Putting quality to the side for the moment, Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball is arguably the most famous battle shonen manga and anime of all time. Debuting in 1984 and still ongoing in some form or another, Goku's story helped expose Japanese animation to Western nations, serving as one of the earliest shows to crossover into English-speaking countries. Dragon Ball and its sequel, Dragon Ball Z, cast a wide shadow over shonen in general, and their impact can be seen in many of the demographic's most beloved modern releases such as My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen.

The thing is, not all that many shows offer everything that made Dragon Ball so wonderful. As tempting as it might be to just stick to the latest battle shonen, they are likely to fall short in one area or another, be it the scale of their battles or humor. Therefore, which are the best anime like Dragon Ball Z?

Updated on March 10, 2024: On March 8, 2024, the Dragon Ball site announced that Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1st due to acute subdural hematoma. Unsurprisingly, this news led to an outpouring of grief, along with appreciation and praise for the mangaka's life. Akira Toriyama's influence is beyond question. Dragon Ball played a starring role in establishing anime as an international medium, with the series leaving a huge impact on many corners of the world.

Toriyama will be forever recognized for his timeless works, the creators he inspired, and the countless people who try to go Super Saiyan every day.

My Hero Academia

The Action-Filled Journey To Become The Number One Hero

One of the most popular manga and anime of the 2010s, My Hero Academia's flame has cooled somewhat over the last few years, although season 6 was a return to form following two fairly disappointing entries. The definitive superhero anime envisions a world where a decent percentage of people are born with quirks, which are unique abilities that range in usefulness and power. A select few operate as heroes and supports, helping to keep society protected from villains. Admiring the number one hero, Deku yearned to follow in All Might's footsteps and become a Pro Hero; unfortunately, he was born without a quirk. However, after demonstrating his bravery, Deku is chosen to be All Might's successor.

My Hero Academia tends to prioritize action above almost everything else, with nearly every arc featuring at least a couple of memorable fight sequences. Although not devoid of lull moments, the story generally moves at a far quicker pace than Dragon Ball Z, although MHA is still capable of building up anticipation for its biggest encounters. The anime also has plenty of humor, and it is about as divisive as Roshi's shenanigans in Dragon Ball.

One Piece

A Love For Adventure

The three big shonen series are all solid recommendations for Dragon Ball fans, although they excel in different areas. If someone is specifically searching for action and epic fights, Naruto and Bleach are the better picks. However, if adventure is what a person seeks, then One Piece stands head and shoulders above its contemporaries.

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One Piece blends humor, world-building, and action in a way that is similar to the original Dragon Ball. Both shows are predominantly adventure anime that stop for the occasional fight, and they emphasize their characters and their banter. Although One Piece's action sequences can be underwhelming, the show matches DBZ in terms of scale.

Ranma 1/2

(Mostly) Timeless Humor

Debuting during the same year that saw Dragon Ball Z start its run, Ranma 1/2 is another anime classic that has stood the test of time, at least in terms of content. While not quite as well-known outside of Japan as Akira Toriyama's property, Rumiko Takahashi's manga was and still is a huge deal, and the 1989 show is the perfect companion piece to the original Dragon Ball. Both anime blend humor and martial arts, although Ranma 1/2 leans more into the former and also throws in a hint of romance.

The eponymous Ranma is inflicted by a unique condition that causes him to change gender when he is soaked in water, which naturally causes some complications when he goes to meet three girls who could be his future wives. At the bare minimum, Ranma 1/2 is among the funniest anime of the 1990s, and most of the jokes still land all these decades later. Even if not always a priority, the show's fight sequences are consistently great too.

KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple

Martial Arts & Slapstick

KenIchi: The Mightiest Disciple is a somewhat underrated shonen anime that aired during the mid-2000s. As the title suggests, the story follows Kenichi, a weak guy who is inspired by a schoolmate to embrace martial arts. The 50-episode series is basically one long training arc that is periodically disrupted by muscular villains.

While technically focusing on "realistic" martial arts, KenIchi's characters border on over-the-top caricatures, although they are still likable. The anime is packed to the brim with humor that is fairly similar to early Dragon Ball, although someone's mileage with this series may parallel their tolerance for Master Roshi's shtick.

Fist Of The North Star

The Grandfather Of Battle Shonen

Few shonen franchises come close to being as influential as Dragon Ball, but Fist of the North Star is a rare exception. On a post-apocalyptic version of Earth, Kenshiro roams the wasteland and uses his unique brand of martial arts to eradicate Mad Max-style bandits. Although their context is different, Fist of the North Star's setting is comparable to Dragon Ball Z's Namek and many deserts, which lend the shows a comparable aesthetic and feel.

While the story starts relatively simple, the anime's later arcs ramp up the complexity, nuance, and intensity. Due to airing in the mid-1980s, the show's animation takes some getting used to in this day and age; it is not bad, just dated. That said, Fist of the North Star's fights not only hold up beautifully but can also rival DBZ at its best.

Baki The Grappler

Intense Martial Arts Battles

Yearning to watch beefy men punch each other halfway to death? Then, Baki is a must-watch. Unlike Dragon Ball, Keisuke Itagaki's manga does not feature any supernatural powers; however, Baki's characters are so over the top that they might as well be galactic overlords who can destroy worlds with a flick of their wrists. The eponymous teenager wants to take out his father, the world's most dangerous creature, but he will need to battle through a whole host of ridiculously powerful warriors, criminals, and prehistoric human beings to get there.

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Although difficult to find in this day and age, 2001's Grappler Baki is vicious in the best possible way, and it leads directly into Netflix's 2018 continuation. The latter has had its ups and downs, but it is reasonable for some of the most memorable anime fights of the last few years.

Fighting Spirit

Gripping Boxing Matches

Fighting Spirit, more commonly known as Hajime no Ippo, is a classic boxing story that follows a shy and bullied kid as he gradually rises up the activity's ranks. On the surface, a sports anime might not seem all that similar to Dragon Ball, but Hajime no Ippo shares a few traits with the beloved shonen property. Both series frame their arcs around lengthy fights, and these encounters tend to be vicious, hard-hitting, and immaculately animated.

The shows are also adaptations of manga that commenced in the '80s, and this comes through in their humor. While the show takes its matches very seriously, Hajime no Ippo fills the episodes in between fights with character-driven interactions and a lot of comedy. More importantly, the anime is consistently hilarious.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

Great Fight Sequences

After introducing multiple generations to anime, Dragon Ball Z gradually handed off its gateway baton to more modern shonen properties. One such series is Demon Slayer, and the anime has proven to be more than up to the challenge of carrying that weight. When it comes to crafting smooth and jaw-dropping anime action sequences, ufotable has almost no rivals. While an argument could be made that Fate represents the studio at its best, Demon Slayer is closer in tone and structure to Dragon Ball.

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Set during the early 1900s, the anime revolves around a war between Demons and humans, with the latter represented by the Demon Slayer Corps. Fueled by his family's death and his sister's demon infestation, Tanjiro joins the Corps in the hopes of getting revenge and saving his sibling. Narratively, Demon Slayer follows a similar structure to Dragon Ball, in the sense that each new arc pits Tanjiro against an even deadlier Demon that challenges the protagonist to constantly grow stronger. That said, ufotable's series moves at a fairly quick pace and emphasizes its secondary characters more than most of Dragon Ball's arcs.

Slayers

Awesome Fantasy Show With A Great Sense Of Humor

Another anime that was a staple of the '90s, Slayers is a sword and sorcery type show that prioritizes comedy over action, at least most of the time. Lovably vain and hilariously arrogant, Lina Inverse is an all-time iconic female lead who can stand toe to toe with any shonen hero in terms of entertainment value. Driven largely by greed, Lina goes on wild adventures in search of treasure, and she is accompanied by a string of quirky companions who are not always all that useful.

Slayers is silly, charming, and endearingly stupid. The anime is at its best when parodying fantasy tropes, although some of the sequel seasons dabble in serious arcs to decent results. Even though reasonably well known, Slayers is certainly more forgotten than the likes of Dragon Ball or Ranma 1/2, and that should not be the case.

Jujutsu Kaisen

The New Standard In Action

Dragon Ball Z is one of the genre-defining battle shonen releases, but it is undeniably of a different era. Compared to modern shows, the classic anime's pacing can be a touch too slow, and the fight sequences might struggle to impress if a viewer is only familiar with the industry's post-2015 output. In some ways, Jujutsu Kaisen is the current version of DBZ, in the sense that it represents the pinnacle of battle shonen in terms of spectacle.

Story-wise, the two anime do not share all that much in common, although they are both loosely framed around finding items that, when combined, will result in incredible power. With multiple seasons and a movie, Jujutsu Kaisen is shaping up rather nicely, offering newcomers quite a lot of content to sit through. The action sequences are comfortably among shonen's best, and the storytelling is not bad either.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Another Battle Shonen Classic

Few anime can rival Dragon Ball in popularity or influence, but JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a rare exception. Deputing in 1987, the manga is still going strong more than three decades later. The property's longevity can be credited to Hirohiko Araki's flexibility and willingness to adapt to the times, and the story's decision to split itself into parts revolving around different protagonists who are generally related by blood. This framing device allows JoJo's Bizarre Adventure to periodically change up its setting, cast, and even structure.

More importantly, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has an awesome power system filled to the brim with imaginative abilities, even if Stands take a few arcs to fully materialize. The adaptation has been generally fantastic too, with nearly every part exceeding the storyline that came before it.

One-Punch Man

The Definitive Overpowered Protagonist

Since 2009, many philosophers have pondered one of modern society's greatest questions: Who would win in a fight between One-Punch Man's Saitama and Dragon Ball's Goku? Essentially, these protagonists are polar opposites. Kakarot lives to become stronger and fight more powerful enemies than him. This drive defines the character, particularly in Dragon Ball Super.

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Conversely, Saitama has already achieved his ultimate state. Defeating every opponent with a single hit, the hero for fun is unbeatable, a fact that has killed the Caped Baldy's enthusiasm. If he was in Saitama's shoes, Goku would react in the same way. One-Punch Man expertly explores its protagonist's quiet depression while delivering epic and often hilarious battle sequences.

Bleach

Inconsistent But Filled With Moments Of Greatness

One of the so-called big shonen three, Bleach used to be considered as the weakest due to its overly long filler episodes and inconsistent arcs. That said, the original show's Soul Society saga is still among the best the demographic has to offer, and it compares favorably to any Dragon Ball arc. In 2022, Bleach made a comeback in order to complete adapting the manga, and the Thousand-Year Blood War seasons have been nothing short of fantastic. Pierrot has delivered top-tier animation and sizzling battles, enhancing what is a fairly compelling story in its own right.

Bleach can be a slog at times, but at its peak, it has very few peers. If a newcomer is planning to give this one a go, they should check out a rundown of Bleach's filler chapters so they can skip most of them. They will be still left with hundreds of episodes to watch, and the overall experience will be more enjoyable.

Dr. Slump

Akira Troiyama's Other Classic

Akira Toriyama's legacy is intrinsically tied to Dragon Ball (and Dragon Quest), to the point that the franchise entirely overshadows everything else created by the mangaka. Before birthing Saiyans, Toriyama's most well-known property was Dr. Slump, a comedy about a scientist who creates a powerful robotic girl named Arale.

As the original (and best) adaptation of this manga aired in the early 1980s, the show is difficult to find and very much a product of its time. However, the anime's humor is basically identical to Dragon Ball; in fact, Dr. Slump is funnier since it prioritizes comedy. And, the show gets very weird at times.

Gintama

Shonen Parody That Knows How To Get Serious

Gintama can be recommended to anyone who is a fan of battle shonen anime, particularly if they also enjoy a touch of comedy. While not devoid of action-driven sagas, this series is primarily heralded for its gut-burstingly funny humor, which usually slips into parody territory. While the main character is an off-shoot of Kenshin, Gintama casts a very wide net in terms of properties it mocks, including plenty of direct references to Dragon Ball that tend to showcase a deep appreciation for the series. This parody is born out of love and not hatred.

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When not referencing other manga or anime, Gintama relies on an expansive cast of larger-than-life characters to deliver both great comedy and intense action. As the series progresses, serious arcs become the norm, and they feature vicious battles, complex storylines, and usually satisfying conclusions. Still, the first 100 episodes are primarily devoted to comedy, and Gintama is arguably the best-in-class when it wants to make somebody laugh.

Saint Seiya: Knights Of The Zodiac

An 1980s Staple

Growing popular at the same time as Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya is iconic in its own right. Inspired by Greek mythology, the story follows a group of heroes who are granted powers by Athena in her war against other deities.

While not lacking in action, Saint Seiya is rather character-driven, and the anime introduces an expansive cast and gives most of them something substantial to do. Narratively, Saint Seiya and Dragon Ball are not all that alike, but they nevertheless strike a similar chord due to their age, pacing, and presentation.

Kengan Ashura

Tournament Pitting Martial Artists Against Each Other

Dragon Ball knows a thing or two about staging gripping tournaments, with nearly every one of the franchise's anime series including a competition in some form or another. While not exactly the same as Dragon Ball, Kengan Ashura should be able to scratch a viewer's itch to watch expert martial artists compete in bloody and high-stakes fights. Now, compared to DBZ, this show is relatively grounded, with the characters all being "normal" humans who happen to be experts in their chosen fields. The story also revolves entirely around a single tournament, with each cour covering a few fights; consequently, the anime does not have a sense of adventure or even all that much humor.

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Nevertheless, Kengan Ashura is an absolutely exhilarating watch that has very little fluff. Even though the tournament is fueled by political behind-the-scenes movements, the anime primarily focuses on the fights themselves, and they are all intense, unpredictable, and occasionally uncomfortable. While the art style takes some getting used to, the actual animation is great.

Yu Yu Hakusho: Ghost Files

The Perfect Companion Piece To DBZ

If there is one anime that could be deemed a companion piece to Dragon Ball Z, Yu Yu Hakusho would have to be it. Created by the same mangaka behind Hunter x Hunter, the anime follows Yusuke, a delinquent with a heart of gold that becomes a spirit detective. Naturally, this produces its share of challenges.

Yu Yu Hakusho has aged ridiculously well, arguably better than Dragon Ball. Initially following a monster-of-the-week formula, the show eventually transitions into long-form arcs that are ambitious and (generally) well-written. More importantly, Yu Yu Hakusho's Dark Tournament is probably the best tournament arc in anime. Without questions, Yu Yu Hakusho is the best anime like DBZ, and an argument could be made that it is even superior.

Dragon Ball (1986)

Release Date

February 26, 1986

Studio

Toei Animation

Creator

Akira Toriyama

Number of Episodes

153

MyAnimeList Score

7.96

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Funimation , Hulu

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