Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is a hugely popular and important series in the world of anime and manga, with a vast collection of movies, shows, and other related content. However, while there’s a lot of Dragon Ball material available, some fans find that the stories outside of the main series don’t feel quite as strong or authentic.
What’s truly amazing about Dragon Ball is how much it’s inspired other stories, and continues to do so. If you love Dragon Ball and are looking for something with a similar feel but a fresh, original story, then check out these great alternatives!
7. Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac
Episodes: 114
Production Studio: Toei Animation
Airing Date: October 1986 – April 1989
Like many classics on this list, Saint Seiya is a well-known series with a wide range of adaptations, much like Dragon Ball. It’s filled with large-scale battles between characters with incredible powers and a variety of strong enemies, including demons.
The heroes of “Knights of the Zodiac” defend the goddess Athena against villains like the god Hades. Using martial arts and powerful transformations activated by their special armor, known as “Cloths,” Saint Seiya shares similarities with Dragon Ball, and both series were popular in the same magazine during the peak of martial arts-themed entertainment. Like Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya also offers a large and expansive story, with many different arcs and adventures – making it ideal for viewers looking for a long series to get invested in.
6. Yu Yu Hakusho
Episodes: 112
Production Studio: Studio Pierrot
Airing Date: October 1992 – January 1995
Yoshihiro Togashi, the creator of Hunter x Hunter, also created Yu Yu Hakusho, a thrilling supernatural story. It centers on Yusuke Urameshi, a teenage boy who dies saving a child from being hit by a car. Surprisingly, his act of bravery puzzles the spirit world, as everyone knows him as someone with a terrible personality, making his selflessness unbelievable.
I watched as he came back to life and quickly found himself assisting Botan, a Spirit Detective, with her cases. It’s interesting – the series begins with a simple meeting with a blue-haired girl, but Yu Yu Hakusho really hit its stride alongside Dragon Ball Z during what many consider the peak of Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump. People often praise it for its compelling story, unique style, memorable characters, and strong writing. You can definitely count on seeing some amazing fights and a plot that really keeps you hooked.
5. Sailor Moon
Episodes: 46
Production Studio: Toei Animation
Airing Date: March 1992 – February 1993
With a hero repeatedly saving the world, characters undergoing transformations, and the story continuing through the next generation, Sailor Moon offers a truly expansive and engaging universe. Created by Naoko Takeuchi, this incredibly popular anime and manga series became a cultural phenomenon in the early 1990s, gaining prominence around the same time as Dragon Ball Z.
Rearrange the covers into the correct Japanese release order.
Your Order
Results
— —
Similar to Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon is a wildly popular series that has grown into many different types of media and influenced countless others. Sailor Moon completely redefined the “Magical Girl” anime genre, establishing common themes and ideas that still resonate today. Beyond just having similar storylines, both Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball have had a massive and lasting impact on the world of anime and manga.
4. Hunter x Hunter
Episodes: 148
Production Studio: Madhouse
Airing Date: October 2011 – October 2014
Yoshihiro Togashi’s Hunter x Hunter is a vibrant world filled with fantasy, adventure, and a cheerful main character excited to explore it all. This feels very similar to Dragon Ball, especially because both series constantly expand the scope of their worlds. The protagonist, Gon Freecss, shares a lot in common with a young Goku – both are incredibly kind and optimistic, making them instantly likable to everyone they meet, including viewers. Like Dragon Ball, Hunter x Hunter is an action-packed shōnen series that features battles powered by a unique ability system called Nen.
I’m a huge fan of Hunter x Hunter, and one of the things I love most is the dynamic between Gon and Killua! Honestly, their adventures always remind me of Goten and Trunks – it’s like an alternate universe version of their friendship, which makes watching the series even more fun. The story centers around Gon Freecss, a twelve-year-old boy who dreams of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a Hunter, exploring the world his dad gets to see. He sets off to take the incredibly tough Hunter Exam, and along the way, he meets people who become his best friends. But it’s not all easy; the world is full of dangers, and Gon’s journey to find his father is definitely complicated!
3. Fairy Tail
Episodes: 175
Production Studio: A-1 Pictures
Airing Date: October 2009 – March 2013
While Fairy Tail‘s popularity has declined somewhat recently, it still has a dedicated following. Like many action-packed adventure series such as Dragon Ball, it shares familiar themes, but Fairy Tail especially stands out for its comedic moments, making it a good choice for fans of Toriyama’s work. It features a memorable cast of characters, exciting and visually impressive battles, and a vast world, all qualities reminiscent of Dragon Ball. A key similarity might be the amazing music – the original American release of Dragon Ball was famous for its incredible soundtrack by Bruce Faulconer, which really enhanced the viewing experience.
The music in Fairy Tail is instantly recognizable, featuring dramatic bagpipes that give the series a special appeal – similar to what Dragon Ball achieved. A big part of Fairy Tail‘s popularity comes from its focus on the strength of friendship, making it a great choice for fans looking for another series like Dragon Ball. The story takes place in a magical world, specifically the Kingdom of Fiore and the city of Magnolia, where magic users – known as mages or wizards – join powerful groups called Guilds. These Guilds are places where mages can hang out with friends, unwind, and find new missions. Lucy Heartfilia is a young mage who specializes in celestial magic and dreams of joining the famous Fairy Tail Guild. She’s about to meet one of its most well-known members, a Fire mage nicknamed “The Salamander”.
2. Ushio and Tora
Episodes: 39
Production Studio: MAPPA
Airing Date: July – December 2015, April – June 2016
Many consider Ushio and Tora to be a hidden gem among action-packed anime. Originally released over 30 years ago, it received a modern remake that aired from late 2014 to early 2015. It’s surprising the series hasn’t gained more popularity, considering how well it executes the classic formula for this type of action anime. The story centers around Ushio, a 15-year-old boy raised by his grandfather at a Shinto shrine. While exploring the shed, he discovers a massive spear stuck in the shoulder of a frightening demon, holding it against the wall.
Okay, so I’m totally obsessed with Ushio and Tora! The story kicks off with this seemingly bad deal – a boy, Ushio, accidentally frees a demon, but it turns out the weapon he uses to do it is this incredibly powerful, ancient spear meant to destroy evil! The demon’s a bit of a jerk and promises to come back for Ushio later, but thankfully, as long as Ushio holds the spear, the demon’s stuck. What really grabbed me is how much this series has in common with classics like Dragon Ball. We’ve got a really cool, straightforward hero, a super powerful sidekick who’s key to the amazing story, and the fight scenes are just epic. The villain is also brilliantly written – really haunting and memorable. It’s not about one thing being perfect, it’s just a really solid show all around, and honestly, if you’re into battle shōnen at all, you need to check it out. Oh, and did I mention it’s made by MAPPA? Seriously, that should be enough to convince anyone!
1. YAIBA: Samurai Legend
Episodes: 25
Production Studio: WIT Studio
Airing Date: April – July 2025
Created by Gosho Aoyama, the author of Detective Conan, YAIBA: Samurai Legend first appeared in 1993 and recently received a fantastic update with a 2025 reboot by WIT Studio. The series feels very similar to Dragon Ball because its main character, Yaiba, is a somewhat naive, spiky-haired hero who grew up isolated from modern society – making him a little quirky. Originally published in 1988, the series has a nostalgic quality, even with the stunning animation of the 2025 reboot. Like early Dragon Ball, YAIBA focuses on martial arts, blends fantasy with reality, and features a central rivalry.
The story centers around Yaiba Kurogane, a young samurai who grew up in the forest learning swordsmanship from his father. Their peaceful life is disrupted when they’re attacked by gorillas and accidentally shipped to the city inside a box. There, Yaiba encounters several key figures: Raizo Mine, a friend and rival of his father’s; Raizo’s daughter, Sayaka; and Tadashi Onimaru, a gifted swordsman who becomes Yaiba’s opponent. Tadashi discovers a cursed sword called the Devil Wind, which possesses him with a powerful, evil spirit. Unbeknownst to everyone, Yaiba is actually the reincarnation of the Thunder God, and he’s the only one who can stop the Devil Wind’s destructive power.
Read More
- Change Your Perspective Anomaly Commission Guide In NTE (Neverness to Everness)
- Robinhood’s $75M OpenAI Bet: Retail Access or Legal Minefield?
- All Nameless Hospital Endings Full Guide In NTE
- Lonely Player Anomaly Commission Guide In NTE (Wandering Puppet Locations)
- All Skyblazer Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- Midas Tower ReroRero Phone Booth Location in NTE
- How to Complete Funny Blocks Game in Infinity Nikki
- NTE Banners (Current, Next, And Upcoming Banners)
- Beware! Phishing Emails Are Deceiving Robinhood Users in a Sneaky Plot!
- Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo Gets An Official Anime Trailer By Studio MAPPA
2026-05-04 21:39