Dragon Balls

Lore & Background

The Black Star Dragon Balls (究極のドラゴンボール, Kyūkyoku no Doragon Bōru; lit. 'Ultimate Dragon Ball') were created by the Nameless Namekian before he split into Kami and Demon King Piccolo. They summon Ultimate Shenron (究極神龍, Kyūkyoku Shenron), a much more powerful red version of Shenron who can grant any single wish, regardless of any restrictions placed on the other dragons. In Dragon Ball GT, Emperor Pilaf uses these balls to accidentally turn Son Goku back into a child. After the wish, the Black Star Dragon Balls scatter across the universe. If they are not recollected within one year, the Earth will explode. Piccolo later sacrifices himself to permanently destroy Ultimate Shenron and the Black Star Dragon Balls when the Earth explodes after Goku and the others help evacuate the people of Earth to Planet Plant. Later in the series, the regular Dragon Balls are collected to revive those killed by Super 17, but an evil black dragon emerges and splits into seven Shadow Dragons, who punish humanity for their constant misuse of the Dragon Balls. After Omega Shenron is destroyed, the original Shenron appears from the purified and restored Dragon Balls to grant one last wish, then informs that the Dragon Balls can no longer be used forever and proceeds to disappear—along with Goku and the Dragon Balls.

In Their Own Story

Five years after the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, Son Goku is accidentally turned back into a child by Ultimate Shenron, summoned from the Black Star Dragon Balls by his old enemy Emperor Pilaf. Goku is then forced to travel across the universe to retrieve them, accompanied by his granddaughter Pan and Trunks, as if he does not retrieve them within a year, the Earth will explode. The trio goes through various adventures in their journey to find the Black Star Dragon Balls, until they encounter the artificial Tuffle parasite, Baby. After Baby's defeat, Piccolo sacrifices himself to permanently destroy Ultimate Shenron and the Black Star Dragon Balls when the Earth explodes. Later, the Dragon Balls are collected to revive those killed by Super 17, including Krillin. However, an evil black dragon emerges and then splits into seven Shadow Dragons, who set out to punish humanity for their constant misuse of the Dragon Balls by destroying the Earth. After Omega Shenron is destroyed, the original Shenron appears from the purified and restored Dragon Balls to grant Goku and his friends one last wish, which they use to revive everyone killed by Super 17 and by the Shadow Dragons. Shenron then informs that the Dragon Balls can no longer be used forever and proceeds to disappear—along with Goku and the Dragon Balls.

Reader's Guide

To activate the Black Star Dragon Balls, all seven orbs must be collected and brought together. The user then chants the name of the dragon spirit, summoning Ultimate Shenron from the void to hear their request. Unlike the regular Dragon Balls, Ultimate Shenron can grant any single wish, regardless of any restrictions placed on the other dragons. However, there is a lethal side effect: if the Black Star Dragon Balls are not recollected within one year after a wish, the Earth will explode. After use, the balls scatter across the universe, not just the planet. Piccolo later permanently destroys Ultimate Shenron and the Black Star Dragon Balls by sacrificing himself when the Earth explodes. The regular Dragon Balls, when collected, summon the original Shenron. After the Shadow Dragons saga, Shenron grants one last wish, reviving everyone killed by Super 17 and by the Shadow Dragons, then informs that the Dragon Balls can no longer be used forever and disappears—along with Goku and the Dragon Balls.

Did You Know?

• The Black Star Dragon Balls are also called the Ultimate Dragon Balls (究極のドラゴンボール, Kyūkyoku no Doragon Bōru).
• Ultimate Shenron is a much more powerful red version of Shenron created by the Nameless Namekian before he split into Kami and Demon King Piccolo.
• If the Black Star Dragon Balls are not recollected within one year after a wish, the Earth will explode.
• Piccolo sacrifices himself to permanently destroy Ultimate Shenron and the Black Star Dragon Balls when the Earth explodes.
• After the Shadow Dragons saga, Shenron informs that the Dragon Balls can no longer be used forever and then proceeds to disappear—along with Goku and the Dragon Balls.