Facebook
Reddit
Email
Dragon Ball changed the definition of anime in more ways than we can count. Here are a few of the ways it did that.
Dragon Ball is one of the most influential anime ever made. The first copy of the manga was released in 1984, and it soon grew into a global masterpiece through its anime adaptations. The series changed people around the world’s point of view on anime, especially in Western countries. Through the broadcast channel Toonami, Dragon Ball helped make anime mainstream outside Japan and inspired countless other series. You can still see how Dragon Ball influenced today’s anime in their stories and battles.
This article will explore three things: how Dragon Ball made anime more popular in Western countries, how it influenced later action anime shows, and how it started many trends that anime fans now know well. Though other anime helped make Japanese animation popular worldwide, Dragon Ball stands as one of the most significant anime ever made.
Popularizing Anime in the West
Dragon Ball Z first appeared on Toonami in the late ’90s and early 2000s. For a lot of people in the West, it was the first time they saw anime. Even though shows like Voltron were on TV in America before, Dragon Ball Z became way more popular because people really enjoyed the battles and rivalry between the characters.
What made Dragon Ball Z extra special was its ongoing story. Back then, a majority of the cartoons released had a new story every episode. Dragon Ball Z stood out by going with the same story from one episode to the next. Each episode finished with some enticing content that made people eager to see the next one.
Dragon Ball Z is often referred to as the Big Zero of anime. As a predecessor to the Big Three, Dragon Ball Z had pulled some huge numbers in and out of Japan. When Toonami began airing Dragon Ball Z, it significantly changed the game for anime in the West. Once it got popular, other shows like One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach started to show up as well. Dragon Ball Z wasn’t the only show that brought anime to the West, but it laid a lot of groundwork in making anime super popular there.
Inspiring a Generation of Shonen Titles
Dragon Ball created the basic format that many action anime series follow today. Famous shows like Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach were heavily inspired by what Dragon Ball did first. Dragon Ball emphasized important themes like never giving up, the power of friendship, and overcoming huge challenges—themes that became standard in action anime.
You can see Dragon Ball‘s influence clearly in other series. For example, Naruto’s goal to become the strongest ninja in his village is similar to Goku’s resolve to become stronger. The friendship and rivalry between characters like Naruto and Sasuke were inspired by Goku and Vegeta’s relationship in Dragon Ball. While these newer shows added their own ideas, they built on what Dragon Ball started.
Even today’s popular action anime like My Hero Academia and Demon Slayer follow Dragon Ball‘s example. Main characters like Deku and Tanjiro share Goku’s determination to improve and never give up. Things that Dragon Ball made popular—like training sequences, epic fights, and characters getting stronger over time – are now expected parts of action anime.
Shonen Tropes Created by Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball wasn’t just a cool show that other anime imitated. It also brought about some ideas that are now common in many shonen anime. One of the most iconic is the concept of power scaling and transformations. The idea of characters growing stronger and unlocking new forms—such as Goku’s Super Saiyan transformations—became a defining feature of shonen anime. Today, we see similar tropes in series like Naruto with Sage Mode and Bleach with Bankai.
Another trope popularized by Dragon Ball is the training arc. Training scenes became a key part of anime storytelling because of Dragon Ball, like when Goku trained with King Kai or in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Now, training sequences are expected in action anime series like Hunter x Hunter and Black Clover.
Dragon Ball also created the popular story pattern where an enemy becomes a friend, like how Vegeta changed from being evil to becoming Goku’s ally. Many later anime copied this idea – like Sasuke in Naruto and Hiei in Yu Yu Hakusho.
Dragon Ball even influenced smaller details in anime, especially tournament fights. The martial arts tournaments in Dragon Ball helped develop characters and expand the story’s world. Modern anime like My Hero Academia’s Sports Festival and Fairy Tail’s Grand Magic Games follow this same tournament format that Dragon Ball made popular.
Breaking Cultural Barriers
Dragon Ball played a huge role in bringing Japanese anime into Western popular culture. Characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza became famous worldwide, with things like “Kamehameha” becoming well-known phrases among fans. The series grew even bigger through toys, video games, and movies.
Dragon Ball‘s stories are about facing challenges, protecting friends and family, and becoming stronger, connected with people everywhere, no matter their culture. This helped show that anime could appeal to everyone, not just a small group of fans.
The Impact Continues
Even today, Dragon Ball keeps influencing both anime and pop culture. The newer series Dragon Ball Super brought in new fans while making old fans happy too. Recent movies like Dragon Ball Super: Broly have been very successful, showing how popular the series still is.
Dragon Ball has influenced Western shows and movies too. The creators of shows like Avatar: The Last Airbender were inspired by it, and even big movies like The Matrix borrowed some of its action style.
Conclusion
Dragon Ball changed anime by creating new ways to tell stories and show action. While other anime came to the West first, Dragon Ball‘s worldwide success helped many other anime series become popular too. The storytelling styles it created are still used in action anime today, inspiring many creators and entertaining fans everywhere.
From its Toonami debut to the current Dragon Ball Super series, Dragon Ball showed the strength a well-written plot can have. Regardless of how long you’ve been a fan or how new you are to anime, it is indisputable that Dragon Ball has changed anime and introduced a new culture. Its transformation from a simple Japanese comic to a global sensation is equally as remarkable as Goku’s adventures.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!