The Ultimate List of Must-Watch Anime for Diehard Dragon Ball Fans

What are the top anime shows similar to Dragon Ball Z?

One Piece

Updated on August 13, 2023 by Mark Sammut: Brace yourselves, Dragon Ball enthusiasts! The Summer 2023 anime lineup promises an exhilarating dose of adrenaline with the highly anticipated return of Bleach and Jujutsu Kaisen. These two powerhouses are sure to satisfy your craving for explosive action. However, if you're still hungry for more, fear not! There are plenty of other anime series out there that resemble the exciting energy of Dragon Ball Z.

The three major shonen series are highly recommended for fans of Dragon Ball, each excelling in different aspects. For those seeking intense action and epic battles, Naruto and Bleach are the top choices. However, if the preference lies in adventurous storytelling, then One Piece surpasses all others.

One Piece seamlessly combines humor, immersive world-building, and thrilling action, much like the original Dragon Ball. Both shows primarily focus on thrilling adventures with occasional fights, and they heavily emphasize their characters and their lively interactions. While One Piece's action scenes may sometimes fall short, the series matches DBZ in terms of its grand scale.

Ranma 1/2

Released in the same year as Dragon Ball Z, Ranma 1/2 is another beloved anime that has withstood the test of time, particularly in terms of its engaging content. Although not as widely recognized outside of Japan compared to Akira Toriyama's creation, Rumiko Takahashi's manga series gained immense popularity and remains significant even today. The 1989 show serves as a perfect companion to the original Dragon Ball, blending elements of humor, martial arts, and a touch of romance.

The main character, Ranma, experiences a unique condition that causes a gender transformation when exposed to water. This creates complications when he meets three potential future wives. Ranma 1/2 is undeniably one of the funniest anime series from the 1990s, with jokes that still hold up after decades. Additionally, the show's fight sequences consistently deliver impressive action, even if that is not always the main focus.

KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple

KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple is an underrated shonen anime from the mid-2000s. The story revolves around Kenichi, a weak individual who becomes inspired by a fellow classmate to pursue martial arts. Spanning 50 episodes, the series primarily consists of a prolonged training arc, occasionally interrupted by formidable adversaries.

Although KenIchi aims for a realistic approach to martial arts, its characters veer towards exaggerated caricatures, yet remain endearing. Packed with humor reminiscent of early Dragon Ball, this anime may appeal to those who appreciate Master Roshi's comedic antics.

Fist Of The North Star

Fist of the North Star stands out among shonen franchises for its significant influence, rivalling even the mighty Dragon Ball. Set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, Kenshiro wanders the desolate wasteland, employing his distinctive martial arts style to vanquish Mad Max-esque marauders. Despite their distinct contexts, Fist of the North Star's backdrop can be likened to Dragon Ball Z's Namek and arid landscapes, resulting in a similar aesthetic and ambiance in both series.

While the narrative initially seems rather straightforward, the later storylines in the anime amplify the intricacy, depth, and fierceness. With its original airing in the mid-1980s, the animation style of the show may take some adjusting to in today's era; it is not subpar, but rather lacks contemporary aesthetics. Nevertheless, the combat scenes in Fist of the North Star not only endure impressively over time but also rival the pinnacle of DBZ's battles.

Baki The Grappler

Looking for a thrilling show with intense fights? Look no further than Baki. Unlike Dragon Ball, this manga by Keisuke Itagaki doesn't involve supernatural abilities. However, Baki's characters are so exaggerated that they might as well be all-powerful beings capable of destroying worlds effortlessly. The story follows the eponymous teenager who aims to defeat his father, the most dangerous creature on earth. But to do so, he must face incredibly powerful warriors, criminals, and even prehistoric humans.

Despite being hard to find nowadays, the 2001's Grappler Baki is incredibly brutal in a satisfying way, setting the stage for Netflix's 2018 continuation. While the show's quality has had its ups and downs, it undeniably features some of the most memorable anime fights in recent years.

Fighting Spirit

Hajime no Ippo, also known as Fighting Spirit, tells the tale of a timid and bullied youngster who gradually rises through the ranks in the world of boxing. Although it may not immediately resemble Dragon Ball, a popular anime series, Hajime no Ippo does share a few similarities with it. Both shows revolve around intense and lengthy battles, which are depicted with brutal force, impactful blows, and stunning animation.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

Additionally, these shows are based on manga series that originated in the 1980s, which is evident in their comedic elements. Despite the intense focus on the matches themselves, Hajime no Ippo manages to infuse the episodes between fights with humorous character interactions. It is worth noting that the anime maintains a consistently amusing tone throughout.

Dragon Ball Z, a pioneer in introducing multiple generations to anime, gradually passed on its influence to newer shonen properties. One such series is Demon Slayer, which successfully lives up to the challenge. When it comes to creating seamless and breathtaking anime action sequences, ufotable stands virtually unrivaled. While some argue that the pinnacle of the studio's work is represented by Fate, Demon Slayer shares a similar tone and structure with Dragon Ball.

Taking place in the early 1900s, the anime centers around a war between Demons and humans, with the latter being defended by the Demon Slayer Corps. Motivated by the loss of his family and his sister's demonic affliction, Tanjiro joins the Corps in pursuit of vengeance and to save his sibling. In terms of narrative structure, Demon Slayer echoes Dragon Ball, with each new storyline presenting Tanjiro with an increasingly powerful Demon opponent, pushing the protagonist to continuously grow stronger. However, ufotable's series maintains a swift pace and places emphasis on its supporting characters more prominently than many arcs of Dragon Ball.

Slayers

Slayers, a popular anime series from the '90s, offers a unique blend of sword and sorcery with a comedic twist. The show primarily focuses on humor rather than action, making it a standout in its genre. Lina Inverse, the main character, is a wonderfully conceited and hilariously self-assured heroine who rivals the entertainment value of any shonen protagonist. Motivated by her insatiable greed, Lina embarks on thrilling adventures in pursuit of treasure, joined by a cast of eccentric and occasionally unhelpful companions.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Dragon Ball may be one of the most popular and influential anime of all time, but JoJo's Bizarre Adventure stands as a rare exception. Since its debut in 1987, the manga has remained strong for over three decades. The credit for its longevity goes to Hirohiko Araki's adaptability and willingness to evolve with the times, as well as the clever decision to tell the story through different protagonists who are typically related by blood. This unique approach allows JoJo's Bizarre Adventure to constantly change its setting, characters, and even its overall structure.

What sets JoJo's Bizarre Adventure apart even more is its extraordinary power system, filled with imaginative abilities. Although it takes a few story arcs for Stands to fully materialize, they become a central focus and add depth to the series. Furthermore, the adaptation of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has been consistently exceptional, with each new part surpassing the previous one in terms of storytelling and quality.

One-Punch Man

From 2009 onwards, the question of who would emerge victorious in a battle between Saitama from One-Punch Man and Goku from Dragon Ball has captivated the minds of many philosophers. These two protagonists embody contrasting ideals. While Saitama effortlessly defeats his adversaries with a single strike, Goku continuously strives to surpass his own limits by engaging in combat against increasingly formidable opponents. This unwavering determination defines Goku's character, particularly in the context of Dragon Ball Super.

Dr. Slump

In contrast, Saitama has already attained his ultimate form. Conquering every opponent effortlessly with just a single blow, the unbeatable hero for fun has inadvertently dampened the Caped Baldy's enthusiasm. If placed in Saitama's shoes, Goku would have reacted in a similar manner. One-Punch Man impeccably delves into the profound melancholy of its protagonist, while simultaneously presenting breathtaking and often comical battle sequences.

Akira Toriyama's legacy is closely intertwined with Dragon Ball (and Dragon Quest), to the extent that everything else created by the mangaka is completely overshadowed by this franchise. Before introducing the Saiyans, Toriyama's most famous work was Dr. Slump, a comedic story about a scientist who invents a powerful robotic girl named Arale.

The original and superior adaptation of this manga aired in the early 1980s, making it hard to come by and a true representation of its era. However, the anime's humor is essentially the same as Dragon Ball, with the added bonus that Dr. Slump places a greater emphasis on comedy. Furthermore, the show ventures into peculiar territories at times.

Saint Seiya: Knights Of The Zodiac

Alongside the rising popularity of Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya has also gained immense fame. This captivating tale draws inspiration from Greek mythology and revolves around a courageous band of heroes bestowed with divine abilities by Athena to wage war against rival gods.

Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files

Saint Seiya is not only action-packed but also heavily focused on its characters. The anime brilliantly introduces a vast array of characters, each given a meaningful role to play. Though the narrative of Saint Seiya differs from that of Dragon Ball, it manages to strike a similar chord through its vintage appeal, well-paced storytelling, and captivating presentation.

Yu Yu Hakusho is often considered a perfect companion to Dragon Ball Z, as both anime share similarities in terms of their creator and storytelling. Yusuke, the main character in Yu Yu Hakusho, is initially portrayed as a troublemaker with a compassionate side before becoming a spirit detective. This journey presents numerous obstacles for him to overcome.

In terms of its longevity, Yu Yu Hakusho has aged remarkably well, possibly even better than Dragon Ball. While initially following a typical monster-of-the-week format, the show eventually evolves into complex story arcs that are ambitious and generally well-crafted. Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of Yu Yu Hakusho is its Dark Tournament, which is often regarded as the pinnacle of tournament arcs in anime.