Does watching DBS feel the same as watching DBZ?

[DBZfan2015]

I haven't seen this series yet, but I will eventually. Does it feel like you're watching brand new episodes of DBZ even though it's a new series? Does it feel the same as DBZ?

[Ajay]

No, not really. That's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to tone and story -- I do think it's important to make the series feel fresh -- but there are a few elements that are missing that play a large part.

Sound effects are the big one. Hidenori Arai's sound effects have been a part of this series from the very beginning and have defined the atmosphere of the show ever since. They're in our video games, our OVAs, and they were in the past two movies. Due to Arai's commitments to One Piece, we no longer have his work in Super. Everything feels vastly different as a result. Doesn't matter how good or bad the animation may be, without hearing the familiar punches, auras, and beam sounds, something feels incredibly amiss. I never realised how much he defined the show until he was gone. It might not be an issue that bothers me constantly, but it's definitely jarring.

I suppose this next one is debatable and will vary from person to person, but for me, Sumitomo's score has never felt like Dragon Ball. I'm not someone who sticks their fingers in their ears and goes, "Kikuchi or nothing!", but there's a particular sound to Dragon Ball, and Sumitomo's score lacks it. Yamamoto, despite his plagiarism, had it. Takaki had it in his brief stint in the series. Even GT for all its flaws had it thanks to Tokunaga. Big grand-sounding orchestral pieces are what make Dragon Ball what it is for me. I can't abide the electronic-focused work that Sumitomo provides. Quite a lot of it I actually enjoy on its own, but it does not work for me with Dragon Ball. That's a huge part in establishing a series' feel, and it's one of the reasons Super doesn't quite work for me in that area.

I don't really know what happened there. Battle of Gods worked for me for the most part. But once he started working on Kai, we got this horrendous shift in tone, and it made its way into Resurrection F and Super, too. It totally shifts the series' tone for me. I've done enough edits placing various ex-DB composer's works back in there to know what it's that that makes the biggest difference. The same goes for sound effects.

I can debate story, tone, and characterisation, but all of the above I cannot budge on.

[Bullza]

Nah. Though DBZ didn't feel the same as watching the original Dragon Ball either.

It feels the same as watching the Battle of Gods movie which was a light hearted version of DBZ with a modern day look and sound to it.

[sintzu]

I haven't seen this series yet, but I will eventually. Does it feel like you're watching brand new episodes of DBZ even though it's a new series? Does it feel the same as DBZ?

NO, you'll be able to tell from the 1st episode that it's nothing like DBZ in both its production and writing.

If you want to enjoy it then go in with very low expectations cause if you think it's as good as Z or even half as good then you'll drop it after the 1st few episodes.

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

It's quite different nowadays for a number of reasons, much of it has to do with the time we're living in being different to what it was in the 90s and early 2000s.

Today we have to wait a week for every episode rather than 5 a week after school on Toonami, and it's on Sundays, so for me it feels like something to chill out to.

The show itself is quite different in tone due to Sumitomo's score, but I don't have as much of a problem with it because I feel it fits for the most part, then again I grew up with the ambient tunes in the Westwood dub so its probably not as jarring for me as others. The last two episodes in particular have been his best work on Super so far.

The arcs have all been shorter, that has changed the feel quite a bit too, but I'll wait to see how this arc plays out to make a judgement. Maybe TOEI will be writing longer arcs with more developed character arcs, we'll see.

[sintzu]

Nah. Though DBZ didn't feel the same as watching the original Dragon Ball either.

It feels the same as watching the Battle of Gods movie which was a light hearted version of DBZ with a modern day look and sound to it.

It was pretty similar unlike Super which is a huge departure from it and Z.

BOG had good production quality and character development for Goku and Vegeta unlike Super.

[Xeztin]

To add on to what everyone said they are pretty much oil and water. I think a better comparison would be DBS and the original DB. The show has tons more comedy than DBZ and a lot less seriousness. In the first 3 arcs, the only music that didn't bother me was Beerus. He has that awesome theme song, but its more or less about to dissapear since he isn't very mysterious anymore. I thought the "chilling" theme when nothings going on could be mixed up a bit. DBS feels to me like I'm watching Pokemom or Yu-Gi-Oh! Thats how light hearted it is now. Very little blood scenes too or cursing. This Current arc has surprised me with how dark it is, and its not even really started yet or not that Dark. It's just my opinion but I feel like Super has lost it's "magical world" feeling that Z had. Having said all that, don't let any of this turn you off to the series, its still a very good show for what it is.

[Bullza]

It was pretty similar unlike Super which is a huge departure from it and Z.

Battle of Gods wasn't very similar to the tone or style of DBZ at all. Super is essentially along the same lines as Battle of Gods rather than DBZ. All the new content is very different from old DBZ.

[ChronoTwigger]

The question is "does it feel like watching Z" and not "is good as Z was" (if Z was any good...).

Super tropes:
More comedy
Less fast paced action
Simple premises and straight lines plots
Nice slices of life
Continual insert of new characters (i counted 25 in 48 episodes)
Smaller, self contained arcs you can watch in a single session

Think of it as "the adventures of Goku after doing everything he could" and you will enjoy. The show is less a shonen action and more a "comedy with OP characters".
Anyway, think of the first 2 arcs (20 episodes) as a necessary evil: to introduce all the stuff that follow.

[GodKaio-Ken]

No it doesn't. It feels like DBZ at times but has the more whimsical mysterious feel of Dragon Ball. However I think that will change in the current arc to where it is a lot more serious.

Don't go into Super expecting DBZ. Just go in expecting an interesting add on to the story. If you've seen the movies you could probably skip the BoG arc and RoF arc. I liked BoG but thought the RoF arc was terrible.

Overall I think the good moments in DBS are very very worthy of the franchise. It has some head scratchers but in my humble opinion its better than the Buu Saga of DBZ (which I disliked compared to others)

[saiyanvegetable]

You should lower your expectations to that of an adam sandler directed cereal commercial. Its that bad.

[DragonHermit]

No, and I personally don't want it to. My criticisms and compliments of the show, have nothing to do with Z.

[Lord Beerus]

No, in all honesty, it doesn't. The show certainly have much lighter tone and more Toriyama-esque humour weaved into the plot, even during the most heavy handed and serious of times. Super also has been lacking in, what it would call, a "signature moment". A moment that would always remain unique and special to that certain show. The original Dragon Ball had Goku charging at King Piccolo and punching a hole through him, Dragon Ball Z had several "signature moments", and even GT had the brilliant moment of when Goku became a SSJ4. Unfortunately, it seems what Super will be mostly associated with is the infamous Episode 5. But I don't want that to be the case with Super, despite how frustrated I am with the show at times. I really want the show have that special episode or moment that Dragon Ball fans, even those who are indifferent or flat out don't like the show, can look back say, "That was awesome". The SSJB/KKx10 scene could be moment, as I thought it was awesome, but only time will tell if it will be looked back at fondly, or just become a forgotten moment.

[sintzu]

Super also has been lacking in, what it would call, a "signature moment". A moment that would always remain unique and special to that certain show.

Vegeta going Ssj3 against Beerus would've been that moment.

[GodKaio-Ken]

No, in all honesty, it doesn't. The show certainly have much lighter tone and more Toriyama-esque humour weaved into the plot, even during the most heavy handed and serious of times. Super also has been lacking in, what it would call, a "signature moment". A moment that would always remain unique and special to that certain show. The original Dragon Ball had Goku charging at King Piccolo and punching a hole through him, Dragon Ball Z had several "signature moments", and even GT had the brilliant moment of when Goku became a SSJ4. Unfortunately, it seems what Super will be mostly associated with is the infamous Episode 5. But I don't want that to be the case with Super, despite how frustrated I am with the show at times. I really want the show have that special episode or moment that Dragon Ball fans, even those who are indifferent or flat out don't like the show, can look back say, "That was awesome". The SSJB/KKx10 scene could be moment, as I thought it was awesome, but only time will tell if it will be looked back at fondly, or just become a forgotten moment.

I agree with most of this. I thought x10 was a bit much but I loved it because it was the first time Goku was really innovative in his fighting since his early days. Remember how he used to learn moves or come up with techniques on the fly in matches as a kid? It sort of reminded me of that. I mean he obviously had thought of it before (maybe done it to test?) but just the way he pulled it out of nowhere mid battle.

I think the current arc may give us that moment. I mean two arcs so far have just been retelling of the movies and the Champa arc seemed to be in order to give more info on how the universe worked and whatnot.

[kinisking]

No,not really. It's still an incredibly fun watch.

[JoeCapricorn]

Super also has been lacking in, what it would call, a "signature moment". A moment that would always remain unique and special to that certain show.

Super's take on Super Saiyan God transformation was far more elaborate than what was displayed in Battle of Gods.

Vegeta provoking Cabba in order for him to transform to Super Saiyan was interesting.

Goku's Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken was impressive.

Beerus using the Super Dragon Balls wish to do a favor to his brother Champa was rather touching.

Future Trunks awakening in the Present and attacking Goku right off the bat is unforgettable.

There have been many unique moments that aren't quite like what we've seen in Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball GT. I have a feeling we're going to see more of that in this arc.

[Faisal Shourov]

Nah, not even close. There are many reasons

DBZ had better fight choreography (I have watched plenty of battle anime like Fist of North Star, Bleach, One Punch Man etc. and DBZ fights are GOAT)

DBZ had better music and voice (this is a rare anime where Dub >>>>>>>>>>>> Sub, take bruce faulkner or DBZ kai both are awesome)

DBZ had better colour (Super is too bright and kiddy, not attractive to teenagers or older kids who were primary audience of DBZ outside Japan)


Lastly, DBZ was the greatest anime of all time when I watched it as a kid. Now I have been spoiled by other good anime like Code Geass, Death Note, Steins Gate, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Hunter X Hunter. Super's mediocre animation and fight choreography and story doesn't make me want to watch it, but i still do because of nostalgia.

My tastes may have changed because of age but I can still spot the differences. Super is not as enjoyable as DBZ.

[dbs fanboy]

No not really, for me dragon ball super is like a mix between dbz and db. It has a lot of comedy/gags but it can be serious.

[dbs fanboy]

No, in all honesty, it doesn't. The show certainly have much lighter tone and more Toriyama-esque humour weaved into the plot, even during the most heavy handed and serious of times. Super also has been lacking in, what it would call, a "signature moment". A moment that would always remain unique and special to that certain show. The original Dragon Ball had Goku charging at King Piccolo and punching a hole through him, Dragon Ball Z had several "signature moments", and even GT had the brilliant moment of when Goku became a SSJ4. Unfortunately, it seems what Super will be mostly associated with is the infamous Episode 5. But I don't want that to be the case with Super, despite how frustrated I am with the show at times. I really want the show have that special episode or moment that Dragon Ball fans, even those who are indifferent or flat out don't like the show, can look back say, "That was awesome". The SSJB/KKx10 scene could be moment, as I thought it was awesome, but only time will tell if it will be looked back at fondly, or just become a forgotten moment.

I liked that moment when Goku said: "Only because you're god, you can't decide the limits of a person", it's a cool quote to me.