Adult Swim’s Dragon Ball Z Parody Hits Harder Than It Should

Over 27 years ago, Dragon Ball Z premiered on Toonami, impacting viewers like no other anime before and becoming a part of popular culture recognizable by millions of fans. Recently, to honor the anime’s legacy, one of Adult Swim’s best comedies, Smiling Friendshas released a special animation parodying one of the most iconic moments in Dragon Ball Z.

Part of Smiling Friends‘charm, which has made it such a popular series on Adult Swim, is the way it embraces pop culture, including subtle nods and references to beloved figures from popular shows and even the latest recurring internet memes. Now it’s Dragon Ball Z‘s turn to have its own tribute in Smiling Friends.

Smiling Friends Pays Tribute to Dragon Ball Z in an Incredible Special Animation

The official Adult Swim YouTube account recently published a special video created by animator Shane Dering that reimagines the climax of the fight between Goku and Piccolo against Raditz in the Saiyan Saga. This epic battle was represented in the signature animation style of Smiling Friends, being so funny and nostalgic that no Dragon Ball fan should miss it.

This fantastic sequence, hilariously titled “Smiling Ball Z,” which blends two very different franchises, has delighted fans for the way it captures the vibrant action of Dragon Ball and also serves as promotion for the third season of Smiling Friendscurrently streaming on Adult Swim as one of its Fall 2025 releases.

One of the best parts of Smiling Ball Z is the nod to the Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi games, with the addition of a movable joystick during Piccolo’s Makankosappo. This references a part of the game where, to defeat Raditz, the player had to align the attack by moving the joysticks so that the beam would hit the target.

The Legacy of Dragon Ball Z Continues To Impact Generations

It’s been almost 37 years since Dragon Ball Z premiered in Japan, but the Kai reboot aired recently on Adult Swim as part of the Toonami Rewind block. Now, fans who grew up watching Goku fight can enjoy the latest installment of the franchise, Dragon Ball Daimaon Adult Swim.

Tributes to Dragon Ball can be found in many series around the world, demonstrating the influence of Akira Toriyama’s work. This proves people will continue to enjoy Dragon Ball Z despite the passage of time, as evidenced by the fact that one of Adult Swim’s most important current series has demonstrated its passion for anime.

However, Smiling Friends is a must-see comedy for its unique aesthetic and creative humor that continues to defy viewers’ expectations with each season on Adult Swim, especially for those who enjoy parodies, as it is certain to continue surprising with more iconic references to other series.