Son Goku is a young boy with extraordinary strength who lives alone in the mountains until he meets Bulma, a teenager searching for the seven Dragon Balls, artifacts capable of summoning a dragon that can grant a wish. Goku joins her journey and gradually discovers a world filled with fighters, strange creatures, and dangerous enemies. Through training, tournaments, and battles against increasingly powerful opponents, he grows up, makes many allies, and develops his skills as a martial artist.
Manga
1993
Action
Adventure
Comedy
Fantasy
Supernatural
Martial arts
Shōnen
Metal
Dragon Ball
ドラゴンボール
- Glénat Publisher
- Akira Toriyama Writer
- Akira Toriyama Artist
Details
- Type
- Manga
- Release
- 1984-11-20 — 2000
- Original title
- ドラゴンボール
- Countries
- JP
- Genres
- Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Martial arts, Shōnen, Metal
- Volumes
- 42
- Status
- Completed
Synopsis
Dragon Ball
Volumes
Volumes (42)
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Sangoku
Bulma, the young heiress of Capsule Corp, meets Son Goku, a monkey-tailed boy with prodigious martial arts talent. She asks him to accompany her to search for the seven Dragon Balls, which grant a wish to whoever gathers them. Goku reveals that his grandfather, Son Gohan, gave him a 4-star Dragon Ball. Together, they meet the old Kame-Sen'nin (Turtle Master), who gives them the 4th Dragon Ball and the Kinto'un (flying cloud) as a reward. They retrieve the 5th by defeating the shapeshifting pig Oolong. On the way, they are attacked by the bandit Yamcha (and Pu'ar), who wants to steal the Dragon Balls. They discover the 6th in a burning castle whose owner, Gyū-Maō (Bull King), tells them that only Kame-Sen'nin can put out the fire.
Kamehameha
Goku reunites with Gyū-Maō's daughter, **Chi-Chi**, and accompanies her to Kame-Sen'nin's. The old man extinguishes the fire using the **Kamehameha** and finds the 6th Dragon Ball (but destroys the castle). **Pilaf**'s soldiers steal the Dragon Balls. Yamcha helps get into the castle, but they are trapped. With the 7 Dragon Balls gathered, Pilaf summons Shenlong and prepares to wish for world domination, but Oolong interrupts him by wishing for a girl's panties. Enraged, Pilaf traps everyone. Goku sees the full moon and transforms into the **Great Ape**, destroying the castle. Yamcha and Pu'ar cut off his tail, and Goku reverts to being a child. Goku separates from his friends to train with Kame-Sen'nin (who demands he bring back a girl to do the housework).
L'Initiation
A bald monk named **Kuririn** shows up at Kame-Sen'nin Island and also demands to train. With him, Goku saves a thief named **Lunch** (who sneezes and changes personality). Kame-Sen'nin agrees to train them. The methods are strange: jungle races, stone hunting, milk deliveries, carrying a 2-ton tortoise shell. After training, Kame-Sen'nin takes them to the **Tenka'ichi Budōkai** (the biggest martial arts tournament). Goku and Kuririn win their first matches. Kuririn faces **Bacterian** (a fat man who uses flatulence) but defeats him using his own methods.
Le Tournoi
Yamcha is defeated by an old man named **Jackie Chun** (who is Kame-Sen'nin in disguise). A man named **Namu**, who comes from a drought-stricken village, defeats Ran Fuan (who uses striptease). Goku defeats a dinosaur named **Giran** after a long fight where his tail reappears. In the semi-finals, Kuririn is surpassed by Jackie Chun. In the other match, Goku fights Namu in the air and wins. Kame-Sen'nin (as Jackie Chun) explains to Namu that he entered the tournament to prevent his students from winning and becoming arrogant. The final, Goku vs Jackie Chun, begins; the two exchange attacks, and Goku takes the advantage.
L'Ultime Combat
Goku sees the full moon and turns into a **Great Ape**. Jackie Chun destroys the moon with his **Max Power Kamehameha**. Goku returns to human form, the fight resumes, and he uses his Kamehameha. Exhausted, the two exchange kicks; Jackie Chun's is deeper, and he wins. Goku goes to look for his grandfather's Dragon Ball. He gets lost and is attacked by members of the **Red Ribbon Army**. Rescued by a family, he learns that the RRA kidnapped the mayor and goes to besiege the **Muscle Tower**. He defeats **Full Metal Jacket** and confronts **Sergeant Major Purple**, who hides using ninja techniques.
L'Empire du Ruban Rouge
Goku fights Ninja Murasaki (who splits using the **Bunshin no Jutsu**). Colonel White awakens **Android #8** (a robot with a good heart) to kill Goku, but #8 refuses. Goku and #8 become friends and defeat the monster **Jiggler** (weakened by the cold). Goku goes to **West City** to have the Dragon Radar repaired by Bulma. Bulma accompanies him in a submarine (provided by Kame-Sen'nin) with Kuririn. **General Blue** of the Red Ribbon begins to track them.
La Menace
Goku, Bulma, and Kuririn find a pirate dungeon underwater, trapped by General Blue, who wants the treasure. The dungeon collapses, and they escape. Goku finds a Dragon Ball, but Blue steals it. They end up in **Penguin Village** (Dr. Slump crossover). Goku meets **Arale Norimaki** and her creator Senbei there. Blue steals the Dragon Radar but is defeated by Arale. Goku retrieves a new radar and goes to the **Karin Sanctuary**, where the next Dragon Ball is guarded by **Bora** and his son **Upa**.
Le Duel
Bora gives Goku the 4-star Dragon Ball. The RRA sends the assassin **Taopaipai**, who kills Bora and severely beats Goku. Goku climbs the **Karin Tower** to become stronger. He meets **Karin**, a hermit cat, who makes him drink the **Super Holy Water** (which is not actually poisoned but makes him believe it is to push him to train). Goku easily defeats Taopaipai and destroys the RRA base. **Commander Red** wanted the Dragon Balls to become great; in a fit of rage, **Adjutant Black** kills him with a bullet. Goku destroys the RRA and obtains 6 Dragon Balls.
Sangohan
Bulma tells Goku that the last Dragon Ball is nowhere to be found. Kame-Sen'nin points her to **Baba Uranai**, his sister. Baba offers to reveal where the Ball is if the team defeats her five warriors. **Pu'ar and Upa** defeat Count Dracula. **Yamcha** defeats the Invisible Man (who bleeds from the nose to reveal himself). **Goku** defeats the Mummy and then the **Devil** (who attempts the **Devilmite Beam** but fails because Goku has no malice). Final battle: an old masked man who turns out to be **Son Gohan** (Goku's deceased grandfather). An emotional fight, Gohan lets himself be overcome and then returns to the afterlife.
Le Miraculé
Goku obtains the last Dragon Ball (Pilaf's), summons Shenlong, and wishes for Bora's resurrection. Three years later, Goku reunites with his friends and enters the **22nd Tenka'ichi Budōkai**. **Tenshinhan** (disciple of **Tsuru-Sen'nin**, Kame-Sen'nin's rival) violently beats Yamcha (broken leg, life in danger). **Jackie Chun** defeats the Werewolf. **Kuririn** confronts **Chaozu**. Goku discovers that Tsuru-Sen'nin is Taopaipai's brother and wants revenge for his death.
Le Grand Défi
Kuririn defeats Chaozu by exploiting his weaknesses in calculation. Goku easily beats **Panpoot** (8-time champion). In the semi-finals, **Jackie Chun** withdraws against Tenshinhan, advising him to use his powers for good (and revealing his true identity). Goku beats Kuririn in the other semi-final. In the final, Goku vs Tenshinhan: a battle of equal skill. Tsuru-Sen'nin orders Chaozu to paralyze Goku (with the **Donbei**), but Tenshinhan refuses and turns against his master. Kame-Sen'nin expels Tsuru-Sen'nin. Tenshinhan and Chaozu leave their master's wicked ways.
Les Forces du Mal
Tenshinhan destroys the arena with his **Kikōhō** and continues to fly. Goku is about to win but is hit by a truck and falls first; Tenshinhan wins. Later, Goku finds Kuririn dead and tracks down his assassin. Kame-Sen'nin identifies the mastermind: **Piccolo Daimaō** (Demon King). Goku confronts his son **Tambourine** but, exhausted, cannot defeat him. He meets **Yajirobe** (a samurai who hates Goku for stealing his fish), and together they kill Piccolo's minions. Confronted by Piccolo in person, Goku cannot scratch him and is defeated. Yajirobe saves him.
L'Empire du Chaos
Kame-Sen'nin attempts the forbidden technique **Mafūba** to seal Piccolo in a pressure cooker but fails and dies. Piccolo summons Shenlong and wishes to become young again (after killing Chaozu, who tried to interrupt him). He conquers the world by defeating the king's army, orders Tambourine to kill Namu and Giran. Yajirobe takes Goku to Karin Tower. Karin makes him drink the **Super God Water** (poisoned according to legend). Goku survives and becomes stronger. Tenshinhan attempts the Mafūba but fails, defeated by **Drum** (Piccolo's son). Goku arrives, kills Drum, then confronts Piccolo and surpasses him.
Le Démon
Goku continues his fight, using the **Great Ape Fist** (a bomb in the chest even without the moon) to pierce Piccolo's abdomen, but Piccolo, before dying, spits out a son, **Piccolo Jr.** Goku is saved by Yajirobe and taken to Karin. Karin tells him that Shenlong has been destroyed, but that its creator, **Kami-sama** (God), can restore him. Goku meets **Mr. Popo** (stronger than him), then Kami (Piccolo's good side). Kami resurrects Shenlong. Kuririn, Chaozu, Kame-Sen'nin, Namu, and Giran are resurrected. Kami agrees to train Goku against Piccolo Jr. **3 years later**, a larger Goku appears at the **23rd Tenka'ichi Budōkai** where an unknown woman punches him (forgetting his promise to Chi-Chi).
Chi-Chi
Tenshinhan defeats and disqualifies Taopaipai (returned as a cyborg) who tries to kill him. Goku beats Chi-Chi (who forces him to accept the marriage he promised as a child). Kuririn gives up against Piccolo Jr. Yamcha loses to **Shen** (who is actually Kami possessing a human). In the semi-finals, Goku beats Tenshinhan (despite the technique of dividing into 4, which also divides power). In the other semi-final, Kami faces Piccolo Jr. (his evil side).
L'Héritier
Kami tries to seal Piccolo in a bottle, but Piccolo reverses the spell and seals Kami instead. Piccolo wins the semi-final and eats the bottle. Final: Goku vs Piccolo: Piccolo becomes giant, and Goku enters his mouth. Piccolo vomits the bottle, releasing Kami. Piccolo returns to normal size, uses his **Maximum Cannon** to blow everything up. Both, weakened, continue. Piccolo seriously injures Goku, but Goku throws him out of the arena and wins. Goku spares Piccolo (because if he dies, Kami dies too). He leaves the tournament with Chi-Chi for their honeymoon.
Les Saïyens
Five years after the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku is married to Chi-Chi and has a 4-year-old son, **Son Gohan**. When Goku and Gohan visit Kame-Sen'nin, they are confronted by **Raditz**, a humanoid who turns out to be Goku's older brother. Raditz reveals that Goku is a **Saiyan** sent to Earth as a child to destroy it. Raditz kidnaps Gohan and demands that Goku kill 100 humans in 24 hours. Piccolo (the Demon King's son) allies with Goku to defeat Raditz, whom they consider a greater enemy. Gohan, enraged, attacks Raditz, allowing Goku and Piccolo to mortally wound him—at the cost of Goku's life. Before dying, Raditz reveals that **two Saiyans more powerful than him** will come to Earth in a year.
Maître Kaïo
Piccolo trains Gohan to awaken his hidden powers. Goku is sent to the Other World where he meets **Kaiō-sama** (the Kaiō) and trains under intense gravity. Once resurrected by the Dragon Balls, he must run to return. The two Saiyans, Prince **Vegeta** and **Nappa**, arrive on Earth. They confront Piccolo, Gohan, Kuririn, Yamcha, Chaozu, and Tenshinhan. Nappa creates the **Saibaiman**. Yamcha is killed by one of them (self-destruction). Kuririn and Piccolo destroy the Saibaiman. The group is confronted by enraged Nappa.
Végéta
Tenshinhan and Chaozu sacrifice themselves (Tenshinhan's **Kikōhō** fails, Chaozu self-destructs) without harming Nappa. Nappa faces Kuririn, Gohan, and Piccolo. Gohan tries alone, but Piccolo sacrifices himself to save him. Piccolo's death causes Kami to disappear and the Dragon Balls to turn into stones. Goku arrives and easily defeats Nappa. Nappa is executed by Vegeta. Goku faces Vegeta but is surpassed.
Yajirobé
Goku uses the **Kaiō-ken ×3** to multiply his energy but exhausts himself. Vegeta creates an artificial moon, transforms into an **Oozaru** (Great Ape), and tortures Goku. Gohan, Kuririn, and Yajirobe come to help, cutting Vegeta's tail (who reverts to human). Goku transfers the **Genki-Dama** (Spirit Bomb) to Kuririn, who launches it; Vegeta dodges, but Gohan sends it back. Vegeta survives, tries to kill the group, but Gohan (whose hidden Saiyan tail sprouts under the full moon) becomes an Oozaru and nearly kills Vegeta. His tail is cut in time by Yajirobe.
Monsieur Freezer
Kuririn tries to kill Vegeta with Yajirobe's sword, but Goku begs him to spare him. Bulma and the others arrive and take them to the hospital. With the Dragon Balls destroyed, the group decides to go to the planet **Namek** (the origin planet of Piccolo and Kami) to find the local Dragon Balls. Mr. Popo gives them Kami's ship. Bulma, Kuririn, and Gohan set off for Namek. Goku, initially injured, is healed by Senzu beans and sets off in turn. On Namek, Gohan and Kuririn discover that **Freeza**, a galactic warlord, is searching for the Dragon Balls to become immortal. A resurrected Vegeta also arrives.
Zabon et Doria
Several Namek warriors sacrifice themselves against Freeza. Gohan and Kuririn save **Dende**, the only survivor, but are pursued by **Dodoria**. Vegeta intercepts him, learns that Freeza destroyed the **Planet Vegeta** (his home planet), and kills Dodoria. Dende leads Kuririn to the **Grand Elder** (creator of the Namek Dragon Balls). Vegeta meets **Zarbon** (another of Freeza's henchmen) and is defeated. Zarbon transforms and defeats Vegeta again.
Recoom et Guldo
Kuririn receives a Dragon Ball from the Great Elder. Vegeta kills Zarbon (his transformed form). Kuririn and Gohan meet the Great Elder to awaken Gohan's hidden powers. Vegeta finds them, but the **Ginyu Force** (Freeza's elite) arrives. Vegeta temporarily allies with Kuririn and Gohan. Ginyu steals their Dragon Balls and takes them to Freeza. Vegeta kills Guldo in one blow. Vegeta beats Recoome but is then defeated.
Le Capitaine Ginue
Gohan and Kuririn are beaten by Recoome. Goku arrives and knocks Recoome out in one blow. He confronts Jeice and Burter (whom he beats). Vegeta kills the weakened Recoome and Burter. Ginyu arrives, but Goku surpasses him. Ginyu uses **Body Change** (body swap) and takes Goku's body. Vegeta kills Jeice. Goku (in Ginyu's body) attacks Vegeta, Gohan, and Kuririn but does not control the body well. Freeza visits the Grand Elder. **Nail**, a Namek warrior, tries to stop him.
Piccolo
Vegeta bats Ginyu (who attempts another Body Change). Goku intercepts the exchange and regains his body. Ginyu ends up in a frog's body. Vegeta sends Goku into a medical machine. Kuririn and Gohan ask Dende to summon the Namekian Dragon, **Porunga**, who can grant 3 wishes. They revive Piccolo, which restores Kami and the Earth's Dragon Balls. The Great Elder dies. Freeza arrives, furious, and shows his first transformation. Gohan (enraged) confronts him, then is replaced by Piccolo (who has fused with Nail, near death).
Le petit Dendé
Freeza uses his 2nd transformation, surpassing Piccolo. Gohan comes to help. Vegeta forces Kuririn to injure him, then asks Dende to heal him to become stronger. Freeza uses his final transformation. Vegeta confronts him but cannot damage him. Freeza kills Dende in front of Goku. Goku fights Freeza evenly, who reveals he is only using 50% of his maximum power.
Le Super Saïyen
Goku launches a massive **Genki-Dama** (Spirit Bomb), fueled by several planets. Freeza is hit. Everyone gathers, but Freeza appears and kills Kuririn. Goku's rage triggers a legendary transformation: his hair turns blonde and his eyes turn blue-green—he becomes the **first Super Saiyan in 1000 years**. In this form, Goku surpasses Freeza. Freeza fires a beam at the heart of Namek; the planet will explode in 5 minutes. Kaiō-sama resurrects everyone killed by Freeza, and Porunga teleports them to Earth, except for Goku (who wants revenge for Kuririn).
Trunks
Goku beats Freeza and tries to flee Namek before its explosion. Bulma tries to revive him, but Goku survives, training on another planet. A year later, **Freeza** and his father **King Cold** arrive on Earth for revenge. A teenager intercepts them, transforms into Super Saiyan, and kills them all. He meets Gohan and the team, waiting for Goku's return. He reveals himself to be **Trunks**, the son of Bulma and Vegeta from the future. He warns Goku that two androids created by **Dr. Gero** (from the Red Ribbon) will appear in 3 years. He leaves for the future. Three years later, Goku and his friends reunite.
Les Androïdes
Yamcha is attacked by the Androids. Goku transforms into Super Saiyan and defeats #19, but is suddenly weakened by the **heart disease** that Trunks had predicted. Vegeta (Super Saiyan) kills #19. #20 (who is Dr. Gero) escapes to the laboratory. Piccolo finds Gero, Trunks helps him, but Gero escapes and activates **#17 and #18**, who turn against him.
Réunification
A new cyborg named Cell makes its appearance, its goal is to absorb the androids number 17 and 18 to have full powers! Vegeta continues her training with Trunks in the special room, during this time, Piccolo tries to stop Cell in his quest for power and is then forced to give up what seems most dear to him: his ego.
Cell
The creature is revealed to be **Cell**, Dr. Gero's final creation, utilizing the cells of several warriors. Cell comes from a future where Trunks killed the Androids: he killed Trunks and stole his time machine. He wants to absorb #17 and #18 to reach his perfect form. Piccolo temporarily beats him. Goku recovers and takes Vegeta, Gohan, and Trunks to train in the **Room of Spirit and Time** (1 year of training = 1 day outside). Trunks and Vegeta enter first. Piccolo fights #17. Cell interrupts, absorbs #17, and reaches his semi-perfect form. Cell beats #16, tries to absorb #18, but Tenshinhan intervenes.
Transformation ultime
Goku saves Tenshinhan and Piccolo, and takes them to Kami's Lookout. Trunks and Vegeta emerge from the Room of Spirit and Time. Vegeta (in **Super Saiyan 2nd Grade** or "Super Vegeta") beats Cell, but Cell makes him believe he must absorb #18 to become stronger. Vegeta lets him do it. Cell absorbs #18 and reaches his **Perfect Form**. Vegeta, Trunks (in Super Saiyan 3rd Grade) attack him but are defeated. Trunks was stronger but slower.
Le Défi
Trunks surpasses Cell but is defeated. Cell announces the **Cell Games** (a tournament in 10 days). Goku and Gohan emerge from the Room of Spirit and Time and learn of the announcement. Goku decides to stop training; Gohan and he train to control their Super Saiyan. Goku goes to Namek to find Dende so he can become the new Kami (and restore the Dragon Balls). The Cell Games begin: **Hercules** (Mr. Satan) volunteers and is instantly defeated by Cell.
Le Combat final de Sangoku
Goku fights Cell at full power. Goku's full power Kamehameha, but Cell regenerates. Goku gives up and lets Gohan take his place, saying his hidden power is enough. Gohan cannot use it. Cell tries to make him angry. Android #16 tries to stop Cell but is destroyed (except for his head). Cell creates the **Cell Juniors** (small Cells) to attack Gohan's friends. #16's head encourages Gohan, then is crushed. Enraged, Gohan transforms into **Super Saiyan 2** and kills all the Cell Juniors.
L'Adieu de Sangoku
Gohan surpasses Cell, forcing him to regurgitate #18 (Cell reverts to semi-perfect). Cell attempts **self-destruction** to destroy Earth; Goku teleports him to Kaiō's planet (where he dies with Bubbles, #17, and himself). Cell regenerates and returns, killing Trunks. Cell prepares a Kamehameha capable of destroying the solar system. Gohan (aided by Goku in the afterlife) counters the Kamehameha, with Vegeta's help. Cell is completely eradicated. Goku refuses to be resurrected and asks Gohan to take his place. Trunks (resurrected) travels to the future and kills the Androids.
Un nouveau héros
Several years after the Cell Games, Gohan is a high school student at Orange Star (Satan City). He disguises himself as **Great Saiyaman** to fight crime. **Videl** (Hercule's daughter) discovers his identity and forces him to enter the Tenka'ichi Budōkai and teaches him to fly. Gohan learns that Goku is coming back to Earth. Vegeta, Kuririn, #18 (married to Kuririn), and Piccolo also want to enter. Goku returns and meets his second son, **Goten**. Goten and Trunks (young, present) enter the children's tournament, while the others enter the adults' tournament where Hercule appears (pretending he defeated Cell alone).
Kaïo Shin
Children's Finale: Goten vs Trunks (Trunks wins). Hercule, frightened, pretends to lose. Adults' Tournament: Goten and Trunks in disguise (Mighty Mask) participate. Piccolo gives up against **Kaiō-shin** (the Lord of Lords). Videl is severely injured by **Spopovich** (with abnormal powers). Gohan faces Kibito (the guardian of Kaiō-shin) but is attacked by Spopovich and **Yamu** who steal his energy. Kaiō-shin explains that the sorcerer **Bobbidi** wants to awaken a powerful monster, **Buu the Djinn**, and needs the energy of powerful warriors.
Le Sorcier Babidi
The team pursues Yamu and Spopovich, who lead to **Bobbidi's** ship. The sorcerer has already awakened **Majin Buu**, a rubber monster. Kaiō-shin explains the story of Buu. Bobbidi sends his general **Dabura** (King of Demons) against the warriors. Vegeta, manipulated by Bobbidi, accepts the **Majin Seal** (which amplifies his power but puts him under Bobbidi's control). Goku also becomes Majin Vegeta refuses to fight, and Vegeta provokes him. Their 'destiny' battle is announced.
Boo
Goku and Vegeta (Majin) clash intensely. Vegeta destroys the stadium. Bobbidi releases **Majin Buu** (skinny, pink, mischievous form) who attacks the world. Vegeta sacrifices himself by self-destructing against Buu, but Buu regenerates. Goku uses his **Super Saiyan 3** to fight Buu but does not defeat him, as it is limited on Earth. He prepares a **fusion** (with Vegeta) for the next day. Kaiō-shin and his companions gather.
La Fusion
Buu befriends Hercule. Bobbidi tries to stop him, but Buu kills him. Buu continues to wreak havoc. Vegeta is resurrected by the Dragon Balls (the price of Porunga is only Vegeta's life, which he accepts). Goku and Vegeta cannot fuse (their energies do not match). **Gotenks** (the fusion of Goten and Trunks) enters the scene. Buu absorbs **Kibito** and **Kaiō-shin** (Shin) to become **Super Buu** (giant form). Gotenks goes Super Saiyan 3.
Super Gotenks
Gotenks fights Super Buu. Gohan (after training with Kaiō-shin using the old Z Sword ritual) becomes **Mystic Gohan** (maximum power without transformation) and surpasses Super Buu. Buu absorbs him. Goku and Vegeta finally fuse (Kaiō-shin's Potara earrings) into **Vegito**, the most powerful warrior. Vegito dominates Super Buu, but voluntarily allows himself to be absorbed to free Gohan, Goten, and Trunks from inside. Inside, they are saved by Vegito's magic before he dissipates. They eject Buu's fat.
La Victoire
Buu, deprived of absorbed fat, reverts to his original form: **Kid Buu** (the purest and most destructive). He destroys the Earth (everyone is resurrected by Porunga, except Goku). Goku and Vegeta make one last attempt. Goku launches a **Global Spirit Bomb**: the humans give their energy, Vegeta restrains Buu (in exchange for his redemption). Goku uses the Spirit Bomb to destroy Kid Buu. **10 years later**: a new Tenka'ichi Budōkai tournament. Goku meets **Uub** (the human reincarnation of Kid Buu) and decides to train him. Goku and Uub fly off on a new journey. **THE END**.
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