Ranked #434

Dragon Ball

Ah, Dragonball. The beginning of one of the longest and arguably most popular anime franchise on both sides of the pacific. Unfortunately, this anime seems to be shunned by a few based on its affiliation with its sequels. That's a shame, really.

One huge reason why this anime holds its own is that the entire franchise is in its infancy. There are no Super Saiya-jin stages to worry about, and the fights aren’t stretched out to their barely tolerable limits. The various quests that the young Z-Senshi embark on are just that: quests. There are no interstellar enemies to fight (early on), and the majority of the time spent is on the team simply trying to find the dragonballs. The comedic element in Dragonball shines just as brightly and flows smoothly with the story. The characters have such a genuinely portrayed chemisty between each other. Dragonball never seems to take itself too seriously, allowing the viewer to sit back and enjoy the ride.

For a twenty-year-old series, Dragonball looks the part. Time has taken its toll, as the art and animation haven’t aged very well, though by 1980's standards, it's pretty good. On the other hand, the fights are better planned out, particularly during the Tenkaichi Budokai. Instead of the “beat-down-to-the-brink-of-death-only-to-tap-in-to-a-hidden-power-and-win-at-the-last-second” routine, combatants actually have flaws and human weaknesses, including Goku. Some are actually enjoyable with comedic moments placed within them. As the series begins its final arc, however, we begin to sees shades of the future for this franchise. Fights begin to grow longer and longer and the comedy slowly begins to wane.

Like I said earlier, it’s a real shame that this series gets such a bad reputation because of its successors. Sure, it eventually parts into its lackluster sequels, but as the saying goes, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Dragonball is a fun series that should be worth anyone’s time, be you a newcomer or a seasoned veteran. read more

The Dragonball Series, is the first in a line of series. It is about the adventures of a young boy Goku, and his travels as he quests to find the 7 magic dragonballs, which can grant anywish! This series is both a comedy and a fighting anime. I enjoyed it quiet a bit and it even enjoys a home in my personal anime collection.


Story

At times the story can be pretty simple, or obvious, or completely random. But overall the general story and the progression through it are very good. Although it doesnt measure up to other animes as well, its own orginal story and characters keep your interested and coming back for more.

Animation

To say it is simple is an understatement. They do recycle alot of animation, like in chase sequences, but over all well done animation, Sometimes it can be a bit crude but it never gets as bad as say: Scooby Do (an American Cartoon from back in the day.)

Sound

A decent sound tract, the intro song I always fast forward through because it is annoying. But other then that the series has decent soundtracks within the series.

Characters

Probly the main draw of this anime. The Characters are funny and orginal and have all kinds of quirks and flaws that makes you laugh. Alot of the characters are exteremly skilled in Martial arts and other techniques which gives the shows action sequences some major rewatchability and excietment.

Enjoyment

I loved this series it made me laugh, or at least chuckle, quiet a bit. A solid favorite of mine that i even went to the trouble of buying the commercial DVDs for the series. In fact writing this review has inspired me to crack it out and rewatch the series.

In Closing

If you enjoy silly humor, amazing martial arts fighting (which comes in later in the series the first several are very light on any actual fight sequences of any length.) But I love this series and Im pretty sure that you will too. So please give it a try. read more