Just how well known is Dragon Ball/Z with the general public?

[DBZAOTA482]

Back on the topic, when it comes to the anime in general it's always been DBZ, Pokemon, OP, Naruto and Bleech. Just those 5 right? Maybe with Yugioh as well.

I'd say it's more like this:

Currently

1. Dragon Ball/Z
2. Naruto
3. Pokemon
4. Yu-Gi-Oh
5. One Piece

Height of the Anime Craze

1. Pokemon
2. Dragon Ball/Z
3. Sailor Moon
4. Yu-Gi-Oh
5. Digimon/Beyblade

All-Time

1. Dragon Ball/Z
2. Pokemon
3. Speed Racer
4. Astro Boy
5. Sailor Moon

Bleech?

Bleach is only really well-known to the anime-interested crowd. Ask any random joe on the street and 8 or 9 out of 10 ten times they would only know the chemical especially stateside.

 

[Super Saiyan Overlord1007]

They are, as is One Piece and pretty much most anime featured on Toonami, at least in the states. But plenty of fans for OP, Naruto, and Bleach worldwide.

Not quite sure if they are quite as popular as DB because they are not as old. Popularity + Time = FABULOUUUUUSSSSS!!!!! But no really, when it comes to series that are all mega popular, the oldest one will be more recognizable.

Some exceptions exist of course. Whether it be the games, anime, or both, Pokemon is even more recognizable than any of them, DB included. But both DB and Pokemon are older than the other 3.

On a worldwide scale (particularly in North America) Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach definitely don't compare to Dragon Ball or especially Pokemon during their heydays.

Spoiler

Spoiler

No other anime ever came close to touching this kind of status.

Thoses kinds of people.... I never understood why people write such articles. Things like Pokémon and DBZ aren't doing anything bad to kids. I've been a fan of Pokémon for 15+ years which you might as well say my entire life and Animal Cruelty/Dog Fighting is at the top of my pet peeves list. It's not making me want to stuff my dogs into tiny balls and force them to fight other dogs/cats/animals. Child Neglect/Abuse is also at the top of my pet peeves list, but I already know that NO 10 year old (At least) is going to travel the world, or even a 16 year old (I think that's the old Pokémon protagonist have been) will try to do the same alone.

As DBZ, how is DBZ being violent a problem, when I'm sure whoever wrote that article grew up watching shows like Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, or other Chuck Jones/Acne/MGM/Hanna-Barbera shows which are WIDELY KNOWN for their slapstick humor and various characters just beating the stuffing out of each other.

 

[Let's Go Fearless!]

It's just Americans being jealous how the Jap cartoon is great and better than their nonsensical cartoons that you can only read in their comic books.

 

[DBZAOTA482]

To be fair, Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes weren't originally made for kids. They were for adults.