If you HAD to pick either the manga or anime...

[TheBlackPaladin]

If you could only watch the animes, or read the manga--not both--which would you pick? Obviously, we will never be (or at least I hope we'll never be) in a position where we have to make such a decision. But which one would you pick?

Personally, I'd pick the animes. The manga is great, and certainly the truest representation of Toriyama's original work. However, the animes truly brought the characters to life for me by providing them color, motion, and sound. Not to mention that we get a bunch of cool "what-if" stories in the form of the movies that we wouldn't have gotten with the manga, and the many different wonderful musical scores from composers like Shunsuke Kikuchi, Akihito Tokunaga, Kenji Yamamoto(/Howard Shore), and Norihito Sumitomo.

EDIT: Just thought of one more reason. This could be solved by my learning to (very effectively) read Japanese, I suppose...but at present, I'm a much more proficient reader of English than I am of Japanese, and likely always will be since English is my native tongue. And as I understand it, the original Japanese version of the anime was given a more accurate English translation by Steve Simmons than the manga was given by Viz. So I almost feel like that compensates a bit for the fact that I'm not watching the truest representation of Toriyama's work.

[Herms]

The manga.

I'd miss some of the movies and a few filler episodes, but that's about it.

[Saiga]

I don't watch the anime, so it's already the manga for me. Although I guess I'd miss the movies.

[RocktheDragon]

Definitely 100 percent would have to pick the anime. If DB was only available in manga form I would be way less into it and it would fill a tiny spot in my life in comparison to the huge one it currently occupies. There is just so much to discuss with regards to the anime and so much to collect. That doesn't even include filler that added to the universe and the movies and TV specials.

DB is what it is today because of the anime and I wouldn't want it any other way. So no contest for me.

[Gaffer Tape]

Well, especially since the original post made no mention of having to wipe my memories of anything or go back in time to alter it so that only one existed, but even if it did, I'd still have to go with the manga. I love the musical score of the anime, and, of course, it's what I first got into, but the manga is overall better, more essential, easier to engage with.

[samuraix123]

Definitely the Anime. I don't read manga's even though I want to get DBZ the colored manga. I have read the first volume of Dr. Slump and I want to continue reading them.

[RocktheDragon]

Definitely the Anime. I don't read manga's even though I want to get DBZ the colored manga. I have read the first volume of Dr. Slump and I want to continue reading them.

Definitely continue reading Dr. Slump! I own the first 11 volumes and I absolutely adore this manga. It has cheered me up countless times and made me chuckle out loud more than I want to count. Agreed on not reading the manga though. I read it probably every 2-3 years or so but watch the anime consistently throughout the year.

[TheGmGoken]

The anime. Just because of the OST. That is all. The OST is DRAGONBALL.

[Kendamu]

The manga for sure. The anime is just too drawn-out for my tastes. Even with Kai fixing that problem, I largely prefer reading it and seeing Toriyama's actual art to watching it and seeing a mish-mash of art quality. The only thing I would miss about reading the manga is the music and Kai doesn't even feature my favorite songs anyway.

Always the manga. 110%. Especially this newfangled full-color manga those darn kids are reading now.

[Codarik]

I'll choose the manga, IMO it's the "purest" way to view DB. It's Akira Toriyama's story and art. It's the source. No filler created by other people added in. Not drawn by anyone else. The anime has too many problems. Always having to judge the animation, voice acting, etc. IMO the manga is flawless (execpt for VIZ's censorship and excluding color pages).

Also, the manga always seems fresh to me, whereas the anime kinda feels old and dated. I've seen both anime series of FMA a few times and just recently picked up the manga and it felt like I was viewing it for the first time. So I'll also choose the manga over either anime of FMA.

[flashback0180]

Anime because i like the fillers and side stories not added in the manga.

[InfernalVegito]

The anime. I just can't imagine a world without its score.

[Kid Buu]

I think the Saiyan, Freeza, and Buu arcs are better in the anime. The Cell arc on the hand I for sure prefer in the manga.

No idea on the pre-Raditz stuff.

[TheAldella]

Tough call. I love the music, but if I had to pick Raditz up, I'd go with the anime, especially Kai. If I had to choose for Pre-Raditz, I'd DEFINITELY go with the manga. That...pacing...-shudders-

[TheGreatness25]

I love the manga. I love the drawing style and it's just fun to read. However, I can get through it so fast and I feel like I don't get to enjoy the fighting as much. A bunch of text-less panels, very easy to just scan through them. For that plus the music and the visuals, I'd have to go with anime. It just brings it to life.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

You're basically asking if I could only have the series in animation or print, which would I keep, correct? I'm going to go with print...with a twist. In order to keep GT, as well as most of the movies and specials, I'm going to include the animanga here. =P

[Fizzer]

While I think the manga is a higher quality, more polished product, I'd take the anime, because to me the extended stories, the music, the voice actors, the sound effects all capture the spirit of Dragon Ball and make it a richer experience. Maybe if I could read Japanese effectively I'd change my mind, but I don't think so.

[Mystic Buu]

I would pick anime.I love manga but anime has some good fillers and...it's anime.Manga is just paper but it's great and not long like anime.

[dbboxkaifan]

What's with the title of the topic, was your keyboard bugged up or what?

Anyway, I'd have to choose the anime series/films even though the animation, story, music (Kikuchi Kai) and voice acting (Japanese Kai is inferior to the original Japanese Z) might not always be the best but it's highly enjoyable, and with Masako as Goku/Gohan it's a must.

[Ajay]

Tough call.

On one hand, the manga's pacing is perfect, the art is beautiful and you're getting Toriyama's purest intentions. However, you're strictly limited to that (I assume).

On the other hand, with the anime, you've got three lengthy series, tonnes of films and a few spin-offs. All fully voiced and scored and very different from another.

Do you go for variety and quantity or go for pure quality?

I think I'd have to go with the anime.