Dragon Ball Super serves as the official continuation of Dragon Ball Z (with Dragon Ball GT essentially disregarded), picking up immediately after the Majin Buu arc. The series follows Goku on a journey filled with action, introducing new worlds, powerful warriors, and escalating abilities across five distinct story arcs. While this review will remain spoiler-free, familiarity with each arc’s premise is recommended. Returning characters like Trunks and Freeza reappear alongside formidable new adversaries that our heroes must overcome to protect their loved ones. As a longtime fan of Dragon Ball, I've enjoyed the franchise since its early days, appreciating everything from the intense fight sequences to the compelling storylines that consistently delivered satisfying conclusions. When Akira Toriyama announced Dragon Ball Super, I was incredibly excited! Two films—Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F’—preceded the anime series, both of which are excellent. Although Battle of Gods has a more captivating story overall, Resurrection ‘F’ is packed with action and will likely appeal to fans who prioritize the fights, especially given Freeza's return. I intend to evaluate each arc individually, discussing its strengths and weaknesses while avoiding spoilers regarding plot developments or new characters. It’s important to acknowledge that Dragon Ball Z stands as a masterpiece—a series that fundamentally reshaped anime and whose influence remains undeniable. However, Z also established certain clichés and predictable moments. As a devoted fan, these aspects never bothered me. Super inevitably shares those same clichés, and some don't quite work in modern storytelling. Yet, this is Dragon Ball! It’s not striving for awards; it aims to evoke the same emotions as Z did. Many criticized Super, seemingly forgetting that Z also contained similar plot points. Perspectives change over time, I suppose. Let’s begin with an assessment of each arc. Battle of Gods Arc / Resurrection 'F' Arc Battle of Gods: C Resurrection 'F': D+ These arcs are disappointing. The animation quality is poor, particularly in the second arc, which caused considerable concern at the time due to the lack of improvement. While Beerus versus Goku has some good moments, Goku versus Freeza is a major letdown within Dragon Ball history. Still, I recommend against skipping these episodes entirely. Although watching the films offers a superior experience (with their beautiful animation), the series does address some minor issues present in the movies by providing necessary backstory to justify certain plot points that might otherwise seem abrupt. These are undoubtedly the weakest arcs of Super, but viewers can mitigate the frustration by watching the films and then supplementing with some of the setup episodes from each arc to understand the films’ narratives. Universe 6 Arc: B+ This is what fans were anticipating. Universes 6 and 7 compete for the Super Dragon Balls in a tournament mirroring the beloved World Martial Arts Tournament. The series introduces phenomenal new characters, like Cabba, Frost, Champa, and the standout Hit, marking its first original story. The animation noticeably improves, with Goku’s fight against Hit creating an unforgettable moment elevated by the soundtrack – and it won't be the last such instance. The new characters are engaging and have potential for further development, although a few exceptions exist. Interactions between them and the established heroes drive both entertainment and character growth. It represents a significant improvement over previous arcs and signals that Super might actually become a great show. However, the animation still falters occasionally, some character designs lack imagination, and the tournament's beginning feels somewhat underwhelming. Overall, it’s a step in the right direction... Future Trunks Arc: A If the preceding arc suggested that Super was improving, this one confirms it. It not only brings back another fan-favorite, Trunks, but also presents the anime’s best premise! With Goku Black destroying Trunks' world, his son travels back in time to seek assistance, echoing events from the Cell Saga. I never imagined Dragon Ball would feature plot twists and mystery—I was mistaken. This is by far the best story within the entire series. The enigma surrounding Goku Black’s identity keeps viewers captivated even when action sequences are less frequent. Filler episodes are virtually nonexistent because each episode provides a new clue, propelling the plot forward and maintaining high entertainment levels. The animation reaches its peak since the beginning, showcasing beautifully drawn action scenes and striking transformations. Trunks is central to some of the arc's most impressive moments, despite power level inconsistencies. Goku and especially Vegeta engage in breathtaking battles, with the soundtrack once again proving exceptional. Undeniably, it’s the best arc of Super thus far—a mysteriously twistful story filled with incredible animation and expertly choreographed fights. It loses a bit of credibility when considering power levels and how seemingly weaker characters can overpower stronger ones. Tournament of Power Arc: A+ Most. Epic. Arc. Ever. Eight universes, each fielding a team of ten fighters, battle for survival in a tournament resembling the one from the Universe 6 Arc. This arc is truly remarkable; the range of emotions I experienced was intense. The sheer number of impressive moments left me stunned. The tournament spans an entire year, and not a single episode feels expendable. Words fail to adequately describe how memorable this arc is. I even shed tears at

Source on TMDB