Dragon Ball Z
Synopsis
Five years after winning the World Martial Arts tournament, Gokuu is now living a peaceful life with his wife and son. This changes, however, with the arrival of a mysterious enemy named Raditz who presents himself as Gokuu's long-lost brother. He reveals that Gokuu is a descendant of the once powerful but now virtually extinct Saiyan race, whose homeworld was annihilated. When he was sent to Earth as a baby, Gokuu's sole purpose was to conquer and destroy the planet; but after suffering amnesia from a head injury, his violent and savage nature changed, and instead was raised as a kind and well-mannered boy, now fighting to protect others. With his failed attempt at forcibly recruiting Gokuu as an ally, Raditz warns Gokuu's friends of a new threat that's rapidly approaching Earth—one that could plunge Earth into an intergalactic conflict and cause the heavens themselves to shake. A war will soon be fought over the seven mystical Dragon Balls, magic objects that can grant any wish. Only the strongest will survive. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Dragon Ball Z is widely beloved as a classic and influential anime, particularly for its action and characters. Some criticize its pacing, repetitive plot elements, and inconsistencies. Despite these flaws, its impact on anime and the enjoyment it provides remain significant.
Strengths
- Epic fight scenes and animation, especially for its time
- Memorable and well-developed characters with significant growth
- Enjoyable and easy to get into, with a good balance of humor and emotional moments
- Iconic and influential in popularizing anime worldwide
- Voice acting, particularly Funimation's dub, is well-regarded
Weaknesses
- Story can be slow-paced with filler episodes that drag on
- Repetitive plot elements and transformations
- Inconsistencies and plot holes, particularly in later sagas
- Power scaling issues diminish the impact of fights
- Dated art and animation, although remastered versions exist