20 Anime to Watch If You Like Dragon Ball
20 Anime to Watch If You Like Dragon Ball
Top 10 Greatest Dragon Ball References In Anime
Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for 20 anime to watch if you like “Dragon Ball.” For this list, we’ll be going over some anime that likely appeal to fans of the “Dragon Ball” franchise. If there’s an anime you’d recommend to “Dragon Ball” fans you wish was on our list, there’s no need to break out the Dragon Radar – just tell us in the comments!
#20: “Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings” (2009-14)
Based on a video game series of the same name, “Sengoku Basara” is set in a fantasy version of the warring states period in Japan. If historical fantasy doesn’t exactly scream “Dragon Ball,” we can understand your doubts. However, the action and fight scenes feel very evocative of the seminal Shonen series, except with spears and swords…and sometimes guns. The absurd powers that defy physics on display throughout “Sengoku Basara” are definitely comparable to “Dragon Ball.” Take, for example, that time Hideyoshi punches away the whole ocean! That’s some Super Saiyan level power right there!
#19: “BLUE DRAGON” (2007-09)
Another series with video game roots, “BLUE DRAGON” is a fantasy adventure series. The show follows a young boy named Shu and his who set out to defeat a powerful villain using supernatural powers, which in Shu’s case involve the titular dragon. While the premise and involvement of a dragon certainly feels very “Dragon Ball,” it’s the art style that really makes the connection. The art of the games the show is based on was done by “Dragon Ball” creator Akira Toriyama, so fans of his most celebrated work will feel right at home.
#18: “My Hero Academia” (2016-)
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The heroes of “Dragon Ball” are all essentially superheroes anyway! “MHA” is one of the most popular anime in recent years, thanks to its school setting, poignant storytelling, and relatable characters. It has plenty of borrowed DNA from “Dragon Ball” too. The spikey-haired protagonists are always striving to push themselves to be stronger. The villains are terrifying but also charismatic. The fight scenes aren’t as protracted, but the pacing and emotional impact more than make up for their brisk length. While we’d be shocked if anyone who loves “Dragon Ball” hasn’t checked it out already, “My Hero Academia” certainly deserves further study if you haven’t jumped on board the hype train.
#17: “The Seven Deadly Sins” (2014-21)
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A medieval fantasy series that draws inspiration from Arthurian mythology, “The Seven Deadly Sins” follows the titular group of exiled knights as they reunite and work to save the kingdom that cast them out. The series has a blend of goofy humor and high-powered action that will likely appeal to fans of “Dragon Ball.” Every member of the main cast is capable of ridiculous feats of magical and/or physical strength, which leads to some epic, though not always well-animated, clashes. Escanor is basically one step away from being a Saiyan anyway.
#16: “Mobile Fighter G Gundam” (1994-95)
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There are dozens of “Gundam” spin-offs, and out of all of them, “G Gundam” is undoubtedly bears the most resemblance to DB. It eschews most of the political and military trappings of other “Gundam” shows and instead is all about a massive fighting tournament. With mechas! The action is stylized, the tone is campy, and the characters are wonderfully over-the-top Shonen archetypes. The dialogue is certified meme fodder too! This series glows with an awesome power, its loud roar tells you to watch it, and if you pass up the chance to check it out, you’ll be left burning red from the missed opportunity!
#15: “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple” (2006-14)
Let’s step away from fantasy and sci-fi for something more grounded. “Kenichi” follows the titular teenager, who is an aspiring martial artist with great potential. The focus on fighting puts it in a similar vein to the early days of“Dragon Ball,” although Kenichi is more concerned with protecting himself and others than being the strongest. The show also features plenty of comedy, though a lot of it is derived from fan service, so it might not be for everyone. Still, if you’re looking for a battle anime with some good fights and good laughs, this anime is a “mighty” good choice.
#14: “Blood Lad” (2013)
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A dark comedy vampire anime doesn’t sound very “Dragon Ball”-esque, but bear with us. “Blood Lad” is about Staz Charlie Blood, a vampire who refuses to eat humans, and who’s more interested in Japanese culture, particularly anime and video games. After a human girl dies under his watch, Staz is determined to resurrect her. The mix of action and comedy certainly echo other shonen, but because Staz is such a huge otaku, he and the show reference “Dragon Ball” directly. The guy can Kamehameha with the best of them!
#13: “Hajime no Ippo” (2000-14)
One of the greatest boxing anime ever made, this sports saga depicts the rise of Ippo Makunouchi, as he begins his career in the ring, as well as the lives of his peers and mentors. “Dragon Ball” fans will probably enjoy the focus on toughing it out in arenas and tournaments, as well as the character development that occurs through overcoming beastly opponents. “Hajime no Ippo” also features a strong supporting cast, many of whom are as strong and engaging, sometimes even more, as the main character. Wouldn’t recommend calling Takamura a Beerus clone to his face though.
#12: “Baki” Franchise (2001-)
Do you want to know defeat? How about an awesomely ridiculous battle anime? Well you’ll encounter both with “Baki”. The story follows Baki Hanma, a young man whose dream is to become stronger than his father – the strongest creature on Earth. The “Baki” anime series feature downright illogical, yet incredibly fun battles, bizarre and badass fighters, as well as unlikely friendships formed through beating the stuffing out of each other. “Dragon Ball” fans are sure to enjoy the numerous tournaments, and comedy that goes to some rather…unexpected places. “Baki” is a testosterone flavored treat that you may feel guilty enjoying, but you’ll always come back for more.
#11: “Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)
A most unusual adventure anime, “Hunter x Hunter” may begin as the story of a young boy named Gon trying to find his father, but it’s so much more than that! There are examinations, tournaments, battles against villainous organizations, strange creatures, and even virtual reality. And through it all, Gon and his friends are always training to become stronger. Hunter x Hunter and Dragon Ball might have the same blood flowing through their veins, but the former has become legendary for putting spins on common anime tropes. The fights are intense and strategic. The powers are fantastical, yet also logical. And there’s a perfect balance of high stakes drama and wild worldbuilding. What else can we say other than get your certifications and start hunting!
#10: “Bleach” (2004-12)
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Some people describe this show as “’DBZ’ with swords” and that’s not inaccurate. “Bleach” follows Ichigo Kurosaki, an ordinary teenager who becomes a substitute Shinigami, charged with battling spirits, defending the living, and crossing blades with whichever freak in a robe shows up next. The whole thing practically moves from one battle to the next, so “Dragon Ball” fans will feel right at home. The sword-based power-ups are flashy and varied, the action is always on-point, and there’s an expansive cast of great side characters…even if Ichigo does tend to steal the glory – kind of like Goku!
#9: “Gintama” (2006-18)
The undisputed king of Shonen parody…that are also about samurai fighting aliens…”Gintama” is the best kind of weird. Given that it’s largely a parody, “Gintama” references a ton of other anime and manga, including “Dragon Ball.” These are all hilarious, with the loving jabs likely to have DB fans rolling. Still, it’s not all fun and games. Despite how joke-centered it is, “Gintama” does have some serious moments and legitimate fight scenes that put it alongside Shonen greats. It just so happens to balance these with more “Dragon Ball” references than you can shake a power pole at!
#8: “Saint Seiya” Franchise (1986-)
A contemporary of “Dragon Ball,” the “Saint Seiya” series may not have caught on in the west to the same degree, but it still proved itself an influential landmark. Themed after Greek mythology, “Saint Seiya” follows the warriors of the goddess Athena, who engage in epic, cosmic scale battles that drive much of the plot, along with various themed abilities and a predominantly male cast. These features, along with its classic origins and modern revival, draw many parallels with “Dragon Ball.” If you’re looking for an older franchise to check out, “Saint Seiya” is like a drink of ambrosia.
#7: “Dr. Slump” (1981-2007)
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What better anime to recommend to fans of “Dragon Ball” than another series created by Akira Toriyama? “Dr. Slump,” retitled to “Dr. Slump Arale-chan,” in its anime adaptation, follows a little robot girl named Arale, as well as the other quirky residents of Penguin Village. It’s primarily a gag series, with a lot of its humor coming from Arale’s immaturity and misunderstandings of human culture. Fans of the humor and wacky adventures of early “Dragon Ball” will love its sister series, although even those drawn to battles might be surprised by Arale’s incredible strength. The two franchises have also featured several crossovers, so if you’re thinking you’ve seen everything Goku’s done, check again!
#6: “Gurren Lagann” (2007)
A hotblooded mecha series, “Gurren Lagann” follows a group of young adults who battle against the tyrannical rulers of Earth, and later the whole universe, using giant, combining robots. “Gurren Lagann” takes the Shonen tropes codified by “Dragon Ball” beyond its confines, with badass mentors, enemies becoming allies, and some fantastic and grandiose action that puts the scale of even Dragon Ball’s to shame! And through it all it delivers a well-executed message about self-improvement and persistence. “Gurren Lagann” pierces not only the heavens, but also the hearts of everyone who watches it.
#5: “The Idaten Deities Know Only Peace” (2021)
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Even gods can get complacent sometimes. This series follows a group of young deities whose ancestors once faced powerful demons. Under the tutelage of a veteran deity, these new gods find themselves taking on a new generation of hellish entities that…frankly, aren’t prepared for the pain their heavenly counterparts are about to bring. Although far bloodier and more mature than “Dragon Ball,” older fans of the franchise will be able to appreciate “Idaten Deities” fast-paced action and ridiculously overpowered protagonists. Also, given how much “Dragon Ball” focuses on god-level opponents, particularly in “Super,” the scale of the fights are on comparable levels, even if the tone difference is pretty drastic.
#4: “Yu Yu Hakusho” (1992-94)
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Riding on the wave of “Dragon Ball,” “Yu Yu Hakusho” was the next big name in Shonen. Made by the same Yoshihiro Togashi, who would go on to make “Hunter x Hunter,” it follows Yusuke Urameshi, an ordinary high schooler caught up in a world of supernatural battles after he dies and is appointed as a Spirit Detective. The series has several elements in common with “Dragon Ball,” from an elaborate afterlife, to tournament arcs, to its strong supporting cast. It also proved influential on some other anime, like “Bleach.” “Yu Yu Hakusho” is a certified classic of the genre, and it’s worth investigating whether you’re an amateur or a true connoisseur of anime.
#3: “One Piece” (1999-)
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If there’s any other series that can lay claim to being the king of Shonen anime besides “Dragon Ball,” it’s “One Piece.” The long running anime may be a goofy pirate show on the surface, but Monkey D. Luffy’s quest to become Pirate King is just the tip of the iceberg. Luffy and company get into fantastical adventures every step of the way. There are high stakes fights with amazing action. Hilarious comedy balances heartbreaking tragedy. And the Straw Hat Pirates are the vehicle that brings the audience through an intricately crafted world. But if it’s so great, why’s it #3? Well, for as great as it is, the next few anime are more similar to “Dragon Ball” in essence than “One Piece”.
#2: “One Punch Man” (2015-19)
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An overpowered hero who always saves the day and upstages everyone. Rival characters who will never defeat the hero no matter how hard they try. A crazy world where world-ending villains seem to pop up every other week. Any of this ringing a bell? “One-Punch Man” has plenty of “Dragon Ball” baked into it, yet it also feels like a parody and response to the tropes it established. The titular hero, Saitama, is a hero for fun, yet struggles to find meaning in being the strongest man alive. And while most of the “Dragon Ball” franchise feels like an action series with great comedy, “One-Punch Man” is more of a comedy with amazing action. The other side of the same coin, you might say.
#1: “Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai” (2020-)
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It’s a remake of an anime, based on a manga, based on a video game franchise that Akira Toriyama did the art design for. So what does that make this series? Pretty much Dragon Ball’s great nephew. True to its name, the show follows Dai, a boy who dreams of becoming a hero and gets his chance after awakening a mysterious power. He and his friends set out to defeat a villainous conqueror and to save the world. “The Adventure of Dai” feels like a natural step from “Dragon Ball,” taking all the elements from its ancestor that worked and making a unique adventure that stands on its own in a high-fantasy setting - and it works like a charm!
