“dragonball“, the work born of the genius of Akira Toriyama, it is one of the most famous entertainment products of all time. For decades, the story starring Son Goku It supposes, in one way or another, a source of inspiration for later productions. This is why I have decided today to develop a list with a series of anime similar to “Dragon Ball”mainly because many of the ones I’m going to mention drew A LOT of inspiration from Toriyama-sensei’s story.
While it’s true that most of the names on this list of anime similar to “Dragon Ball” will sound (or should sound) to many, it’s no less than It never hurts to remember the greatest representatives of the popular ‘shounen’:
Bleach
We begin this list of anime similar to “Dragon Ball” with “Bleach“, the work of Tite Kubo that stretched through what is called the “thousand-year bloody war”. In this story we find the protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager who since childhood is able to perceive otherworldly spirits. However, one day, this situation worsens and ends up becoming a Shinigami, an entity that watches over the safety of the living and works so that the dead can be purified in the society of souls. In “Bleach”, therefore, we will find a constant display of powers, transformations and villains that will thrill the most fanatical of the genre.
- Release date: October 5, 2004.
- Number of episodes: 366 (not including TYBW).
- Where to watch: On Disney+.
naruto
“naruto“It is, along with the anime I will talk about next, the most popular of all anime similar to “Dragon Ball” that can be found. Masashi Kishimoto’s work places us before the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village who is disowned by everyone around him. Naruto also has no parents (they died with him at a very young age), and he soon discovers that the origin of all his misfortunes is due to a mystical beast sealed within him. In “Naruto”, viewers will find a long journey of improvement and willpower with Naruto himself at the helmscaling this one in his ninja skills with one goal: obtain the title of ‘Hokage’ or head of the village.
- Release date: October 3, 2002.
- Number of chapters: 220 (Not including Shippuden, the sequel).
- Where to watch: On Crunchyroll.
A play
Today, it’s practically impossible to talk about anime similar to “Dragon Ball” without mentioning “A play“, and it is that for decades the two works have been the references of Toei-Animation. Eiichiro Oda introduces us here Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who has a clear aspiration: to become the Pirate King.. For this, he will have some rubber powers granted by a “devil fruit” as well as a crew made up of a few members, but all of the highest caliber. “One Piece” is still active today, and with many more years of content ahead of it. Despite the necessary “efforts”, catching up with Oda-san’s work is definitely worth something.
Yu Yu Hakusho
“Yu Yu Hakusho“, by Yoshihiro Togashi, is another great classic of the “category” of anime similar to “Dragon Ball”. Yusuke Urameshi is the protagonist of this story, a teenager who has always been involved in all kinds of fights. However, one day he dies and resurrects as a “spirit detective”, which will reveal all the fighting abilities he had hidden. In this way, Urameshi will have to face all kinds of enemies, from the most users of spiritual techniques to even demons. Luckily for him, he’ll have a teacher and a group of companions to accompany him on one of anime’s most entertaining journeys.
Hunter X Hunter
By Yoshihiro Togashi himself we find “Hunter x Hunter”, an incomplete work (still in production but very slow pace) which is still highly recommended as one of the anime similar to “Dragon Ball”. The protagonist of “Hunter x Hunter” is about Gon Freecss, a young teenager who finds himself abandoned by his father at a very young age. A few years later, Gon will discover that his father is about to one of the best hunters in the world, people allowed to “hunt” all kinds of treasures, creatures and more. Knowing this, Gon will decide to take up the challenge of becoming a hunter as well, even if his adventure will not be as sweet as his ambition.
- Release date: October 2, 2011.
- Number of chapters: 148.
- Where to watch: On Crunchyroll.
A punch
“A punch“, the work of A, is perhaps the most particular in terms of anime similar to “Dragon Ball”. In this story we find as protagonist Saitama, a hero who, after so much training… has gone bald. Although “One Punch Man” has a lot of comedic flavor, everything about Saitama won’t be a joke, since it’s about someone so powerful that they usually only require one devastating punch to finish off any enemy (hence the name of the series). So throughout ONE’s work, we’ll follow Saitama and his particular lifestyle as a hero while trying to find someone who truly challenges him.
- Release date: October 5, 2015.
- Number of chapters: 12 (Season 1).
- Where to watch: On Crunchyroll.
Fairy tale
“Fairy tale” is one of the most “modern” representatives in terms of anime similar to “Dragon Ball”. Hiro Mashima’s work follows the adventures of Lucy, Natsu and other characters involved in the “Fairy Tail” guild, one of the many wizard guilds that the anime introduces us to. In this way, the story unfolds continuously with the main group taking on quests offered to “Fairy Tail”, as well as clashes with other wizarding guilds. In addition, each of the characters will follow certain aspirations of their own, such as Natsu, who will try to find a dragon who raised him as his adoptive father.
- Release date: April 5, 2014.
- Number of chapters: 102 (Season 1).
- Where to watch: On Netflix and Crunchyroll.
Nanatsu no Taizai
“Nanatsu no Taizai“It is a relatively recent proposal in this list of anime similar to “Dragon Ball”, especially if we compare it with most of those mentioned. Thus in “Nanatsu no Taizai”, also known as “The Seven Deadly Sins”, we will meet Elizabeth, a princess who will try to find the Seven Deadly Sins in order to free the population from the oppression exerted by the holy knights. Although Elizabeth manages to quickly find Meliodas, leader of the Order of Sins (who has tremendous power), the rest of the journey will not be a breeze at all.
- Release date: October 5, 2014.
- Number of chapters: 24 (Season 1).
- Where to watch: On Netflix.
Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac
Another great classic from decades ago which, like “Dragon Ball”, advance your story through battles and power-ups. In this case, as the name “Los Caballeros del Zodíaz” suggests, we find that the characters fight using a series of supernatural abilities that arise from its compatibility with one of the zodiac symbolsin addition to relevant armor of the most fashion. Another absolute reference to fantasy and fighting anime that should not be missed.
The God of High School
Nothing else, but it is clear that “The God of High School” was heavily inspired by “Dragon Ball”. They don’t just take the two stories as a reference the story of ‘A Journey to the West’but also in “The God of High School” we dive headlong into what was exploding the popularity of “Dragon Ball” at the time: martial arts tournaments. Come on, if what you want is to fight between martial arts specialists who end up going to the maximum of madness“The God of High School” is definitely an alternative that won’t disappoint.
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