Our favorite anime, part 4: Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball is one of those anime that changed the industry forever and became a cornerstone of the shounen genre. Akira Toriyama's creation debuted as a manga in 1984 and has since been adapted into several anime series, including Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. The series has become a defining experience for generations and is considered one of the most iconic shounen anime. Toriyama's brilliant characters, epic fight scenes, and humorous moments have all contributed to the legend of Dragon Ball, which has dominated the anime world for decades.

The Beginning – Dragon Ball

The story follows Son Goku, a young boy born with extraordinary powers. One day, he meets Bulma, a smart and ambitious girl who is searching for the seven mysterious Dragon Balls. When they collect them all, they summon Shenron, the legendary dragon who grants one wish. Goku makes many friends and rivals along the way, including Yamcha, the bandit, Krillin, who becomes his best friend, and the feared Demon King Piccolo, who later becomes his ally. The original Dragon Ball series had a lighter, more humorous tone, but even then, the epic battles and foundations of later great classics of the shounen genre were present.

The big break – Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z is arguably the most successful installment in the franchise, bringing a significant change in the mood and stakes of the story. It sees Goku grow up, start a family, and discover his true origins: he is a Saiyan warrior, one of the last descendants of a warrior race. The series features high-stakes battles as Goku and his friends try to protect the Earth and the universe from iconic foes such as Vegeta, the Saiyan prince; Frieza, the tyrannical conqueror; Cell, the ultimate warrior; and Majin Buu, the world-destroying demon. The series also introduced the Super Saiyan transformations, which had a huge impact on the entire anime world and pop culture. Dragon Ball Z became the landmark that set an example for all shounen anime to come.

The Experiment – Dragon Ball GT

GT is an original story, not based on Toriyama's manga, and takes a different approach to the world of Dragon Ball. The story begins with Goku being transformed into a child due to a misplaced wish, and he embarks on a universe-crossing adventure once again, battling new enemies. Although GT is divisive among fans and many do not consider it an integral part of the series, it does contain memorable moments, such as the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, which introduced a completely new and spectacular form to the series. GT attempted to introduce unique, bold innovations, and while it was not a unanimous success, it is still an important part of Dragon Ball's history.

The Modern Era – Dragon Ball Super

Dragon Ball Super launched in 2015 and further expanded the universe. The new series gave the franchise a fresh boost, introducing a host of new characters, gods, and incredibly powerful fighters. It featured some of the most powerful transformations ever, such as Ultra Instinct, which took Goku's power to a new level. The anime also featured characters like Beerus, the God of Gods, Whis, the celestial mentor, and Jiren, one of the toughest opponents Goku has ever faced. Dragon Ball Super successfully carried on the classic elements while introducing new excitement and fighting strategies, and has a huge fan base to this day.

Three iconic fight scenes

Goku vs. Frieza (Battle of Namek) – This fight was a true turning point in Dragon Ball history. Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan for the first time after Frieza kills his best friend, Krillin. The fight is brutal, emotionally wrenching, and the legendary "This isn't the end..." scene is etched into the hearts of every fan.
Gohan vs. Cell (Cell Games Finals) - Gohan finally unleashes his true power and reaches Super Saiyan 2 form. During the fight, he proves that he is not only Goku's son, but also a hero in his own right who can save the world. His Kamehameha blow, aided by his father's spirit, is one of the most iconic moments in the anime.
Goku vs. Jiren (Golf Tournament Finale) – One of the most spectacular fights in Dragon Ball Super, where Goku reaches the perfect state of Ultra Instinct. The fight shows with epic animation and amazingly powerful attacks that Goku is always able to evolve and reach new levels.

Why do we love Dragon Ball?

Dragon Ball has inspired generations. Goku's evolution, his desire to fight, and his belief in the power of friendship are elements that have made him a fan favorite to this day. The series' epic battles, iconic music, and humorous moments have made it a perennial favorite.

If you love this anime as much as we do, then take a look around our webshop , where you can find countless Dragon Ball inspired products! Whether it's Goku, Piccolo or Vegeta, you're guaranteed to find the perfect, unique Lightbox to brighten up your home!

Join us in the next episode, where we take a look at another favorite anime!