Despite belonging to one of the greatest anime franchises, Dragon Ball Super has not been able to live up to the legacy of Dragon Ball Z. Although Dragon Ball Super’s arcs try to emulate the old-school Dragon Ball storylines, it miserably fails in continuity and building stakes. Plenty of shonen anime have shown far better thematic depth, as well as beautiful character development, than Dragon Ball Super.
Many masterpiece shonen anime that excel where Dragon Ball Super fails convey well-built worlds, gradual character development, and a sharp focus on the narrative with a cohesive plot. Dragon Ball Super can deliver engaging fights, but some shonen anime can keep viewers at the edge of their seats the entire time.
Unlike Dragon Ball Super’s unhealthy reliance on Goku saving the day, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood places equal focus on all major characters, all of whom are crucial to the plot. Dragon Ball Super’s villains might be entertaining, but FMAB’s Shou Tucker can make anyone’s blood reach a boiling point. As FMAB revolves around the Elric brothers’ quest to find the Philosopher’s Stone, which can reverse their huge error, the plot becomes thought-provoking. The same can’t be said about Dragon Ball Super.
Additionally, Dragon Ball Super’s arcs might feel episodic or disconnected, while FMAB creates a carefully constructed mystery about alchemy, the Homunculi, the truth about Amestris, and more. FMAB’s power system depends on a strict law of “equivalent exchange,” which is grounded in reality as opposed to Dragon Ball Super’s ever-escalating scales.
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One Piece Has Unmatched Worldbuilding
One Piece’s Straw Hat Pirates with Luffy holding their jolly rogerImage via Toei Animation
As a shonen anime, One Piece has some of the best worldbuilding, while Dragon Ball Super simply uses its world to deliver stronger enemies and battles. One Piece introduces islands with their unique species, history, and culture, while introducing the corrupt World Government and mysteries that span centuries. Every arc in One Piece contributes to the next or remains relevant hundreds of episodes later.
One Piece also develops most of its major characters, despite their vast numbers, no matter their level of strength, unlike Dragon Ball Super, which has uneven character development. Although Dragon Ball Super touches on topics like morality and justice, One Piece explores deeper themes like the struggle for freedom against systemic oppression.
Assassination Classroom Builds Towards a Clear Goal
Koro-sensei draws on school board with octopus-like hands in Assassination ClassroomImage via Lerche
Unlike Dragon Ball Super’s meandering plot where no one knows the end, Assassination Classroom begins with an announcement of the final mission, which is to kill the protagonist, Koro-sensei. Assassination Classroom begins with a countdown, which creates tension in the plot as viewers are aware that the students and their teacher cannot remain friendly forever, despite their intense bond.
Perhaps the most beautiful thing about Assassination Classroom is how it puts equal focus on all the students of Class E, irrespective of their talent. Each of Koro-sensei’s students discovers their own unique strengths and works towards solving their insecurities. Unlike Dragon Ball Super’s primary goal to deliver exciting battles, Assassination Classroom gradually builds towards a cathartic ending, but not before delivering tons of hilarious moments.
Haikyu!! Is a Character-Driven Sports Anime Classic
Dragon Ball Super’s battles might begin with a show of teamwork by Goku and co., but it soon dissolves to focus on only a handful of overpowered characters. On the other hand, teamwork is the very foundation of Haikyu!!, and every volleyball match depends on the different strengths of players. In Haikyu!!, matches aren’t just about raw strength, they need constantly evolving formations, strategies, and split-second decisions, unlike Dragon Ball Super, where strength is the deciding factor.
As a sports anime, Haikyu!! is grounded in reality, and viewers can relate to the struggles of Hinata, whose height puts him at a natural disadvantage in volleyball. Goku’s endless pursuit of strength is motivational, but problems in Haikyu!! cannot be fixed with God-like transformations.
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Mob Psycho 100 Challenges the Traditional Power Fantasy Anime Tropes
Mob using his psychic powers in the Mob Psycho 100.Image via Studio Bones
While Goku pursues endless strength in Dragon Ball Super, Mob Psycho 100’s protagonist struggles to suppress his overwhelming psychic powers. The anime shows Mob, who is already powerful, but his journey is one of emotional maturity as he learns to control his powers and live an ordinary life. Mob Psycho 100 takes an emotionally suppressed protagonist and teaches him to accept emotions as a part of life instead of denying their existence.
Mob Psycho 100 also presents some of the most iconic characters, like Reigen Arataka and Dimple, whose chaotic personalities make the story even more intriguing. The biggest battles in Mob Psycho 100 are the ones where Mob fights against himself.
Release Date
2015 – 2018
Network
Fuji TV
Showrunner
Tatsuya Nagamine
Masakazu Morita
Whis (voice)
Masako Nozawa
Son Goku/Goku Black/Son Gohan/Son Goten (voices)