Unveiling Dragon Ball's Astonishing Visual Evolution: From Classic Series to Super

Highlights

The visual style of Dragon Ball has constantly evolved, playing a vital part in shaping the atmosphere and overall experience of every mainline series. This evolution wonderfully mirrors the progression of the franchise's narrative.

The initial Dragon Ball series featured a vibrant and animated appearance, which perfectly matched its cheerful and enjoyable atmosphere.

Dragon Ball Z, on the other hand, brought about a noticeable change in visual style, adopting a more intense and dramatic approach. The characters were designed with muscular features, and the fight scenes became more intricate, effectively conveying the gravity of the battles and the threats posed on a cosmic scale.

Dragon Ball, a beloved and iconic anime and manga series, has enamored fans for years and remains popular to this day. A fascinating aspect of this legendary franchise is its constantly evolving visual style, which, like Vegeta and Goku themselves, has undergone significant transformations over the years.

In this analysis, we will delve into the distinct appearances of Dragon Ball, examining how the visual style of each mainline series establishes the atmosphere of its unique storyline. Additionally, we will explore how character designs and animation styles contribute to the overall audience experience of the franchise.

Dragon Ball (Classic)

The original Dragon Ball series, which aired successfully from 1986 to 1989, introduced viewers to Son Goku and his quest to find the Dragon Balls. The series has a vibrant and cartoonish visual style, thanks to Akira Toriyama's lighthearted and whimsical manga aesthetic, which effortlessly translated into the anime adaptation.

The character designs in this early installment are iconic, with Goku, Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi sporting memorable and distinctive looks. The animation style is smooth yet occasionally simplistic, capturing the show's comedic and shōnen adventure-driven essence. Overall, this animation style perfectly complements the playful and enjoyable atmosphere of the original Dragon Ball series.

Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z revolutionized the franchise's visual aesthetic and captivated audiences from 1989 to 1996. As the narrative evolved into epic battles and cosmic perils, the character designs and animation style followed suit. The characters became more defined and muscular, while the fight sequences intensified in both complexity and ferocity.

The character designs in Dragon Ball Z have achieved iconic status, with Goku's Super Saiyan transformation standing out as one of the most memorable moments in the history of not only shōnen anime but also the entire genre. While still incorporating some of the original series' comedic elements, the animation style took on a more intense and dramatic edge. This visual transformation played a crucial role in effectively conveying the high-stakes conflicts and world-engulfing threats that defined the series.

Dragon Ball GT

Dragon Ball GT, a series unrelated to the main storyline that aired from 1996 to 1997, showcases a noticeable divergence in the franchise's visual presentation. The limited involvement of Toriyama, the original creator, is evident in the character designs and overall aesthetics. The appearance of the characters differs slightly from their counterparts in Dragon Ball Z, and the animation style proves to be less consistent.

Although Dragon Ball GT has a dedicated fan base, it is recognized as a departure from the tone and quality of the previous series. The alterations in visual style greatly influenced the mixed reception of GT among fans.

Dragon Ball Super

Dragon Ball Super made a highly anticipated return in 2015 after a long break, aiming to capture the essence of the original series while incorporating elements from Dragon Ball Z. The series underwent a significant rejuvenation in terms of visual style, with character designs and animation that paid homage to its roots. The character designs in Dragon Ball Super maintained the iconic looks of the characters while incorporating subtle updates. The animation struck a balance between comedy and action, ensuring that both lighthearted and intense moments were executed flawlessly. This return to the classic style resonated with fans, revitalizing the franchise's popularity among anime enthusiasts.

In 2018, Dragon Ball Super: Broly took the franchise's visual style to new heights, showcasing breathtaking animation, seamless fight scenes, and stunning visuals. The film remained faithful to Toriyama's original art in terms of character designs, but the animation quality and execution reached unprecedented levels within the Dragon Ball universe. Dragon Ball Super: Broly set a new benchmark for visually stunning animation in the franchise, demonstrating the mastery of top-tier animation within the Dragon Ball universe. The movie's success reinforced the enduring appeal of the series and emphasized the importance of keeping the visual style fresh and dynamic.

A Blend of Classic and Modern

The ongoing Dragon Ball Super series has continued to improve its visual style, finding a perfect balance between the classic and the modern. While remaining faithful to the original character designs, the animation quality has noticeably improved compared to earlier episodes. The visual style of Dragon Ball Super reflects the series' evolution throughout the years, incorporating elements from both the original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, resulting in a consistent, captivating, and updated look.

The ever-changing visual style of the Dragon Ball franchise has played a crucial role in shaping the tone and overall experience of each mainline series. Starting from the lighthearted and adventurous style of the original Dragon Ball, to the epic battles of Dragon Ball Z, and now returning to its roots through Dragon Ball Super, the visuals have mirrored the narrative progression of the series. The character designs and animation quality have also been instrumental in keeping the franchise exciting and appealing to fans across generations. As Dragon Ball continues to expand and evolve, its visual style will undoubtedly remain a defining and awe-inspiring aspect of its enduring legacy.

Dragon Ball Super is available to stream on Crunchyroll.