8 Dragon Ball Arcs That Are Better Than Anything One Piece Has Done

One Piece is a truly excellent series – the manga is particularly strong – and it’s no surprise it remains one of the most beloved Japanese franchises ever created. As the leading shonen series today, it’s natural to compare it to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball was incredibly influential, and One Piece owes a lot to it, building on the ideas and patterns that Dragon Ball established and which still shape anime, manga, and film today.

I’m a huge fan of One Piece, and it’s definitely a more expansive and complex story than Dragon Ball. But honestly, as much as I love the world-building in One Piece, it doesn’t quite reach the peak moments of the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. To be clear, even the weaker parts of One Piece are still better than anything Dragon Ball Super has given us, but when you compare it to the absolute best story arcs crafted by Akira Toriyama in the original series and DBZ, One Piece just doesn’t quite measure up.

8. The Cell Saga Uses Dragon Ball’s Ensemble Cast Better Than One Piece Has Used the Straw Hats in Years

A major issue with One Piece after the time skip is that the characters aren’t used as effectively. With so many new characters and a greater emphasis on building the world, some of the original Straw Hats feel much weaker and less important. The story has shifted from highlighting the strong connections between the whole crew to often leaving key characters on the sidelines. In contrast, the Cell Saga in Dragon Ball Z demonstrates how to keep a large cast of characters relevant even as the story nears its conclusion.

Watching the Cell Saga unfold was really something. Because Goku wasn’t the central focus, characters like Vegeta, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Gohan, and even Krillin got some of their most compelling moments and growth. The villains were fantastic too – the Androids and Cell were all well-developed and threatening. The story was packed with surprises, constantly shifting the power dynamics, and it all built to an incredible finale. Honestly, for a lot of fans, the Cell Games felt like the perfect ending to Dragon Ball Z.

7. Dragon Ball’s World Martial Arts Tournament is a Perfect Mix of Action, Character Development, & Heart

While One Piece can be really good at delivering exciting action, developing its characters, and creating emotional moments, it doesn’t quite capture the same spark as the original Dragon Ball World Tournament Saga. That saga, specifically the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai, was a crucial moment for Dragon Ball, marking the point where the series truly found its identity. It’s where Goku transforms from a simple character into someone constantly striving to improve and learn from defeat, and where supporting characters like Krillin and Master Roshi become fully realized and engaging.

The Tenkaichi Budokai, or World Martial Arts Tournament, is a legendary setting in anime, famous for its imaginative battles. The fight between Goku and Master Roshi remains a standout moment, with both fighters constantly surprising each other with new and clever techniques as the sun sets on the tournament. It’s still considered one of the most impressive battles in Dragon Ball history.

6. The Demon King Piccolo Saga Took Risks One Piece Would Never Dare to Try

One Piece frequently avoids permanently killing characters, often using fake deaths that lessen the impact of serious scenes. While this makes actual deaths more meaningful, they don’t happen often enough. Dragon Ball also struggles with character deaths, especially because characters can be revived, but the key difference is that characters in Dragon Ball actually do die, and these deaths often significantly fuel the story’s drama.

The Demon King Piccolo arc marked a significant turning point for Dragon Ball, becoming its first truly dark and violent storyline. It began with the shocking death of Krillin, and King Piccolo continued to eliminate key characters like Chiaotzu, Master Roshi, and even the eternal dragon, Shenron. The fact that the Dragon Balls were unusable for much of the arc heightened the danger and made Goku’s ultimate showdown with Piccolo incredibly suspenseful. After all the hardship, it felt truly satisfying when Kami restored the Dragon Balls and brought Goku’s fallen allies back to life.

5. The Red Ribbon Army Saga is a Better Adventure Story Than Anything in One Piece

Many fans consider the Red Ribbon Army Saga to be the most overlooked story arc in Dragon Ball. It’s the longest part of the original series, and follows Goku on a global journey to find his grandfather’s four-star Dragon Ball. This arc really expands the world of Dragon Ball, and shows Goku growing into a true hero – someone who would even sacrifice something he treasures to help others, like bringing a young boy’s father back to life.

The Red Ribbon Army arc is packed with exciting fights, including Goku’s battles with Tao Pai Pai and throughout the Red Ribbon Army base. A highlight is the intense tournament with Fortuneteller Baba, where he faces his Grandpa Gohan in one of the best close-combat fights in Dragon Ball. This arc truly feels like an adventure, and it’s easy to see how it inspired One Piece. Each location is unique, with its own look and challenges, all leading up to a huge battle with the Red Ribbon Army and a heartwarming reunion between Goku and his grandfather.

4. The Tien Shinhan Saga Has a Better Villain Than Anyone in One Piece

Akira Toriyama is a fantastic character writer who doesn’t always receive the recognition he deserves. Early in Dragon Ball, he quickly establishes Tien Shinhan as a formidable villain, portraying him as truly evil. Through incredible fight scenes and guidance from Master Roshi and Goku, Tien’s beliefs are challenged and ultimately changed. Tien Shinhan was such a compelling villain that Toriyama reused the idea of villains becoming heroes several times throughout the Dragon Ball series. While One Piece features strong antagonists, Tien Shinhan stands out as particularly well-developed.

The 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai is unique because it felt like any competitor had a real chance of winning. Goku, Krillin, and Yamcha were all closely matched, and with Jackie Chun as a returning champion and Tien and Chiaotzu as formidable opponents, every fight felt important and intense. This created a truly epic build-up to the unforgettable final battle between Goku and Tien.

3. The Frieza Saga Has Higher Highs Than All of One Piece Combined

The Frieza Saga is widely considered a classic, setting a high standard that many action-adventure series have attempted to follow, though with limited success. What makes this saga unique is its initial focus on Vegeta, Krillin, and Gohan. It essentially turns a former villain into a central figure, forcing Gohan and Krillin to rely on stealth and strategy until the arrival of the Ginyu Force, which then launches the story into a relentless series of action-packed battles.

Despite a lot of action and fighting, the Frieza Saga is remarkably well-written and develops its characters beautifully. Goku comes to terms with being both a Saiyan and an Earthling, Vegeta experiences a crushing defeat that brings him to tears, Piccolo rediscovers his origins, and Krillin solidifies his place as Goku’s most loyal friend. Gohan also grows from his experiences. The entire saga is brilliantly paced, building to Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan and a truly epic final battle – one of the best in anime.

2. The Piccolo Jr. Saga is the Perfect Tournament Arc

The original Dragon Ball series could have concluded after the Piccolo Jr. Saga without harming its reputation. The 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament feels like a perfect ending, with Akira Toriyama skillfully resolving each character’s story and bringing the series’ central ideas to a satisfying close. It marks a transition to a new generation, as Master Roshi retires and Goku finally meets an equal opponent in Piccolo.

Krillin stands out as one of Master Roshi’s best students. Yamcha receives a compliment from the Earth’s God, and Tien Shinhan breaks away from the Crane School by defeating Tao Pai Pai. Goku finally wins the World Martial Arts Tournament on his own, using everything he’s learned to overcome Piccolo, while also showing a unique, yet strangely endearing, kind of mercy. The final battle between Goku and Piccolo is a defining fight for the entire DBZ series, showcasing both fighters at their most inventive.

1. The Saiyan Saga is the Greatest Anime Arc in Shonen History

Looking back, it was a good thing Dragon Ball continued beyond the Piccolo Jr. Saga. The Saiyan Saga in Dragon Ball Z represents some of Akira Toriyama’s best work. In a short amount of time, Toriyama completely changed the story. We learn Goku isn’t just a martial artist, but an alien, and that there are fighters far more powerful than anyone previously thought. While Raditz might seem weak now, he was a serious threat when DBZ began, easily defeating both Goku and Piccolo and even forcing Goku to sacrifice himself to win.

Seeing almost all of the Z-Fighters fall in quick succession is especially impactful after experiencing the original Dragon Ball. The character arcs of Goku, Gohan, and Piccolo are incredibly well-done, and the exploration of nature versus nurture in the final battle between Goku and Vegeta remains some of Toriyama’s best work. What really made this arc special was Vegeta – he felt like a truly overwhelming villain, pushing the remaining heroes to their absolute limits for a hard-fought victory. Honestly, nothing in One Piece has ever felt as intense or as skillfully written as the Saiyan Saga in Dragon Ball Z.

2026-02-12 22:06