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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Some more nostalgia. I still remember how my brother picked up the first like five, or something, volumes of Dragon Ball at a flea market we'd went to with our mom. This was some of the first manga I'd ever seen.
Dragon Ball is honestly a classic, and I fully believe it deserves it's popularity for the most part. I'm not a fan of 16 year old Bulma exposing herself to old ass, gross as hell Kame Sennin, and I also know there's even more questionable stuff down the line. But still this series's got a special place in my heart.
Dragon Ball is honestly a classic, and I fully believe it deserves it's popularity for the most part. I'm not a fan of 16 year old Bulma exposing herself to old ass, gross as hell Kame Sennin, and I also know there's even more questionable stuff down the line. But still this series's got a special place in my heart.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I use this rating as the whole Dragon Ball Manga (without Z). Masterpiece.
(Review covers the entire series.)
Magnificent.
I decided to read Dragon Ball after the death of Akira Toriyama, which led me to learn more about his influence. Credit goes to Mother's Basement (a YouTuber) for helping me realize that Dragon Ball was (of course) originally a manga, and a story that might be better experienced in that form; long scenes of powering up go much faster when you read them, and words sound much better when they haven't been dubbed.
Dragon Ball exceeded all of my expectations. I remembered it from childhood as a series of endless fights between blond bodybuilders, but it's much quirkier, funnier, and more engaging than I expected. There's a whole menagerie of side characters who play crucial roles even when they aren't at the top of the power ladder; quick thinking and kindness are rewarded just as often as strength. Plot developments that Toriyama obviously pulled out of his butt to meet a deadline somehow cohere into a grand narrative -- chaotic, yes, but in the same way that The Odyssey was chaotic.
I also hadn't realized just how wildly influential the series was. Toriyama didn't just invent tournament and training arcs; he didn't just invent power-up sequences and luck as a superpower (Mr. Satan might be a better character than King!); he also inspired critical scenes in Scott Pilgrim and (shockingly) Sousou no Frieren. His influence has touched my life from so many directions, and I'm glad I took the time to experience his actual work in all of its glory.
Magnificent.
I decided to read Dragon Ball after the death of Akira Toriyama, which led me to learn more about his influence. Credit goes to Mother's Basement (a YouTuber) for helping me realize that Dragon Ball was (of course) originally a manga, and a story that might be better experienced in that form; long scenes of powering up go much faster when you read them, and words sound much better when they haven't been dubbed.
Dragon Ball exceeded all of my expectations. I remembered it from childhood as a series of endless fights between blond bodybuilders, but it's much quirkier, funnier, and more engaging than I expected. There's a whole menagerie of side characters who play crucial roles even when they aren't at the top of the power ladder; quick thinking and kindness are rewarded just as often as strength. Plot developments that Toriyama obviously pulled out of his butt to meet a deadline somehow cohere into a grand narrative -- chaotic, yes, but in the same way that The Odyssey was chaotic.
I also hadn't realized just how wildly influential the series was. Toriyama didn't just invent tournament and training arcs; he didn't just invent power-up sequences and luck as a superpower (Mr. Satan might be a better character than King!); he also inspired critical scenes in Scott Pilgrim and (shockingly) Sousou no Frieren. His influence has touched my life from so many directions, and I'm glad I took the time to experience his actual work in all of its glory.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
All of the “Best Manga/Anime” lists failed to mention how preoccupied the male characters would be with groping women and coercing them into getting naked. I know it’s a somewhat common trope but this was excessive—to the point where it was the majority of the volume.
Continuing with the series because there has to be a reason for the series’ longevity outside of general perviness, right? Right?????
Continuing with the series because there has to be a reason for the series’ longevity outside of general perviness, right? Right?????
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A