources
  1. AniList - Dragon Ball: Heya! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!

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