Fans of anime have spent an enormous amount of time discussing every aspect of their preferred shonen series, ranging from power rankings to intricate plot details. Among these discussions, one of the most recurring debates centers around why and its offshoots haven’t been included in the elite trio of influential anime franchises.
In the mid-2000s, the term “Big Three” emerged within the Western anime community and referred to One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. These series were exceptionally popular and lengthy, leading them to appear frequently on the cover of Shonen Jump, often sharing covers with characters from all three. The “Big Three” were essentially unavoidable due to their dominance at conventions, merchandise outlets, and online forums. Although this term is associated with the most prominent and widespread properties, it’s worth noting that Dragon Ball Z does not fall into this category; there are clear reasons why Dragon Ball maintains its own unique status.
On May 18, 2025, Jennifer Roy made an update: During the 2000s and the early part of the 2010s, The Big 3 anime and manga series ruled the roost, laying the groundwork for their continued dominance in the 2020s. Dragonball continues to hold a significant fan base, although its future is presently unclear.
Timing Explains Dragon Ball’s Exclusion from the Big 3 Anime
Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball aired in America first
It’s important to acknowledge that the term “Big 3 anime” was coined by fans during a specific cultural period. This term doesn’t have any official endorsement, so it doesn’t necessarily reflect the sales or quality of titles like One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. Instead, it represents the perceived popularity of these shows within the shonen fandom at a particular point in time. However, it’s undeniable that Dragon Ball, another long-running shonen series, has maintained immense popularity among fans globally.
The primary reason “The Series” isn’t included among the Big 3 anime is mainly due to its publication timeline compared to other famous series like Dragon Ball. In Japan, the Big Three anime have varying manga release dates for their anime adaptations. For instance, One Piece debuted in 1997, Naruto started in 1999, but didn’t air until 2001. There was also a significant gap between the series’ initial launch and their American versions appearing in Shonen Jump. Specifically, One Piece launched in North America in 2002, Naruto began in 2003, and Bleach started in 2007. This means that all these titles were well-known simultaneously, which may explain why “The Series” wasn’t as prominent during the same period.
Contrary to what one might expect with the “Big 3” anime, Dragon Ball actually started and gained prominence well ahead of them. The initial manga series was published in Japan as early as 1984, concluding in 1995, which predates the release dates of other popular titles. In North America, it made its debut through a notable dub by Funimation in 1998. As a result, many fans of anime would have encountered Dragon Ball before its contemporaries even hit the shelves. This gave the impression that Dragon Ball belonged to an era preceding the “Big Three” anime, and that its peak had already occurred to some extent.
Dragon Ball Came and Went Before Big Three Anime Trends Started
Dragon Ball Z inspired many of these action series.
The pattern of release for the top 3 (Big 3) anime series is reflected in their American television debuts, which explains why other shows aren’t included in this group. “Dragon Ball” started airing in North America in 1996 and quickly gained a loyal fanbase, but its run ended in 2003, before any of the Big Three premiered. The first anime from the Big 3 to debut in North America was “One Piece” in 2004, followed by “Naruto” in 2005 and “Bleach” in 2006. By the time these three anime began airing in the West, audiences had already watched the entirety of “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z,” and the non-canon sequel, “Dragon Ball GT.
Consequently, “Dragon Ball” originated during a period preceding the rise of the “Big Three” anime, both in the East and West. It is important to mention that at this time, online streaming of anime was not yet commonplace. This meant that while anime enthusiasts could engage in discussions about various shows online, their viewing options were limited to what had been locally broadcasted. As a result, it appeared as though the “Big Three” anime held a monopoly over the medium, overshadowing the early excitement surrounding “Dragon Ball Z”.
To add to that, when Viz Media introduced Dragon Ball manga in America, they didn’t distribute it through the American edition of a specific magazine. Instead, they published the series as a monthly comic book, which created a distinct era for the series and distanced it from its contemporaries since it wasn’t as tightly linked with them. The Big Three anime are often perceived by fans as being connected due to their frequent appearances together on various Shonen Jump covers. Readers of this magazine were likely to read all three series simultaneously and then watch the TV adaptations of these anime. This created a sense of unity or shared moment among the Big 3 anime and manga, unlike Dragon Ball, which felt more like an individual franchise.
The New Big Three Anime Still Don’t Include Dragon Ball
Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man and Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku are the new Big 3.
Currently, the notion of the “Big Three” anime serves as an intriguing artifact from a bygone era, one where the North American anime market was more consolidated and viewers had significantly fewer options. Although Dragon Ball is indeed exceptional, it emerged too early to be enjoyed alongside Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach. By the time the Big Three anime gained popularity, Dragon Ball was already a massive success in its own right, predating the term’s widespread usage. Interestingly, a contemporary equivalent to this concept has surfaced, but it does not encompass the Dragon Ball franchise.
| The Dark Trio of Shonen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Release Date (Manga) | Release Date (Anime) | Creator(s) |
| Jujutsu Kaisen | March 5, 2018 | October 3, 2020 | Gege Akutami |
| Chainsaw Man | December 3, 2018 | October 12, 2022 | Tatsuki Fujimoto |
| Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku | January 22, 2018 | April 1, 2023 | Yuji Kaku |
Contemporary anime enthusiasts might recognize the “dark trio of anime.” These series have made their debut in the recent past and are characterized by their more somber themes and atmospheres. Among this trio, Hell’s Paradise: Jigokuraku, Chainsaw Man, and particularly the widely acclaimed Jujutsu Kaisen stand out. The content and mood of these series lean towards the seinen genre, which is why they don’t overlap with popular titles like My Hero Academia or Dragon Ball Super. These manga and anime were released prior to any of the dark shonen trio, with the latter being the closest equivalent to a modern Big 3 in anime.
Observing from the sidelines, it appears that the “Big 3” of anime and manga continues to elude the franchise, as the release of “Dragon Ball Super” preceded it without comparable content. Yet, “Dragon Ball” persists as a timeless, cherished series across multiple generations, becoming synonymous with the very essence of anime. Its enduring popularity places it in a category all its own, outshining contemporary trends. Indubitably, the longevity of “Dragon Ball’s” legacy seems boundless.
The Legacy of Dragon Ball and the Big 3 Anime Lives On
Goku and the Z Fighters still have more stories to tell.
The top three anime, One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, continue to be active in some capacity. One Piece’s manga and anime are both thriving, although the former may soon reach its final arc. The anime is also slated for a live-action remake in 2023 and an anime remake titled “The One Piece.” Meanwhile, Naruto has been reincarnated as the sequel series Boruto, which follows the son of the original series’ main character. Bleach’s manga may have concluded years ago, but its final storyline is now being animated. This development comes after Tite Kubo, the franchise creator, introduced a new series called Burn the Witch, set within the same universe as Bleach. Lastly, Dragon Ball has been reborn with the release of Dragon Ball Super’s manga and anime, which supersede the non-canon Dragon Ball GT.
Following Akira Toriyama’s demise, he was involved in one of his final projects. This series revolves around Goku and other Z-fighters who have been turned into children and must journey across the Demon World to retrieve the last Dragon Balls, enabling them to transform back. Despite this conclusion, there is potential for additional tales within the DAIMA series. Additionally, although the Dragon Ball Super manga has temporarily paused, it still holds promise for further narratives.
The exhibition highlighted the enduring impact of Dragon Ball, much like it does for the Big 3 anime. Similarly, these shows have paved their own unique paths in terms of legacy, with numerous contemporary anime enthusiasts having first engaged with the medium through them. Consequently, Dragon Ball can be considered a precursor to the Big 3 anime, even though it was never formally associated with them. In essence, Dragon Ball came before the Big 3 and could be viewed as an inspiration for many of these series. Furthermore, considering the break in the Bleach franchise, it’s just as plausible to propose that during this period, Dragon Ball served as a substitute for the Big 3 anime. Ultimately, the Dragon Ball franchise has maintained its popularity, often surpassing some of the Big 3, solidifying its status as one of the greatest anime series.
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2025-05-19 03:14