Dragon Ball is one of the most iconic anime and manga franchises ever. For decades, the series' many iterations have acted as the starting point for countless fans' journeys into the world of anime, and will likely continue to do so for decades to come. It may be easy to dive into Dragon Ball and fall in love with its expansive world, unforgettable special attacks, and lengthy fights filled with hype moments, but the difficult part is finding where to go next.

Despite its lasting success, there aren't many anime series like Dragon Ball, but there are several built upon the groundwork laid out by Akira Toriyama's masterpiece story. Some carry its adventurous spirit, taking their characters on extensive journeys through far-away lands, while others deliver a similar level of hype through their flashy, stylish action sequences. It may be unlikely that fans find exactly what makes Dragon Ball so special elsewhere, but there are shows containing some of its DNA.

10 Jujutsu Kaisen

Animated by MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Gege Akutami

On the surface, it may seem there's little in common between Dragon Ball and arguably the biggest current shōnen title, Jujutsu Kaisen. Other than both featuring flashy action that is often over the top in the best ways, Jujutsu Kaisen is the ultimate evolution of the Shōnen Jump formula that Dragon Ball helped to establish, and other series have then used and built upon in the years since.

Gege Akutami's supernatural action smash hit explores some darker areas of the genre that Dragon Ball's mostly whimsical narrative steered away from, but its high-octane combat, naturally good protagonist, and ongoing search for items that combine into something mysteriously powerful will certainly scratch an itch for Dragon Ball fans. Studio MAPPA's adaptation has been incredibly successful since its debut, and has established itself as a can't-miss series.

9 Demon Slayer

Animated by Ufotable, Based on the Manga by Koyoharu Gotouge

Like Jujutsu Kaisen, Demon Slayer is an example of just how the shōnen battle genre has evolved in the years since Goku made his name in the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump. The series is fast-paced, with beautiful visual work from Ufotable that allows for Demon Slayer's combat to shine. Story-wise, the two series don't share all that much in common, but their narrative structure is incredibly similar.

Like Goku and the rest of Earth's heroes, Tanjiro and friends encounter increasingly powerful threats as their journey continues forward, and they're forced to improve themselves in order to match the challenge each time. The anime is set to enter its final arc with a trilogy of theatrical films beginning later in 2025, making now the perfect time for any potential fan to check it out.

8 Yaiba: Samurai Legend

Animated by Wit Studio, Based on the Manga by Gosho Aoyama

When Dragon Ball first rose to popularity, like any other Shōnen Jump mega-hit, titles began cropping up and targeting a similar demographic. Many failed to capture the magic that made the series work, but one underrated series seemed to get it. Yaiba: Saumrai Legend ran alongside Dragon Ball in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1988 to 1993, and featured the whimsical, adventurous spirit that defined Toriyama's work in its early days, while managing to deliver an original product.

The story follows Yaiba, a samurai boy who lived and was trained in the forest before returning to Tokyo. If the premise isn't familiar enough, he then sets off on a grand adventure packed with references to Japanese mythology. The adaptation by Wit Studio premiered in April 2025, nearly three decades after the manga's debut, and is a perfect match for viewers who want that classic Dragon Ball feel.

7 Ranma 1/2

Animated by MAPPA, Based on the Manga by Rumiko Takahashi

Ranma 1/2, based on the manga by the legendary Rumiko Takahashi, who is responsible for other massively popular works like Urusei Yatsura and Inuyasha, debuted during Dragon Ball's serialization in 1987. Following the titular martial artist, Ranma, the series delivers a similar lighthearted tone, though prioritizes comedy over action, with a touch of romance, throughout much of its run.

After falling into a magical hot spring that causes him to turn into a girl when exposed to cold water, Ranma must overcome countless foes in his search for the cure to his affliction. Much of the combat is over-the-top and even references iconic Dragon Ball attacks like the Kamehameha on a number of occasions. The original 1989 anime series offers the aesthetic of the time period, though the 2024 remake from MAPPA promises to deliver a more faithful adaptation.

6 Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

Animated by David Production, Based on the Manga by Hirohiko Araki

Not only is Jojo's Bizarre Adventure one of the most successful anime and manga franchises in history, it's also one of the most unique titles to have ever come out of Shōnen Jump. In a sense, the series acts almost as Dragon Ball's opposite, with Stands headlining much of the combat rather than hand-to-hand martial arts. Nevertheless, the iconic named techniques have all the flash and style a battle shōnen fan could want.

Jojo's Bizarre Adventure is true to its name, though despite its often ridiculous nature, the series packs enough excitement and hype to fill the void in any Dragon Ball fan's heart. The anime was just recently confirmed to be returning with the adaptation of Part 7, Steel Ball Run.

5 Black Clover

Animated by Pierrot, Based on the Manga by Yuki Tabata

Another modern shōnen hit, Black Clover became one of the hottest titles in manga following its Shōnen Jump debut in 2015, and its anime adaptation by Pierrot only elevated its popularity in the late 2010s. Unfortunately, production on the series was paused during the pandemic in 2020, and though it returned later that year, the anime has been on hiatus since 2021.

Nevertheless, Black Clover's high-energy action and emphasis on hard work beats talent is sure to attract any fan of Dragon Ball. Asta may not be quite as endearing a protagonist as Goku, though his journey of forging his own strength in his own way might just fill the void left by the iconic leading Saiyan.

4 Fist of the North Star

Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

Fist of the North Star is one of the most influential anime and manga series ever created, and predates Dragon Ball by a few years. While Akira Toriyama's masterwork might have laid the groundwork for modern shōnen to become what it is today, Fist of the North Star opened the door for Dragon Ball with its musclebound martial artist protagonist, Kenshiro.

The anime adaptation's visual style has aged somewhat in the 30 years since its premiere, though fans of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z will be more than comfortable enough with the aesthetic. If the series' impact on shōnen isn't enough of a reason to give Fist of the North Star a try, knowing that the series was one of the main inspirations behind Kentaro Miura's Berserk might be.

3 One-Punch Man

Animated by Madhouse & J.C. Staff, Based on the Manga by One

If countless other series have followed in Dragon Ball's footsteps and made shōnen anime what it is today, One Punch Man takes the current landscape of shōnen and flips it completely on its head. In a genre where protagonists set out on journeys that require them to become stronger and take down powerful foes, One Punch Man features a main hero that, as his name suggests, is powerful enough to defeat anyone with a single punch.

Nevertheless, the series' action is top-notch, and it often turns its focus inward towards a hero who has all but lost any enthusiasm for actually being a hero. One Punch Man is an incredibly enjoyable battle shōnen series that takes all the rules of the genre set by the likes of Dragon Ball and throws them out the window.

2 Yu Yu Hakusho

Animated by Pierrot, Based on the Manga by Yoshihiro Togashi

While Hunter x Hunter seemingly gets all the love and attention from the anime community these days, Yoshihiro Togashi's earlier work, Yu Yu Hakusho, is one of the most influential anime and manga series ever created. Following delinquent Yusuke Urameshi, who is killed and brought back to life to be a Spirit Detective, the series offers stylish action and trademark signature moves.

The series even ventures into a tournament arc, which fans of Dragon Ball will know helped define the series throughout just about the entirety of its initial run. Yu Yu Hakusho is a quintessential '90s anime that is sure to satisfy any fan looking for more of the magic of Dragon Ball.

1 One Piece

Animated by Toei Animation, Based on the Manga by Eiichiro Oda

Though both fan bases have taken part in somewhat of a rivalry throughout the years, both One Piece and Dragon Ball are two of the most successful, genre-defining battle shōnen stories ever written. Very few characters in fiction can claim to be as recognizable as Goku, but Luffy has made quite the name for himself over the last nearly 30 years of One Piece's serialization, and it seems the series is more popular than it's ever been before.

One Piece offers all the action, adventure, and ever-growing expansive world that Dragon Ball fans could want from a series, and though diving into the anime's 1,000-plus episodes may seem like a daunting task, very few will be disappointed they decided to do so. There's no better way to follow up watching one of the most popular anime series in history than to simply watch one just as successful.