Is DBZ Overrated?

[7th Biggest OP Fan]

Yes and no. I feel it is overrated for people that know what good anime is and are older and appreciate good story lines. It isn't overrated in the aspect of wanting overly muscled men duke it out in a super amazing battle. This tends to be what younger people want in anime. I do admit the character development was amazing at its time. The story line compared to anime around that time also was good. Compared to anime and manga now however it is not that good. People that grew up with DBZ however feel it is amazing. Maybe I don't feel it being that awesome anymore since I've watched every episode like 6 times now. Although I've watched One Piece maybe 3 times now, but I still feel it is the best anime in terms of character development, plot, and fights. The only thing it is missing is romance, but the other 3 make up for that. DBZ also didn't have romance so I guess it is not needed? Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood had the perfect balance of everything. That's why I would rate it 2nd to One Piece.

Basically what I'm saying is different generations consider different anime to be the best. This also ties in with the age thing. If you are in your mid thirties and knew about anime before it was ever on Toonami, you would consider Fist of the North Star the best anime ever and it was what influenced DB and DBZ. Of course they took ideas from Astro Boy. That anime was in black and white when it was on tv. People may consider that the greatest anime of all time because it gave birth to the ideas we see now in other animes.

What is overrated is very subjective. I feel those that have seen anime from all generations and at least a few hundred anime have authority to say what is overrated and what is not. The rest is just opinion.

 

[Nonomi]

No but again it's taste-wise.​

 

[Micho22]

No no dragonball os the best thing what happened to man kind

 

[~MC117~]

Yes it is, I know that it is probably the most famous anime out there but the I rather watch something with a good plot.

 

[Micho22]

There is nothing about DBZ i grow up with it naruto is nothing compared with dragonball z it pales

 

[bl4ckJack]

I dun know/care ...whats ur definition of this stupid overrate/underrate ... :|

Its a very Good Anime :y ... action is unmatched and I enjoyed it a lot ...

 

[Miles vi Britannia]

There is nothing about DBZ i grow up with it naruto is nothing compared with dragonball z it pales

Personally I can't agree with that, honestly I'd say Naruto is a superior story.

Naruto has much deeper themes overall. The corruption of a lawful individual into becoming hopeless and seeking a more distorted form of justice, the lengths of carrying out one's loyalty to protect comrades, the hope to transcend the inherent flaws of humanity by seeking immortality in its various forms, all of those, while not always executed perfectly, are quite fascinating. DBZ has nothing themewise that could possibly compare to those, at least not that Naruto itself doesn't replicate well enough.

Naruto's character development is a good deal better too. In particular characters like Zabuza and Kisame struck me, because even though they were supposed to be "villains," they both followed their own ways of honor and stayed badass to the very end, definitely earning my respect. Not to mention the contrast between characters like Sasori and Deidara, Hidan and Kakuzu, Pain and Madara, in terms of beliefs and personalities. Dragon Ball part 1's character development was pretty good actually, but even then that was still pretty basic. Z has very little, barring Vegeta's and Trunks's, and I guess some for Piccolo as well. Most of the cast is very static, and regardless of the development most of them aren't really deep characters.

Action is debatable. I guess Z has a more grand scale in terms of fighting, and in terms of power no doubt Z is superior to Naruto. But the variety in Naruto is a lot more compelling. The mixture of technique, style, physical power, speed, and more allows for a wide range of characters and fighting abilities. There is some variety in Z, although it's very limited and is usually restricted to fast-paced hand-to-hand combat and energy blast spamming, with very few exceptions.

Personal taste is one thing, but I cannot understand how Naruto "pales in comparison" to DBZ. And Naruto is honestly a pretty average Shounen, and anime in general, in my eyes too so it's not fanboyism motivating me here.

 

[SSJ3Gotenks]

How is GT, something the majority of people hate (Me excluded), overrated? If nobody likes it, it isn't overrated.

Uh GT was an abomination of the Dragonball name. It had nothing to do with the manga and Akira Toriyama had no part in creating it so it was just mindless nonsense released by Toei to continue Dragonball which failed miserably as it only lasted 64 episodes.

Also OT:
Dragonball is one of the greatest Manga/anime of all time. And for the people saying that the story was always just getting stronger for the next villain after getting owned by said villain you obviously didn't watch the entire series(not just DBZ). Now I will admit when it swirched to DBZ the Arc structure became more formulaic. i.e. Radditz appears Goku dies everyone trains for Saiyans arrive almost everyone dies, Goku saves the day, allows Vegeta to live. Gohan and co. go to Namek to bring said people back to life Goku leaves later and trains on the way there. They fight impossibly strong enemies including Ginyu Force get owned Goku saves them. Frieza shows up beats everyone to a pulp and kills Vegeta Goku rescues everyone from Frieza krillin dies Goku SSJ destroys Frieza. And from there it does kind of repeat but it was so awesome. One of the biggest things that I am thankful for Dragonball for is introducing me to Anime/Manga in the first place. I mean without it I never would have heard of some of my favorites such as: Naruto, Bleach, Deadman Wonderland, Hajime No Ippo, Fairy Tail, History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi, Yu Yu Hakusho, and Trigun just to name a few.

While I will also admit that it doesn't hold up as well in today's Anime market mainly because of the insane amount of time the filled with the powerups. Which in today's market they would just stop and start some filler arc. But I will say that I think if you really want to enjoy DBZ the best way is to watch DBZ Kai as it is no filler and all of the insanely long powerups have been cut down considerably. The only thing that is disapointing right now is that they have only finished up the Cell Arc. But I have heard there are plans to finish the Majin Buu arc to be released in other Asian territories i.e. not Japan. So there is that to look forward to.

 

[20k]

DBZ is only good in comparison to other shounen anime's.

So for people who only watch Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, etc, it must be amazing.

Compare it to anime's like Mushishi and Code Geass and you just look like an idiot.

 

[SSJ3Gotenks]

DBZ is only good in comparison to other shounen anime's.

So for people who only watch Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, etc, it must be amazing.

Compare it to anime's like Mushishi and Code Geass and you just look like an idiot.

Well according to what One Piece fans always say to me about its popularity compared to Naruto and Bleach the sales numbers matter the most and neither of the 2 you stated or even in the same stratosphere as DBZ. But in all reality this an objective thing comparing apples to oranges makes you look like an idiot so yeah there's that....

:scorps:

 

[Mizutoki]

Well according to what One Piece fans always say to me about its popularity compared to Naruto and Bleach the sales numbers matter the most and neither of the 2 you stated or even in the same stratosphere as DBZ. But in all reality this an objective thing comparing apples to oranges makes you look like an idiot so yeah there's that....

:scorps:

My Hero

 

[Miles vi Britannia]

Well according to what One Piece fans always say to me about its popularity compared to Naruto and Bleach the sales numbers matter the most and neither of the 2 you stated or even in the same stratosphere as DBZ. But in all reality this an objective thing comparing apples to oranges makes you look like an idiot so yeah there's that....

:scorps:

Popularity=/=Quality, just because DB/Z is more popular doesn't mean it's automatically better. Bleach is a very popular manga but god forbid the notion that it's seriously one of the best stories out there. Or that Twilight is superior to just about any anime/manga out there by virtue of being more widely known. One Piece is the highest selling manga, and definitely for good reason, but I can say that for me, even OP is not the best series out there.

I've never seen Mushishi but I can definitely say that Code Geass is LEAGUES better than DB/Z. In terms of quality there is absolutely nothing about DB that could possibly compare to Geass in the least. Plot progression, character development, ideal clashes, meaningful themes, etc. There is literally not a single thing about DB/Z that I could possibly consider on Geass's level, let alone superior to it, whether on an objective OR a subjective basis. DBZ is an incredibly shallow, simplistic, dragged out story. The plot never changes, the characters hardly have any depth, the action is intense yet hardly revolutionary, etc. It's less that DBZ is bad and more that there are things that are so much better that it feels insulting for anyone to claim DBZ>Code Geass over something as stupid as popularity.

Opinions will be opinions, but as opposed to foods, one could easily judge the storytelling elements of an anime/manga to judge it's worth. In that regard, I couldn't possibly put DBZ anywhere near CG.

 

[SSJ3Gotenks]

Popularity=/=Quality, just because DB/Z is more popular doesn't mean it's automatically better. Bleach is a very popular manga but god forbid the notion that it's seriously one of the best stories out there. Or that Twilight is superior to just about any anime/manga out there by virtue of being more widely known. One Piece is the highest selling manga, and definitely for good reason, but I can say that for me, even OP is not the best series out there.

I've never seen Mushishi but I can definitely say that Code Geass is LEAGUES better than DB/Z. In terms of quality there is absolutely nothing about DB that could possibly compare to Geass in the least. Plot progression, character development, ideal clashes, meaningful themes, etc. There is literally not a single thing about DB/Z that I could possibly consider on Geass's level, let alone superior to it, whether on an objective OR a subjective basis. DBZ is an incredibly shallow, simplistic, dragged out story. The plot never changes, the characters hardly have any depth, the action is intense yet hardly revolutionary, etc. It's less that DBZ is bad and more that there are things that are so much better that it feels insulting for anyone to claim DBZ>Code Geass over something as stupid as popularity.

Opinions will be opinions, but as opposed to foods, one could easily judge the storytelling elements of an anime/manga to judge it's worth. In that regard, I couldn't possibly put DBZ anywhere near CG.

I think you misunderstood what I was getting at with the statement. I do not believe sales/popularity equal a great manga. As I stated it was a reference to some One Piece fans that always try to convert me to it. Just because one person likes something or thinksits the best doesn't mean it is the same for another person. AS such for me DBZ was an integral part in my becoming interested in manga/anime so yeah I probably look at through rose colored glasses. But again not all shonen manga are the same if they were that would be boring who wants to read the same thing over and over again.

 

[Miles vi Britannia]

I think you misunderstood what I was getting at with the statement. I do not believe sales/popularity equal a great manga. As I stated it was a reference to some One Piece fans that always try to convert me to it. Just because one person likes something or thinksits the best doesn't mean it is the same for another person. AS such for me DBZ was an integral part in my becoming interested in manga/anime so yeah I probably look at through rose colored glasses. But again not all shonen manga are the same if they were that would be boring who wants to read the same thing over and over again.

I suppose that's true, that argument is used quite a lot with One Piece. Though I find that many DBZ fans have said that DBZ is the most popular anime out there, and oftentimes people comment on One Piece's sales to prove that DBZ isn't exactly the most popular series out there. Of course that ends up being trivial as well since popularity is a pretty subjective thing and many of the series I deem to be the best are far from being mainstream popular. In any case, I watched DBZ as a kid too and definitely enjoyed it at the time. I also really loved the fighting games since those are awesome regardless. But I find that I look back at DBZ and it was definitely a perfect show for me as a kid, but a lot of the themes and elements are catered for an audience just like that. The fights were flashy and it was easy to get into, though that was best for me at a younger age and now I try to look back at it on a more objective basis and while it definitely isn't one of the worst series, I can't love it as much as I once had.

On another note, I take it that you don't really like One Piece all that much. I don't want to be an obnoxious fanboy trying to shove a series onto you but I would very much say that One Piece is worth it. OP, while not my favorite Shounen out there, definitely comes close and has some of the best storytelling elements in its genre. The action is full of variety, the character development is continually fantastic, the sense of adventure means that even if the same plot is used, it feels fresh enough to work, etc. I for one would say that One Piece is an awesome series, and for me it doesn't disappoint.

 

[Iniquitous]

DBZ.. Over rated..?

 

[SSJ3Gotenks]

I suppose that's true, that argument is used quite a lot with One Piece. Though I find that many DBZ fans have said that DBZ is the most popular anime out there, and oftentimes people comment on One Piece's sales to prove that DBZ isn't exactly the most popular series out there. Of course that ends up being trivial as well since popularity is a pretty subjective thing and many of the series I deem to be the best are far from being mainstream popular. In any case, I watched DBZ as a kid too and definitely enjoyed it at the time. I also really loved the fighting games since those are awesome regardless. But I find that I look back at DBZ and it was definitely a perfect show for me as a kid, but a lot of the themes and elements are catered for an audience just like that. The fights were flashy and it was easy to get into, though that was best for me at a younger age and now I try to look back at it on a more objective basis and while it definitely isn't one of the worst series, I can't love it as much as I once had.

On another note, I take it that you don't really like One Piece all that much. I don't want to be an obnoxious fanboy trying to shove a series onto you but I would very much say that One Piece is worth it. OP, while not my favorite Shounen out there, definitely comes close and has some of the best storytelling elements in its genre. The action is full of variety, the character development is continually fantastic, the sense of adventure means that even if the same plot is used, it feels fresh enough to work, etc. I for one would say that One Piece is an awesome series, and for me it doesn't disappoint.

Yeah I am not the biggest fan of One Piece I wouldn't say I hate it as I have read most chapters and even watched some of the anime. Usually I will work on reading it when I don't have anything else to read manga wise. It's more of a taste thing for me but again its just a personal thing and I don't mind it. But usually when I say something like that about OP the fanboys are always like blah blah best series ever, blah blah blah highest selling manga ever. When I really don't care about sales of any of it. If I like a manga and purchase the volumes then that's what i like and who cares if it's not the top of the manga list or even the top 50.

 

[Miles vi Britannia]

Yeah I am not the biggest fan of One Piece I wouldn't say I hate it as I have read most chapters and even watched some of the anime. Usually I will work on reading it when I don't have anything else to read manga wise. It's more of a taste thing for me but again its just a personal thing and I don't mind it. But usually when I say something like that about OP the fanboys are always like blah blah best series ever, blah blah blah highest selling manga ever. When I really don't care about sales of any of it. If I like a manga and purchase the volumes then that's what i like and who cares if it's not the top of the manga list or even the top 50.

Yeah I get what you mean. I for one do think OP is deserving of its popularity and sales but there are series out there I would deem superior. 20th Century Boys, Gurren Lagann, Code Geass, Fullmetal Alchemist, Clannad, etc. are all anime/manga that I feel are a good deal better than OP, and with the exception of FMA those have pretty high, but not really mainstream level, popularity. Popularitywise OP is above all of those but I do feel all of these series are superior for their own particular reasons.

 

[USSJ Future Trunks]

Uh GT was an abomination of the Dragonball name. It had nothing to do with the manga and Akira Toriyama had no part in creating it so it was just mindless nonsense released by Toei to continue Dragonball

actually it made sense as a sequel and toriyama loved it

 

[USSJ Future Trunks]

i think its overrated powerwise and people are a ltitle too obsessed with nostalgia that they dont even give kai a chance