Why Dragon Ball?

I feel like asking someone why they like Dragon Ball is like asking an American why they like burgers. Americans just like burgers. People just like Dragon Ball. But like... there has to be a reason for everyone to like it, right?

For me, my love of Dragon Ball comes from my love of themes of friendship and caring for others. Goku is able to inspire those he cares about to be a kinder person, and those he can't he spirit bombs to death. Good role model. Fighting isn't senseless violence all of the time, it's a way to be stronger to protect the people who matter.

Above all, these characters are my friends. Goku and Tien and Gohan and Bulma are my friends, and I get to join them on their journeys and adventures. I think that is why it is so culturally prevalent. I think people like stories about friends, and I think having sick ass fighting montages helps. I love you Dragon Ball.

Now I by no means got into Dragon Ball as a kid. I started Dragon Ball in my senior year of high school. That was 3 years ago. But it means A Lot to me. I care deeply about these guys. I don't think it's a shining star of good writing or even the best thing I've ever experienced, I just think it is a genuinely enjoyable story about my good friend Goku and all of his friends.

A Special Shoutout to 2 of my closest friends for being the ones to get me into Dragon Ball. May your Dokkan pulls always have what you need.

Genuinely though, I don't think I'd like Dragon Ball nearly as much if it weren't for them. There is something so precious about sharing a story with someone you care for, and I am forever grateful that they decided to share this with me. Reading Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z for the first time and getting to tell them about it meant a lot to me. I love my friends and I love Dragon Ball.

Why Should You Care About Dragon Ball?

Well, to be honest. I just think it's a good romp. People have waxed poetic about how it changed shonen for better or for worse for ages. I'm not here for that. I'm here to tell you that if you want to see your best friend Goku, you are going to have a good time. Sometimes that's all you need. Dragon Ball is something fun and easy to read or watch that you can think about and go Wow! I really like Gohan and I like his friends too! Ultimately, I think Dragon Ball is good because it's a story about friends and how you can change peoples lives for the better, but also how you shouldn't let the people you can't help bog you down. You should instead scream kame-hame-ha and watch them fucking disintegrate. God bless.

In all seriousness, though, I think the reason Dragon Ball has stuck with me outside of its cultural pervasiveness is that... I like it because my friends like it. I don't think I would have liked it nearly as much if I hadn't had my friend begging me for like 2 months straight to read Dragon Ball. I think I would have been like "wow Goku is so cool" and moved on with my life. But I think it was extra powerful to read a story so focused on friendship and caring for your friends that was... recommended to me by one of my dearest friends. It's a pretty sappy thing to say, but it does hold true to me! I care for my friends and the things they care about deeply.