When we talk about the most popular anime series , it goes without saying that one of the names that will appear first is quite often Akira Toriyama's second saga, Dragon Ball Z. The wild success of this groundbreaking Japanese anime paved the way for shonen to become the standard across the world with Naruto, One Piece, etc., while simultaneously becoming one of the most influential and legendary series of all time. . 🌟
Whether it's memorable characters, incredible fight sequences, brilliant English and French dubbing (at least for the time) or anything else along those lines, there's no denying that Dragon Ball Z is rated among the greatest Japanese animated series ever made. 🏮
Unfortunately, the prequel and unofficial sequel to this series don't generate as much excitement among fans, which is a shame. The fact is that Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball GT all contain excellent episodes should make any self-respecting Dragon Ball fan prioritize watching these shows as quickly as possible. 🙄
So yes, indeed, DBZ tends to hog the spotlight, but the original Dragon Ball and GT series shouldn't be ignored! Dragon Ball VS Dragon Ball GT: Which series is the Best? quickly discover our analysis! To add some context to this debate, here are five advantages each show has over the other.
10. DRAGON BALL: SHOWS GOKU’S ORIGINS
For any fan of Dragon Ball Z, watching the original anime series is a must if they want to understand Goku's roots and how he managed to become such a great martial art fighter. 🥋
The original Dragon Ball series therefore traces Goku's entire childhood, taken in by his adoptive grandfather Son Gohan. Watching this young child slowly transform into one of the strongest warriors in the universe is truly an incredible cinematic experience, making the viewer feel like they are growing up with the young Saiyan. 🧒
9. DRAGON BALL GT: AN INTRIGING STORY
Most people had no idea how Dragon Ball GT would move forward with a story already set in stone by its predecessor. The artistic direction in which it headed because of (or thanks to) Toei Animation was certainly quite controversial, but it cannot be denied that it allowed a curious but nevertheless innovative turn in the saga. 👀
The changes to Goku were the biggest point of contention, with the Saiyan reverting to the appearance of a child while retaining his adult spirit. However, he will embark on a journey that will make the entire anime more grounded than its predecessor due to the scope of its new quests . 📚
8. DRAGON BALL: ENTERTAINING ADVENTURES
Basically, Dragon Ball is characterized as the ultimate action-adventure anime. The pace of this series is slower since the characters do not do not feel as powerful as when they are adults, because they were created and modeled later for the be in the DBZ saga.
This also gives the anime more room to maneuver to flesh out its characters and the world in which they live. We will therefore discover more deeply the personality of Goku and his friends, Krillin, Bulma, Awesome Turtle and even Chi Chi. Dragon Ball will therefore perceive itself very different from Dragon Ball Z while still maintaining that feeling of familiarity. 👨👨👧👦
7. DRAGON BALL GT: OLD SCHOOL & NEW ERA MIX
DBGT did its best to emulate the styles of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, incorporating the best of both worlds into this anime. 📺
The results were quite satisfying, with the anime feeling somewhat grounded in its beginnings before the fights took center stage in the best way possible with new villains and new transformations (Super Saiyan 4 form, Great Golden Ape ) . However, unlike Dragon Ball Z, these fights are never the only point of focus per episode, as various other elements are added throughout the viewing to make it more modern and rich. ✨
6. DRAGON BALL: THE ORIGIN OF TECHNIQUES
Techniques like the Kamehameha and Taiyoken (Solar Flare) have become a classic aspect of the Dragon Ball anime series, and there's no real need to explain why this is the case as these techniques have become popular in the series. according to. 💥
Therefore, seeing how Son Goku and the rest of the Z-Fighters learned these techniques is a real treat, especially for hardcore DBZ fans. 👊
5. DRAGON BALL GT: THE EVOLUTION OF THE SUPER SAIYAN
Dragon Ball Super may have introduced many new transformations to the series (like Super Saiyan Blue, the Rosé form, or even Ultra Instinct), but the design of Super Saiyan 4 in the Dragon Ball GT series is enough to place it a step above these improved transformations. 👍
Watching the transformation from Super Saiyan to SSJ4 is truly breathtaking in every sense of the word. This elicits the same feelings in viewers that they felt during the scene when Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan in a fit of rage. 🔥
The Dragon Ball GT series arrives in your living room on this splendid Goku SSJ4 Stickers to display above your sofa or bed!
4. DRAGON BALL: ICONIC CHARACTERS
Most people who became true Dragon Ball fans got their first taste of the series through Dragon Ball Z, which was still much more popular than the original series. While seeing established characters like Bulma, Yamcha, Ten Shin Han, Master Roshi, and Krillin - among many others - was pretty amazing, the overall story of DBZ was interesting enough for people to overlook that aspect. 🧴
Therefore, watching Dragon Ball becomes even more of a pleasure since fans can finally see the origins of the Z Warriors (or Z-Team) and how they managed to meet Goku in the first place.
3. DRAGON BALL GT: ORIGINAL AND INNOVATIVE STORIES
Some people feel that Dragon Ball GT didn't really do justice to its already established characters, but it was the nature of the series' story that prevented them from doing so. However, given these limitations, it was still pretty cool to see Japanese creators add their own unique stories and twists to these beloved characters ! 🌱
Add to that the inclusion of new characters like Pan (daughter of Gohan and Videl) and the various antagonists that were littered throughout the series and the series took a truly unique turn, setting it much apart from other sagas. 🔬
2. DRAGON BALL: JAPAN IN THE HONOR
Sometimes the only reason people need to watch a show is to witness the origins of one of the series that will likely become one of the most popular of all time. The saga propelled the land of the rising sun to the forefront but also made it possible to introduce Japanese manga and anime to a Western audience. 🙏
Also note that the legacy of Dragon Ball is incomplete without its starting chapters. They set a unique and refreshing tone in the shonen landscape while paving the way for Dragon Ball to become a household name with its latest series and films. 🔮
1. DRAGON BALL GT: DESIGNED FOR FANS
For fans of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT was a perfect blend of the two that extended the story of this series and allowed fans to witness even more of Goku's journey . ⛅
This was a sequel that was definitely made for fans of the series, and it shows in every episode of this underrated gem. 💎
DRAGON BALL VS DRAGON BALL GT: WHICH SERIES DID YOU PREFER?
And there you have it, our analysis concerning these two series, from the same creator but different, Dragon Ball & DBGT, is now finished! As you can see, each contains its advantages and disadvantages, with its share of twists and surprises specific to the stories and the characters who represent them. And you ? If you had to choose between one of these two series, which would be your favorite? 📝
We also did a comparison between Dragon Ball Z vs Dragon Ball Super , so if you're interested don't hesitate to give us your opinion on that too! 👀