The Best Dragon Ball Anime Series

Dragon Ball has become one of the most iconic anime series of all time, if not the top contender, and with the passing of Akira Toriyama, it marks the end of an era, one steeped in nostalgia that resonates with at least two generations.

However, not all of the Dragon Ball series were equally beloved or well-received. Some were met with criticism, while others were largely misunderstood due to their different art styles and shifts in public perception. So, let’s settle the debate once and for all and rank these series, starting from the worst.

Watch Out! This List Contains Spoilers

6

Dragon Ball Super

Release: 2015

Dragon Ball Super did more things wrong than right, and it all began the moment it decided to pick up the plot before Dragon Ball Z had even finished because it altered the trajectory of the show. If you try to make sense of how Goku’s Next Journey (the last episode of Dragon Ball Z) fits in, unfortunately, it doesn’t; it almost feels non-canon, as the series introduces new power levels that far surpass what the final episode of DBZ set up.

But it’s not just the storyline that’s off, as the characters and the overall narrative don’t do justice to the Dragon Ball franchise either. Vegeta’s complex character development, which culminated in him finally accepting that Kakarot was stronger than him at the end of the Buu Saga, is completely forgotten; instead, he adopts a more comedic role, resembling Piccolo at times—one moment even preparing a meal for everyone.

As for Goku, the once smart, strategic warrior who had his moments of foolishness but was also a skilled tactician (like when he discovered issues with the Super Saiyan form while training to fight Cell) is sidelined. Selfless, incredibly smart, and mature when necessary, Goku was a character that both anime fans and the characters within the anime looked up to for guidance; now he’s portrayed as a goofy character obsessed with fighting, even hiring an assassin just for the thrill of it.

And then, let’s talk about the power levels. Everyone else is sidelined in favor of Goku and Vegeta, to the point where fans began calling it the “Goku and Vegeta Show.” The Black Saga was arguably the only time the show truly reminded us of what Dragon Ball was about, but aside from that, the entire series felt disjointed, with some scenes animated so poorly that they had to be redone.

5

Dragon Ball Daima

Release: 2024

Dragon Ball Daima came much later than Dragon Ball Super, and although fans had their doubts about the show due to Super’s history, the show was arguably good. It drastically changed the animation style, with softer edges, more vibrant colors, and faster-paced hand-drawn animation.

Dragon Ball Daima is also the last canon show, as Akira Toriyama passed away before its release, adding sentiment to the show, especially with Goku returning to his child form.

Additionally, the show cleverly uses the Dragon Ball Z lore, revealing the Namekians as being from the Demon World, with pointed ears similar to Dabura. The real highlight is how Dabura’s second-in-command becomes the Demon King, which drives the main narrative forward.

Dragon Ball Daima avoids overrated power levels and the inclusion of Beerus and Whis, providing an alternative plot to Dragon Ball GT, and has possibly the best animation in the entire Dragon Ball Universe.

4

Dragon Ball Z Kai

Release: 2009

Dragon Ball Z Kai is a bit of a strange case, often reserved for criticism that’s been long awaited. It’s not terrible by any means. The show is a remake of Dragon Ball Z, with sharper animation and a better dub, but something about it prevents it from ever surpassing the original.

Dragon Ball Z Kai works great if you’ve already watched Dragon Ball Z since you’ve endured the painstaking filler episodes, the infamous five minutes until Namek explodes, and Gohan’s transformation with the Bruce Faulconer score. However, if you skip the original and jump straight into Dragon Ball Z Kai, it doesn’t take as much time to develop the characters.

Some may argue this is a good thing, but it leads to not only a faster-paced show but also a less fleshed-out plot. While the animation and story are solid, skipping the filler episodes inadvertently becomes a downside. You miss the chance to grow with the characters, something the original did far better.

That said, when it comes to the fighting scenes and the overall story, Dragon Ball Z Kai holds its ground next to Dragon Ball Z and sometimes, far exceeds it.

3

Dragon Ball

Release: 1986

Dragon Ball is where it all started, setting the narrative and plot style for decades of shonen shows to follow. The story begins with Goku, a young boy living alone after his grandpa Gohan’s passing until Bulma finds him while searching for the Dragon Balls.

It’s one of the most beautiful shows in the Dragon Ball universe, showcasing Toriyama’s evolving mindset through changes in art style, Goku’s age, and themes.

Although it’s often overlooked by fans due to its slower pacing and more adventurous tone compared to the action-packed DBZ, it has key moments like Goku and Tien’s match in the martial arts tournament, Piccolo and Goku’s fight, and Goku’s marriage to Chi-Chi.

Moments like when Goku is stopped by Eighter from finishing Commander Red, meeting his Grandpa Gohan, or fighting Jacki Chun are extremely important and explain Goku’s character in Dragon Ball Z.

It may be slow, but it’s worth watching.

2

Dragon Ball GT

Release: 1996

Dragon Ball GT is often the misunderstood show that took its beating from fans due to its non-canon status. The show adopted a much darker tone and introduced the concept of Super Saiyan 4 and the Black Star Dragon Balls. For years, the show was frowned upon by fans and became the main focus of critique until Super entered the picture, and people began to see GT in a new light.

Sure, GT wasn’t canon, but it stayed true to the plot, continuing right where Dragon Ball Z left off. The animation was excellent, and the Super Saiyan 4 transformation felt like a true homage to the ancient myth of the Super Saiyan legend. It made Goku grimmer, and the show was much more mature in its themes and writing than even Dragon Ball Z.

GT introduced the concept of stakes when the Dragon Balls were used, something that is still missing in the canon, and ended by giving us a highly metaphorical and misunderstood death for Goku. If you’re watching the show again as a ’90s kid, you’ll definitely pick up on the subtle mature themes veiled through metaphors, beautiful animation, and the comedic relief of Goku — something that was thankfully done just right.

It also introduced new characters and aged the existing ones well, providing us with almost a true ending to the beloved Dragon Ball universe. It may not be the most celebrated, but it’s certainly one that not only captured the essence of Dragon Ball but also managed to finish it in poetry – something that left us crying by the end of it all.

1

Dragon Ball Z

Release: 1989

Dragon Ball Z is undoubtedly the highlight of the entire Dragon Ball universe. It began with Gohan’s birth and ended with Goku leaving his family and friends to train Uub, with everyone understanding that it was simply part of his nature. Dragon Ball Z gave the world some of the most memorable fights, with dense plots, convoluted storylines, tons of games, and ever-increasing power levels (which, let’s be honest, started to become a bit ridiculous towards the end).

The show was originally meant to end with Gohan defeating Cell, symbolically passing the torch to him as the next protector of Earth. While Dragon Ball Z had its moments of slow pacing and plot extensions, it laid the foundation for Dragon Ball’s legacy with iconic enemies like Frieza, Cell, and Buu. The show knew its worth and didn’t hesitate to shift tone, style, or drastically age characters when necessary. And it always paid off.