As Dragon Ball expands and different writers contribute to the series, the Dragon World has also evolved. Over the years, the franchise has undergone several revisions to its universe, characters, and mythology to the point that each version has attracted its own set of dedicated fans. To better illustrate what I mean, here’s a breakdown of the major interpretations of the Dragon World from my perspective:
1. Toriyama’s Original Vision
This is the Dragon World as presented in Akira Toriyama’s original manga. It spans from the Pilaf arc to the Boo arc, with no filler episodes, no GT, no Super, and no post-manga interview tidbits. The story is fast-paced, with minimal world-building or exploration of lore. What you see is mostly what you get, and there’s little time spent on deeper context or history. This is the raw, original Dragon Ball.
Seems to focus more on comedy, optimism, fast-paced action.
2. Toei’s Dragon World (90s Anime)
This version includes the 90s anime adaptation, with all the filler episodes and extra content we’ve come to associate with Dragon Ball. These additions include training segments, slice-of-life episodes, and original adventures not found in the manga. The movies and Dragon Ball GT also fall into this category. This is Dragon Ball as it ended in 1996.
Generally slower paced, tries to add seriousness to some concepts, lets things breathe, generally has a bigger focus on the space opera elements, Goku as a hero type.
3. Toriyama’s Expanded Dragon World
This version incorporates Toriyama’s own post-manga work, including ideas from interviews, sequels, and tie-in projects like Neko Majin, Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, and Dragon Ball Daima. It also includes anything from Super that can be directly attributed to him, such as character designs, plot elements, or world-building additions. This might even encompass elements from Dragon Ball Online like the designs and chronology, as well as original video game characters like Bonyu and #21. Essentially, this represents Toriyama’s personal evolution and revision of the Dragon World after the manga ended, though we aren't necessarily sure of everything we can attribute to him.
The multiverse and other realms and dimensions, the return of the comedic elements and not taking yourself so seriously, Goku as a flawed and selfish hero.
4. The Revival Dragon World
This category includes everything that’s been written for modern Dragon Ball by other creators—primarily Toyotaro, Toei, or other writers. It also covers storylines from video games, side quests, and original plots that were not directly from Toriyama’s hand but still add to the broader Dragon Ball universe. These additions represent the ongoing expansion of the series, often with a distinct tone or direction that can differ from Toriyama’s original vision.
Spectacle, appealing to nostalgia as fans who grew up with the series are now working on it.
5. The Heroes Universe
This is the wild, fanservice-heavy side of Dragon Ball, encompassing all the time-travel elements from Xenoverse, Heroes, and Dragon Ball Online’s Time Breakers plot. It also includes the more meta, cross-dimensional content that blends the main continuity with alternate timelines and outlandish scenarios.
New intricate lore and world building that serves more-so as window dressing.
Disclaimer: This is not a discussion on canon or continuity necessarily. Each of these “worlds” has its own unique flavor, and while they all coexist within the larger Dragon Ball franchise, they offer distinct takes on the beloved universe. I'm just wondering what are folks' preferences. Which world feels more ALIVE to you? Which world do you find yourself more drawn to? Which vision, aesthetics, world building, so on, can you appreciate the most?
Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
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Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
A good mix of 1 and 2 for me, with a little dash of 3. 2 is what hooked me on DB the first place, and is one of my biggest comfort foods in terms of media. 1 is what keeps me as interested as I am in DB at present, as a thing to analyze and critique and understand. 3 has my interest as well, to an extent, because ever since finishing Z as a kid I'd long wondered how Toriyama might have continued the story, and this represents the closest answer to that question, however imperfect it might be.
A minor nitpick regarding 3, but this is something I keep seeing all over the place. I don't see any good reason to treat Daima like something Toriyama made himself ala Neko Majin and Jaco, and not an someone else's production that he had heavy involvement with behind the scenes ala Battle of Gods and Super. It doesn't matter how many designs he drew or how many lines of dialog and plot beats he wrote down, it's still being distilled through the minds and hands of others. For instance, Yuko Kakihara is credited with the Series Composition and Script, not to mention all of the many animators who are making the thing visually exist as an actual work in the first place. The show was in production before Toriyama got involved, and we don't know what precisely was and wasn't from him. It's very murky, marketing hype aside.
A minor nitpick regarding 3, but this is something I keep seeing all over the place. I don't see any good reason to treat Daima like something Toriyama made himself ala Neko Majin and Jaco, and not an someone else's production that he had heavy involvement with behind the scenes ala Battle of Gods and Super. It doesn't matter how many designs he drew or how many lines of dialog and plot beats he wrote down, it's still being distilled through the minds and hands of others. For instance, Yuko Kakihara is credited with the Series Composition and Script, not to mention all of the many animators who are making the thing visually exist as an actual work in the first place. The show was in production before Toriyama got involved, and we don't know what precisely was and wasn't from him. It's very murky, marketing hype aside.
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
A little bit of this, a little bit of that. I quite enjoy the contributions of creators other than Toriyama—the major issue is when those creators have their hands tied to prevent breaking from the ideas of Toriyama too much. Let the anime and game original content mold adaptions of the Toriyama material! Heck, create alternate continuity stuff and let your series directors and writers do whatever they want! Don't let merchandising executives control shit and prevent you from telling a story how you want! Kill off characters!
Give me more stories like the Saiyan arc original episodes! Give me more Tomioka Atsuhiro episodes! Give me weird shit and don't worry about how it will make sense later!
Give me more stories like the Saiyan arc original episodes! Give me more Tomioka Atsuhiro episodes! Give me weird shit and don't worry about how it will make sense later!
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AliTheZombie13
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Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
1 and 2, plus Daima.
The expanded universe, revivals and Heroes never really made me feel "Wow, this adds so much substance to the original!"
If you want to get technical, I prefer the Chinese Magical Land that was the Dragon World before the Saiyan retcon, nothing else included.
The expanded universe, revivals and Heroes never really made me feel "Wow, this adds so much substance to the original!"
If you want to get technical, I prefer the Chinese Magical Land that was the Dragon World before the Saiyan retcon, nothing else included.
Personal Dragon Ball Arc Ranking:
Spoiler:
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
Bits and pieces across all this. Though if gun to my head I could only pick one it'd be the original manga and nothing else.
Though to me the ideal is Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga, Jaco and Toyotarou's Super manga (with Battle Of Gods, Resurrection F and Broly movies filling in those blanks).
Not really big on the animated interpretations of Dragon Ball outside of some particular moments (like Gohan's training), not really a fan of most of the DB movies, and expanded lore from guides or games is just something that at best I go "huh" with and then never think about again. Though the Kakarot game did have lots of nice moments that I personally enjoy, those devs really did care about the small moments.
But I do still get a lot of enjoyment from selected bits of the modern Dragon World like Jaco and what Toyotarou did with the series (with Toriyama's guidance thus far).
Though to me the ideal is Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga, Jaco and Toyotarou's Super manga (with Battle Of Gods, Resurrection F and Broly movies filling in those blanks).
Not really big on the animated interpretations of Dragon Ball outside of some particular moments (like Gohan's training), not really a fan of most of the DB movies, and expanded lore from guides or games is just something that at best I go "huh" with and then never think about again. Though the Kakarot game did have lots of nice moments that I personally enjoy, those devs really did care about the small moments.
But I do still get a lot of enjoyment from selected bits of the modern Dragon World like Jaco and what Toyotarou did with the series (with Toriyama's guidance thus far).
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
I guess it's mostly a mixture of the first two. I largely prefer the dragon ball anime because a lot of the anime only material there I really like. not everything, some of it sucks but mostly when I think of dragon ball I think of a lot of specific episodes that didn't happen in the manga. by the time we get to Z though I lean more towards the manga because although I legitimately really like a lot of that filler material too, particularly a lot of stuff surrounding gohan, the pacing of the actual battles and main stories are torpedoed and it feels like they just take too damn long.
the manga itself of course is the original work and I probably consider it the most important, but I really do love a lot of Toei original sections. as far as other stuff like video games or the Heroes anime I just consider them something else entirely. later works are largely hit and miss for me. I never really liked GT but I never really cared either way about it and Super was the same for me, I don't like much of it but I can't really get too mad at it, it's just something else in my brain.
the manga itself of course is the original work and I probably consider it the most important, but I really do love a lot of Toei original sections. as far as other stuff like video games or the Heroes anime I just consider them something else entirely. later works are largely hit and miss for me. I never really liked GT but I never really cared either way about it and Super was the same for me, I don't like much of it but I can't really get too mad at it, it's just something else in my brain.
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
1 by far.
2 has cool things like King Vegeta and Bardock's friends, but also annoying (for me) stories like Garlick saga between Freezer and Androids (for me, that saga was really boring) or inconsistent fillers with manga (for example, villains with their bodies in hell). There are also annoying characters like GT Pan (annoying in my opinion, please don't attack me Pan fans
).
3 includes Dragon Ball Minus and I don't like that story at all.
About 4, I don't like modern SSJ transformations. I am a bit sick of new hair color with new power levels. 4 also includes Super Bardock so I don't like.
I don't know about 5 so much, but I don't feel attracted by it.
2 has cool things like King Vegeta and Bardock's friends, but also annoying (for me) stories like Garlick saga between Freezer and Androids (for me, that saga was really boring) or inconsistent fillers with manga (for example, villains with their bodies in hell). There are also annoying characters like GT Pan (annoying in my opinion, please don't attack me Pan fans
).3 includes Dragon Ball Minus and I don't like that story at all.
About 4, I don't like modern SSJ transformations. I am a bit sick of new hair color with new power levels. 4 also includes Super Bardock so I don't like.
I don't know about 5 so much, but I don't feel attracted by it.
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Luso Saiyan
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Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
3, definitely. But I can also stick to 1 if I want to.
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
4 all the way. Gladly including everything modern Dragon Ball has done, but not the Heroes stuff which is really apart with its own wild logic.
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
1, 2 and some of 3.
I despise most of the Super not because of the ideas but because of how badly it was written by Toyotarou and/or Toei with plenty of stupid things and out of character actions. Also, Pilaf Gang in the Future Trunks Arc... this crap needs to be erased from existence.
About Heroes... I would LOVE it if it was written as an actual series. The way it is now it's just a stupid commercial with great ideas.
I despise most of the Super not because of the ideas but because of how badly it was written by Toyotarou and/or Toei with plenty of stupid things and out of character actions. Also, Pilaf Gang in the Future Trunks Arc... this crap needs to be erased from existence.
About Heroes... I would LOVE it if it was written as an actual series. The way it is now it's just a stupid commercial with great ideas.
"If it means having to live under your control, I'd rather be dead!" - Trunks to Baby
English is not my first language, if I've made a mistake, please, feel free to correct me. It will help, thanks.
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
Although it's not very consistent, since they always force them to line up with what Toriyama establishes later on, I do like when Toei is able to expand on the Dragon World. Stuff like the places Goku visits during his solo training mini-arc and seeing hell as depicted in GT and Saiyan filler is interesting to me.
Toriyama just seemed less interested in the world he created after the Red Ribbon arc but a lot of them could be the pressure in creating a weekly kung fu comic with more complicated fight choreography and then having to keep writing the comic far longer than he originally anticipated.
Toriyama just seemed less interested in the world he created after the Red Ribbon arc but a lot of them could be the pressure in creating a weekly kung fu comic with more complicated fight choreography and then having to keep writing the comic far longer than he originally anticipated.
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Steven Bloodriver
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Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
I much rather prefer the versions of the Dragon World from the DB Manga, DB Anime, DB Movies, DBZ Anime, DBZ Movies, DBGT Anime, DBH Manga, and DBH Arcade over the ones from DB: E, DBS, and DBD.Yuji wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2024 6:35 am As Dragon Ball expands and different writers contribute to the series, the Dragon World has also evolved. Over the years, the franchise has undergone several revisions to its universe, characters, and mythology to the point that each version has attracted its own set of dedicated fans. To better illustrate what I mean, here’s a breakdown of the major interpretations of the Dragon World from my perspective:
1. Toriyama’s Original Vision
This is the Dragon World as presented in Akira Toriyama’s original manga. It spans from the Pilaf arc to the Boo arc, with no filler episodes, no GT, no Super, and no post-manga interview tidbits. The story is fast-paced, with minimal world-building or exploration of lore. What you see is mostly what you get, and there’s little time spent on deeper context or history. This is the raw, original Dragon Ball.
Seems to focus more on comedy, optimism, fast-paced action.
2. Toei’s Dragon World (90s Anime)
This version includes the 90s anime adaptation, with all the filler episodes and extra content we’ve come to associate with Dragon Ball. These additions include training segments, slice-of-life episodes, and original adventures not found in the manga. The movies and Dragon Ball GT also fall into this category. This is Dragon Ball as it ended in 1996.
Generally slower paced, tries to add seriousness to some concepts, lets things breathe, generally has a bigger focus on the space opera elements, Goku as a hero type.
3. Toriyama’s Expanded Dragon World
This version incorporates Toriyama’s own post-manga work, including ideas from interviews, sequels, and tie-in projects like Neko Majin, Jaco the Galactic Patrolman, and Dragon Ball Daima. It also includes anything from Super that can be directly attributed to him, such as character designs, plot elements, or world-building additions. This might even encompass elements from Dragon Ball Online like the designs and chronology, as well as original video game characters like Bonyu and #21. Essentially, this represents Toriyama’s personal evolution and revision of the Dragon World after the manga ended, though we aren't necessarily sure of everything we can attribute to him.
The multiverse and other realms and dimensions, the return of the comedic elements and not taking yourself so seriously, Goku as a flawed and selfish hero.
4. The Revival Dragon World
This category includes everything that’s been written for modern Dragon Ball by other creators—primarily Toyotaro, Toei, or other writers. It also covers storylines from video games, side quests, and original plots that were not directly from Toriyama’s hand but still add to the broader Dragon Ball universe. These additions represent the ongoing expansion of the series, often with a distinct tone or direction that can differ from Toriyama’s original vision.
Spectacle, appealing to nostalgia as fans who grew up with the series are now working on it.
5. The Heroes Universe
This is the wild, fanservice-heavy side of Dragon Ball, encompassing all the time-travel elements from Xenoverse, Heroes, and Dragon Ball Online’s Time Breakers plot. It also includes the more meta, cross-dimensional content that blends the main continuity with alternate timelines and outlandish scenarios.
New intricate lore and world building that serves more-so as window dressing.
Disclaimer: This is not a discussion on canon or continuity necessarily. Each of these “worlds” has its own unique flavor, and while they all coexist within the larger Dragon Ball franchise, they offer distinct takes on the beloved universe. I'm just wondering what are folks' preferences. Which world feels more ALIVE to you? Which world do you find yourself more drawn to? Which vision, aesthetics, world building, so on, can you appreciate the most?
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Almighty Majin
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Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
My ideal vision of the Dragon World would be:
Dragon Ball Minus (and a rewritten version of Father of Goku that fits with these events)
Jaco the Galactic Patrolman
Dragon Ball Ch. 1-329
History of Trunks
Dragon Ball Ch. 330-517
Dragon Ball Daima
Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F
U6 Tournament/Goku Black/ToP Script Approximations
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Moro/Granolah Script Approximations
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Ch. 517-519
Neko Majin Z (if Freeza survives Super, please)
A rewritten account of GT's events that fits with the events in Daima and Super
A rewritten account of DB Online's prologue and main story
Most of the side story content in DBZ: Kakarot
Shallot and Giblet ancient Saiyan lore from DB Legends
Dragon Ball Minus (and a rewritten version of Father of Goku that fits with these events)
Jaco the Galactic Patrolman
Dragon Ball Ch. 1-329
History of Trunks
Dragon Ball Ch. 330-517
Dragon Ball Daima
Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F
U6 Tournament/Goku Black/ToP Script Approximations
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Moro/Granolah Script Approximations
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Ch. 517-519
Neko Majin Z (if Freeza survives Super, please)
A rewritten account of GT's events that fits with the events in Daima and Super
A rewritten account of DB Online's prologue and main story
Most of the side story content in DBZ: Kakarot
Shallot and Giblet ancient Saiyan lore from DB Legends
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ZombieVito
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Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
4, excluding Toyotaro's nonsense of course.
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
1 and 3 maybe. Akiras brain is the dragon ball universe and anything not from him is NON canon nonsense by default.
Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
Canon does not good make, nor does non-canon make bad make. You're not doing the appreciation of art right if you're worried about whether or not some work fits an arbitrary definitely of 'canon'.Gogetason wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 3:36 pm 1 and 3 maybe. Akiras brain is the dragon ball universe and anything not from him is NON canon nonsense by default.
She/Her Don't forget to take your estrogen! Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
Hmm, maybe non canon is the wrong phrase to use there; Any Dragon ball related content not from akiras brain is inconsistent fan-fiction because only he truly knows the dragon ball universe/Characters; His creative mind is the dragon ball universe and any dragon ball content not derived from it is a false reality(or alternate reality) by default.JulieYBM wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 3:46 pm
Canon does not good make, nor does non-canon make bad make. You're not doing the appreciation of art right if you're worried about whether or not some work fits an arbitrary definitely of 'canon'.
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Luso Saiyan
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Re: Which version of the Dragon World do you prefer?
Exactly. And I'd say that's the best way to appreciate art: to first make the distinction between what is and what's not from the original artist.Gogetason wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 4:20 pmHmm, maybe non canon is the wrong phrase to use there; Any Dragon ball related content not from akiras brain is inconsistent fan-fiction because only he truly knows the dragon ball universe/Characters; His creative mind is the dragon ball universe and any dragon ball content not derived from it is a false reality(or alternate reality) by default.JulieYBM wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 3:46 pm
Canon does not good make, nor does non-canon make bad make. You're not doing the appreciation of art right if you're worried about whether or not some work fits an arbitrary definitely of 'canon'.