Dragon Ball is a timeless masterpiece in the world of anime and one of the most influential franchises in the genre. However, newer fans have raised concerns about the original adaptation by Toei Animation, which was produced in a time when anime was released on a weekly basis throughout the year rather than in seasons, resulting in slower pacing.
Despite being a beloved series, the Dragon Ball anime faced criticism for its pacing issues, particularly exemplified by Frieza’s “Five Minutes at Namek,”which has become a popular meme in the anime community due to its extended duration. However, this is not a flaw specific to the franchise or anime in general, but rather a result of the industry’s approach at the time. A remake could potentially improve the series going forward.
Please note: This article contains spoilers for the series.
Issues with Pacing in the Original Dragon Ball Anime
Despite the significant role the original anime adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s manga played in introducing the medium to a global audience and featuring impressive animation sequences, the show’s pacing remains a noticeable flaw. This can be attributed to the fact that the anime was released on a weekly basis during the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, a format that differs from the seasonal releases that are more common among younger generations.
In addition, like many other series, this anime often incorporated filler episodes to allow for the publishing of more canon material from the manga. However, it also had a tendency to drag out certain scenes unnecessarily, as seen with the infamous “Five Minutes at Namek”moment involving Frieza, which became a popular running meme due to its prolonged duration over multiple episodes.
One of the primary reasons many new fans prefer the manga is due to its more fluid pacing. Some have even suggested that Toei Animation consider creating a reboot. While talk of a reboot has been ongoing for years, there is currently no confirmation of its development.
Reactions Online
Many Dragon Ball fans often recommend reading the manga due to its superior pacing and the unique art and paneling techniques of Akira Toriyama. The author has received much acclaim for his dynamic action sequences and iconic art style, solidifying his position as one of the most influential mangakas in history.
Despite the anime having many impressive moments, such as the exceptional voice acting, captivating music, and beautifully animated fights like Goku vs. Cell, it is important to note that it was a product of its time. This does not detract from its value and it remains a worthwhile watch, but it is worth considering that younger generations may not be accustomed to this style.
“you can completely skip this issue by reading the manga,”someone said.
“OG DB was nowhere near as bad with this as DBZ was once they reached Namek,”another person said.
“It’s why I always recommend the manga. Also, if pacing is the main reason you can’t recommend OG DB, then I don’t see how you can recommend DBZ. I know it’s just kind of a meme now but it still blows my mind that they made Freeza’s 5 minutes into 10 f… episodes,”someone else said.
A Dragon Ball remake would be a fitting way to honor Toriyama’s legacy and his contributions.
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