<em>Dragon Ball Z</em> played a significant role in popularizing anime, and it has evolved over time. Thanks to Dragon Ball Super, which revitalized the franchise, new generations are rediscovering why Dragon Ball Z is regarded as one of the greatest series worldwide.
Since the premiere of the Dragon Ball Z anime, interest in the medium has surged, drawing more viewers to understand why Dragon Ball has been a household name even before anime gained wider acceptance. It doesn’t take long during a first watch-through to see why Dragon Ball Z remains so compelling.
8
Action Choreography That Set A Bar Too High
The cast of each Dragon Ball series is known for launching lasers and world-shattering energy blasts at each other. While DBZ features these elements, the production team’s dedication to action choreography transformed anime forever.
Subsequent adaptations of Goku’s adventures seem to have overlooked the series’ emphasis on martial arts in favor of flashy attacks and exaggerated power scaling. However, Dragon Ball Z‘s exceptional framing, martial arts sequences, and impactful sound design made every battle feel like an epic clash of titans.
Many of Dragon Ball Z‘s most memorable fights combine hand-to-hand combat with characters skillfully dodging attacks and countering with unique animation sequences. Battles such as Goku versus Vegeta in the Saiyan Saga exemplify storytelling and tension-building that require minimal dialogue, a technique many anime have sought to emulate.
7
Character Dynamics That Continue To Inspire
Goku’s character resonates with countless individuals across various cultures, and his charm has even influenced many of Dragon Ball‘s notable villains. After battling the Earth-born Saiyan, many experienced a change of heart and joined The Z Warriors. These character dynamics have evolved into rivalries that significantly inspired narratives like Naruto and One Piece.
The bond between Goku and Vegeta is one of the most iconic pairings in anime. The hardworking underdog versus the natural prodigy is a dynamic seen in numerous storylines, but few execute it as skillfully as Dragon Ball Z. Since DBZ, nearly every action anime features at least one pair of characters who consistently bicker yet challenge each other to grow.
6
Arcs That Connect And Build
Custom image by Casandra Ronning
Many anime and manga series adapt based on audience feedback, sometimes leading to significant changes that can alter the story unexpectedly. Fortunately, much of Dragon Ball Z‘s narrative structure was dedicated to telling the epic tale of how an outcast Saiyan became the legendary warrior who avenged his people against a galactic tyrant.
Dragon Ball Z begins with a narrative explosion by revealing that Goku was not from Earth but from an almost extinct alien warrior race. The initial arcs explore what differentiates him from typical Saiyans while hinting at the fate of his people and who inadvertently set the entire plotline in motion.
The Saiyan Saga seamlessly transitions into the Namek Saga, culminating in the Frieza arc that effectively ties together the plotlines of the first few sagas with an explosive conclusion. While later arcs may feel more fragmented and less focused, DBZ starts with high stakes and teaches those stakes how to soar.
5
Voice Acting That Goes Beyond
The ongoing debate between dubbed and subbed anime was once challenging to argue for either side. This began to shift in the late ’90s and early 2000s when series like Yu Yu Hakusho and Dragon Ball Z demonstrated how impactful a skilled English dub team can be.
Poor lip-syncing, similar-sounding characters, and lackluster performances drove many potential viewers away from anime. It was only when dubbing teams who cared about the source material and characters took charge that English dubs began attracting viewers instead of repelling them.
Dragon Ball‘s voice actors like Chris Sabat and Sean Schemmel have become iconic for their portrayals of Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo. Their performances have inspired many of today’s top voice talents to enter the industry. Much like any great anime rivalry, the DBZ dub also encouraged other production studios to enhance their capabilities. Today, there are significantly more quality dubs than poor ones.
4
New Forms That Transformed The Industry
The Super Saiyan transformation is a vibrant evolution that DBZ meticulously developed narratively, resulting in one of anime’s most satisfying moments. Goku transforming into a Super Saiyan against Frieza for the first time is an unforgettable experience for many fans. This transformation, along with its various iterations, succeeded remarkably where other series often struggle: progression and merchandising.
The introduction of each new Super Saiyan form thrilled those responsible for releasing action figures while also enhancing visual storytelling within the series. Fans can easily identify their place in the story when Super Saiyan 3 Goku appears. Each form signifies what stage a character’s journey has reached and becomes synonymous with specific story arcs and particularly exciting moments.
3
Timeless Moments Of Hype
Certainly, there are numerous moments from Dragon Ball Z that would have broken the internet if it existed back then. The exceptional combination of Akira Toriyama’s writing and the talent at the anime production studio created several scenes that can evoke excitement or tears just by recalling them.
Moments such as Goku’s first large-scale beam struggle against an enraged Vegeta tap into the emotional core of what makes Dragon Ball. This scene, along with many other iconic moments from DBZ, became clips that enticed countless fans to tune in for what happens next.
Moments like Goku’s Kaio-Ken boosts or a new form’s display of power against a formidable foe are just a few examples of scenes that will be debated by fans for decades regarding which is best.
2
World Famous Attacks
If someone were to put their palms together and slowly say “Kamehameha,” anywhere in the world, there’s a good chance another person would recognize it and might even join in. This level of recognition is rare among franchises.
Apart from being visually striking or linked to epic victories, the iconic techniques from Dragon Ball Z are memorable due to their significance within the story and their emotional weight. For example, how the Spirit Bomb requires assistance from others to achieve great feats.
Whenever Goku activates Kaio-Ken, dedicated fans tense up because when this power-up ends, Goku’s body often becomes exhausted and leaves him vulnerable. Like many of the franchise’s most famous attacks, it raises stakes meaningfully within the narrative that resonates with millions of fans.
1
A Fandom That Defines Super
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A lot of older fans fondly remember discussing what happened in last night’s episode of
at school excitedly.
Finding out millions around the world participated in this ritual led to one of
the largest fandoms globally,
giving people from vastly different backgrounds something to connect over.
Those fans eventually grew up sharing their love
of DBZ with others,
but it wasn’t until Dragon Ball Super provided new material that they had fresh content.
The final thrilling episodes of Dragon Ball Super brought thousands onto city streets during events where episodes were broadcast on large screens.
Footage showing people cheering on Goku together serves as a reminder
of what great storytelling can achieve.
