7 Best Shonen Anime To Watch If You're Craving The Next Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball is possibly the most influential anime of all time. Not only that, almost everyone was Shonen jump series that followed Dragon Ball influenced to some extent, but several creators around the world grew up watching the series and still have a deep love for it to this day and often refer to it.

Therefore, there are many modern anime that Dragon Ball fans might want to give it a try if they still want something similar to the series. Of course, because the franchise is huge, different fans enjoy different things about the series: for some, the enjoyment is in the humor and adventure; for others, it's all about battles and scaling power. With that in mind, here are some of the best recent shonen anime for Dragon Ball fans.

7

Jujutsu Kaisen

Image via MAPPA

Jujutsu Kaisen is a great anime for anyone who loves shonen fighting series. It is characterized by a darker tone compared to Dragon Ball but still leaves room for sharp humor, even with all its intensity. There is nothing better than an action anime with strong enemies, dark magical powers and a well-built energy system. Every Dragon Ball fan will be thrilled to watch the breathtaking and sometimes chaotic fights Jujutsu Kaisen.

Like many contemporary manga, it was indeed influenced Dragon Ball. The manga has already ended, but the anime is still ongoing, so fans will be able to enjoy the series for a while longer. After the anime ends, MAPPA will probably adapt Jujutsu Modulo to the anime.

6

One piece

One piece it's been around for decades, but the series keeps popping up again and again. Also, even though it's already quite long (and counting), there will be an anime remake next year that adapts the series for a newer audience and without the filler episodes.

Although One piece has a “different feeling”. Dragon BallThe Straw Hats are very similar in personality to the Dragon Team. Plus, they're both long, fun shonen manga/anime with great battles for those who like to stick with a series for a long time.

5

Dandadan

Dandadan was one of the best surprises of 2024. Okarun and Momo are a great duo. The story features amazing high-stakes battles with supernatural powers, but blends them perfectly with comedy and romance. Comic tone Dandadan is perhaps what many fans of the original Dragon Ball the anime would be liked in the series. There is also a touch of horror that only adds to how great the storytelling is.

Yakinobu Tatsu, the author of the manga, has already stated this Dragon Ball is a great inspiration for him. The series knows how to innovate, it's not your typical battle shonen, but the drama, action, and romance are mixed so perfectly that it's hard to imagine anyone not liking this show.

4

One-Punch Man

Image via Madhouse

One-Punch Man is a great catch for those who like both superpowers and humor Dragon Ball. actually One-Punch Man could easily be described as a parody Dragon Ballamong other shonen manga. Despite the premise that Saitama is incredibly powerful and essentially invincible, the story can still create great battles and keep the action tense and even escalate the threats.

The series even features characters that resemble iconic villains Dragon Ball. A real sad thing One-Punch Man is that after a perfect first season, the production seems to get messier and messier with each new season. But it's still a great choice for anyone who wants something like this Dragon Ball.

3

Mashle: Magic and Muscles

Mashla is a shonen anime with a different premise: in a world of magic, the protagonist defeats his enemies with his well-trained muscles. And despite having no magical potential at all, he attends wizarding school to prove that strength can overcome superpowers. It's another series that relies more on humor Dragon Ball but still full of action and absurd fights.

The manga has already ended, but the anime is slated to release a few more seasons before the adaptation of the entire story is complete, so there's still plenty to enjoy from this high-energy anime.

2

Solo leveling

Solo leveling is something else. The anime has broken record after record with more to come. Sung Jinwoo is so powerful that he is constantly compared to Goku by fans trying to guess which one of them would win if they even fought each other. Those who lack action moments Dragon Ball he should definitely try it.

Plus, these are two power-scaling series, so anyone who likes to see Goku and others constantly reaching new levels of power is sure to love Solo leveling. Because the story has a more mature tone, Solo leveling fits perfectly with Dragon Ball Z especially the fans because the stakes are insanely high in both series.

1

Yaiba: Samurai Legends

Yaiba Kurogane is very similar to Goku in many ways: he is a young teenager raised in the jungle, extremely powerful, somewhat innocent, and mostly indifferent to anything related to modern society. He's like a samurai version of Goku, especially considering the beginning Dragon Ball.

With supernatural powers, big battles, absurd power scaling, rival couple dynamics and plenty of comedy and parody, Yaiba he just has it”Dragon Ball feeling”, especially for those who like the simplicity of the former Dragon Ball anime. Fortunately, a second season has already been confirmed, so there will be more in the near future.

television shows

Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball DAIMA

First TV show

Dragon Ball

Created by

Akira Toriyama

Latest TV show

Dragon Ball DAIMA