Common Sense Media Review
Prequel is violent, too, but with more humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dragon Ball
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say this classic anime offers excellent animation and engaging storytelling, but it is marred by excessive sexual humor and violence that may not be suitable for younger audiences. Many reviewers express concern over inappropriate themes, suggesting that while older children may enjoy the adventure, parental discretion is essential due to the content's potentially harmful messages.
- sexual humor concerns
- violence awareness
- inappropriate themes
- parental discretion needed
- classic appeal
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 55 kid reviews
Kids say this show is entertaining and has a lot of action, but it contains significant adult themes, including sexual humor, nudity, and violence, making it unsuitable for young children. Most reviewers suggest a minimum age of around 10 to 13 for viewers, emphasizing that parents should be cautious and consider watching the series themselves to determine its appropriateness for their children.
- inappropriate humor
- sexual content
- mature audiences
- age recommendation
- violence present
- parental caution
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Goku, a strange tailed boy, has been living alone in the woods since his grandpa passed away. Through a chance encounter he meets a teenage girl named Bulma, who is searching the world for mysterious items called Dragon Balls. It is said when all seven balls are collected, you can have any wish granted. Eager to go out and see the world, Goku decides to join Bulma in her quest. However they are not the only ones going after the mysterious relics, and their competition will do anything to stop them. It's a race against time to find all seven Dragon Balls and keep them out of the wrong hands.
Is It Any Good?
Although DRAGON BALL never got a big reputation like its sequel series Dragon Ball Z, it is a fun little tale of Goku's many adventures as he grows into an adult. Since the secondary focus of the show is on martial arts, there are plenty of episodes where characters will fight hand to hand and include some fantasy elements such as energy blasts or flying in the air. However unlike Dragon Ball Z (which takes this kind of fighting to the extreme), Dragon Ball focuses more on choreography and a bit of the spiritual side of the martial arts discipline.
The plot of the story itself is focused around Goku's growth as a person after facing new challenges and making new friends. Simple enough for a younger child to follow, Dragon Ball also throws in a good plot twist every now and again. The emphasis on humor also gives the show a more lighthearted atmosphere though, depending on the villain, the show has its fair share of serious moments. The sexual humor can get a bit over the top at times and the shift between comedy and drama can get a bit jarring for people who are not expecting it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about about the violence in this series. Can you tell the difference between the fighting that's defensive and that which is hostile? Does the show have a message about violence to deliver?
What makes anime appealing? How is it different from American-made cartoons?
Can you think of some positive messages that come out of this show? Who are the "good" characters? How can you tell?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 9, 1995
- Cast : Mike McFarland , Stephanie Nadolny , Tiffany Vollmer
- Network : Nickelodeon
- Genre : Anime
- Topics : Adventures
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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