Why Is Dragon Ball Not On The ‘Big 3’ List?

Let’s unveil another heated topic in the animeverse regarding the question of why Dragon Ball was not considered in the Big 3 list along with the others.

First, let’s start off with busting the bubble. The term Big 3 is completely based on fandom. It’s the fans who decide which anime gets to the top of the list while noting the anime’s episode list, and popularity. So discussions on these topics can defer from person to person.

Whenever we talk about the Big 3 – ‘Naruto,’ ‘Bleach,’ and ‘One Piece’ comes to our mind. But did you know there’s been a new selection of Big 3 animes for this year? This list changes each year compared to new anime releases and public views on it. ‘Dragon Ball’ not being a part of the previous list has a very simple reason – timeline.

Dragon Ball – The Father Of The Big 3

Goku can be considered the father of the 3 protagonists, Naruto, Ichigo, and Luffy. These three were born years after the release of Dragon Ball manga/anime. Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece mostly started in the same timeline and blasted the box office with its release.

By no way or form is Dragon Ball inferior to the Big 3. It got released during the late 80s and early 90s. Considering animes running at that time – Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Yu Yu Hakusho will be considered the Big 3. Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece ruled the mid-2000s when anime started getting vast popularity worldwide.

Not to mention, One Piece to date remains the most purchased and watched manga/anime. It’s still the king of the animeverse. Though Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z were superb when released, it is undeniable that the recent series of Dragon Ball can’t hold a candle to its ancestors.

Goku belongs to the legendary anime Big 3 list, whereas Naruto, Luffy, and Ichigo will fall under the old generation of Big 3. But since its popularity has not been drowned by any anime to date, these pop into our minds whenever we talk about the list.

Going by the generation of Big 3, Full Metal Alchemist, Hunter x Hunter will be the middle generation. While Black Clover, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer are the current Big 3. Arguably we can even replace one of these and put Jujutsu Kaisen’s name on it.

Current Big 3 Of Anime World

As stated, there is quite an argument on who the current Big 3 are going to be. With Black Clover, My Hero Academia, and Demon Slayer on the list, it’ll be unfair to exclude Jujutsu Kaisen. Jujutsu Kaisen has its own loyal fanbase and it also started mostly at the same time as Demon Slayer.

Other than these combinations we also have – My Hero Academia, Black Clover, and Boruto (surprisingly). But whatever the current list may be, the old masters can’t be dethroned so easily. Bleach has started its brand new season, while One Piece is still traveling.

Though Naruto has ended it’s still an iconic series that can never be replaced, even by its next-generation series – Boruto. Apart from the stone-marked Big 3 list, what are your opinions on the current?