For decades, Dragon Ball has stood as one of the world’s most popular and influential anime. With its unforgettable characters, larger-than-life battles, and engaging storyline, the franchise has achieved what few others have, earning itself a global fan base spanning generations. Its expansive universe pushed the boundaries of shōnen storytelling and left an undeniable mark on the anime industry.

Created by Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball has remained a staple in anime with its heart, humor, and action-packed adventure. However, as the series grew and evolved, many fans found themselves agreeing with aspects of the franchise that are a bit harder to swallow. These elements are struggles that only true Dragon Ball fans can relate to and understand.

Nothing in the Franchise Will Ever Surpass Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z may be a continuation of the original Dragon Ball; however, it completely transformed the franchise into what it is today. With its ever-escalating battles, memorable villains, iconic rivalries, and legendary transformations, the series effectively set a new standard for storytelling.

From Goku’s first encounter against Vegeta to Gohan’s battle against Cell to the mystical Majin Buu, the series has redefined the meaning of heroism and power in anime. Dragon Ball Z was imaginative and thrilling, taking the story to new heights and influencing countless other series, creators, and even fans.

Dragon Ball Z solidified the series’ place in anime history and continues to stand out as the best installment in the series to date. The stakes were perfectly balanced with Akira Toriyama’s signature world-building and humor, making it an immensely satisfying experience that many fans would give anything to experience for the first time again.

The Original Series Didn’t Age Well

*Dragon Ball *is, and always will be, a cornerstone of the franchise and the anime industry. That said, much of the comedy, tropes, and character interactions in the original series, particularly, haven’t aged as gracefully by modern standards and sensibilities. Much of the original series’ humor has become outdated and wouldn’t fly today.

From inappropriate behaviors from Master Roshi and other characters to poor representation, Dragon Ball has a few elements that would be considered problematic today. However, recognizing this doesn’t and shouldn’t take away from the series’ creativity and impact. As long as audiences can acknowledge its less palatable aspects, the series can still be celebrated for all its accomplishments.

Broly Was More Menacing in Dragon Ball Z

In 2018, fan-favorite character Broly officially became canon in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, giving him a place alongside Goku and Vegeta in the main storyline. The film altered his backstory and added nuance to his character, turning him into one of the series’ best and most well-rounded characters.

However, Broly in the Dragon Ball Z films was far more menacing, standing as a force of sheer, terrifying power. His complete lack of control and his unhinged, almost gleeful brutality made him stand out from other villains and earned him a total of three films, making Broly one of the most revisited villains in Dragon Ball Z.

While Broly’s original characterization was less complex than *Super’s *Broly, it was his uncontrollable anger and primal bloodlust that made him feel so threatening. The heroes themselves felt the weight of his power and unpredictability, further intensifying the sense of doom he created. Fans around the world are thrilled about Broly entering the canon; however, many miss the original’s aura.

Dragon Ball GT Will Never Be Taken Seriously

Shueisha/Toei Animation

Dragon Ball GT is one of the franchise’s most poorly received installments, often written off by many fans because it departs from the elements that made Dragon Ball stand out to begin with. Without Toriyama’s direct involvement, the characterization felt off, the pacing was inconsistent, and certain plot choices, such as reverting Goku into a child, weren’t well-received by fans.

That said, GT isn’t entirely without its merits and memorable moments. While the series may have struggled to find its footing, its later arcs, such as the Baby Saga and Shadow Dragon Saga, were both engaging and thrilling. The Super Saiyan 4 transformation stemmed from GT and became one of the franchise’s most striking designs yet.

There Are Many Plot Holes and Retcons

*Dragon Ball *is full of legendary moments, but it’s equally notorious for its plot holes and retcons, leading to inconsistencies across the franchise and main series’ timeline. From time-traveling contradictions to sudden shifts in character motivations and established universe rules, there have been moments that have become confusing, leading to debates among fans over what is truly canon.

Power scaling, fusion rules, and additional installments are perfect examples of narrative missteps when it comes to the canon storyline. Characters fluctuate in strength rather often, and the Potara fusion either alters its rules or, in the case of Dragon Ball Daima (whose canon status is often debated), those who were once fused are suddenly no longer fused.

The Dragon Balls Diminish the Stakes

Credit: itshritwikraj/YouTube

The Dragon Balls may be central to the series’ universe; however, they also drastically reduce the stakes and narrative tension in the franchise. Death itself is temporary, and practically any major catastrophe can be reversed with a single wish, taking away from the sense of danger or consequence in nearly every arc.

The series created its own built-in safety net that affects both the characters and the audience’s viewing experience. The heroes are able to take risks knowing there’s a way to undo the worst outcomes, and viewers already know that death is rarely final. With the Namekian and Super Dragon Balls, the series further diminishes any sense of danger.

Many Fan-Favorite Characters Will Likely Never Become Canon

In a franchise as expansive as Dragon Ball, not every fan-favorite character can make it into the official canon universe. While Broly and Gogeta have been officially integrated into the main storyline, with Android 21 likely to be next, many others will likely remain confined to filler arcs, films, games, or spin-offs.

Popular characters such as Cooler, Pikkon, and Janemba may continue to capture attention for their backstories, character designs, or memorable personalities. Yet, it’s unlikely that many of them will ever be introduced into the main universe. Many of these characters will remain what they always were and live on only outside the canon.

Never Experience Authentic Akira Toriyama-Style Humor Ever Again

Akira Toriyama’s humor was inseparable from his creative personality, making it impossible to replicate his style. His comedy blended slapstick and crude humor, and he often poked fun at the very shōnen tropes he helped popularize. His unique voice, combined with his fearless and unpredictable storytelling, turned Dragon Ball into the anime powerhouse it is today.

The worlds he created were imaginative, at times absurd, and always entertaining. He excelled at creating high-stakes battles that were punctuated by running gags or subtle, character-driven jokes, often delivered with perfect comedic timing. It was always evident when Toriyama was involved, and his influence truly brought his stories to life in a way that no other creator could replicate.

No One Knows When Dragon Ball Super Manga Will Return

Dragon Ball Super’s manga has been on an official hiatus since March 2024, following the passing of Akira Toriyama. Since then, Chapter 104 was released posthumously in February 2025, with no official updates on when the series will return. Dragon Ball’s future remains uncertain due to the ongoing dispute between Shueisha and Toei Animation regarding the franchise’s rights and production.

In the manga, Black Frieza made a quick appearance, easily defeating one of the strongest villains, then one-shotting both Goku and Vegeta at the same time before taking his leave. Next, the Super Hero arc gave Gohan and Piccolo new, powerful forms and featured a sparring match between Gohan and Broly, leaving fans excited for the series’ next arc.

No One Knows When Dragon Ball Super Anime Will Return

Similar to the *Dragon Ball Super *manga, the anime also has no confirmed updates, leaving fans in a state of uncertainty. While Dragon Ball Daima was released from late 2024 to early 2025, any update on Super has yet to be announced. However, many fans are hopeful that more information will be released in 2026.

The last episode of the anime concluded with the Tournament of Power arc in March 2018. In the seven years since then, the story had steadily progressed in the manga, exploring major arcs like Galactic Patrol Prisoner and Granolah the Survivor. While there is material to adapt for the anime, for the moment, it’s as unlikely as the manga returning.

However, fans have the utmost confidence that *Dragon Ball *will be returning; the only question that remains is when. Series executives have asked for the continued patience and support from fans during the series’ hiatus, assuring them that updates will come in due time.