The Most Popular Dragon Ball Series, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the series you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:35
In the world of anime, the thrill of following a series that taps into exhilarating battles and deep lore often turns into a shared experience with fellow fans. Identifying which Dragon Ball series resonates most can offer newcomers a curated starting point and can rekindle the joy for long-time enthusiasts by revisiting beloved episodes.
By voting for your favorite series, you contribute to a dynamic tally that reflects collective affections and opinions. This interactive process not only fosters a sense of community among Dragon Ball lovers but also determines which saga stands out in the hearts of its audience, thereby guiding conversations and debates across fan forums and gatherings.
What Is the Most Popular Dragon Ball Series?
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152votes
Toei Animation · Public domainDragon Ball Z
Akira ToriyamaThis is the most popular Dragon Ball series among fans due to its iconic battles, memorable characters, and emotional moments. It follows the adventures of Goku as he battles intergalactic threats and protects the Earth.Dragon Ball Z is a popular anime series that follows the adventures of Goku, a Saiyan warrior, as he defends Earth against various villains. The story continues from the original Dragon Ball series and features intense battles, epic transformations, and a focus on friendship and personal growth.- Dragon Balls: Seven magical spheres that, when gathered, grant a wish
- Continuations/Sequels: Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super
- Number of Episodes: 291
- Original Run: April 26, 1989 – January 31, 1996
- Genre: Action, Adventure
Dragon Ball Z in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular old-school anime
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular anime list
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular animes
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular AMV
- Position 10 of 10 in Most beloved cartoon
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241votes
Dragon Ball Super
Akira ToriyamaThis is the newest installment in the Dragon Ball franchise, and it has gained a massive following due to its continuation of the story and its impressive animation. It takes place after the events of Dragon Ball Z and follows Goku and his friends as they face new threats.Dragon Ball Super is a manga and anime series that serves as a direct sequel to the Dragon Ball Z series. It takes place a few years after the defeat of Majin Buu and introduces new characters and storylines within the Dragon Ball universe.- Release Date: July 5, 2015
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Martial Arts, Comedy
- Number of Episodes: 131
- Number of Manga Volumes: 15
- Main Protagonist: Goku
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325votes
Dragon Ball
Akira ToriyamaThis is the original Dragon Ball series that started it all. It follows the adventures of a young Goku and his friends as they search for the Dragon Balls. It is beloved for its humor and unique characters.Dragon Ball is a popular Japanese anime and manga series that follows the story of Son Goku, a young Saiyan warrior on a journey to find the seven mystical Dragon Balls. Created by Akira Toriyama, it was originally serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1984 to 1995.- Genre: Action, Adventure, Martial Arts, Comedy, Fantasy, Science Fiction
- Original Run: February 26, 1986 – January 31, 1996
- Number of Episodes: 153 (Dragon Ball); 291 (Dragon Ball Z); 64 (Dragon Ball GT); 167 (Dragon Ball Super)
- Number of Manga Chapters: 519
- Protagonist: Son Goku
Dragon Ball in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular Shonen
- Position 4 of 10 in Most loved anime in Japan
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular cartoon in Mexico
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421votes
Dragon Ball GT
Akira ToriyamaWhile not as popular as the other series, Dragon Ball GT still has a dedicated fan base. It takes place after the events of Dragon Ball Z and follows Goku as he travels through space to retrieve the Dragon Balls.Dragon Ball GT is an anime television series based on the Dragon Ball manga series by Akira Toriyama. It is the sequel to Dragon Ball Z and aired from 1996 to 1997. GT stands for 'Grand Tour', referring to the characters' journey through space to recover the Dragon Balls. Unlike its predecessors, Dragon Ball GT was not directly adapted from the manga and was instead created for the anime.- Original Run: February 7, 1996 – November 19, 1997
- Episodes: 64
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Protagonist: Goku
- Antagonist: Baby, Super 17, Omega Shenron
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513votes
Dragon Ball Kai
Toei AnimationThis is a remastered version of Dragon Ball Z that removes filler and improves the pacing of the story. It is popular among fans who want to experience the story without the slower moments.Dragon Ball Kai is a revised version of the Dragon Ball Z series. It was created by Toei Animation as a remastered and condensed adaptation of the original anime. The main purpose of Dragon Ball Kai was to adhere more closely to the original manga and provide a high-definition viewing experience with updated animation and sound.- Release Date: 2009
- Episodes: 159
- Duration: Approximately 23 minutes per episode
- Original Manga: Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama
- Remastered Animation: Improved picture quality and color vibrancy
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69votes
Dragon Ball Heroes
Bandai Namco EntertainmentThis is a promotional anime that promotes the Dragon Ball Heroes video game. It features characters from across the Dragon Ball franchise and has gained a cult following.Dragon Ball Heroes is a Japanese trading card arcade game based on the Dragon Ball franchise. It features various characters and storylines from Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, and Dragon Ball Heroes (a spin-off manga). The game combines elements of collectible card games, digital card battles, and traditional arcade fighting games.- Release Date: November 11, 2010
- Platform: Arcade
- Genre: Arcade, Card Battle, Fighting
- Number of Characters: Over 1,000 playable characters
- Game Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
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714votes
Dragon Ball Movies
Akira ToriyamaThere are several Dragon Ball movies that tell standalone stories or adapt arcs from the main series. They are popular among fans who want to experience new adventures with their favorite characters.Dragon Ball Movies refers to the series of animated movies based on the widely popular Dragon Ball franchise. These movies serve as standalone storylines or additional adventures of the Dragon Ball characters beyond the main series. Each movie features thrilling action, epic battles, and further character development, providing fans with new and exciting content to enjoy.- Release Years: 1986-2018
- Number of Movies: 20
- Runtime Range: 41-161 minutes
- Animation Studio: Toei Animation
- Box Office Success: Various movies grossed over $10 million
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85votesThere are several Dragon Ball OVAs that tell standalone stories or adapt arcs from the main series. They are popular among fans who want to experience new adventures with their favorite characters.Dragon Ball OVAs refer to a set of original video animations (OVAs) based on the popular Dragon Ball franchise. These OVAs are standalone stories that expand upon the Dragon Ball universe and often feature unique adventures and character interactions.
- Release Date: The OVAs were released between 1988 and 1997.
- Number of OVAs: There are a total of 16 Dragon Ball OVAs.
- Duration: Each OVA has a runtime ranging from 25 to 46 minutes.
- Animation Studio: The OVAs were primarily produced by Toei Animation.
- Genre: The Dragon Ball OVAs combine elements of action, comedy, and fantasy.
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96votes
Dragon Ball Manga
Akira ToriyamaThe Dragon Ball manga is the source material for all of the anime adaptations. It is beloved for its humor, action, and character development. Many fans prefer the manga over the anime adaptations.Dragon Ball Manga is a popular Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama. It follows the adventures of Son Goku from his childhood through adulthood as he trains in martial arts and explores the world in search of the Dragon Balls, magical orbs that can grant any wish. The series combines elements of action, comedy, fantasy, and science fiction, captivating audiences with its thrilling battles and memorable characters.- First publication: December 3, 1984
- Last publication: June 5, 1995
- Number of volumes: 42
- Main protagonist: Son Goku
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Science Fiction
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105votes
Dragon Ball Super Manga
Akira ToriyamaThe Dragon Ball Super manga is the continuation of the Dragon Ball Super anime. It is popular among fans who want to experience the story in a different medium and with more detailed artwork.Dragon Ball Super Manga is a Japanese comic series created by Akira Toriyama. It serves as the official manga adaptation and continuation of the Dragon Ball Super anime series. The manga follows the adventures of Goku and his friends as they face new powerful enemies, explore new universes, and participate in intense martial arts tournaments.- Publication Date: June 2015
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Martial Arts
- Number of Volumes: 12+
- Publisher: Shueisha
- Serialized In: V Jump magazine
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Ranking factors for popular series
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Sales and viewership dataThe number of units sold (DVDs, Blu-rays, etc.) and television viewership ratings provide a quantitative measure of a series' popularity among fans.
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Reviews and critical receptionCritically acclaimed series are likely to be more popular among fans. Both professional and user-generated reviews should be considered.
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Online discussions and social media engagementSocial media provides a platform for fans to discuss and share their opinions about a series. The more people are talking about a series and sharing content related to it, the more popular it is likely to be.
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Merchandise salesSales of related merchandise (such as action figures, clothing, and other products) can also indicate a series' popularity.
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Impact on popular cultureA series' popularity can also be indicated by its influence on popular culture, such as references in other media, memes inspired by it, and its impact on the overall development of the anime industry.
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Longevity and ongoing relevanceTime often serves as a test of a series' popularity. If a series remains relevant and continues to attract new fans over time, it can be considered as a popular Dragon Ball series.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Dragon Ball series. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or series is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 3474 views
- 162 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each series once every 24 hours. The rank of each series is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular dragon ball series
Dragon Ball is a Japanese anime and manga series that was created by Akira Toriyama. It follows the adventures of Goku, a powerful warrior who defends the Earth against various villains and seeks out the seven mystical Dragon Balls. The series has been popular since its debut in 1984 and has spawned numerous adaptations, including several anime series, movies, and video games. With so many iterations of the series, fans have been debating which one is the most popular. From the original Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, each series has its own unique charm and fanbase. Let's take a closer look at which Dragon Ball series comes out on top in the eyes of fans.
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