Do you consider Dragon Ball a plot-driven or character-driven story?

[DBZAOTA482]

For those who don't know, a plot-driven story is where the main draw is the situation where characters are placed in and how they react to it while a character-driven story is well... more about the characters themselves and how their decisions influence the outcome of the story.

It's been debated what kinda story Dragon Ball is... I'm not completely sure it fits but I'm leaning more towards plot-driven. The manga always centered around adventure and action while rarely getting any downtime to focus on the characters' personal lives. We get tidbits throughout the manga but that's pretty much it.

The anime admittedly does slow things down to get character-driven slice-of-life episodes or extra focus on their training though those tend to be fluff.

What do you think the kind of story Dragon Ball is?

 

[Pyro]

99% plot-driven, 1% character-driven. The 1% is probably some of Dragon Ball, while the 99% is Z and beyond. Characters do things to advance the plot. They don't do things for themselves which directly changes the plot.

 

[Captain Cadaver]

99% plot-driven, 1% character-driven. The 1% is probably some of Dragon Ball, while the 99% is Z and beyond.

Saiyan Arc definitely seemed more character driven, or at least it's anime version was.

As for the OP, for the most part it's plot driven as most of the cast are quickly swept to the sidelines once their purpose in the story is fulfilled and only a few are given much introspection. As Pyro said, Part 1 was far more character driven, especially with the Hunt for the Dragon Balls Arc primarily focusing on character dynamics and conflict between the group. Saiyan Arc was also fairly character driven with the focus given on things such as Goku and Piccolo's attitude towards their heritage or Gohan overcoming his fears, especially in the anime where a hefty portion of the arc is dedicated to Gohan's character development and the experiences Goku and the humans gain from their training. After the Saiyan Arc, however, it becomes purely plot based with many characters being treat as plot devices (Freeza Arc Galu only being given something to do when the plot stops other characters from accomplishing anything) or characters completely regressing after receiving development so the plot can move forward (Cell Arc Vegeta and Cell/Boo Arc Goku).