Dragon Ball Super vs. Z: Did the Series Peak?

[CiderHype]

Honestly, I think Dragon Ball peaked with Z. Super feels like it’s leaning way too much on nostalgia, with storylines that rarely feel like there are real stakes. Power-ups, battles, and character moments just don’t hit the same way.

What do you all think? Is Super a solid continuation or does it mostly retread old ground for the sake of fan service?

 

[fasdrummer]

Personally, I think it peaked with Dragon Ball I do *love* DBZ though. I bailed when GT started, and still haven't gotten around to super. I have re-watched Dragon Ball several times with my kids though.

 

[ionface]

The movies after the series Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' were great.

DB Super re-tells those stories for like 22 episodes, and then the story picks up again. In the end I think DBZ ended on a satisfying note, but Super didn't quite have that same crescendo.

I really enjoy re-watching Dragon Ball the most though, even if the stakes aren't as high. The story has wisdom that's immediately applicable to real life, and I just think the characters are charming.

 

[PixelNomad42]

The movies after the series Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' were great.

DB Super re-tells those stories for like 22 episodes, and then the story picks up again. In the end I think DBZ ended on a satisfying note, but Super didn't quite have that same crescendo.

I really enjoy re-watching Dragon Ball the most though, even if the stakes aren't as high. The story has wisdom that's immediately applicable to real life, and I just think the characters are charming.

Totally get that. I think DB Super has its moments, but it definitely leans hard on nostalgia and fan service, sometimes to the point where the stakes feel… optional. The movies you mentioned are way tighter because they don’t have to stretch things out over dozens of episodes.

I totally agree about Dragon Ball itself. The original series has a grounded, thoughtful quality that Z and Super don’t quite capture. The fights might not be as insane, but the characters feel more real, and the story just resonates differently.

 

[SegaDude113]

Original Dragon Ball, then Dragon Ball Z, then Dragon Ball GT. That's the only good continuity.