Dragon Ball is a tough series to stand up to, but here are some great anime that you can certainly enjoy if you liked Goku’s adventures. These are the best of the best, right here. These are the anime like Dragon Ball Z if you’re looking for something similar. We tried our best to get that shonen jump feel in here.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
Naruto
Dragon Ball is easily one of the most popular anime ever created. It helped the genre achieve popularity here in the west, and Goku proved to be an iconic hero for kids all over the world to admire. Now that Dragon Ball Super is running in Japanese and English, all of the love for the Dragon Ball series is rushing back. Now that everyone is back into Dragon Ball, if you’re caught up on Super you may be looking for something else to watch in between episodes. Thankfully there are some anime series that feel very similar to this beloved franchise that you can check out.
The first that makes the cut is none other than Naruto, which recently concluded, though there are more spin-offs on the way. Naruto follows Naruto Uzamaki on a quest to earn the respect of his shinobi village and become Hokage (village leader) even though he’s an outcast. Goku may not have been as shunned like Naruto, though they do have similar values and fighting styles.
Both are humorous characters, but they’re bound by honor and will do whatever it takes to save their friends and village. Fights are full of huge attacks and abilities, some of which resemble those you may recognize from Dragon Ball. If you don’t think the giant Rasengan resembles a Spirit Bomb, you need to go back and watch some episodes. Also, the hero wears blue and orange, so it’s like you’re not even watching a new series.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
One Piece
One Piece is a lot like both Dragon Ball and Naruto. The series’ protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, is a hilarious character who is all about protecting his “nakama” while he embarks on huge adventures. Where he compares most to Goku, though, is in how he’s always up for a new challenge, even if it isn’t the best idea for his safety.
Still, this anime has a similar pace to Dragon Ball, providing tons of story that helps you connect with its many characters before providing over-the-top battles that see entire towns destroyed as juggernauts do battle. There’s not much in the way of Ki blasts, but the various Devil Fruit powers do keep things interesting, providing a new challenge with each new arc, just like Goku faced.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
The Seven Deadly Sins
The Seven Deadly Sins is an anime available on Netflix that follows powerful warriors who are designed after… well, the seven deadly sins. The series’ main protagonist, Meliodas, is a small, funny man who boasts some serious power, much like a certain Saiyan you may know of. Like many of the protagonists on this list, he is bound to protect and serve the innocents around him, even if it means going against impossible odds.
There is quite a bit more mystery to Meliodas than there is to Goku, but I’d be shocked if the famous Saiyan from Dragon Ball didn’t influence Meliodas in some way. They’re both funny men with huge appetites, and they can both be a bit aloof at times, seeming stupid because they don’t care about anything outside of their focus. But enemies that underestimate them because of that pay dearly. Expect plenty of boulder smashing and fast paced battles in this anime.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
One Punch Man
One Punch Man might not be the first anime you’ll think of after watching any of the Dragon Ball series, but it’s definitely one to check out. This series follows Saitama, the titular One Punch Man who can beat any foe with a single punch. He keeps to himself mostly, and does what he can to save people without trying to steal the spotlight (even going as far as to sacrifice his image). The similarities here are in the over-the-top fights that you get to witness in every episode.
Beneath the action, though, is a surprisingly deep story that has an interesting mystery at its core. Nobody knows why Saitama is so strong, as he was once just a normal guy (he even had hair). Uncovering the secret along with the crazy action make this a perfect anime to pick up after Dragon Ball.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
Fairy Tail
Fairy Tail follows Natsu, another hero that shares a lot of similarities with Goku (it seems he inspired a lot of heroes in anime). They’re both extraordinarily powerful warriors without a real family, they both have multiple forms that allow them to use even more power, and they both rely on the power of their friends in order to save those in need.
Natsu isn’t an alien, though. He has the power of Igneel, a dragon that raised him, sealed within his body, and this allows him to pull off powerful skills in order to keep enemies at bay. He does tend to overdo it at times, though, much like Goku, but his heart is most certainly in the right place.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
Bleach
Bleach is very different in tone from the Dragon Ball series as a whole, so if comedy and a constant lightheartedness is what you’re looking for, this may not be for you. It takes itself more seriously, although there definitely is humor to be found. What helps it make the cut are the spectacles that are Bleach’s battles.
One thing that the Z-Fighters and everyone else in the franchise helped make famous are long, drawn out battles that can take episodes to finish. There’s never a time where you get to watch a fight from beginning to end within one 30-minute period, and Bleach adopts that completely. There are some huge spectacles to witness, all of which include impressive visuals and amazing abilities. And while the characters themselves don’t exactly go Super Saiyan, their weapons do, and they’re all unique.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood is a gripping series that follows two brothers on a quest to restore what they lost. After an alchemy experiment gone wrong, Edward loses two limbs while his brother loses his actual body. Yes, this is very different from what you’d get in any of the Dragon Ball series, but the action that follows and even some of the story may pique the interest of fans.
There’s a lot of action with spectacular powers, although these revolve around the elements and alchemy rather than alien ability. Still, there are some big battles that you’ll add to your collection of anime favorites. The series story also includes powerful enemies, some of which will join the fight against a bigger evil and you may even end up preferring them, just like Vegeta.
Anime Like Dragon Ball Z
Yu Yu Hakusho
Yusuke Urameshi has a few things in common with Goku. For starters, he’s not a stranger to dying while saving someone else, nor is he a stranger to being revived by some greater power. When he’s revived he becomes a Spirit Detective who protects the human realm from demons and other supernatural beings.
This is a much older series than other entries on the list, and it shows in the animation. But there are plenty features that make it a great anime to enjoy if you like Dragon Ball. Tournaments are a big deal, as are amazing abilities. Also, this series has its very own Vegeta of sorts in the form of Hiei, who’s just as badass and becomes one of Yusuke’s best allies. If you’re looking for a classic that gives you the same feel as Dragon Ball, this is a solid option.
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