Summary
Dragon Ball, a much-loved and iconic anime and manga series, has captured the hearts of fans for decades and continues to do so even to this day. One of the most intriguing aspects of this legendary and iconic franchise is its ever-evolving visual aspect or style, which has gone through significant transformations over the yearsjust like Vegeta and Goku.
Let’s explore the different looks ofDragon Ball, analyzing how each mainline series' visual style sets the tone for its respective story, and how character designs and animation styles shape the overall experience for the audience of the franchise.
Dragon Ball (Classic)
The originalDragon Ballseries, which successfully ran from 1986 to 1989, introduced the anime audience to theworld of Son Goku and his journeyto finding the Dragon Balls. The visual style of this series is characterized by its colorful palate and cartoony design. Akira Toriyama, the creator of theDragon Ballfranchise, blended his manga with a lighthearted and whimsical aesthetic, which translated beautifully into the anime adaptation.
The character designs in this early installment are iconic, with characters like Goku,Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshisporting distinct and legendary looks. The animation style is fluid but sometimes simplistic, reflecting the show’s comedic and shōnen adventure-driven nature. This animation style perfectly complements the light-hearted and fun-loving tone of the originalDragon Ballseries.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Zmarked a significant shift in the franchise’s visual style and blessed the screens from 1989 to 1996. As the story transitionedfrom adventure to epic battlesand cosmic threats, the character designs and animation style followed suit. The characters became more muscular, and the fighting sequences grew in complexity and intensity.
The character designs ofDragon Ball Zare iconic in their own right, withGoku’s Super Saiyan transformationbecoming one of the most recognizable moments in not just shōnen but overall anime history. The animation style, while retaining some of the comedic elements of the original, took on a more intense and dramatic tone. This visual shift was monumental in conveying the high-stakes battles and world-threatening conflicts that defined the series.
Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT, a non-canon series from the franchise that ran from 1996 to 1997, represents a visibledeparture in the franchise’s visual style. Toriyama’s involvement in the series was limited, and it shows in the character designs and overall aesthetic. The characters appeared slightly different from theirDragon Ball Zcounterparts, and the animation style turned out to be less consistent.
WhileDragon Ball GThas its dedicated fans, it is seen as a departure from the tone and quality of the previous series. The changes in visual style contributed tothe polarizing reception ofGTamong fans.
Dragon Ball Super
After a long hiatus,Dragon Ballmade a comeback withDragon Ball Superin the year 2015. This series aimed to recapture the essence of the originalDragon Ballseries while incorporating elements fromDragon Ball Z. The visual style underwent a significant rejuvenation, with character designs and animation that harked back to the series' roots. The character designsinDragon Ball Superkept the iconic looks of the characters while incorporating subtle updates. The animation style attained a balance between the comedic and action-packed, ensuring that both the lighthearted and intense moments were well-executed without any limitations.This return to the classicstyle clicked with fans and helped reignite the franchise’s popularity among the fans and anime audience in general.
In 2018,Dragon Ball Super: Brolytook the visual style of the franchise to new and greater heights. The film featured breathtaking animation sequences, fluid fight scenes, and stunning visuals. The character designs remained faithful to Toriyama’s original art, but the animation quality and executionreached a level previously unseeninDragon Ball.Dragon Ball Super: Brolyset a new standard for the franchise’s visual style, showcasing the prowess of top-tier animation in theDragon Balluniverse. The movie’s success highlighted the enduring appeal of the series and the significance of keeping the visual style fresh and dynamic.
A Blend of Classic and Modern
The ongoingDragon Ball Superseries has continued to improve its visual style, striking an equilibrium between the classic and modern.Character designs remain faithfulto the original, but animation quality has improved since the earlier episodes of the series. The visual style ofDragon Ball Superreflects the series' visual evolution over the years, incorporating elements from both the originalDragon BallandDragon Ball Zwhile maintaining a consistent, engaging, and fresh look.
TheDragon Ballfranchise’s ever-evolving visual style has played an important role in shaping the tone and experience of each mainline series. Fromthe whimsical and adventurousstyle of the originalDragon Ballto the glorious battles ofDragon Ball Zand the return to classic roots throughDragon Ball Super, the visuals have reflected the narrative evolution of the series. Character designs and animation quality have also played crucial roles in keeping the franchise fresh and intriguing for generations of fans of the franchise. AsDragon Ballcontinues to expand and evolve, its visual style will undoubtedly remain a defining and spectacular aspect of its enduring legacy.
Dragon Ball Superis available to stream onCrunchyroll.
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