Dragon Ball has charmed audiences since 1984 (quite Orwellian, isn’t it) when it was created by Akira Toriyama and published in the Weekly Shonen Jump. The escapades of Son Goku and his team are well known across the world, and no wonder there, as Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime ever created.
The series defined the hairstyles of a generation, as everyone wanted to look like a Super Saiyan. It wouldn’t be weird at all if you admitted you tried to ‘Kamehameha’ in the confines of your room.
However, if you have already finished watching the Dragon Ball sagas, or are looking for something similar to watch – we have curated a list of 11 Best Anime like Dragon Ball to watch for you.
Best Anime like Dragon Ball to Watch!
11. Assassination Classroom
Have you ever wished for an education that doesn’t take the generic path to learning? Well, Assassination Classroom takes this route and presents to you a teacher whose sole mission for his students is for them to assassinate him by the end of the academic year.
An octopus-like creature destroys most of the moon and threatens to destroy Earth. But he offers one solution to avert the catastrophe – a chance for Classroom 3-E to assassinate him. Koro-sensei (the octopus-creature), enrolls himself as the teacher for Classroom 3-E, instructing them in valuable life-lessons and assassination techniques.
The series is an exceptional watch for its thrilling scenes, smart satire, and good moral lessons, and shares humor similar to the Dragon Ball series.
10. Sword Art Online
A series that brings together elements that make a great anime and a game together, Sword Art Online is hailed as the smartest series of the 2010s decade (2010 – 2019). The series draws heavily on the psychological effects of virtual reality gaming and uses realistic sociological models in its storytelling.
Moreover, Sword Art Online has popularized the isekai genre in anime. The anime was also paid a tribute in Ready Player One, a Steven Spielberg movie on similar lines.
The anime is based on a VR online RPG game set in a world called Aincrad. When 10,000 people initially log into the game using the Nerve Gear, they find out that they cannot log out again. The creator declares that the gamers must complete all 100 floors of Aincrad if they want to log out of the game and reclaim their life again.
One of the gamers is the main protagonist – Kirito Kirigaya, who teams up with Asuna Yuuki, another gamer, and they both set out to save the other players by beating the game. The series’ main take is teamwork, which is quite similar to Dragon Ball in this aspect.
9. Jujutsu Kaisen
Combining horror with action, Jujutsu Kaisen has raised the bar for anime. It won the Anime of the Year award at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2021 and the Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2022. The second season of the series is scheduled for a 2023 release.
Yuuji Itadori, a high school student, dabbles with curses and gets into a huge pickle when he swallows a rotten finger talisman, inviting the powerful curse Ryomen Sukuna into his body. In a world where every being lets out cursed energy, the Jujutsu sorcerers control the flow of this energy to perform Cursed Techniques.
They are brought in to exorcise Yuuji, but the powerful curse must lead them to kill Yuuji as well. However, Yuuji tries gaining control of his body during the exorcism, which astonishes Satoru Gojo (one of the Jujutsu masters), and he takes the boy under his wings for training, effectively postponing his curse.
Jujutsu Kaisen contains excellent action sequences and a huge stress on the importance of training, which is a prime element of the Dragon Ball series. The anime is visually stimulating, and its music is equally great.
8. Inuyasha
Based in two timelines, Inuyasha depicts medieval Japan like no other. The anime has also won various awards for its ingenuity and storytelling.
Kagome is pulled in by a demon into her family shrine and transported to a different timeline in medieval Japan. This happens during her 15th birthday (some celebration indeed) and Kagome soon discovers that she is a reincarnation of a warrior priestess and the keeper of the Shikon jewel.
However, as she shatters the jewel across Japan, she teams up with Inuyasha, a half-dog half-human demon, to find the jewels before it is too late.
7. Bleach
Bleach is an anime that takes you into the realm of grim reapers and evil spirits. It first aired in 2004 on TV Tokyo and in the United States on Adult Swim. Bleach has been featured variously on the Top 10 anime list. Critics have praised the interesting and flexible combat systems of the anime, as well as the cast of characters.
Bleach shows the story of the high-schooler, Ichigo Kurosaki, who finds himself with the powers of a Shinigami (soul reaper) given to him by Rukia Kuchiki, who fails to fight a Hollow and is seriously injured.
With these temporary powers, Ichigo reluctantly goes and fights Hollows in Rukia’s place. He soon finds out that his classmates also have some hidden powers and teams up with them to defeat the big villains of this series. Bleach won’t let you down with its gripping story and fascinating music.
6. Demon Slayer
Tanjiro, a young teen living near the woods and has taken up the responsibility of providing for his family after the death of his father. He has heard that man-eating demons live in the woods, and they pounce on unsuspecting travelers at night.
Nevertheless, one evening, he decides to go back to his house. However, one old man convinces him to spend the night in his cabin and return home in the morning. When he reaches home at dawn, he finds his entire family murdered by a demon. This begins Tanjiro’s journey as a Demon Slayer.
Demon Slayer aired in 2019 with a twenty-six-episode first season. The manga is considered as the ninth best-selling manga series of all time, while the entire franchise is the highest grossing media franchise of all time.
5. Hunter X Hunter
Hunter X Hunter is a story about a boy trying to find his legendary father. Gon Freecs, a twelve-year-old boy finds out that his father, who was supposedly dead, is, in fact, alive.
His father Ging is part of the epic Hunter class, an elite unit who can do whatever they want and go anywhere they want. On knowing about his father, Gon Freecss sets out to find him by clearing the Hunter exams and becoming a Hunter himself,
Hunter X Hunter aired in 2011 on Nippon TV, from a manga of the same name. It has no connection with the earlier adaptation, and even the cast is different for this anime. Hunter X Hunter received a warm appraisal by critics and audiences alike. Critics hail it as one of the best anime of 2010s.
4. One Piece
One Piece is a no-brainer in that it is a must-watch for all anime lovers. With Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece has created one of the most influential anime characters of all time. The Straw Hat Pirates are an adorable bunch of misfits, and you will find yourself rooting for them throughout the sagas. The series will have you tipping your straw hats at the characters.
Monkey D. Luffy has a wonderful dream – to search for King Roger’s treasure and become the Pirate King. And he will do anything to achieve that dream. By eating a devil’s fruit that grants him rubbery elongation powers, Luffy begins gathering a crew for his pirate adventures and sets out to fulfil his dream.
It is simply a joy to watch the fight sequences, the banter of the Straw Hat Pirates, and the different villains getting bashed. The sagas, similar to Dragon Ball, take you on a neat joyride. This is truly a bingeworthy anime series.
3. My Hero Academia
Boku no Hero Academia, or My Hero Academia, is inspiration in its animated form. Izuku Midoriya, a geek without powers, is put with students who are used to flaunting their superpowers. Despite this handicap, Izuku shows a commendable never-give-up attitude and consistently stands up for his ideals. Heroism runs in the blood of this anime series, something that it shares with Dragon Ball.
When Izuku receives the quirk – One for All – from his idol and the greatest superhero, All Might, his life changes for the best, for now, he can realize his dream of becoming the greatest hero. All Might gets Izuku enrolled in the U.A. High School, a school that specializes in superhero training, and with it the saga begins.
The anime features excellent visuals, cleverly crafted battles, and a moving storyline that never ceases to amaze. Thus, we find this anime similar to Dragon Ball.
2. Naruto
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto has left audiences spellbound for two decades now, with over 250 million copies of the manga sold worldwide. Naruto is acclaimed for its emotional appeal between the characters and its undertones of Confucianism. The manga and the anime are both widely loved and revisited by millions. The series continued with the next generation of ninjas, starring Boruto, son of Naruto, in 2017 with mixed reviews.
Naruto is an orphan living in the Leaf Village, outcasted by the villagers as he is the host of the destructive Nine-Tailed Fox that once rampaged in the village. Despite being ridiculed and ignored by everyone, Naruto retains his heart, rising to the challenge to become Hokage – the ninja chief of Konoha.
Naruto is simply adorable, and you end up feeling inspired by his relentless energy and drive to fulfil his dream. The series (Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden) contains some very clever fight sequences and inspiring moments. Just like the Goku – Vegeta duo in Dragon Ball, Naruto has the Naruto – Sasuke duo that makes the series all the more interesting.
1. One Punch Man
A superhero anime, just like Dragon Ball, One Punch Man is a hilarious satire on the over saturated genre. One Punch Man is simply riveting in its animation, with stunning landscapes, detailed superhero designs, and crisp action scenes. The anime has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and its manga is critically acclaimed.
Saitama, the One Punch Man, is a superhero who is bored and looking for a challenge as he defeats all villains with just one punch. He deeply craves excitement and the thrill of a fight, which he always seems to lack as the villains, no matter how powerful, fall with just his one punch. The humor of this series is on-point and will make you crackle with laughter quite often.
Apart from Saitama, other characters like Genos have exciting arcs. They get more screen time in the second season, where surprisingly, Saitama takes a back seat.
Final Thoughts!
There you go- The best anime like Dragon Ball we enjoyed watching and hope you’ll have the same experience. While it is pretty hard to choose from the list, we recommend you watch them from the first number.
So, what do you think about the list? Do you have any another anime on your mind that deserves a spot on the list? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
You might also like:
- Top 10 Best Action Anime with Insane Fights!
- Top 20 Cheerful/Happy Anime Characters to Brighten Up Your Day!
- 13 Best Selling Manga of All Time! [For a Reason]
- Top 50 Most Popular Female Anime Characters Ever! [For a Reason]
Visit the anime community of India-Anime Ukiyo for more content!
For the latest anime news and reviews, follow Anime Ukiyo on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Telegram Channel.
