The popular series “Dragon Ball” was created by Akira Toriyama and draws inspiration from the Chinese novel’s character Sun Wukong, called “Journey to the West.” It was printed in serial form from 1984 to 1995 across 42 volumes. The animated version is split into two separate segments: “Dragon Ball” follows Son Goku during his younger years, while “Dragon Ball Z” narrates his escapades as an adult. With over 300 million copies sold worldwide, it ranks among the best-selling manga globally.
In celebration of Dragon Ball’s global success, here’s a roundup of top anime series similar to Dragon Ball that every fan should watch. This list encompasses 20 distinct titles, each sharing some resemblance with the spirit and style of Dragon Ball.
1. Naruto
Original Run: October 3, 2002 – March 23, 2017
Number of Episodes: 720
The narrative unfolds as Naruto enters his teenage years, around the age of twelve. Abandoned, clumsy, and a bit of a joker, he’s always up to some mischief in hopes of gaining attention. His ambition? To rise above the rest and be acknowledged as the greatest Hokage by the villagers. The beast inside him, the nine-tailed fox demon, has caused much apprehension and disdain among the villagers, leading them to see Naruto himself as a symbol of that fear.
Nevertheless, Naruto puts in tremendous effort to advance from being an ordinary ninja to a genin, the initial rank among ninjas. Despite failing the genin exam on three separate occasions, he perseveres and ultimately earns his Konoha headband. He is then assigned to a team of novice ninjas alongside Sakura Haruno and the gifted Sasuke Uchiha, who seeks revenge for the loss of those dear to him by taking down his brother Itachi Uchiha.
Right after, I encountered my Sensei, a jōnin ninja – none other than the enigmatic Kakashi Hatake. At first, he was shrouded in apprehension and contempt by his fellow ninjas. However, as time passed, through relentless training and overcoming formidable opponents, I managed to elevate my strength. This growth, coupled with victories against Konoha’s most powerful adversaries, ultimately earned me the admiration and affection of the village residents.
2. One Piece
Original Run: October 20, 1999 – present
Number of Episodes: 1011
Twenty-two years following Gol D. Roger’s execution, there’s been a decline in the fascination surrounding the One Piece treasure. Some have abandoned their search for it, while others question its very existence. Despite pirates still posing a threat to local populations, the Navy has grown more proficient at thwarting their assaults across all four oceans: East Blue, North Blue, West Blue, and South Blue.
Nevertheless, this alteration failed to discourage Monkey D. Luffy, a spirited youngster, from aspiring to be the heir to the legendary Roger. Consequently, he embarks on a journey, with his initial goal being the formation of a crew. This crew will aid him in navigating the Grand Line sea, where the tumultuous “great pirate wave” persists, and numerous notorious pirates are hotly pursuing the One Piece, believed to be hidden on Laugh Tale, the final island of this vast sea.
3. Bleach
Original Run: October 5, 2004 – present
Number of Episodes: 366
15-year-old Ichigo Kurosaki, a high school student, has been able to see spirits since his childhood. One fateful day, he encounters Rukia Kuchiki, a spirit hunter known as a shinigami, who is battling a hollow. Injured severely during the battle, Rukia is compelled to pass her powers onto Ichigo so that he can vanquish the hollow in her place. With Rukia still recovering, it now falls upon Ichigo to perform the duties of a shinigami.
As a passionate cinephile, I’ve found myself immersed in a unique narrative unfolding at Ichigo’s school. A newcomer named Rukia has joined our community and taken up residence within my closet – quite an unusual setup, I must admit! Over time, we’ve developed a strong bond of friendship that transcends the physical boundaries of our shared space.
However, unbeknownst to me, Rukia Kuchiki had exceeded her permitted stay in the human world. This fact was soon brought to light by her stepbrother, Byakuya Kuchiki, a commanding figure within the 6th Division of the Gotei 13. Alongside his lieutenant, Renji Abarai, they were obligated to enforce Rukia’s return – a heart-wrenching separation that took her away from me and into the realm where all deceased souls reside: Soul Society. The Shinigami, including Rukia, call this place home.
Because Rukia passed her Shinigami powers to a human (a severe violation), she is punished by having her soul erased. Determined to rescue Rukia, Ichigo agrees to be mentored by Kisuke Urahara, who manages a company that provides items for spiritual entities and was once a highly experienced commander of the 12th Division.
With companions Yasutora “Chad” Sado, Orihime Inoue, who possess unique abilities like himself, and the Quincy Uryū Ishida, our protagonist embarks on a journey towards Soul Society. Their mission is to rescue Rukia, which in turn triggers encounters with formidable Shinigami, demanding confrontations.
During the course of events, a scheme devised by three commanders from the Gotei 13 comes to light, which could bring severe repercussions, not just for Soul Society but also for our world. Remarkably, Karakura, home town of the main characters, is specifically marked as the target in this sinister plot.
4. Jujutsu Kaisen
Original Run: October 3, 2020 – March 27, 2021
Number of Episodes: 24
In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, illnesses are spawned from intense human emotions. To safeguard areas rich in these emotions like schools and hospitals, they have a talisman or vessel that contains these diseases. This is because the only way to combat such illnesses is with a more potent one.
These entities are unseen by most humans, save for a select few such as exorcists. An exorcist’s role involves banishing these afflictions to safeguard the general public, however, this is not devoid of peril, as these afflictions can vary in strength.
5. Demon Slayer
Original Run: April 6, 2019 – present
Number of Episodes: 44
In the Taishō era of Japan, I’m Tanjirō Kamado, the eldest son of a family who trade coal. With our father gone, we’ve had to take up the mantle to support us all. Life isn’t easy, but we somehow find moments of joy in our daily struggles. One fateful day, whispers of a demon lurking around after dark forced me to spend the night at a kind villager’s home.
Upon his return, I instantly sense an overpowering odor of blood, which sets my heart racing with dread. Hurrying home, I find my loved ones brutally slain – a devastating revelation that forever alters the course of my life.
Among his siblings, Nezuko is the lone survivor, though unconscious, and because of this, Tanjirou decides to bring her along with him in search of a doctor who might be able to heal her. However, as they journey, Nezuko suddenly regains consciousness and, transformed into a demon herself, assaults her brother. Yet even in her demonic state, she exhibits signs of human emotions and thoughts.
6. My Hero Academia
Original Run: April 3, 2016 – present
Number of Episodes: 113 (+ 5 OVA)
In a universe where 80% of Earth’s inhabitants possess extraordinary abilities known as “Quirks,” we delve into the exploits of Izuku Midoriya, an exceptional individual who is among the rare few without these abilities. Yet, despite his lack of Quirks, Izuku harbors ambitions to attend U.A., a prestigious academy renowned for its superhero division, and eventually rise as one of the most illustrious heroes of his epoch.
On a particular day, Izuku found himself face-to-face with his long-admired hero, All Might, who held the title of the top superhero. In this encounter, All Might passed on to Izuku his unique ability, known as One For All.
7. Hunter × Hunter
Original Release: The series aired from October 16, 1999 to March 31, 2001, and then again from October 2, 2011 to September 24, 2014.
Number of Episodes: There were initially 62 episodes, followed by a total of 148 episodes in the later run.
At twelve years old, Gon Freecss harbors a strong aspiration to become a Hunter. Hunters are esteemed citizens who hold immense power, allowing them to essentially do whatever they please upon showing their membership card. This means they can obtain any item for sale at no cost through the association’s funds, commandeer vehicles, accommodations, and tools for their work, and effectively engage in every profession across the world. They can function as bounty hunters, chefs, archaeologists, zoologists, vigilantes, or consultants in numerous fields, among other roles.
Gon aspires to become a hunter, for he longs to meet his unknown father, Ging Freecss, who’s renowned as one of the greatest hunters of their era.
8. Black Clover
Original Run: October 3, 2017 – March 30, 2021
Number of Episodes: 170
As a devoted fan, I’d say that Black Clover is about me, or rather, a tenacious kid named Asta, who shares an orphanage life with his longtime buddy, Yuno, in the realm of Clover Kingdom. Since our childhood days, I’ve been striving to be the greatest mage this kingdom has ever seen – the “Emperor-Mage” – and that ambition seems to have seeped into Yuno as well.
Regrettably, Asta lacked any innate magical abilities at birth, while Yuno boasted remarkable potential in magic. Despite this disparity, both Asta and Yuno pledge to strive for the position of Emperor Mage. As their journeys diverge on the path to Knight-Mage, their ultimate objective remains unchanged: to ascend as the next Emperor-Mage.
9. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Original Run: April 5, 2009 – July 4, 2010
Number of Episodes: 64 (+ 4 OVA)
In the realm known as Amestris, where alchemy is considered a comprehensive science, siblings Edward and Alphonse Elric traverse the land in pursuit of the fabled Philosopher’s Stone. Their father abandoned them, and their mother, Trisha Elric, passed away from sickness some years prior, leaving her two minor children behind.
At some point, the two brothers attempt to resurrect her using alchemy despite a law that forbids human transmutation. This disregard for the law comes with severe consequences: Edward, the eldest, loses his left leg, while their younger brother’s entire body is lost. In an act of sacrifice, Ed seals his little brother Alphonse’s soul within armor by giving up his right arm.
At twelve years old, Edward chooses to join the military as a State Alchemist. He excels in the entrance exam and is given the name Fullmetal. With his status as a state alchemist, Edward and his brothers embark on a dangerous journey to find a stone that can restore what they have lost. However, the secret of the Philosopher’s Stone remains hidden.
10. Fairy Tail
Original Run: October 12, 2009 – September 29, 2019
Number of Episodes: 328
The narrative primarily revolves around a particular Fairy Tail guild team, consisting of Natsu Dragnir (fire dragon slayer), Lucy Heartfilia (a constellation reader), Happy (an Exceed, a blue cat with the ability to grow wings, fly, and talk), with Erza Scarlett (knight mage) and Gray Fullbuster (an ice mage who later becomes an Ice demon hunter), two other esteemed members of the guild, set to join them soon.
Additionally, they’re accompanied on their journey by Carla – an agile white cat reminiscent of Happy, Wendy – a fearless Heavenly Dragon Slayer, and numerous others.
11. YūYū Hakusho
Original run: October 10, 1992 – December 17, 1994
Number of episodes: 112
14-year-old Yusuke Urameshi is the epitome of a tough, rowdy teenager – a fighter and a rule-breaker. However, one day he meets an unexpected end while trying to save a young boy from an accident. Remarkably, the child would have survived without Yusuke’s intervention. This turn of events catches the officials of the underworld off guard, as it creates a conundrum for them.
In this version, I tried to maintain the original meaning while using simpler and more natural language to make it easier to read.
This explanation suggests that he’s given another chance at life because he demonstrated his worthiness for it. Unbeknownst to him, he transforms into a spiritual detective, gifted with abilities that aid him in his diverse responsibilities, whether they occur in the human realm or the spirit world.
Assisted by Botan, known as the “ferryman of souls,” who handled her affairs following her demise, he was assigned to locate three demons – Goki, Hiei, and Kurama – on behalf of Enma junior, the Dark King’s son managing soul examinations. Their mission involved retrieving three artifacts stolen from the realm of darkness: the Sword of Darkness, a mirror, and the Ball of Gaki.
12. One-Punch Man
Original Release: October 5, 2015 – July 2, 2019
Number of Episodes: 24 + 12 OVA
In a simpler and more conversational tone: Saitama is a jobless, downcast youth without a clear life goal. One day, he encounters an odd character resembling a crab who’s searching for a young lad with a chin marking that looks like the backside in his description. Eventually, Saitama meets this peculiar boy and chooses to rescue him from the crab-like man. Despite the struggle, he eventually overpowers this crustacean-man.
Starting from that point, Saitama opts to don the mantle of a superhero and dedicates himself to rigorous training for three long years: performing 100 push-ups, 100 squats, 100 sit-ups, and running 10 kilometers daily, all without the luxuries of heating or air conditioning. After such an intense training regimen that left him bald, he realizes his strength has grown so immensely that he can defeat any opponent with a single punch.
His excessive strength often leads to complications, as he struggles to find adversaries of similar stature, leaving him feeling frustrated at work as a hero due to lackluster battles that fail to excite or energize him anymore.
13. Sailor Moon
Original Run: March 7, 1992 – February 8, 1997
Episodes: 200
14-year-old Usagi Tsukino leads an ordinary life, showing little interest in academics or sports, sometimes careless and prone to tears. However, everything shifts when she bravely rescues a black kitten from bullies one day. That very night, the cat mysteriously appears in her bedroom window, introducing herself as Luna, and bestows upon Usagi an unusual brooch.
With this artifact, Usagi acquires the ability to metamorphose into Sailor Moon, a champion of love and righteousness. She dons a sailor uniform and is shielded by the moon’s power. According to the cat, her mission involves safeguarding Earth’s populace from persistent assaults by the Dark Kingdom. Additionally, she needs to locate her teammates to trace the elusive Princess of the Moon.
One by one, the timid and intellectual Ami Mizuno, known as Sailor Mercury, the aloof Rei Hino, or Sailor Mars, the robust and solitary Makoto Kino, transforming into Sailor Jupiter, and the charming and lovely Minako Aino, aka Sailor Venus, will join the girl. To aid these Sailor warriors, a mysterious figure in a tuxedo, Tuxedo Kamen, will be introduced. Beneath that mask lies Mamoru Chiba, a young man whom Usagi will find herself falling for.
14. Magi: The Labyrinth Of Magic
Original Run: October 7, 2012 – March 30, 2014
Episodes: 50
The tale unfolds around the characters “Aladdin” and “Ali Baba”. Aladdin possesses a djinn companion named Ugo, confined within a magical flute. He encounters Ali Baba, and they embark on an exciting journey together. They navigate through complex labyrinths teeming with monstrous creatures and riddles in pursuit of mystical treasure chests. Along the way, they encounter individuals such as Morgiana, a young, enigmatic girl who is a servant to a nobleman; their alliance will ultimately prove formidable.
15. Tenchi Universe
Original Run: April 2, 1995 – September 24, 1995
Episodes: 26
17-year-old Tenchi Masaki appears to be just another resident of rural Japan, unaware of the extraordinary events looming on his horizon. However, when the interstellar pirate Ryoko, chased by space cops, crash-lands her spaceship on Tenchi’s grandfather’s temple grounds, the unsuspecting boy is drawn into a thrilling journey that will carry him far beyond Earth and into the vastness of deep space.
16. Outlaw Star
Original Run: January 8, 1998 – June 25, 1998
Episodes: 26
During the Age of Exploration Among the Stars, numerous solar systems became accessible for interstellar travel. Within one of these nomadic societies, a select few chose a life as bounty hunters – individuals who capture fugitives for generous rewards. Gene Starwind and young Jim Hawking are two such bounty hunters, recently tasked with safeguarding Captain Hilda, who owns an android.
Melfina is the sole individual who can pilot the spacecraft known as “XGP-15A II”, famously referred to as “Outlaw Star”. The ruthless Kei Pirates also take notice of this ship. Following Hilda’s demise, Melfina teams up with two bounty hunters, along with Aisha Clanclan, a feline-like character, and Suzuka, a lethal samurai known as “Twilight”.
17. Sword Art Online
Original Run: July 8, 2012 – September 20, 2020
Number of Episodes: 96
The setting for the story of Sword Art Online unfolds in the year 2022, where a cutting-edge virtual reality game titled “Sword Art Online” has recently debuted. This game is an immersive online role-playing experience known as a VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) in English.
In the virtual world accessed by the NerveGeear VR headset, users can manipulate their digital personas as if it were their physical bodies. This device is designed to engage all five senses by stimulating the brain directly. Yet, an unsettling predicament arises when players discover they are unable to disengage from the game.
18. Berserk
Duration: October 7, 1997 to March 31, 1998 and July 1, 2016 to June 23, 2017
Episode Count: 25 episodes (Season 1) and 24 episodes (Season 2)
Berserk recounts the encounter between Guts, a mighty swordsman, and Griffith, the charismatic leader of the Falcon Troop, a group of mercenaries hired by the kingdom of Midland. This chance meeting will foster a complex bond that proves invaluable to Griffith’s aspirations. As an exceptional warrior, Guts swiftly demonstrates his crucial role in fulfilling Griffith’s ambitions, as both a formidable fighter and strategic mastermind.
The anime narrates the story of the Falcon Troop’s ascendancy and demise, focusing on the intricate bond between Guts and Griffith. This relationship is marked by a blend of self-interest (Griffith leverages Guts’ strength), mutual admiration (both regard each other as comrades), and profound attachment (each seemingly requires the other’s proximity).
In simpler terms, it’s about how their friendship evolved through their shared experiences, with Griffith often using Guts for his own purposes, but also respecting him deeply, and both feeling an unexplainable need to be near each other.
19. The Seven Deadly Sins
Original Run: October 5, 2014 – June 23, 2021
Number of Episodes: 120 + 3 OVA
In the realm of Britannia, known as Liones, a tragic event unfolded: The Grand Master of the Holy Knights, Zaratras, was viciously slain. It appears that a secretive group of seven knights, loyal to the king, are suspected as the perpetrators, aiming to seize the throne through this act of treachery.
In the passage of time, approximately ten years later, a young woman named Elizabeth Liones embarks on a quest to find the enigmatic knights who were once renowned in Liones: the Seven Deadly Sins, a band of seven notorious outlaws personally selected by the king, to thwart an orchestrated conspiracy by the Holy Knights against the monarchy. It was here that she encountered difficulty at the Boar Hat, a tavern operated by a young boy and his pig, Hawk.
20. InuYasha
From October 16, 2000 to September 13, 2004, and from October 3, 2009 to March 29, 2010, there were a total of 193 episodes (167 + 26).
In feudal Japan, prior to the year 1600, which was a period marked by constant warfare known as Sengoku, humans coexisted with supernatural beings referred to as “Youkai” or “Mononoke”. These entities, often categorized as demons, monsters, or spirits, possessed diverse abilities and appearances. A commonality among them was their covetousness of human flesh.
They frequently raid villages because of this, and people fear it may happen to their own settlement. Inu-Yasha is a mixed breed, specifically, a creature with a human and demonic heritage.
One day, an individual launches an attack on a village guarding the Shikon Jewel, seizes it and flees. The Shikon Jewel, also known as Shikon No Tama, is imbued with powers beyond comprehension. Among these powers is the ability to greatly amplify the strength of any demon that controls it. Inu-Yasha, however, covets this power to ascend into a fully-fledged demon himself.
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2025-05-19 00:47