10 Reasons Why Dragon Ball Super Outshines the Original Series!

It’s simply delightful being a fan of the ever-evolving and expanding franchise, as it consistently adds to its rich history. The initial Dragon Ball series lays out a comprehensive tale that follows Goku’s heroic journey from his younger years all the way into adulthood. Each subsequent Dragon Ball series expands upon this base, challenging Goku with ever more incredible adversaries as he grows stronger. This culminates in Dragon Ball Super, where both Goku and Vegeta gain divine powers and face a multiverse full of opponents.

It’s simple to write off Dragon Ball Super as overly relying on nostalgia, fan service, and extraordinary transformations. Yet, there are many aspects in which this contemporary anime excels compared to the ’80s Dragon Ball. Some of the most iconic scenes from the series can be found in Dragon Ball Super, and it surpasses the original in several key ways.

Dragon Ball Super Provides More Opportunities On This Front

In the Dragon Ball series, characters are initially well-defined, but there are instances where their powers seem insufficient even after rigorous training. A crucial turning point in the original Dragon Ball occurs when Goku unleashes his hidden abilities after consuming the Ultra Divine Water, enabling him to match wits with Demon King Piccolo at last.

In my eyes, this pivotal moment for Goku is exhilarating! However, it’s a bit disheartening that Dragon Ball seems hesitant to extend such growth experiences to characters like Krillin or Yamcha. Interestingly, Dragon Ball Super – just like its predecessor, Dragon Ball Z – offers more transformative journeys in this aspect. Yet, there’s a commendable balance maintained to prevent these power surges from feeling excessive or gratuitous. Characters such as Piccolo tap into their hidden potential using the Dragon Balls, while Future Trunks undergoes an incredible Super Saiyan Rage transformation – all within the realm of Dragon Ball Super.

The Eternal Dragons Also Evolve & Gain Depth

Over the years, I’ve been absolutely captivated by how the iconic Dragon Balls have evolved within the franchise. What’s particularly intriguing is the transformation of wishes from their straightforward origins to increasingly grandiose desires. In the early series, both positive and negative outcomes ensued from granted wishes, but they were all quite straightforward in their objectives.

However, Dragon Ball Super takes wish-granting to a whole new level by pushing against traditional limitations. For instance, Granolah’s wish for supreme strength within Universe 7 comes with the trade-off of a drastically reduced lifespan. This dynamic really adds an extra layer of complexity and excitement to the series!

In the emergence of the Super Dragon Balls, characters can essentially wish for anything they can think of. Shenron and other Eternal Dragons evolve to have unique personalities and individual characters rather than serving solely as plot devices. King Piccolo kills Shenron in the original Dragon Ball series, an unexpected twist. On the contrary, Dragon Ball Super introduces nuances like Shenron’s hesitation around Beerus. This character development continues in Dragon Ball DAIMA, where Shenron becomes quite opinionated and reluctant to grant wishes.

The Original Dragon Ball Had to Hone These Skills

In contrast to its more action-packed sequels, the original Dragon Ball retains a sense of connection through its narrative. Yet, it’s clear that the original series is less complex and more grounded when compared to its successors in terms of martial arts and combat scenes. For example, energy attacks in Dragon Ball are less frequent, while flight, a common skill in Dragon Ball Z, is scarce in the original Dragon Ball. Consequently, blows land with more impact, and an attack like Tien’s Tri-Beam can seem devastating when employed, but it stands out as a remarkable feat in the original series, rather than being commonplace in Dragon Ball Z.

In Dragon Ball Super, there’s a noticeable shift where extreme energy attacks have become commonplace. However, this doesn’t mean that traditional martial arts are absent in the series, they just take a backseat and are often used to support ki-infused battles. Instead, characters tend to engage in fights using bizarre weapons crafted from their ki, rather than conventional weaponry. The intense focus on power in Dragon Ball Super has resulted in some epic beam clashes.

Dragon Ball Super Effectively Balances A More Unruly Cast

A challenge often encountered by long-running series like “Dragon Ball” with hundreds of episodes is that it has a vast array of characters to feature. It’s usually challenging to provide many different characters with significant roles in a single fight, but surprisingly, “Dragon Ball Super” has managed to do so effectively. In epic battles such as Frieza’s 1000-man army, Moro’s Galactic Bandit Brigade, less prominent characters from “Dragon Ball Z”, like Master Roshi, Tien, Krillin, and even Chiaotzu, are given opportunities to stand out.

In the Tournament of Power, generosity is evident. To be fair, Dragon Ball Super still showcases significant battles with Goku often emerging victorious, but it’s even more so in the original series. Characters like Krillin and Yamcha were regulars in the original Dragon Ball, yet they seldom end up as the last fighters standing in a battle. In contrast, Dragon Ball Super is notably generous in this aspect.

A Greater Sense Of Danger Surrounds Dragon Ball Super’s Competitive Combat

Martial arts competitions are among the oldest customs depicted in the Dragon Ball series, and it’s this original show that sets the foundation for recurring tournaments. While Dragon Ball Super only includes two such events – the Tournament of Destroyers and the Tournament of Power – neither fails to deliver excitement. In fact, the Tournament of Power is the longest saga in the anime, offering continuous battles between 80 of the multiverse’s most powerful fighters.

In summary, the concept of the multiverse plays a significant role in the battles of Dragon Ball Super’s tournaments, opening up possibilities for unique fights against previously unreachable characters like new Namekians and Saiyans. While the tournaments in Dragon Ball are well-structured and form a solid basis for the franchise, they don’t quite match the excitement of seeing numerous characters clashing simultaneously, especially when the stakes are as high as total oblivion.

Goku Breaks Through To The Worst Of The Worst

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the incredible power that Goku wields. Yet, what truly makes him stand out as an iconic shonen protagonist is his unique ability to see the good in everyone. It’s fascinating how some of Dragon Ball’s most revered heroes and companions initially set out with the intention of eliminating Goku. The original Dragon Ball series pioneered this pattern with Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu. Despite their initial appearances, none of these characters were inherently evil; they were merely misunderstood or misguided souls who found their true paths alongside Goku.

In an unexpected twist, characters who seem invincible or impossible in other situations are shown to be influenced by the heroes’ charm in Dragon Ball Super. Even the infamous villain Frieza from Dragon Ball teams up temporarily during the multiversal Tournament of Power. This series seems to suggest that anyone can change for the better, which is a heartwarming notion.

The Malevolent Military Organization Gains Depth

In this new interpretation, Goku’s confrontation with the Red Ribbon Army in the search for Dragon Balls marks a pivotal moment for the franchise, as he audaciously challenges an entire corrupt military organization. The battles that ensue are exhilarating and filled with satisfying clashes against the army’s elite soldiers. It’s delightful to see the Red Ribbon Army resurface in the Super Hero Saga of Dragon Ball Super, now disguised as a pharmaceutical company. Over time, they subtly regain their power, but with chilling modifications.

In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Magenta orchestrates events behind the scenes, leading many to believe that Dr. Hedo and his androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2, are the true heroes fighting monsters. However, unbeknownst to them, they’re being manipulated by Magenta. Eventually, Dr. Hedo and his formidable creations realize the truth, providing a more intriguing narrative for Red Ribbon. Each character is portrayed as an extreme villain with no chance of redemption (except Android 8), allowing Dragon Ball Super to delve into complex themes of justice by examining the construction of Red Ribbon.

The Original Dragon Ball’s Insight Into Family Is Limited

It’s undeniable that Goku, Bulma, Krillin, and the original Dragon Ball crew form a bonded family, ready to go to great lengths for each other. Friendship is indeed valued in Dragon Ball, and it plays a significant role in the series. On the other hand, Dragon Ball Super expands its scope by delving into a longer timeline, introducing us to characters like Goku, Bulma, and Krillin who have grown up, started their own families, and even had children.

Learning about characters through their values and how these shift their priorities, if they do, can be incredibly rewarding, and it’s therapeutic to witness Dragon Ball develop numerous generations of heroes who uphold their family traditions. Unlike its original series, Dragon Ball Super offers even more depth, with characters prepared to lay down their lives for their loved ones. Characters like Vegeta become infinitely intriguing when examined in the context of their family ties.

Dragon Ball Super Is Better Prepared For Casualties & Death

In simpler terms, both the original Dragon Ball series and Dragon Ball Super use the Dragon Balls for resurrection, yet there are other methods available in Dragon Ball Super for bringing characters back to life. The Dragon Balls remain a popular choice for revival, even allowing for the resurrection of an entire universe’s population with a single wish, but they aren’t the only means of reviving someone.

Whis, the Angel from Universe 7, brings Frieza back to life as a gesture of thanks for his cooperation during the Tournament of Power. His Temporal Rewind power, which moves time backward several seconds, is used to undo the Earth’s destruction. These powers have limitations on their use but can provide alternatives for resurrection when the Dragon Balls are unavailable. Moreover, the Dragon Balls themselves are less stringent with resurrection restrictions and having multiple sets of Dragon Balls makes it easier for the same person to be resurrected multiple times.

Dragon Ball Only Scratches The Surface Of Divine Beings

Among the thrilling scenes in the original Dragon Ball, none can compare to when Goku ascends Korin Tower and eventually reaches Kami’s Lookout. Here, he encounters Korin, Mr. Popo, and Kami himself – a figure revered as Earth’s Protector and effectively our deity. The notion of training under a God may seem absurd, but it’s nothing short of exhilarating!

As the Dragon Ball series continues, it steadily broadens the scope of the franchise’s cosmos, introducing an ever-growing cast of characters. In particular, Dragon Ball Super reveals that each universe has its own God of Destruction and Angel. However, there is also the Grand Priest, Master Zuno, and Zeno, the Omni-King. Interestingly, Goku and Vegeta undergo training from these divine entities, ultimately mastering a godly energy level, making them nearly equal in power to these venerated beings.

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2025-05-27 01:40