there are two different types of Dragon Balls Tires 1 with a Black Back Ground and Tier 2 with a Yellow back ground when you start for the frst time with a new chara up untill lvl 20 you will collect Tier 1 DB's witch are given as quest rewards. Once you have all 7 you will make your first wish and be given Lvl 20 Armor and a popo stone to sell for 10k.
Tier 2 DB's can only be found While the Dragonball hunt is on. (you will notice a one star DB in the bottom right side of the screen) you will need to have a special scouter there are many in the game but if you speak to the scouter merchant in Korrins Village and buy the one for 45k this will now show random mobs on the mini map as dragon balls.
your best chance to find dragon balls is by fighting and killing mobs that are no more than 5 Lvls above your own and you will not always be give a Dragon ball so be ready to get frustrated lmao hope this helps