10 Anime That Carried Forward Dragon Ball's Legacy

Dragon Ball is undoubtedly one of the most influential anime of all time, greatly impacting the style of action and character development in numerous anime and manga series. One Piece and Naruto, in particular, openly acknowledge the significant influence Dragon Ball had on their creation, while even Western creators, such as the team behind Steven Universe, have expressed how much Dragon Ball inspired them.

The impact of Dragon Ball on popular culture cannot be overstated, and there are several anime series that have successfully followed its legacy. Some incorporate Dragon Ball's distinctive art style while adding their own unique touch, while others adopt its style of writing, including character development and exaggerated, high-octane combat scenes. Regardless of the approach, these anime and many others have unquestionably been influenced by Dragon Ball and have effectively upheld its remarkable legacy.

10. Dragon Quest: The Adventure Of Dai

Akira Toriyama's Other Massive Franchise Comes to the World of Anime

The first remarkable anime that carried on Dragon Ball’s legacy is Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai. Akira Toriyama’s second most renowned creative pursuit involves providing character designs for the JRPG franchise Dragon Quest. Consequently, the manga spinoff Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai perfectly captures Toriyama’s art style and character writing. Taking this even further, the 2020 anime utilizes its exceptional animation to impeccably replicate Dragon Ball’s explosive combat. As a result, the anime effectively incorporates Dragon Ball’s influence on its writing while still standing as a unique creation.

9. The Seven Deadly Sins

Dragon Ball Meets Medieval Fantasy

The Seven Deadly Sins is another anime that effectively carries on the legacy of Dragon Ball. Like Dragon Ball, it boasts extravagant combat and abilities, even introducing its own version of Scouters and power levels, which were defining elements in the early stages of Dragon Ball Z. The writing in The Seven Deadly Sins also draws clear inspiration from Dragon Ball, seamlessly blending serious drama with moments of humor. Similar to Dragon Ball, the series places great emphasis on willpower and friendship among its characters, resulting in a cohesive and successful expansion upon the foundations established by Dragon Ball.

8. Zatch Bell!

Dragon Ball's Comedy & Writing Reborn

When it comes to emulating Dragon Ball's writing style, Zatch Bell! stands out as one of the anime series that excels in this regard. While the combat style in Zatch Bell! may differ significantly from that of Dragon Ball, the writing draws clear parallels through its use of humor, emphasis on willpower and friendship, and the character of Zatch himself. Similar to Goku, Zatch is a young child with extraordinary power and an insatiable appetite. Although Zatch Bell! may not share as many similarities with Dragon Ball as other anime series do, it still manages to uphold its own unique legacy in a commendable way.

7. Black Clover

Goku's Legacy Lives On

As a Weekly Shonen Jump manga, Dragon Ball has often inspired other series within the publication, including the prominent example of Black Clover. Like Goku, Asta serves as an exuberant and foolish protagonist, driven by an unwavering determination. Additionally, the combat in Black Clover draws numerous parallels to Dragon Ball, with the usage of magic resembling energy-based attacks similar to Dragon Ball's. Furthermore, similar to the Super Saiyan transformations, Asta and other characters also experience their own transformative abilities. Considering the massive scale of combat portrayed, Black Clover successfully emulates Dragon Ball's essence.

6. Fairy Tail

Dragon Ball's Action Gets a Fantasy Makeover

Another anime that effectively carries on the legacy of Dragon Ball through its magic-based storyline is Fairy Tail. Similar to Black Clover, Fairy Tail showcases battles involving magic that are reminiscent of Dragon Ball's explosive and extravagant combat. Additionally, Natsu, a protagonist in Fairy Tail, embodies the same kind of idiotic hero archetype that Goku popularized, showing a love for fighting. Not only that, but the art style in Fairy Tail also mirrors that of Dragon Ball, allowing for the creation of dynamic imagery using simple techniques. By doing so, Fairy Tail successfully captures one of the fundamental elements that made Dragon Ball such a success.

5. My Hero Academia

A True Anime Titan The Gives Dragon Ball A Superhero Refresh

Although My Hero Academia and Dragon Ball may not initially appear to have much in common, they do share certain similarities. The art style of My Hero Academia is reminiscent of the simplicity that characterized Dragon Ball, and like its predecessor, the artwork serves to highlight the action scenes effectively. Furthermore, both shows heavily feature skillfully choreographed hand-to-hand combat, a characteristic often overlooked in Dragon Ball. My Hero Academia's emphasis on this aspect demonstrates a genuine appreciation for Dragon Ball's distinctive appeal.

4. One-Punch Man

Dragon Ball's Spiritual Sequel

When it comes to emulating the over-the-top action of Dragon Ball, very few anime succeed as marvelously as One-Punch Man. Each and every episode of One-Punch Man showcases awe-inspiring combat on an immense scale, constantly pushing the boundaries and surpassing itself, sometimes even venturing into galactic-sized territories. This level of grandiosity perfectly captures the essence of Dragon Ball's penchant for escalating the intensity of its battles. In fact, the first episode of One-Punch Man even introduced a villain who bore a striking resemblance to Piccolo, leaving no doubt that the anime is intended to follow in Dragon Ball's illustrious footsteps.

3. Toriko

Goku's Obsession With Food Taken to Its Logical Extreme

Another anime that does a remarkable job emulating the action of Dragon Ball is Toriko. The skirmishes in Toriko begin on a grand scale and steadily escalate to such extremes that, by the conclusion of the series, every character possesses the ability to unleash devastating attacks capable of obliterating the world. The series fearlessly exhibits these cataclysmic encounters in meticulous detail. Thanks to this, Toriko admirably follows Dragon Ball's penchant for monumental combat, and the two series were even united in an official crossover event, underscoring the rare acknowledgment of Dragon Ball's profound influence.

2. Naruto

One of the Most Influential Shonen Of All Time

When it comes to anime that can compare to Dragon Ball's legacy, few are as remarkable as Naruto. Naruto's distinctive orange attire, blond hair, lack of education, and extraordinary strength and determination make him an evident homage to Goku. Even his later power-ups are direct nods to the famous Super Saiyan transformation from Dragon Ball. Moreover, Naruto's martial arts-inspired combat and the progressively grand scale of his jutsu bear a striking resemblance to Dragon Ball's fighting style. Considering these similarities, it's not surprising that Naruto and Dragon Ball are often mentioned together. While the original Naruto series is available on Netflix and other streaming services, both Crunchyroll and Hulu offer the original series as well as Shippuden.

1. One Piece

Dragon Ball's Ultimate Successor

One Piece is the most noteworthy anime that follows in the footsteps of Dragon Ball. Luffy, the protagonist, embodies the same archetype as Goku, and even introduces a similar transformation called Gear 5 that resembles Super Saiyan and Ultra Instinct. Additionally, the writing in One Piece greatly resembles that of Dragon Ball with its anachronisms, unconventional settings, and eccentric character designs, which complement Dragon Ball's humorous tone. The character development, comedic elements, and intense fight scenes in One Piece are reminiscent of Dragon Ball's style while still maintaining its own unique identity. Undoubtedly, One Piece has successfully continued Dragon Ball's legacy, contributing to its enduring popularity.

During its release, Dragon Ball coincided with the height of anime's popularity, captivated audiences with its remarkable action sequences and well-crafted storytelling that does not overly complicate matters. It is no surprise that Dragon Ball became such a prominent and influential series. Other anime, including One Piece, pay homage to Dragon Ball in various ways, incorporating its essence into their own narratives, thereby enhancing both their quality and Dragon Ball's lasting impact. Few anime hold as significant a legacy as Dragon Ball, and it will undoubtedly continue to inspire creators for many years to come.

Source: LA Weekly.