Since its debut in the 1980s, Dragon Ball has become a phenomenon in the anime industry, known for its action-packed storyline and memorable character arcs. Starting with Dragon Ball and continuing through Dragon Ball Z, the story underwent further development with Dragon Ball Super, a series that debuted in 2015 that added new characters and challenges while also broadening the universe.
However, as the Dragon Ball Super series has progressed in both the manga and anime format, a particular debate has constantly taken place: Which format of Dragon Ball Super delivers a better experience for fans? Does the anime perfectly translate the manga? Or, is the manga better than the anime?
Let’s dive into the key distinctions between the Dragon Ball Super manga and anime, and ultimately weigh in on which medium offers the better experience.
Dragon Ball Super Manga vs. Anime: A Distinctive Approach to Storytelling
One of the most striking differences between the Dragon Ball Super manga and anime is how they tell the story of Goku’s journey post-Dragon Ball Z. By the events of Dragon Ball Super, Goku is approximately 43 to 47 years old, depending on specific timelines and arcs. While the manga provides a streamlined, tightly focused narrative, the anime takes liberties with 14 filler and 3 partial filler episodes, extended fights, and additional character interactions.
The first distinction is revolved around its pacing and structure. The manga of Dragon Ball Super, written by Akira Toriyama and illustrated by Toyotarou, offers a more concise storyline. In contrast, the anime takes advantage of its medium by extending some scenes, additional character interactions, and filler episodes. However, this poses a problem in some aspects in terms of the pacing, as witnessed during the Tournament of Power, where the anime prolonged some fights, stretching out scenes across multiple episodes.
Another thing that diminishes the significance of the anime is the animation quality. The Dragon Ball Super manga is known for its crisp, precise illustrations, and Toyotarou’s skillful use of paneling perfectly captures the powerful moments of the series. On the other hand, the anime’s quality varies across episodes, particularly in early arcs where inconsistencies in animation resulted in several memes and sparked criticism. However, improvements were made over time.
Manga or Anime: Which Version Does Justice to Dragon Ball Super?
Apart from the technical perspectives, there are also other elements that distinguish the manga and anime of Dragon Ball Super, and one of them is the exploration of its characters. The manga’s streamlined structure often centers around some key characters, such as Goku and Vegeta, while the anime brings in additional character-focused episodes with its extended runtime. For example, characters like Krillin and Android 18 receive more screen time in the anime adaptation.
Despite differences, the Dragon Ball Super manga and anime each offer unique artistic interpretations that contribute to their distinct storytelling. Toyotarou’s manga artwork has received recognition for its striking resemblance to Toriyama’s original style, which adds a connection to the original Dragon Ball series.
Although the anime’s art quality has been inconsistent, over time, Toei Animation invested more in key battles, producing episodes with higher quality animation that highlighted the intense moments, such as Goku’s transformation into Ultra Instinct.
Ultimately, the decision between the Dragon Ball Super manga and anime comes down to personal taste. The manga offers a polished experience for fans who like Toriyama’s streamlined writing, while the anime offers more extensive world-building and a striking visual display. Whether you prefer the manga’s concise action or the anime’s high-octane sequences, Dragon Ball Super continues to enrich the legacy of Goku and his companions, leaving fans with two distinct ways to enjoy the saga.
Dragon Ball Super is currently available to watch and read on Crunchyroll and Viz Media, respectively.
