While debates about power levels between Naruto and Dragon Ball characters are common, comparing their strength directly is difficult due to the vastly different power scaling systems in each universe. This article won’t delve into that debate. Instead, we’ll examine a different metric: popularity. Surprisingly, evidence suggests Naruto surpasses Dragon Ball in several areas of popularity.
Naruto’s Dominance in Online Engagement
Naruto consistently outperforms Dragon Ball in various online platforms. On Crunchyroll, Naruto and Boruto videos garner millions of views, with the fight against Momoshiki exceeding 57 million. Crunchyroll Germany also showcases Naruto’s dominance in viewership. This trend continues on YouTube, where prominent Naruto content creators like Swagkage boast over a million subscribers, surpassing Dragon Ball YouTubers in both subscriber count and average video views.
Fanfiction and Community Size: A Clear Winner
Naruto’s vast and active fanbase is evident in the sheer volume of fanfiction. Platforms like FanFiction.net and Archive of Our Own host hundreds of thousands of Naruto stories, dwarfing the number of Dragon Ball fanfictions. This difference extends to subreddit subscriber counts, with the main Naruto subreddit boasting almost double the members of the main Dragon Ball subreddit. This indicates a significantly larger and more engaged community surrounding the Naruto franchise.
Anime Airtime, Accessibility, and Mainstream Appeal
Naruto’s enduring presence on television contributes to its popularity. The anime, including Naruto Shippuden and Boruto, has aired consistently since 2002, enjoying more screen time than Dragon Ball, which has experienced hiatuses. Furthermore, Naruto’s accessibility on streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu enhances its reach. Collaborations with major brands like Fortnite (Team 7 skins) and Jordan Brand further solidify Naruto’s mainstream appeal. Even Toonami currently features Naruto in its lineup, while Dragon Ball is absent.
Critical Acclaim and Character Popularity
While both series receive positive reviews on MyAnimeList, Naruto and Naruto Shippuden hold slightly higher scores than Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Interestingly, Naruto characters dominate the popularity rankings on MyAnimeList, with four characters (Naruto, Itachi, Kakashi, and Sasuke) outranking Dragon Ball’s most popular character, Goku. This suggests a broader appeal of Naruto’s diverse cast. Even the official English Twitter accounts for Naruto and Boruto significantly outnumber their Dragon Ball counterparts in followers.
Conclusion: Naruto’s Popularity Reign
From online video views and fanfiction counts to social media engagement and mainstream collaborations, Naruto consistently demonstrates greater popularity than Dragon Ball. While this doesn’t translate directly to in-universe strength, it speaks volumes about the franchise’s cultural impact and enduring appeal. Naruto has clearly captured the hearts of a larger global audience, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the anime world.
