You’ve probably seen the blue slimes. They are everywhere—pillows, stickers, even tea sets. But for a long time, the western world missed out on the actual soul of the franchise: the Dragon Quest TV series. While Final Fantasy was busy making moody cinematic trailers, Dragon Quest was building a literal empire of serialized storytelling in Japan. Honestly, it’s kind of weird that it took so long for the rest of us to catch on.
It isn't just one show. That is the first thing people get wrong. There is a whole legacy of animation dating back to the late 80s, mostly fueled by the legendary character designs of the late Akira Toriyama. If you think it looks like Dragon Ball, you aren't imagining things. It’s the same DNA. But the vibe is totally different. It is pure, unadulterated high fantasy.
The Legend of Dai: Not Just a Spin-off
When people search for a Dragon Quest TV series, 90% of them are looking for The Adventure of Dai. This isn't just some marketing gimmick meant to sell cartridges. It started as a manga in Weekly Shonen Jump back in 1989. It was massive.
The story follows Dai, a young boy living on an island of peaceful monsters who dreams of becoming a hero. Then, the Dark Lord Hadlar is resurrected. Classic stuff. But the execution? It’s brutal and emotional.
We actually have two versions of this show. There is the 1991 original, which ended abruptly because of scheduling and budget issues, leaving fans hanging for decades. Then, in 2020, Toei Animation finally gave it the "Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" treatment. They remade the entire thing from start to finish. 100 episodes of top-tier animation.
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Why the 2020 Remake Changed Everything
The 2020 Dragon Quest TV series was a gamble. Usually, long-running shonen anime gets bogged down by "filler"—those annoying episodes where nothing happens because the anime caught up to the manga. Since the Dai manga was already finished, the pacing is breakneck.
- Animation Quality: Toei didn't hold back. The fight between Dai and Vearn is legitimately some of the best-choreographed action in modern anime.
- The Avan Strash: Seeing this iconic move animated with modern particle effects is a core memory for any JRPG fan.
- Character Growth: Popp. Just watch Popp. He starts as a cowardly mage who literally tries to run away from every fight. By the end, he is arguably the most heroic person in the entire show.
Abel Yuusha: The Forgotten 1989 Series
If you want to be a real completionist, you have to look at Dragon Quest: Legend of the Hero Abel. This is the "other" Dragon Quest TV series. It aired in Japan right around the time Dragon Quest IV was hitting the NES.
It feels very different from Dai. It’s more of a direct adaptation of the game mechanics. You see the characters gaining levels. They visit towns that look exactly like the 8-bit sprites. In the US, it was localized simply as Dragon Quest, but only 13 episodes aired before it was pulled. It's a bit of a relic now, but if you can find the fansubs, it’s a fascinating look at how they tried to translate turn-based combat into a Saturday morning cartoon.
The Toriyama Factor
You cannot talk about any Dragon Quest TV series without mentioning Akira Toriyama. His art defines this world. The rounded edges, the expressive eyes, and the strangely adorable monsters create a "cozy" fantasy aesthetic that contrasts sharply with the high stakes of the plot.
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When Toriyama passed in 2024, the community looked back at his work on these shows with a new level of reverence. He didn't just draw monsters; he gave them personality. A Slime isn't just a level-one mob. In the anime, it's a character. This visual language is why the shows feel so timeless.
Is it Better Than the Games?
That’s a loaded question.
The games are about your journey. The Dragon Quest TV series is about Dai's journey. However, the anime does something the games struggle with: it gives the villains a voice. In the 2020 series, the relationship between Hadlar and the heroes is complex. Hadlar isn't just a "bad guy." He’s a warrior obsessed with honor who undergoes a massive redemption arc that rivals anything in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
If you've played Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, you’ll notice a lot of parallels. The themes of reincarnation, the "chosen one" burden, and the importance of a ragtag party are all there.
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Where to Actually Watch It
Right now, streaming rights are a bit of a mess depending on where you live, but here is the general breakdown:
- Crunchyroll/Hulu: This is the home of the 2020 Adventure of Dai. It’s the easiest one to find and comes in both sub and dub.
- Netflix: Occasionally hosts the Your Story movie, which is a CG adaptation of Dragon Quest V. Warning: the ending is very controversial among fans.
- Physical Media: The 1989 Abel series is basically out of print in the West. You’ll have to scour eBay or specialty import sites for those DVDs.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you are looking to dive into the world of Dragon Quest TV series, don't just jump in blindly.
- Start with the 2020 Adventure of Dai. Ignore the 1991 version unless you are a historian. The 2020 version covers the entire story and looks incredible.
- Pay attention to the music. Much of it uses motifs from Koichi Sugiyama’s legendary game scores. It hits different when you recognize a town theme from the NES days.
- Don't skip the "Your Story" movie, but go in with an open mind. It uses a very different art style (not Toriyama’s) and the plot twist at the end is a "love it or hate it" moment.
- Check out the spin-off games. After watching Dai, you might want to play Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai. It’s an action RPG that lets you play through the events of the anime.
The brilliance of the Dragon Quest TV series lies in its sincerity. It doesn't try to be edgy or subversive. It believes in heroes, it believes in friendship, and it believes that even a tiny slime can change the world. In an era of cynical storytelling, that’s actually pretty refreshing.
To get the most out of the experience, watch the first five episodes of the 2020 remake back-to-back. The show takes a few episodes to find its footing, but once the "Tutor of Heroes" arc kicks in, you'll see exactly why this franchise has survived for over thirty years. Keep an eye on Popp's development specifically; it is widely considered one of the best character arcs in the history of the genre.