In the world of anime, few names hold as much reverence as Dragon Ball. Debuting as a manga in 1984 before being adapted into an anime two years later, Akira Toriyama's series about a Saiyan who crash lands on Earth has stood the test of time marvelously.
When it comes to fighting anime, Dragon Ball will always be in the discussion for the best ever. In many ways, the franchise does deserve that title; however, there are a few other shows that are more than good enough to mount a challenge for the crown.
10 Dragon Ball: Influential
Whether inspiring subsequent shounen series to embrace longer forms of storytelling or serving as an example of how to blend genres, Dragon Ball has had a substantial impact on both the manga and anime industries.
The so-called "Big Three" of shounen – One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach – are at least somewhat influenced by Toriyama's property. Meanwhile, series like Gintama cannot help but reference Dragon Ball whenever the opportunity arises. This goes beyond mere popularity, as Dragon Ball changed shounen for the better.
9 Alternative: Fist of the North Star
Speaking of beloved '80s franchises that left long-lasting impressions on the industry, Fist of the North Star is undeniably among the biggest properties in anime.
While the animation has aged poorly compared to Dragon Ball, Fist of the North Star's grotesque bursts of violence, manly protagonist, and focus on drama have ensured the longevity of the 1984 anime. Fist of the North Star's influence can be seen in series like Berserk and, to some extent, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure.
8 Dragon Ball: Perfect Blend Of Comedy, Action, & Adventure
Focusing specifically on the original Dragon Ball, the 1986 anime mostly started out as an adventure series with a heavy focus on comedy. While the sequels would have their fair share of lighthearted moments, Dragon Ball is the only one that can be classified as anything other than an action show.
It is also one of the main reasons the Dragon Ball story is so effective, as the characters of Goku, Bulma, and Krillin were already well-established before the anime entered its more action and drama-heavy arcs.
7 Alternative: Yu Yu Hakusho
Gaining popularity in the west around the same time as Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho is rightfully considered a shounen classic. Split into four main arcs, Yu Yu Hakusho does a fantastic job of transitioning from a shounen stable in the Dark Tournament Saga to the far more experimental and unique Chapter Black Saga.
If it were not for the rushed final season, Yu Yu Hakusho would be near perfect.
6 Dragon Ball: Legendary Characters
Strong characters are the foundation of any memorable story. Even if Dragon Ball's characters are not the most multi-layered or nuanced to ever grace anime, the Z-Fighters are inspirational, well-defined, iconic, and the stuff that dreams are made of. Goku, Gohan, and Vegeta connected with audiences to such a great extent, their fights were inherently engrossing.
In all fairness, a lot of Dragon Ball's iconic status comes down to the fact it served as an introductory anime for so many people. Nevertheless, there is a reason Goku and friends have remained relevant to this day.
5 Alternative: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Compared to Dragon Ball, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a relatively recent anime; however, the manga debuted all the way back in 1987. Split into multiple parts, JoJo arguably found its footing during Stardust Crusaders. This part introduced Stands, a power system that added a degree of strategy and adaptability to each encounter.
Flashy abilities and stunning fight choreography do not amount to much if the involved characters are forgettable. Thankfully, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure's ever-changing roster is packed with larger than life personalities that are awe-inspiring in their own way.
4 Dragon Ball: Earned Its Moments
When the dust settles, a few standout moments from a fight tend to imprint themselves in one's memory. Dragon Ball Z had a habit of stretching out battles over a number of episodes, with the characters often spending more time talking than fighting. While frustrating at the time, it also made the anime's "landmark" turning points feel earned.
Dragon Ball Z mastered the art of the emotional pay-off, especially before the Buu Saga. Every transformation felt important and every victory seemed massive. The fights made sure to push the heroes beyond their limits; consequently, there was always a sense that anything could happen.
3 Alternative: Kill La Kill
At just 24 episodes, Kill la Kill moves at a frantic pace when compared to pretty much any long-running shounen series. An anime-original created by Trigger, Kill la Kill is a visual tour de force that boasts one of the most epic and effective soundtracks of all time.
All of the fights are entertaining and, thanks to the unique abilities possessed by the heroes and villains, singular. More importantly, the anime is never static, both in terms of character development and scope. By the end of its run, Kill la Kill has transitioned from a pretty straightforward battle anime to a massive war to determine the fate of the entire universe.
2 Dragon Ball: A Sense Of Growth
Goku's reputation has declined considerably over the last decade, with Dragon Ball Super only serving to strengthen the idea that Kakarot is a reckless idiot. These criticism are not unjustified, but it is unfair to suggest that Goku and the franchise as a whole have barely changed since the early days of Dragon Ball.
With the exception of Dragon Ball GT and parts of Super, each fight in the series represents a new challenge for Goku and the Z-Fighters. Along with each saga throwing an even bigger threat at the heroes, all the characters grow through these battles. Goku accepts his heritage to defeat Frieza, Gohan embraces his human and Saiyan sides during his fight with Cell, and Vegeta completes his redemption arc in the Buu Saga.
1 Alternative: Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter starts out as a typical shounen series before eventually revealing itself to be closer to a deconstruction of the genre. After the anime's main characters obtain their Hunter Licenses, they head out to complete their respective goals. The morals and psyches of the characters are frequently challenged. It becomes a case of how strong one can become while still remaining true to themselves.
Hunter x Hunter's fights have something that most other anime cannot provide: Insecurity. The heroes exist in a world that is mostly free of plot armor, where obstacles cannot be overcome by a simple transformation. On those rare occasions when that does happen, the power boost comes with significant consequences.