Review of “Dragon Ball Super” (2015-2018)
Rating: 4/5 stars
Director: Multiple (Kimitoshi Chioka, Morio Hatano, and others)
Total Episodes: 131 episodes
Studio: Toei Animation
Genres: Action, Martial Arts, Adventure, Fantasy, Shounen
“Dragon Ball Super” is a continuation of the beloved “Dragon Ball” franchise, first airing in 2015 and concluding in 2018 after 131 episodes. Set after the defeat of Majin Buu, it follows Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z Fighters as they face new and powerful enemies. Directed by various individuals throughout its run and produced by Toei Animation, the series aims to carry on the legacy of the original “Dragon Ball Z” while introducing fresh concepts and expanding the universe.
Story & Arcs
“Dragon Ball Super” is divided into several major arcs:
Battle of Gods Arc: This introduces Beerus, the God of Destruction, who threatens Earth unless Goku can challenge him. This arc serves as a gateway to a larger universe beyond what “Dragon Ball Z” explored.
Resurrection ‘F’ Arc: Frieza returns from the dead and seeks revenge on Goku and Vegeta. While this arc has great fights, it retreads old ground by bringing back a familiar villain instead of introducing a completely new threat.
Universe 6 Arc: This arc expands the Dragon Ball universe significantly, introducing the concept of parallel universes and a tournament between Universe 6 and Universe 7. It adds new characters like Hit and Cabba, and shows us what Saiyans from other universes are like, which is a fun twist on the familiar.
Future Trunks Arc: One of the darkest and most intense arcs, it brings back Future Trunks and pits the characters against Zamasu, a Kai with a deep hatred for mortals. This arc has a compelling narrative and delivers some of the series’ best dramatic moments and fights, although the ending feels somewhat convoluted.
Universal Survival Arc: The largest and longest arc, centering around the Tournament of Power, where teams from multiple universes battle for survival. The arc offers non-stop action and introduces a host of new characters, including the immensely popular Jiren and the fan-favorite Ultra Instinct transformation for Goku.
The overall narrative structure of “Dragon Ball Super” is heavily reliant on the tournament format and intense battles, which is a hallmark of the series. The stakes are higher than ever, with the survival of entire universes on the line. However, the writing sometimes lacks the emotional depth of previous entries, with a greater focus on spectacle and power scaling than character development.
Characters
Goku and Vegeta remain the central focus, and their dynamic is one of the show’s strongest points. Vegeta’s continued evolution as a character—balancing his pride and new sense of responsibility—is a highlight, while Goku remains the battle-obsessed, carefree warrior fans love.
The series also gives secondary characters like Krillin, Android 18, and Master Roshi more screen time in the Tournament of Power, which is a welcome callback to their importance in earlier arcs. However, some fan-favorites like Gohan and Piccolo still feel underutilized compared to their roles in “Dragon Ball Z.”
New characters such as Beerus, Whis, and the other Gods of Destruction add an intriguing new layer to the lore, though some fans felt that characters like Jiren, while powerful, lacked the depth to make them compelling antagonists in the way characters like Cell or Frieza were.
Animation & Art
“Dragon Ball Super” had a rocky start in terms of animation quality, with early episodes featuring inconsistent character models and awkward action sequences, particularly in the “Battle of Gods” and “Resurrection ‘F'” arcs. However, Toei Animation significantly improved the animation over time, and by the time of the “Future Trunks” and “Universal Survival” arcs, the action scenes were fluid, explosive, and visually stunning.
The art style remains consistent with the classic “Dragon Ball” look, but with updated colors and digital animation techniques. Some key battles, such as Goku’s Ultra Instinct transformation against Jiren, are beautifully animated and among the best in the franchise’s history.
Soundtrack & Voice Acting
The music in “Dragon Ball Super” is generally strong, with composer Norihito Sumitomo providing an energetic and bombastic score that complements the intense battle scenes. The opening theme, “Chōzetsu☆Dynamic!” by Kazuya Yoshii, and the later ending themes have become iconic in their own right. However, the soundtrack overall doesn’t reach the legendary status of “Dragon Ball Z’s” original Japanese score or Bruce Faulconer’s work on the English dub.
The voice acting, both in the original Japanese and the English dub, remains top-notch. Masako Nozawa’s portrayal of Goku continues to be a fan favorite in Japan, while Sean Schemmel and Christopher Sabat deliver their iconic performances as Goku and Vegeta in the English version. The cast, old and new, bring the right amount of energy and emotion to their roles, making the characters feel as vibrant as ever.
Criticism
One of the main criticisms of “Dragon Ball Super” is its pacing, particularly in the earlier arcs, where long stretches of episodes don’t significantly advance the plot. Additionally, the power scaling has become a bit exaggerated, with new transformations and power-ups being introduced at a rapid pace, sometimes making it hard to keep track of how powerful characters are in relation to one another.
The reliance on tournaments as a narrative device, while exciting, also feels repetitive by the end of the series. For longtime fans, it may feel like the series plays it safe by sticking to familiar tropes rather than exploring more original storytelling avenues.
Final Thoughts
“Dragon Ball Super” successfully brings “Dragon Ball” into a modern era with higher stakes, new characters, and even more intense battles. While it doesn’t always reach the emotional heights or consistent quality of “Dragon Ball Z,” it provides plenty of thrilling moments and unforgettable fights that are sure to satisfy fans. Despite its pacing and power-scaling issues, the series manages to expand the universe in exciting ways and keeps the spirit of the franchise alive.
Final Rating: 4/5
