Be it Jujutsu Kaisen or Attack on Titan, several iconic Shonen mangas take inspiration from canon mangas. In the manga industry, it isn’t uncommon to see similar aspects and parallels between two iconic mangas. In a similar fashion, Eiichiro Oda took inspiration from Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball for One Piece.
However, there’s one arc in particular that brings out uncanny similarities between the two anime. It also reflected Akira Toriyama’s influence on Oda’s work and how it underlined the latter’s creative genius as a mangaka. Needless to say, The Namek Saga was the inspiration behind One Piece.
Goku’s untapped power in Dragon Ball runs parallel to Luffy’s abilities in One Piece
While both characters are different in their abilities, what makes them similar is that they share the untapped power within them. From Goku’s Super Saiyan legend to Luffy becoming the new Joy Boy with his Gear 5 transformation, both series follow the essence of a prophecy becoming a reality. Eiichiro Oda‘s work reflects similar elements from Akira Toriyama‘s masterpiece.
The legend of the Super Saiyan and Joyboy are the prophecies that pose a challenge to the antagonists in both animes. What triggers the uncanny similarities between both animes is the protagonist’s unawareness of their true power.
Both characters represent their will to stand against tyranny and move from a place of justice. The prophecy aspect of the anime coupled with the backstory of both characters’ inspiration proves that Goku and Luffy, indeed are similar in their values, virtues, and personalities.
While One Piece draws inspiration from Akira Toriyama sensei’s work, it doesn’t end with the hero’s journey and prophecy. The relentless pursuit of justice in Namek Saga is an underlying theme that is further echoed throughout Oda’s work.
Quest for justice echoes in Dragon Ball and One Piece
Both anime highlight the sense of justice coupled with the need to fight against all odds to achieve peace. This theme runs parallel with the need for vengeance. Apart from Luffy and Goku, Imu and Freiza bear a resemblance in terms of their cruelty and barbarity towards minorities.
From Frieza’s destruction of planet Vegeta to Imu’s erasure of Lulusia island, both antagonists share the same traits of a tyrant. Their apathy and disregard for the lives of others, coupled with their uncontested power, is what makes their resemblance uncanny. And while Frieza’s extent of their power is known, Imu’s strength remains an enigma.
The quest for vengeance echoes in both animes where Goku and Luffy fight against all odds to secure the safety of citizens and seek justice for the wrongs inflicted on them by tyrants. This also reflected the need for a ‘savior’ to protect the people and eventually defeat an uncontested tyrant.
To add to that, the need for a just society is well-received through allyship as seen when the Namekians support Goku. This was also reflected in Luffy’s case where Mont Blanc Cricket supported the Straw Hat Pirates by leading his alliance and helping them reach Skypiea.
While there are similarities between both anime, it’s crucial to know that One Piece isn’t a cheap imitation but an ode to a great mangaka. The process of incorporating these elements into the storyline was well-received by Toriyama himself, who took it as a mark of respect. Furthermore, the author’s ability to make One Piece in a league of its own only goes on to prove Oda’s prowess as a mangaka.
One Piece and Dragon Ball are available for streaming on Crunchyroll
