How Many Dragon Balls Exist in the Dragon Ball Universe?

In the expansive Dragon Ball universe, the Dragon Balls are a central element of the story. These powerful artifacts hold the ability to grant wishes, but their existence is limited and bound by certain rules. So, how many Dragon Balls are there, and how do they work? Let’s explore!

The Seven Dragon Balls

The most well-known fact about the Dragon Balls is that there are seven of them. Each Dragon Ball is a spherical object with a specific number of stars inside it, ranging from one to seven. When all seven Dragon Balls are gathered together, they can summon the mighty dragon, Shenron (or other dragons in different contexts), who grants a wish to the person who summons him.

Each Dragon Ball is scattered across different locations, making it a huge challenge for anyone who seeks to collect them. Typically, the search for these Dragon Balls forms the foundation of the Dragon Ball series, as Goku and his friends embark on adventures to find them.

Types of Dragon Balls

Though there are seven Dragon Balls in most of the Dragon Ball universe, there are a few variations:

1. Earth's Dragon Balls
   The Earth Dragon Balls are the most iconic and widely used Dragon Balls. They were created by the Namekian Dragon Balls’ creator, Kami. These Dragon Balls can summon Shenron, the eternal dragon who grants one wish per summoning (although the nature of the wish is often dependent on the situation).

   After a wish is made, the Dragon Balls scatter across the Earth, and it takes about a year for them to gather again. The wishes granted can range from bringing back the dead to restoring destroyed objects. However, the wishes are usually bound by the rules set by Shenron himself, and some wishes are too extreme, like asking for immortality or changing reality.

2. Namekian Dragon Balls
   The Namekian Dragon Balls are more powerful than Earth’s Dragon Balls, and they come in the form of large orbs with stars engraved on them. These Dragon Balls were created by Namekian Dragon God, Porunga, and they reside on the planet Namek.

   Unlike the Earth Dragon Balls, which grant one wish, the Namekian Dragon Balls can grant three wishes in one summoning, making them more desirable and sought after. However, once the wishes are made, they scatter across the planet, requiring the searcher to find them again. After a wish is granted, they cannot be used for a certain amount of time.

3. Super Dragon Balls
   The Super Dragon Balls are the largest and most powerful Dragon Balls in the Dragon Ball universe. They are massive, planet-sized orbs that are scattered across Universe 6 and Universe 7. Created by Zalama, these Dragon Balls have the unique ability to grant any wish, no matter how big or impossible it seems.

   These Dragon Balls can also be used to alter reality on a massive scale—whether it’s restoring entire universes, resurrecting multiple people, or even reversing time itself. The powerful dragon summoned by the Super Dragon Balls is called Super Shenron, and he can grant nearly any wish. These Dragon Balls are scattered across two universes, and collecting them requires great effort.

4. Black Star Dragon Balls
   The Black Star Dragon Balls are a variant introduced in Dragon Ball GT. These Dragon Balls are similar in function to the Earth Dragon Balls, but they have a dangerous twist. When the Black Star Dragon Balls are used to grant a wish, they scatter across the universe, not just Earth.

   The primary danger of these Dragon Balls is that if they are not gathered again within a year after a wish is made, the Earth will be destroyed. The Black Star Dragon Balls were used in Dragon Ball GT by Dr. Myuu and Baby for a dark and ominous purpose.

Other Notable Dragon Balls

In addition to the standard types of Dragon Balls, there are also a few other variants and versions that have appeared throughout the Dragon Ball series:

• Dragon Balls from Different Planets: Various other Dragon Balls exist on different planets, each capable of summoning different dragons with varying powers.

• Eternal Dragon Balls: Some Dragon Balls are considered "eternal," meaning they are not bound by the same restrictions as others and can grant multiple wishes.

How to Use the Dragon Balls

The process of using the Dragon Balls generally involves the following steps:

1. Collecting the Dragon Balls: This is typically the most challenging part of the process. Collecting all seven Dragon Balls is no easy task and requires a combination of strength, intelligence, and teamwork. Whether it's Goku, his friends, or enemies, gathering the Dragon Balls is always a race against time and other factions.

2. Summoning the Dragon: Once all the Dragon Balls are collected, they are placed together, and the person who has gathered them must say a specific incantation. The Dragon Balls will glow, and the mighty dragon—whether it’s Shenron, Porunga, or Super Shenron—will appear to grant a wish.

3. Making a Wish: Once the dragon appears, the person who summoned him is allowed to make a wish. Depending on the type of Dragon Balls, this wish can vary in terms of scale and impact.

Conclusion: The Power of Seven Dragon Balls

Ultimately, the Dragon Balls are central to the Dragon Ball series, and their power is both a gift and a curse. While seven Dragon Balls are scattered across various worlds, each offering the potential to change fate, they also bring chaos, conflict, and the desire for control over their immense power. Whether it’s the Earth Dragon Balls, Namekian Dragon Balls, or the Super Dragon Balls, these mystical orbs remain an essential part of the Dragon Ball legacy.

With such power, it’s no wonder that everyone from heroes to villains seeks them out, all with their own reasons for wanting to change the world, or sometimes, to destroy it.