A fun light-hearted romp, Dragon Ball is the first instalment of the beloved animated franchise adapted from the manga. With the pure-hearted yet determined Son Goku as its lead protagonist, the story can be broken down into a number of distinct arcs. The first follows the quest for the seven Dragon Balls and the foiling of the plans of the evil Emperor Pilaf while also introducing Goku's companions like Bulma and Yamcha. The second brings Krillin into the picture as well as Master Roshi's tutelage, culminating in the first Tenkaichi Tournament. The third arc re-introduces the Dragon Balls with the Red Ribbon Army as the force with which to contend. The fourth involves more training for our heroes and contains the entry of Tien in the second Tenkaichi Tournament. The fifth sees the destructive King Piccolo emerge and his ultimate defeat at Goku's hands. After three more years of disciplined rigorous preparation, the sixth arc has Piccolo's son as the fearsome enemy in the last Tenkaichi Tournament. The show concludes with Goku's marriage to Chi-Chi and sets the stage for the start of Dragon Ball Z.
There are many reasons why Dragon Ball is still a notable part of the cultural consciousness when it comes to animes. It blends action and comedy excellently with an endearing cast of memorable characters. The story, while simplistic overall, makes for a satisfying hero's journey. The art and animation are beautiful, suitable to the style of the series and successful at depicting the diverse world settings, the complexity of martial arts techniques, and the mystery of magical elements. The sound effects and music too deserve praise, enlivening each scene and providing the required tonal impact.
But Dragon Ball is not without its share of weaknesses. The inconsistencies in power level are evident throughout and Goku is far too overpowered, precluding the build-up of any tension. There is no dearth of deus ex machina, with convenient solutions to resolve problems frequently at hand. Moreover, some of the storylines are significantly less gripping; for example, the Red Ribbon Army arc feels far too prolonged and never attains the high points of the Tenkaichi Tournament settings. The humour can be crude and juvenile at times, and a few antagonists (like Pilaf's gang) are excessively comedic and fail to inspire any fear.
To sum up, Dragon Ball is an entertaining adventure tale. I appreciate it most for its vivid character designs, its elaborate fight sequences, and its realization of a colourful fantasy world. At the same time, I recognize that others might enjoy different aspects and that the show is not without its flaws and deficiencies. Even if it is a bit long, it should make for a good gateway anime to young adults who are in search of a mindless merry ride.
There are many reasons why Dragon Ball is still a notable part of the cultural consciousness when it comes to animes. It blends action and comedy excellently with an endearing cast of memorable characters. The story, while simplistic overall, makes for a satisfying hero's journey. The art and animation are beautiful, suitable to the style of the series and successful at depicting the diverse world settings, the complexity of martial arts techniques, and the mystery of magical elements. The sound effects and music too deserve praise, enlivening each scene and providing the required tonal impact.
But Dragon Ball is not without its share of weaknesses. The inconsistencies in power level are evident throughout and Goku is far too overpowered, precluding the build-up of any tension. There is no dearth of deus ex machina, with convenient solutions to resolve problems frequently at hand. Moreover, some of the storylines are significantly less gripping; for example, the Red Ribbon Army arc feels far too prolonged and never attains the high points of the Tenkaichi Tournament settings. The humour can be crude and juvenile at times, and a few antagonists (like Pilaf's gang) are excessively comedic and fail to inspire any fear.
To sum up, Dragon Ball is an entertaining adventure tale. I appreciate it most for its vivid character designs, its elaborate fight sequences, and its realization of a colourful fantasy world. At the same time, I recognize that others might enjoy different aspects and that the show is not without its flaws and deficiencies. Even if it is a bit long, it should make for a good gateway anime to young adults who are in search of a mindless merry ride.