Dragon Ball is arguably the most influential anime series ever created. Since Akira Toriyama’s groundbreaking manga debuted in the 1980s, Goku and Earth’s greatest heroes have brought joy and inspiration to generations of fans.
Among those fans are some of the greatest manga and anime creators of all time. Countless artists over the years have openly credited Dragon Ball as a huge inspiration for their own works, with some even referencing Goku and his allies directly in their stories.
Here are 10 iconic anime and manga that likely wouldn’t exist or thrive without the monumental influence Dragon Ball established.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen’s current battle for the top shonen spot alongside One Piece and Demon Slayer echoes how Dragon Ball once rivaled Fist of the North Star and Yuyu Hakusho in the 80s and 90s.
Like many major shonen battle stories over the last 30 years, Jujutsu Kaisen draws heavily from Dragon Ball’s innovative action storytelling. Its unique power system and thrilling fights show clear parallels. Creator Gege Akutami even contributed to Dragon Ball’s 40th anniversary project by redrawing volume 41’s cover and expressed honor in participating.
One-Punch Man
When One-Punch Man launched in 2015, it quickly became a huge hit. The series builds on tropes established by shows like Dragon Ball but flips them with humor while still delivering top-tier action.
It loves to parody characters like Goku who grow stronger over time. Artist Yusuke Murata expressed deep sorrow when Akira Toriyama passed away and shared his own drawing of Goku.
Demon Slayer
Much like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer is the Dragon Ball of its generation. Over the past six years, it has firmly held the throne of shonen anime.
Dragon Ball’s influence is clear in how Tanjiro and others shout out their signature moves, along with the fast pace and stylized action. Though creator Koyoharu Gotouge hasn’t directly mentioned it, the legendary series’ impact shines through her most famous work.
Yuyu Hakusho
Just as Dragon Ball was about to reveal Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation, Yoshihiro Togashi launched Yuyu Hakusho in Shōnen Jump as a direct competitor. Though Togashi later became more famous for Hunter x Hunter, Yuyu Hakusho remains a powerful supernatural action series with tournament arcs clearly influenced by Dragon Ball. Togashi also took part in the series’ 40th anniversary project.
Bleach
In the early to mid-2000s, the anime industry was dominated by the ‘Big Three’ (One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach). The major creators of this era all grew up with Dragon Ball. Bleach’s creator Tite Kubo has repeatedly acknowledged Dragon Ball’s influence on his work, citing villains like Piccolo, Frieza, and Cell as major inspirations. Kubo also shares a long-standing friendship with Akira Toriyama.
Naruto
Another member of the ‘Big Three,’ Naruto and its creator Masashi Kishimoto were heavily influenced by Dragon Ball. From the kind-hearted, lovable protagonist (like Goku) to the spectacular fighting techniques, Naruto was clearly made in Dragon Ball’s spirit. Kishimoto has called Akira Toriyama the “God of Manga.”
One Piece
Among the legendary ‘Big Three’ of Shōnen Jump, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece is the longest-running and most successful, dominating the iconic magazine for nearly three decades. Like Kishimoto and Kubo, Oda considers himself a “Dragon Ball kid”, someone who grew up deeply influenced by Toriyama’s work.
Protagonist Luffy is modeled after Goku: innocent, cheerful, adventurous, and possessing breakthrough strength. Luffy stands as one of anime’s greatest heroes. Notably, Oda and Toriyama share a close personal relationship, even sitting down for an interview in 2001 where Oda expressed his excitement at meeting his idol.
The Seven Deadly Sins
Debuting in 2014, The Seven Deadly Sins quickly gained fame for blending action, humor, and fantasy. Creator Nakaba Suzuki has openly expressed his love for Dragon Ball throughout his career, saying it inspired him to become a mangaka.
My Hero Academia
Kohei Horikoshi’s My Hero Academia incorporates many tropes and trends that Dragon Ball established in the 80s and 90s. From character design and personality to power systems, Dragon Ball’s influence is unmistakable. Horikoshi also participated in Dragon Ball’s 40th anniversary project.
Gintama
Gintama is a love letter to shonen anime and manga as a whole. The series frequently references Dragon Ball through jokes, parodies, and tributes. Creator Hideaki Sorachi has shared that works like Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest shaped the world he grew up in.