Dragon Ball is widely considered the most important anime ever made. It heavily influenced nearly every action-focused anime that followed, and many creators around the globe who watched it as children still admire and reference it in their own work.
If you’re a fan of Dragon Ball and looking for something new, there are plenty of recent anime series worth checking out. What fans love about Dragon Ball varies – some enjoy the funny moments and exciting journeys, while others are all about the action and characters getting stronger. With that in mind, here are some of the best new shonen anime for Dragon Ball fans.
7. Jujutsu Kaisen
If you enjoy action-packed anime like Dragon Ball, you’ll probably love Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s a battle-focused series with a slightly more mature and darker feel, but it still has plenty of funny moments. The anime boasts incredible fights, powerful enemies, unique magical abilities, and a well-developed system of power. Fans of Dragon Ball will especially appreciate the exciting and often unpredictable battles in Jujutsu Kaisen.
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Like a lot of modern manga, this series definitely shows the influence of Dragon Ball. Although the manga has finished, the anime is still being made, meaning fans can continue enjoying it for some time. Once the anime ends, MAPPA is expected to create an anime adaptation of Jujutsu Modulo.
6. One Piece
Even though One Piece has been running for many years, it consistently finds new ways to stay fresh. And despite its already extensive length—with more episodes still being made—a new anime version will premiere next year. This remake is designed to reach a wider audience and will only include content from the original story, leaving out any filler episodes.
Even though One Piece and Dragon Ball have different styles, the characters in One Piece (the Straw Hats) share a lot of personality traits with the heroes in Dragon Ball (the Dragon Team). Both series are also long-running and exciting shonen manga and anime, full of great action, making them perfect for viewers who want to invest in a story for a long time.
5. Dandadan
Dandadan really stood out as a highlight of 2024. The characters Okarun and Momo make a fantastic pair. The story delivers thrilling battles with supernatural powers, but it’s cleverly balanced with humor and romance. Fans of classic anime like Dragon Ball will likely appreciate Dandadan’s comedic style. Plus, a hint of horror adds another layer to the already excellent storytelling.
Manga creator Yakinobu Tatsu has said that Dragon Ball is a major influence on his work. The series stands out because it’s not a standard action-focused manga; instead, it expertly blends drama, action, and romance in a way that makes it widely appealing.
4. One-Punch Man
If you’re a fan of both superpowers and comedy, like in Dragon Ball, you’ll likely enjoy One-Punch Man. It’s often seen as a playful spoof of Dragon Ball and other similar action manga. Even though the main character, Saitama, is overwhelmingly powerful, the story manages to deliver exciting battles, maintain suspense, and continually raise the stakes.
The show includes characters that are clearly inspired by famous villains from Dragon Ball. It’s a shame that One-Punch Man hasn’t maintained the high quality of its first season, with each new season feeling more rushed. Still, it’s a good choice if you’re looking for something similar to Dragon Ball.
3. Mashle: Magic and Muscles
Mashle is a unique shonen anime where the hero relies on physical strength instead of magic to overcome his opponents. Despite lacking any magical ability, he attends a magic school to demonstrate that sheer power can triumph over supernatural abilities. It’s similar to Dragon Ball in its comedic style, but also features plenty of action and over-the-top battles.
Although the original manga is finished, the anime hasn’t caught up yet and will likely have a few more seasons to cover the rest of the story. That means there’s still plenty of exciting content to look forward to!
2. Solo Leveling
Solo Leveling is truly exceptional. The anime is shattering records, and its popularity continues to grow. The main character, Sung Jinwoo, is incredibly powerful, leading fans to debate whether he could defeat Goku in a fight. If you’re a fan of the intense action in Dragon Ball, Solo Leveling is definitely worth checking out.
If you enjoy watching characters get stronger and stronger, like in Dragon Ball Z, you’ll probably love Solo Leveling. Both shows are all about power-scaling, but Solo Leveling has a slightly more mature feel and features incredibly high stakes, making it a great fit for Dragon Ball Z fans.
1. Yaiba: Samurai Legends
Yaiba Kurogane shares a lot of similarities with Goku. Like Goku, he’s a young boy who grew up in the wilderness, possesses incredible strength, is a bit naive, and doesn’t really understand modern life. You could think of him as a samurai version of Goku, especially when considering the early parts of Dragon Ball.
If you love the classic Dragon Ball anime – with its over-the-top action, incredible powers, funny moments, and rivalry between characters – you’ll probably enjoy Yaiba. It’s full of similar energy and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Good news: a second season is already planned, so we’ll be seeing more soon!
You can now watch all the Dragon Ball series – including Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and the newest installment, Dragon Ball Daima – on Crunchyroll.
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2026-05-06 14:35