Look, we all loveDragon Ball Z, right? It’s probably the most beloved anime of all time, having spanned multiple decades andspawned several series, movies, and video games, all of which are taken in by a fan base that stretches across the world. The explosive battles of Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and the rest of the gang are always a thrill to watch. They’ve thrown down on Earth, Namek, the afterlife, and so much more, all in enormous, destructive fights that continue to captivate audiences to this day. Whether we’re sticking with the gang as they duke it outwith foes like Frieza and Cellor we’re learning a new way to power up to a stronger level of Super Saiyan,Zis always a kick-ass time. Well, almost always. Sometimesthe battles go on a little too long, and the never-ending quest to power up can leave audiences checking their watches, waiting for something else to actually happen. IsDragon Ball Zas great as everyone says?
Well, despite these complaints, yes it is. But you know what’s even better? The original series,Dragon Ball, that’s what.Zmight be badass, but even as fun as that can be, the train kind of stops there.Dragon Ball, on the other hand, is a much more multi-faceted show. Barely ever does it havethe explosive action that its sequel serieswould have. We would get a glimpse of that side of things towards the end, but for the most part,Dragon Ballis a simple adventure comedy.Instead of getting caught up in advancing to the next level of Super Saiyan, Goku is busy taking in the world around him for the first time, all while meeting new faces at every turn (faces that would become very familiar in time). He’s given more of a chance to become a real character, with more sympathetic and hilarious moments than he would get in his later adventures. In some ways, it’s a bit of a slower series, but it also moves at a better pace thanZbecause of its ideas that readers and viewers can actually relate to.Dragon Ballisn’t interested in wowing audiences. It wants to laugh with them, yearn with them, and aspire to see what’s out there.
Dragon Ball
Son Gokû, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of odd characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.
Goku is a More Well-Rounded and Curious Character in ‘Dragon Ball’
Most people are familiar with the cosmic, interplanetary adventures of Goku and the gang inDragon Ball Z, but it feels as though the tales of its predecessor are less well-noted by fans.Dragon Balltells the story of a14-year-old, mountain-dwelling Gokuas he gets swept up by a younger, brattier version of Bulma on a quest to find all seven Dragon Balls. Once they’re all collected,the mighty dragon Shenron will appear and grant you any wish that your heart desires. On their quest, Goku and Bulma meet futureZB-listers like Yamcha, Oolong, Tien, and Krillin, participate in martial arts tournaments, travel through mysterious mountain ranges, venture out over the ocean,battle armies, evade pesky thieves, try juice for the first time, catch fish on white water rapids, talk to dolphins, andeventually face off againstan alien in Piccolo. That last bit is mind-blowing in the scope ofDragon Ball, but that’s also because things were much simpler.
There’s a greater emphasis on fantasy than science fiction in this series, and a relatability to Goku’s youthful longing for the wider world that makes him more ofa hero like Frodo Baggins, as opposed to Superman. Goku starts out in the series having not ventured out beyond the mountains that he was found on as an infant. Once hedoesventure out into the world, everything is totally exciting for him. Goku’s not exactly the smartest kid in the world, sowhile all of his reactions are genuine, oftentimes, they’re hilarious too. If you’re a bigger fan of adventure stories than action extravaganzas, then not only isDragon Ballmore fun in general, but Goku is a way more well-rounded and curious character than he becomes inZ,GT, andSuper.
That curiosity is highly infectious. Simply put, it’s a blast getting to know the world ofDragon Ball. The universe thatAkira Toriyamabuilt is fascinating, fun, rich, awe-inspiring, mysterious, and all the other typical adjectives thatyou expect from a fantasy world. The first time that we fly out to Master Roshi’s island home far in the middle of the ocean, or lay our eyes on the totally engulfed Fry-Pan Mountain (Fire Mountain in the anime), it’s kind of overwhelming how inspired and playful this adventure is. If you skip over the original series and just jump straight intoZ, you might take for granted everything that the world around Goku has to offer. Aside from collecting the Dragon Balls,the journey in discovering the many corners of this universe is what this first series isreallyabout. It’s both obvious in its fantasy influences, and wholly unique.
‘Sand Land: The Series’ From ‘Dragon Ball Z’ Creators Coming to Hulu
The new anime is set to premiere next year.
‘Dragon Ball’ is More Interested in World-Building and Character Moments than Fights
Despite having written and drawn the badass fights ofDragon Ball Z, Toriyama is a natural comedian. That’s where he seems most comfortable. Because of that,Dragon Ballisa much more humorous world, not only in the jokes that characters tell, but also in its designs. Everything in this series is rounder, more exaggerated, peskier, and more mischievous than the next thing. Instead of sitting with characters who are endlessly powering up, Toriyama likes to take a moment for characters to talk with foxes, go fishing, try new foods, find humorous ways out of tricky situations, and more. There’s killing time by having characters clench fists, scream, and turn their hair yellow, andthen there’s killing time by having characters discover new things, all with a biting, admirably childish sense of humor. Sure, it might not be as “cool” watching Goku say hi to monkeys while chopping down enormous trees, but there’s a calming and easygoing nature to these moments that makeDragon Ballmore wholly enjoyable than its sequel.
Goku is a Sympathetic and Relatable Character in ‘Dragon Ball’
The thing that best setsDragon Ballapart is that it actually tries to be about something.Goku lost his grandpawhen he was much younger in an accident thathe caused, and has been alone ever since. He doesn’t know where he came from (that, he wouldn’t find out untilZ), and hardly has any idea what’s out in the wider world. Once he ventures out, he learns to find his own place in the world and make his chosen family in the friends that he meets along the way. It’s these kinds of themes thatZis lacking, no matter how fun that series can be. Sure, there are similar ideas on display in the Saiyan Saga, but that’s basically the extent of things.Finding your place and making your own familyis what the originalDragon Ballis all about. Discovering the world is fun for readers and viewers of all ages, but for kids, this kind of story is extremely valuable and relatable. What’s relatable aboutDragon Ball Z? That some people like to lift weights?
We might not know about this franchise if it weren’t forthe immense popularity ofDragon Ball Z, but it’s the humorous, relatable, wide-eyed enthusiasm to explore the larger world that makesDragon Ballthe better series. It might be fun to watch Goku battle to save the Earth, butwhat’s more fun is getting to explore the Earth with him and the fun cast of characters at his side. If you’re an action junkie, thenZis undoubtedly the way to go, but if you’re a fantasy and adventure head (with a heavy dose of comedy!), then there’s nothing better thanDragon Ball.
