Title: DRAGON BALL VOLUME 16
Author and Artist: Akira Toriyama
ISBN: 0575080086
Publisher: Gollancz Manga
Pages: 205
Reviewed By: Adam Donnison

The "Strongest Under the Heavens" martial arts tournament is down to just three contestants, the monkey-tailed Son Goku, the human Shen who is in reality the god Kami-Sama in disguise, and his creation Piccolo, evil incarnate intent on ruling the world as the Demon King.

Piccolo is part of Kami-Sama, created by his cast-off sinful thoughts as he achieved godhood, and killing him will cause Kami-Sama's own death, but leaving Piccolo to rule the world requires desperate measures. In his attempt to trap Piccolo, Kami-Sama is defeated and revealed, leaving only Goku to tackle the powerful demon.

The power of these two combatants is awesome and threatens the lives of the spectators. Goku demands the stadium be cleared before he gets into serious battle, only to find himself hamstrung by the knowledge that if he kills Piccolo he will be causing Kami-Sama's death as well.

This manga book is an English translation of the Japanese series that ran from 1984 to 1995. Manga is the Japanese stylised comic form that has huge cultural significance in that country. The book retains the Japanese format of reading from what is the back of the book for English readers, and right to left on each page.

Once you get used to the unusual format this book is easy to read and the story is full of action. The main character Son Goku is moral to a fault, more interested in not cheating so that he can win the tournament fair and square than in what would happen should the Demon King rule. The tale works on a number of levels and will be enjoyed by children and adults alike, no doubt bringing new fans to the genre.