•  Even though Dragon Ball Super is newer and has some of the best animation in the series' history, many of the core tenets of DBZ still haven't been surpassed.
•  Goku's growth throughout Dragon Ball is one of the most important aspects of the franchise, but Super sees Goku's characterization taking steps backwards.
•  DBZ 's storyline is far more compelling than Super 's, and that sense of emotion carries over into its fight scenes as well.

"Dragon Ball Z" undeniably holds a special place in the hearts of anime fans worldwide, and its continued popularity long after its conclusion speaks volumes about its impact. While its successor, "Dragon Ball Super," offers updated animation techniques and pushes the boundaries of power levels even further, it hasn't quite reached the same level of reverence as "DBZ."

One reason for this could be the nostalgia factor associated with "Dragon Ball Z." Many fans grew up watching the series and have fond memories of experiencing Goku's adventures for the first time. Additionally, "DBZ" benefited from being one of the pioneering anime series to gain widespread popularity in Western markets, further cementing its status as a cultural icon.

Furthermore, "Dragon Ball Z" had a significant impact on the anime industry as a whole, influencing countless other series and setting the standard for epic battles and power escalation. Its iconic moments, such as Goku's transformation into a Super Saiyan, are ingrained in popular culture and continue to be referenced and celebrated to this day.

While "Dragon Ball Super" has certainly made its mark with its epic action sequences and humor, it may struggle to surpass the legacy of its predecessor. However, its ongoing success and dedicated fanbase demonstrate that the spirit of "Dragon Ball" remains alive and well, ensuring that Goku's adventures will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.

 

"Dragon Ball Super" indeed faced challenges in establishing its own identity, especially considering its status as a direct sequel to the immensely popular "Dragon Ball Z." The early arcs of "Super" may have struggled to differentiate themselves from "DBZ" and were perceived by some fans as less impactful.

Part of this disparity may stem from the fact that "Dragon Ball Z" benefited from being part of a continuous narrative that evolved organically from its predecessor, "Dragon Ball." By the time "Z" began, Akira Toriyama had refined his storytelling skills and established the core themes and identity of the series. In contrast, "Super" had to pick up the story two decades after the conclusion of "Z" and reintroduce audiences to the world of "Dragon Ball" while also forging its own path.

Additionally, the early arcs of "Super" faced the challenge of introducing new concepts and characters while still appealing to fans of the original series. This balancing act may have contributed to a sense of familiarity in the early arcs, which some fans perceived as lacking the innovation and creativity of "DBZ."

However, as "Super" progressed and began to explore new storylines and transformations, such as Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego, it found its footing and started to carve out its own identity within the "Dragon Ball" universe. The Granolah and Moro arcs, in particular, have been well-received by fans for their fresh storytelling and compelling characters.

Ultimately, while "Dragon Ball Z" may hold a special place in the hearts of many fans, "Dragon Ball Super" has proven to be a worthy continuation of the franchise, offering new adventures and expanding the lore of the "Dragon Ball" world. Both series have their strengths and contributions to anime history, and each has its own unique appeal to audiences.

 

Goku's character development throughout the "Dragon Ball" series, from his innocent beginnings in "Dragon Ball" to his growth into a wise and powerful fighter in "Dragon Ball Z," is indeed a central aspect of the franchise's appeal. However, some fans have criticized "Dragon Ball Super" for seemingly disregarding or retreading Goku's character development in favor of comedic or simplistic portrayals.

In "Dragon Ball Z," Goku undergoes significant growth as a character, learning from his experiences and mistakes to become a more mature and well-rounded individual. His journey from a naive and carefree fighter to a responsible husband and father reflects his growth not only as a warrior but also as a person. This development is evident in his relationships with his family and friends, as well as in his approach to battles and challenges.

However, in "Dragon Ball Super," some fans feel that Goku's character regresses or fails to show the same level of growth and maturity seen in "DBZ." Instances like Goku's apparent ignorance of the importance of mental training during the Super Hero arc are cited as examples of this regression. For fans who appreciate Goku's growth throughout the series, such moments can be disappointing and feel out of character.

Additionally, some fans argue that the storyline of "Dragon Ball Z" is more compelling and cohesive compared to "Dragon Ball Super." While "DBZ" is praised for its iconic arcs, memorable villains, and high-stakes battles, "Super" has faced criticism for its pacing issues, inconsistent writing, and perceived lack of narrative depth.

Overall, while "Dragon Ball Super" has its strengths and contributions to the franchise, it is not without its flaws, particularly in its handling of character development and storytelling. For fans invested in Goku's journey and the overarching narrative of the "Dragon Ball" series, these aspects may be important considerations in evaluating the series as a whole.

 

"Dragon Ball Z" is often praised for its compelling storytelling, character relationships, and intense hero-to-villain storylines, which have made it more beloved than "Dragon Ball Super." One of the key aspects that contribute to this is the way "DBZ" builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, "Dragon Ball," to tell an ongoing story that feels like it's going somewhere.

In "DBZ," character relationships, such as those between Bulma and Vegeta, Krillin and Android 18, and Gohan and Videl, are fostered and developed over time, adding depth and richness to the narrative. The evolution of characters like Vegeta and Piccolo from villains to heroes is particularly notable, with their storylines being some of the most compelling in anime.

Furthermore, "DBZ" follows Goku as he ages alongside his son, Gohan, with Gohan's growth and development serving as an anchor for change throughout the series. Each new villain they face presents an obstacle in Gohan's path to personal actualization, guided by his father and Piccolo.

In contrast, "Dragon Ball Super" often lacks a cohesive underlying plot thread beyond Goku and Vegeta's increasing strength and transformations. While individual arcs and villains in "Super" are enjoyable, they may not have the same level of depth or focus as those in "DBZ." Additionally, "Super" tends to take a more villain-oriented approach, with the main goal of each arc being to defeat the next villain that appears.

Overall, while both series have their strengths, "Dragon Ball Z" is often regarded as more intense and emotionally impactful, with its fights and storylines leaving a lasting impression on viewers.

 

"Dragon Ball Z" is praised for its intense action scenes that use imagery to convey the high stakes of every punch. Even in the latter half of "Dragon Ball," the fights became gruesome at times, and this intensity carried over into "DBZ," where characters like Goku faced death in the very first arc.

In contrast, "Dragon Ball Super's" anime adaptation has been criticized for its lack of blood and intense imagery, which contributes to fights feeling less intense and stakes feeling lower compared to "Z." While the manga adaptation of "Super" retains some of the gruesome imagery from Toriyama's original manga, the anime adaptation often lacks this intensity.

The fighting in "DBZ," such as the battles between Piccolo and Android 17 or Goku and Frieza, carried emotional weight with every punch, making fans cringe with each hit. In contrast, while the fights in "Super" are beautifully animated with smooth movement and impressive particle effects, they often lack the emotional weight and intensity of those in "Z."

Overall, "Dragon Ball Z's" fights feel like no-holds-barred street fights between powerful alien entities, while "Super's" fights can come off more like gorgeously choreographed sparring matches. Additionally, "DBZ" maintains more consistent animation quality throughout its run compared to "Super," which may contribute to the overall impact of its action scenes.

 

"Dragon Ball Super" undeniably features some incredible battles, such as Goku versus Jiren and the entire "Super Broly" film, which are widely praised by fans as some of the best combat in the series. However, the early arcs of "Super" received criticism for their animation quality, often becoming the subject of memes due to their perceived low-budget nature. This contrasts with the high-quality animation seen in the movies adapted by these early arcs, such as "Battle of Gods" and "Resurrection 'F'," which feature some of the best animation in the franchise.

In contrast, "Dragon Ball Z" is renowned for its animation quality, which holds up superbly even today. While the series spans 291 episodes and experiences fluctuations in animation quality, particularly during non-action scenes, the major fight scenes are consistently well-animated. Iconic battles like Goku's fight against Vegeta, despite being animated in the late 80s to early 90s, still hold up due to their fast-paced combat and intense action. The influence of "DBZ" on subsequent shonen anime is evident, and "Super" is often seen as living in its shadow.

Furthermore, many of the greatest ideas in "Dragon Ball Super" originated in "Dragon Ball Z." While "Super" introduces new transformations like Ultra Instinct and explores concepts like multiverse tournaments, these ideas build upon the foundation established in "Z," which introduced transformations like Super Saiyan and explored themes of power escalation and intergalactic conflict. Thus, while "Super" expands upon the "Dragon Ball" universe, it owes much of its success to the groundwork laid by its predecessor.

 

"Dragon Ball Super" indeed introduces some truly inspired moments and concepts that set it apart from its predecessor. Characters like Goku Black and arcs like the Moro arc have become fan-favorites, showcasing the series' ability to innovate within the established "Dragon Ball" universe. However, these moments of novelty were relatively rare, particularly in the anime's first half. The Future Trunks Saga and Tournament of Power arcs, while well-received, still drew heavily from concepts established in "Dragon Ball Z."

The return of Future Trunks was highly anticipated, given his popularity from "DBZ," but some fans felt that his portrayal in "Super" didn't quite capture the essence of his character from the earlier series. Similarly, while the Tournament of Power introduced new elements, such as the multiverse aspect and the concept of erasure, it was rooted in the tradition of tournament arcs established by "Dragon Ball" and "DBZ."

Ultimately, the preference for "Dragon Ball Z" or "Dragon Ball Super" will vary among fans, influenced by factors like nostalgia and personal attachment to specific scenes or characters. However, in terms of its impact and influence on the anime medium as a whole, "DBZ" is often regarded as objectively superior. Its legacy as a groundbreaking series that popularized many anime tropes and inspired countless other shows is difficult to surpass.

While "Dragon Ball Super" still has the potential to leave its mark on history, especially as the series continues, it may struggle to surpass the cultural significance and enduring popularity of "Dragon Ball Z." Both series have their strengths and weaknesses, but "DBZ" holds a special place in the hearts of many fans as a classic and influential anime.