7 Things Dragon Ball Does Better Than Every Other Shonen Anime

Lots of exciting, new shonen anime are currently available. While My Hero Academia recently finished its run, One Piece continues to be popular, along with shows like Chainsaw Man, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen. Despite all these great series, Dragon Ball remains a standout classic that will always be remembered.

Watching anime now, it’s clear how much Dragon Ball shaped so many of the popular action series we enjoy. For almost 40 years, it’s had a massive impact on anime and manga as a whole. Like any series, Dragon Ball uses common themes and ideas you see elsewhere, but it really stands out as a pioneer in establishing those tropes – it did them best, and often first.

Video Game Adaptations

It’s common for popular anime series to be turned into video games, and the most beloved ones often get several game releases. However, Dragon Ball stands out as the most successful anime adaptation in gaming. Since 1986, more than 100 Dragon Ball games have been released, selling millions of copies globally, proving they’re just as popular as the original anime and manga.

The world of Dragon Ball has spawned a huge number of games, including popular series like Budokai, Budokai Tenkaichi, Xenoverse, and Raging Blast, as well as standalone titles like FighterZ and Kakarot. While many are fighting games, there are also unique experiences like the 2022 game Dragon Ball: The Breakers and the Legacy of Goku series, offering fans diverse ways to enjoy the Dragon Ball universe.

Transformations

Transformations are a common and effective technique in shonen anime and manga, like One Piece and Naruto. They’re a great way to show how a character grows stronger and increase the tension in a fight. While many series use them, Dragon Ball is particularly well-known for its iconic transformations.

The Super Saiyan transformation is arguably the most famous in all of anime. While it started with the original form, creator Akira Toriyama designed later versions like Super Saiyan 2, 3, God, and Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan with a distinctive style that makes them instantly recognizable. However, transformations aren’t exclusive to the heroes. Early in the series, Goku’s Great Ape form was a standout, and many villains also have memorable transformations that significantly impact the story. Whether it’s Frieza’s multiple forms, Cell’s evolving stages, or Buu’s various appearances, Dragon Ball consistently delivers unforgettable transformations from both its heroes and villains.

Villain Designs

All manga artists have their own distinct approach, but Akira Toriyama is particularly well-known. His work has resonated with anime fans for decades, and his character designs – both heroes and villains – are incredibly memorable. Toriyama’s unique style is a big reason why Dragon Ball features some of the most iconic villains in anime.

In the beginning of Dragon Ball, villains like Emperor Pilaf and the Red Ribbon Army were fairly standard. The series truly hit its stride with stronger opponents like Mercenary Tao and King Piccolo. Later villains – Frieza, Cell, and Buu – became iconic, largely due to their unique designs and multiple transformations.

Special Attacks

Most action-packed anime shows feature characters with unique attacks. While many have clever techniques, Dragon Ball is famous for having the most well-known. If you watched the show as a kid, you likely remember – or even tried – imitating its signature moves, like shouting “Kamehameha!” with your friends.

Throughout the Dragon Ball series, each major character develops unique fighting techniques, and sometimes even uses each other’s signature moves. While the Kamehameha is arguably the most famous special attack in anime, moves like the Spirit Bomb, Special Beam Cannon, and Destructo Disc are also incredibly popular with fans. Even lesser-known attacks from Dragon Ball are memorable and stand out from the rest.

Villain Redemption

I absolutely love how Dragon Ball handles its villains! It’s so satisfying to see them come back, not just as repeat enemies, but with real character arcs. They slowly earn redemption, going from wanting to destroy everything to becoming crucial allies in protecting Earth. Piccolo and Vegeta are the perfect examples. They both started out as total enemies of Goku, but after being defeated and then forced to team up against even bigger bad guys, they completely turned things around and became two of the most beloved characters in the whole series!

Dragon Ball excels at giving villains a chance at redemption, as seen in several storylines. For example, Buu was reborn as Uub, the Androids surprised everyone by becoming good people, and even Tien and Chiaotzu left their former master early on to forge their own path.

Lighthearted Moments

Though Dragon Ball can get intense, it’s fundamentally a funny, lighthearted show. Many anime include comedy, especially action-adventure series for young boys (shonen), but Dragon Ball’s humor still stands out, even after all these years.

Early episodes of Dragon Ball often used Goku’s innocence and lack of worldly experience for comedic effect, which was a big part of what made them so enjoyable. While many anime today are funny, the series’ simpler, more cheerful moments have a lasting impact.

Rivalries

Great shonen stories often feature intense rivalries between characters. These conflicts create excitement and give characters opportunities to improve and evolve. Throughout the Dragon Ball series, Goku has consistently faced powerful rivals who have challenged him and kept audiences engaged.

While Piccolo and Vegeta are famous rivals of Goku, he’s always been competitive with those around him. Throughout Dragon Ball, from early characters like Krillin and Tien to more recent additions like Jiren and Broly, the series consistently creates rivalries that help characters improve. If the series continues, expect Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and others to keep challenging each other to get stronger.

2025-12-24 17:35