Dragon Ball (1986)

Dragon Ball (1986) is a lively, action-adventure anime that follows young Son Gokû — a super-strong boy with a monkey tail — as he sets off on a globe-trotting quest to collect the seven Dragon Balls, mystical orbs that summon a grand dragon able to grant one wish. What begins as a whimsical, loosely reworked take on Journey to the West quickly blossoms into a madcap mix of slapstick humor, colorful fantasy, and high-energy martial-arts action. Along the way Gokû teams up with an eccentric cast (inventive inventors, fellow fighters, and oddball creatures), faces greedy villains and bizarre monsters, and grows through training and tournament showdowns. Watching the series you’ll experience bright, classic ’80s animation and an upbeat soundtrack, constant adventure and variety from island-hopping to city danger, plus escalating fight choreography that shifts the tone from lighthearted capers to genuinely tense battles. The heart of the show is its warmth and camaraderie — friendships, rivalries, and Gokû’s unstoppable spirit — making it as much a coming-of-age tale as a nonstop action romp.

Actors: Masako Nozawa, Jôji Yanami, Brice Armstrong

Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation

8.5 /10 8.5 /10