Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime and manga franchises ever, and though many have tried, few other shows have been able to replicate it. For over four decades and counting, Goku has been one of the most recognizable heroes to come out of the art form, and it seems the series' popularity only continues to grow regardless of how much time has ed since its debut. There isn't anything quite like Dragon Ball, but there are a few shows that might scratch the same itch.

With anime's global rise in popularity, global streaming platforms have rushed to get their hands on the biggest titles, and Netflix has become home to exactly what fans might be looking for. Other shows might not capture exactly the same magic that has made Dragon Ball so successful, but there are a few that are built on similar structures. Others might capture the same sense of adventure and whimsy, or might simply have become the modern representation of shōnen, the way Dragon Ball was decades ago.

8 Ranma 1/2

Animated by MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Rumiko Takahashi

When searching for a series to fill the Dragon Ball void, there may be no better place to look than at its direct competitors. Ranma 1/2 is based on the manga by legendary artist Rumiko Takahashi, who has also gifted anime fans the likes of Inuyasha, Maison Ikkoku, and Urusei Yatsura. The original manga debuted in 1987, just before Dragon Ball featured a time skip that took the series to the Saiyan Saga.

Ranma 1/2 follows the titular martial artist protagonist, who is inflicted with a curse that causes him to turn into a girl whenever he comes into with cold water. The series is packed with comedy and romance elements, but doesn't lack in the action department either, and makes a fair number of references to Dragon Ball throughout. Studio MAPPA is currently remaking the series with high-quality visuals, offering a perfect way for newer anime fans to get into the series.

7 Hunter x Hunter

Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by Yoshihiro Togashi

The history of Shōnen Jump is typically viewed in eras. The 'Golden Age', as it's become known by many, covers much of the '80s and early to mid '90s, with titles like Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk dominating in of popularity. The next major era fans will point to involves the 'Big Three', which covers the mid 2000s when One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach were all serialized at once. However, some incredible titles debuted between the two eras, including Hunter x Hunter.

Based on the masterpiece manga by Yoshihiro Togashi, who also created the highly acclaimed Yu Yu Hakusho, Hunter x Hunter follows Gon Freecss, a boy who leaves home to undertake the Hunter Examination in hopes of following in his father's footsteps. The series features action, adventure, style, and just about anything else fans of Dragon Ball might be looking for, and though its release has been plagued by a variety of issues, the 2011 anime adaptation remains highly regarded by fans.

6 Demon Slayer

Animated by Ufotable, Based on the Manga by Koyoharu Gotouge

In of narrative, Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball don't have all that much in common, but they are built on a very similar structure. The threat of a new, stronger villain makes itself known, the heroes must train in order to become strong enough to match that threat, and then the villain is met head on. With Tanjiro's zany friends often backing him in battle, much like Goku's best comrades, the similarities are apparent, even if both stories are doing wildly different things.

Much like Dragon Ball was during its initial popularity, Demon Slayer is the unofficial leader of modern shōnen, breaking onto the scene in 2019 and ushering in an all-new generation of anime fans. 2020's Mugen Train film is the highest-grossing Japanese movie in history, and the series is set to come to a conclusion with its Infinity Castle trilogy of films in the coming years. The first of which will hit U.S. theaters this fall.

5 Naruto

Animated by Studio Pierrot, Based on the Manga by Masashi Kishimoto

If looking to Ranma 1/2 as one of Dragon Ball's early competitors sounds like a good idea, then looking to Naruto as one of its main competitors during anime's breakout in the West might be an even better start. Despite airing over ten years earlier in Japan, Dragon Ball didn't become hugely popular in the U.S. until the early 2000s, and it was followed just behind by the likes of One Piece and Naruto.

However, artists like Eiichiro Oda and Masashi Kishimoto grew up with Dragon Ball, and its influence on their work is undeniable. Naruto was countless fans' first introduction to anime, and the series, alongside its second half in Naruto: Shippuden, has remained incredibly popular years after its debut. With action, adventure, drama, and more, Naruto should have something for any Dragon Ball fan.

4 One Piece

Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Eiichiro Oda

Much of what can be said about Naruto also applies to One Piece, though the epic series based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda is still ongoing with over 1,000 episodes since its debut. As the leader of the 'Big Three', One Piece and its iconic protagonist have been the face of Shōnen Jump for over two decades, and it seems the series isn't slowing down any time soon.

There isn't much that can be said about Luffy and his lovable crew that hasn't already been said, but those with hesitation about the series' length should know that it won't take long to become totally immersed in the world of One Piece. With adventure at its core and a care-free, food-obsessed protagonist, there likely isn't much that Dragon Ball fans wouldn't like about the iconic series.

3 Hajime no Ippo

Animated by Madhouse, Based on the Manga by George Morikawa

For Dragon Ball fans looking for a series that captures a similar aesthetic and the trends of '80s and '90s anime, Hajime no Ippo would be an excellent place to start. At first glance, a sports anime might not seem like exactly what fans are searching for, but a focus on fighting, becoming stronger, and long confrontations with a single antagonist might ring a few bells. The original manga by George Morikawa debuted in 1989, a year after Dragon Ball Z premiered, and is still ongoing.

The series follows Ippo Makunouchi, who is introduced as a shy high school student before being badly beaten by a group of bullies. Rescued and taken to a gym by a ing professional boxer, Ippo becomes amazed at the sport and vows to become a professional boxer himself one day. Hard-working characters are always fan-favorites, and Hajime no Ippo tells a story about the difficulty and importance of hard work and persistence in the pursuit of self-improvement.

2 Yaiba: Samurai Legend

Animated by Wit Studio, Based on the Manga by Gosho Aoyama

Of the '80s and '90s Shōnen Jump classics, Yaiba: Samurai Legend is likely the most overlooked. Debuting in 1988, Dragon Ball's influence on the series is clear, and Yaiba may be one of the only other titles of the time to accurately capture a similar spirit. Following the titular Yaiba Kurogane, a boy who was raised and trained by his father in the forest, the series follows its protagonist on a long adventure filled with fighting, meeting new people, and making friends.

The similarities between the two series aren't exactly subtle, making Yaiba one of the best shows for fans of Dragon Ball's early adventure focus. A remake by Wit Studio premiered in April of this year, offering a fresh, modern take on the series in an attempt to introduce a new generation to Yaiba.

1 Dragon Ball Daima

Animated by Toei Animation, Anime-Original Series

Perhaps the best place to look for a Dragon Ball replacement is in a series from the very same franchise. Premiering in October 2024, Dragon Ball Daima offered fans the closest experience to the series' early days, shrinking its cast back down into children and taking Goku, power pole in hand, on a new adventure across the Demon Realm. The anime was Akira Toriyama's final contribution to his legendary story, and one that included a little something for fans of various Dragon Ball projects.

The anime came to a close this past February, leaving viewers with one of the most visually impressive fights the series has ever seen. If fans were wondering what OG Dragon Ball might look like with modern technology, Daima is likely the closest the franchise has come to capturing its original adventurous spirit. There aren't many shows out there like Dragon Ball, but one featuring the iconic Goku is probably the closest a series can get. The future of the series without Akira Toriyama is uncertain, but fans will be happy to know his final work was a good one.