Read Dragon Ball Super Online Legally: Viz Media & Manga Plus
To read Dragon Ball Super legally online in English, your best options are the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps and websites from Viz Media and Shueisha, respectively. Both services carry the official English translation of the manga chapters, and you can read the latest three chapters for free on each. For full access to the entire series, you need a paid subscription to Shonen Jump (Viz Media) or use the free rotating catalog on Manga Plus.
Background: The Dragon Ball Super Manga
Dragon Ball Super is a manga sequel to the original Dragon Ball series, written by Akira Toriyama and illustrated by Toyotarou. It began serialization in Shueisha’s V Jump magazine in June 2015. The story follows Goku and his friends after the defeat of Majin Buu, covering the events of the anime film Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’, and then continuing into original arcs like the Tournament of Power and the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga. The manga is the primary source material for the anime’s later arcs, and it occasionally diverges from the anime, offering a distinct experience. As of 2025, the manga is ongoing, with new chapters released monthly in Japan.
Official English Sources: Viz Media and Manga Plus
Two platforms are the official English publishers of Dragon Ball Super:
- Viz Media’s Shonen Jump (viz.com/shonenjump): Viz Media holds the English language license for the print and digital release of Dragon Ball Super. Their Shonen Jump service offers a digital library of all chapters, including the latest ones. You can read the first three chapters and the latest three chapters for free, but to access the full archive, you need a paid subscription.
- Manga Plus by SHUEISHA (mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp): This is the official global app and website from the Japanese publisher Shueisha. It offers the same English translation of Dragon Ball Super simultaneously with Japan. The free version allows you to read the first three and the latest three chapters. After that, you can read each chapter once for free for a limited time (usually a few weeks after release), but the full catalog is not available without a paid plan.
How the Free and Paid Tiers Work
Both platforms use a similar model to promote the manga while encouraging subscriptions. Here’s the breakdown:
- Free access: You can always read the first 3 and the latest 3 chapters of Dragon Ball Super without paying. This lets you sample the series and stay current with the newest releases.
- Manga Plus free rotation: In addition to the first and last three, Manga Plus allows you to read every chapter once, but only for a limited window after its initial release. Once a new chapter is out, the previous one becomes available, but older chapters rotate out of free access.
- Paid subscription: On Shonen Jump, a paid subscription (currently $2.99/month or $25.99/year) gives you unlimited access to the entire Dragon Ball Super catalog, plus thousands of other manga series. Manga Plus offers a similar paid tier called “Manga Plus MAX� that unlocks the entire library.
Choosing Between Shonen Jump and Manga Plus
Your choice depends on your reading habits and budget. Consider these differences:
- Catalog depth: Shonen Jump has a massive back catalog from Viz Media’s entire library, including classics like Naruto and One Piece. Manga Plus focuses on currently running series from Shueisha, but also has a growing archive.
- Simultaneous release: Both platforms release new chapters at the same time, usually on the same day as Japan. There is no delay between them.
- Reading experience: Both apps are clean and mobile-friendly. Shonen Jump has a dedicated app for iOS and Android, while Manga Plus is also available as a web app and mobile app.
- Price: Shonen Jump’s subscription is cheaper than Manga Plus MAX (which costs $4.99/month or $49.99/year). If you only care about Dragon Ball Super, the free tiers on both are enough to keep up with new chapters, but you won’t be able to reread older arcs.
Common Problems and How to Solve Them
Readers often encounter a few issues when trying to read legally:
- “I can’t find the first chapters for free.� On Shonen Jump, the first three chapters are free, but you must be logged in to see them. On Manga Plus, the first three are free without an account, but you may need to create one to access the latest three.
- “The app says chapter is not available in my region.� Manga Plus is available in most countries, but some regions have restrictions due to licensing. Shonen Jump is available in the US, Canada, UK, and many other English-speaking countries. If you get a region error, try the other platform or use a VPN (though this may violate terms of service).
- “I want to read the physical volumes.� The printed volumes are published by Viz Media and are available on Amazon, bookstores, and the Viz website. The digital volumes on Shonen Jump are the same translation.
- “The latest chapter isn’t up yet.� New chapters are released on the same day as Japan, but the exact time can vary. Usually, it’s available by early morning Pacific Time. If it’s not up, wait a few hours.
Costs and Value Comparison
Here’s a quick cost comparison as of 2025:
- Shonen Jump: $2.99/month or $25.99/year. Includes all Dragon Ball Super chapters plus over 10,000 other manga chapters.
- Manga Plus MAX: $4.99/month or $49.99/year. Includes all chapters on Manga Plus, including Dragon Ball Super, but the catalog is smaller than Shonen Jump’s.
- Free options: Both platforms let you read the first 3 and latest 3 chapters for free. Manga Plus also lets you read each chapter once for free after release, but only for a limited time.
If you only want to read Dragon Ball Super and don’t mind waiting, the free tier on either platform is sufficient. If you want to binge-read the entire series or explore other manga, Shonen Jump is the better value.
Safety and Legitimacy: Why Avoid Pirate Sites
Many readers search for “read dragon ball super online free� and end up on pirate sites. While these sites are free, they come with risks:
- Malware and ads: Pirate sites are notorious for intrusive pop-ups, fake download buttons, and malicious scripts that can infect your device.
- Legal consequences: Reading on pirate sites is illegal in many jurisdictions, and you could be fined or face legal action, though this is rare for readers.
- Supporting the creators: By reading legally, you support the manga’s creators and the industry, ensuring more chapters are produced.
The official platforms are safe, ad-free (on paid tiers), and offer high-quality images. There is no reason to risk your device’s security for a free chapter.
Alternatives: Physical Volumes and Other Legal Options
If you prefer physical copies, the Dragon Ball Super manga is available in print from Viz Media. Each volume collects about 10 chapters. You can buy them from bookstores, Amazon, or the Viz Media online store. The digital volumes on Shonen Jump are identical in translation and quality. Another legal option is to read the series on the Viz Media app, which is the same as the Shonen Jump app but branded differently in some regions. There is no other official English publisher for the manga, so these are your only legal sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dragon Ball Super manga available on Manga Plus?
Yes, Manga Plus has the entire Dragon Ball Super series, but the free version only lets you read the first three and latest three chapters. To read all chapters, you need a Manga Plus MAX subscription.
How much does it cost to read Dragon Ball Super legally?
You can read the first three and latest three chapters for free on both Shonen Jump and Manga Plus. For full access, Shonen Jump costs $2.99/month, while Manga Plus MAX costs $4.99/month.
Can I read Dragon Ball Super on the Viz Media app?
Yes, the Viz Media app is the same as the Shonen Jump app. You can download it from the App Store or Google Play, and it gives you access to the same catalog.
Are there any differences between the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus translations?
No, both use the same official English translation from Viz Media. There is no difference in the text or quality.
What is the release schedule for new chapters?
New chapters are released monthly in Japan, and the English translation is available on both platforms on the same day, usually the 20th of each month (but it can vary).
Is it safe to read Dragon Ball Super on unofficial sites?
No, unofficial sites often have intrusive ads and malware. They also do not support the creators. Stick to the official platforms to stay safe and legal.
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