How would you introduce a newbie to Dragonball?

[Hitman]

We all started somewhere, some of us started when the Manga came back in the days of when Dragonball originally came out and Goku was a kid, some started with the anime from Dragon Ball Z in the west with the ocean or funimation dub, others were introduced to the Kai intepretation and there are even those who have only known Dragon Ball Super. How would you get some one up to speed quickly, what would be absolutely essential experiences you feel they should undertake on their Dragonball journey to get an understanding and feel of the universe.

Of course watching it and reading it all from start to finish would be perfect in my book, but suppose these newbies don't want to invest that much time in deciding if it is for them or not, where would tell them to start and what they should most certainly do?

 

[Super Kami Guru]

Ideally I'd have them watch each series, but that's a lot of material, as you said. They could gain a decent level of understanding of DB by watching Curse of the Blood Rubies, though it is a sort of alternate universe DB origins story. Then I'd have them watch key points of each DBZ arc, like Raditz' arrival and battle w/ Goku and Piccolo, the Saiyans arriving, Vegeta's battle with Goku, the Namek revelation, arrival on Namek, the first encounter with Freiza, Goku recovers and arrives on the battlefield...and so on. Pick out the high points so they get the gist of the story. That's how I'd introduce them to DB, then have them watch Battle of the Gods and Resurrection F to somewhat understand Super.

Could also use DBZA as a comedic introduction to DBZ, since it's not a horrible retelling of the events, just funny.

 

[Beerus]

One of the earlier movies would probably work. I mean a lot of people these days (younger fans) start with Super and then work back.

Just don't recommend GT until they have watched everything else. lol

 

[Punkhead]

I would make them watch The Bardock movie, and if they didn't think it was awesome...I would pimp slap'em

 

[Super Kami Guru]

One of the earlier movies would probably work. I mean a lot of people these days (younger fans) start with Super and then work back.

Just don't recommend GT until they have watched everything else. lol

...and only show them the SSJ4 vs Baby part, no general dildo or the hip hop dance brothers!

I would make them watch The Bardock movie, and if they didn't think it was awesome...I would pimp slap'em

Both Bardock movies, because Super Saiyan!

 

[Punkhead]

...and only show them the SSJ4 vs Baby part, no general dildo or the hip hop dance brothers!

Both Bardock movies, because Super Saiyan!

This guy gets it

 

[India Actual]

Just watch DBZ Kai in your flavor of choice and if you get hooked then you're ONE OF US!

 

[Yoshi]

I would tell them to watch Dragon Ball first, then Dragon Ball Z Kai. Kai is only good if you're trying to get into the series.

I would recommend them to read the Manga as well, and then I would tell them stuff like the movies, GT, and Super are all optional.

 

[Super Kami Guru]

And once they've watched everything, watch the Abridged series, because it's amazing.

 

[Mustafar Reginald]

It's an interesting question. My gut instinct says the best way to experience Dragon Ball is through the manga, so I'd probably recommend that. If they're afraid of black & white images though, I honestly think I'd just recommend them to watch Goku vs. Jackie Chun. I checked youtube, and someone seemed to have uploaded the full fight in a single video on youtube so I'd probably just link them that, it's about one episode length long. It doesn't require much context to work, it's the series first true great battle, the battle is equal enough and Roshi's stakes are made clear throughout so it has some of the drama from Z (just far less), and it has a lot of gags so you get the Dragon Ball flavour too.

 

[Yoshi]

And once they've watched everything, watch the Abridged series, because it's amazing.

I would also recommend them to get into the abridged series, but I would actually tell them to stop watching it after the Freeza Saga abridged because that's where it peaks. The Cell Saga abridged sucks.

 

[Super Kami Guru]

I would also recommend them to get into the abridged series, but I would actually tell them to stop watching it after the Freeza Saga abridged because that's where it peaks. The Cell Saga abridged sucks.

Fair point, also when TFS started to run into trouble with the series as a well and it took them forever to put a single episode out.