Many fans ofDragon Balljumped into the series from the middle of Goku’s journey and watched it to the end before even considering watching the original. Even then,some fans made the choice to skip it entirely, preferring the galactic threats ofDragon Ball Zand later series and spin-offs. However, skipping the originalDragon Ballanime means looking over where Goku’s story first began and all the adventure, danger, and humor that made the series so great.
While allDragon Ballseries are fantastic,none of them can replicate the unique charm of the original. By choosing to ignoreDragon Ball, many fans miss out on the opportunity to see some of Akira Toriyama’s best work, which is uniquely his. There’s no better place to start than the very beginning ofDragon Ballto have a full appreciation for the story and how much it evolved over time.
Dragon Ball Allows Fans To Follow Goku’s Origins
Goku’s Origins Also Reveal More About His Caring and Just Nature
Goku’s origin story inDragon Ballis far more than a mere introduction to the rest of the series. In the original, we get to see him as an innocent, wide-eyed boy with little working knowledge of the outside world or his full potential. His story starts on Mount Paozu, where he was raised and trained by Grandpa Gohan prior to the start of the series. The earliest episodesexplored his curious nature and jaw-dropping strengthfor a boy his age as he began his life-changing adventure with Bulma to search for the seven Dragon Balls.
Dragon Ball Daima Cliffhanger Teases a Hidden Villain’s Risky Arrival
Dragon Ball Daima is rapidly approaching its finale, and the series latest episode may have just hinted at the identity of its true final villain.
In this series, Goku faces significant and high-stake challenges that test his strength and honor as a warrior. The original anime allows fans to watch Goku nurture his strength and righteous spirit as he builds lifelong bonds with his newfound friends. These formative experiences shape Goku into who he is for the rest of the series and provide a greater insight into his identity as a Saiyan. While his true origins are not revealed in this series, fans may find themselves surprised abouthow much groundwork Toriyama laid out inDragon Ballfor the rest of the series.
The hints come from a mix of characteristics, including his tail, unnatural strength, and transformation under the full moon, which were initially written off asstrange quirks rather than alien origins. However, seeing these traits introduced without having a full explanation was part ofDragon Ball’scharm.The series was whimsical yet held dangerous threats for Goku to face, allowing him to prove his resourcefulness and resilience. Fans who have only seen later series are missing out on the opportunity to see Goku grow into the powerful fighter he is at the start ofDragon Ball Z.
Fans Shouldn’t Miss the Chance to See the Original Z-Fighters in Action
Yamcha, Krillin, and Tien Shinhan Were Not Always on Goku’s Side
BeforeDragon Ball Zintroduced intergalactic threats and powerful fighters on par with Goku,Dragon Ballexplored the original Z-Fighters.Yamcha, Krillin, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu were far more than sidekicks or background characters. Instead, they played a central role in the story and competed alongside Goku as one of his equals.Dragon Ballintroduces their backstories, motivations, and the rivalries they had with one another, offering a bigger picture of their roles as Earth’s greatest heroes and how much they’ve grown throughout the series.
Before the introduction ofSaiyan power levels and transformations, the battles inDragon Ballrelied more heavily upon martial arts and creative, clever tactics. The skills the fighters used were far more impressive given the context and allowed each warrior to have a moment to shine. Yamcha’s Wolf Fang Fist, Krillin’s Destructo Disc, and Tien’s Tri-Beam were some of themost powerful techniques shown in the seriesand offered the chance for the characters to battle on an even footing. Fans who only watchedDragon Ball Zcompletely miss out on the thrill of watching the characters compete with one another.
Beyond battling it out, the original series gives fans more context to the Z-fighters’ connection to each other and their growth throughout the series. For example,Yamcha starts his journey as a desert banditbefore becoming a team player, and Tien goes from an antagonistic rival to one of Goku’s most loyal friends. Fans even get to watch Krillin grow in confidence, making his heroic feats inDBZstand out all the more. The bonds the Z-fighters formed with each other in the early years of the seriesset the stage for the group’s later battles against overwhelming odds.
No Pressure, But Piccolo Could Be the Key That Finally Makes Me Like Dragon Ball Daima
The weight of this particular theory I came up with is definitely considerable when recognizing just how critical I’ve been about Dragon Ball Daima.
Arguably the most interesting thing is the chance to see Goku and his friends face off against the Demon King Piccolo.This saga stands out as a defining moment for Goku and the series as a whole, pushing the Z-fighters to rise to the occasion of a truly formidable threat. While Goku faced other powerful adversaries, such as the Red Ribbon Army,King Piccolo offered a much darker turn for the serieswhile simultaneously giving fans an insight into Piccolo’s origin.
Dragon Ball Is Some of Toriyama’s Best Work, Incorporating Humor and Adventure
The Original Dragon Ball Shows Akira Toriyama’s Comedic Genius and Storytelling Vision
One of the greatest aspects ofDragon Ballis the humor and adventure that Toriyama breathed life into. WhileDragon Ball Ztends to emphasize intense battles and high-stakes threats,the original instead focuses on lighthearted comedy and running gags throughout the series. Toriyama’s signature humor shines through Goku and his adventure thatneitherDragon Ball ZnorSuperfully recreated. The blend of adventure and humor was a perfect counterbalance to the seriousness of threats such as King Piccolo, effectively keeping fans entertained and engaged with the story.
The world-building inDragon Ballalsostood out as some of Toriyama’s most imaginative work, creating a colorful and exciting world. With both technologically advanced cities and quirky small villages, every setting inDragon Ballfelt alive and as if it had a personality of its own. The series constantly surprises fans with new characters and mystical yet at times absurd backdrops. The settings Toriyama created fully fleshed out his worldbuilding and added to the comedic tone of the narrative.
Toriyama has always beena storytelling genius with a knack for humor and originality. By weaving his unique brand of comedy into the storyline, he ensured that the serieswould never lose its sense of adventure, even during its darkest moments. While it may not have the same world-destroying power levels asDBZorSuper, the original offers a glimpse into the start of the journey, allowing a greater appreciation for each character. Fans who skip out on watchingDragon Ballmiss out on the creativity and charm that laid the groundwork for one of the greatest franchises in anime history.
