How to Watch Dragon Ball in Order: Dragon Ball stands as one of the most influential anime franchises in history, captivating audiences worldwide for decades. Created by Akira Toriyama, this beloved series has spawned multiple shows, movies, and spin-offs that can leave newcomers wondering where to begin. Understanding the proper viewing order is essential for experiencing the full emotional impact and character development that makes Dragon Ball such an enduring masterpiece.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Dragon Ball Timeline
The Dragon Ball universe follows a chronological progression that spans several series and films. The story begins with young Goku’s adventures and continues through his adult life, eventually extending to future generations. While some entries can be watched independently, following the intended order provides the richest viewing experience and prevents confusion about character relationships and plot developments.
The Core Series Viewing Order
1. Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
Start your journey with the original Dragon Ball series, which introduces Goku as a naive but powerful child living alone in the wilderness. This series establishes the foundation for everything that follows, introducing crucial characters like Bulma, Master Roshi, Krillin, and Yamcha. The show follows Goku’s early adventures as he searches for the mystical Dragon Balls while training in martial arts.
The original series covers Goku’s childhood through early adolescence, including the Red Ribbon Army saga and the Piccolo Jr. saga. These 153 episodes are essential viewing, as they establish character relationships and the world’s mythology that remain relevant throughout the entire franchise.
2. Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
Dragon Ball Z picks up five years after the original series, featuring an adult Goku with a young son named Gohan. This series introduces the Saiyan heritage storyline and escalates the action to cosmic proportions. DBZ is divided into several major sagas: the Saiyan Saga, Frieza Saga, Cell Saga, and Majin Buu Saga.
This 291-episode series represents the franchise’s most popular era, featuring iconic battles and transformations that have become legendary in anime culture. The power scaling increases dramatically, with battles that determine the fate of entire planets and universes.
3. Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997) – Optional
Dragon Ball GT occupies a unique position in the franchise as it was not based on Toriyama’s manga. While featuring interesting concepts like the Shadow Dragons and Super Saiyan 4 transformation, GT is considered non-canon by many fans and can be skipped without affecting understanding of other entries.
If you choose to watch GT, it should be viewed after Dragon Ball Z but before Dragon Ball Super, as it presents an alternative timeline for the characters’ futures.
4. Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
Dragon Ball Super returns to Toriyama’s involvement and continues the story after the defeat of Majin Buu. This series introduces the concept of multiple universes and gods of destruction, expanding the mythology significantly. Super reinterprets the events shown in some movies while introducing new transformations and characters.
The series includes the Battle of Gods arc, Resurrection F arc, Universe 6 Tournament arc, Future Trunks arc, and the Tournament of Power arc. These storylines bring fresh energy to the franchise while maintaining the core elements that fans love.
Movie Integration Strategy
Dragon Ball movies present a unique challenge for viewing order, as most exist outside the main continuity. However, some films are essential for understanding certain story elements or character developments.
Movies to Watch During Original Dragon Ball:
- Dead Zone (can be watched anytime)
- The World’s Strongest (after episode 54)
- Tree of Might (after the series)
Movies to Watch During Dragon Ball Z:
- Lord Slug (during early Z)
- Cooler’s Revenge (after Frieza saga)
- Return of Cooler (after Cell saga)
- Super Android 13 (during Cell saga)
- Broly trilogy (various points)
- Bojack Unbound (after Cell saga)
- Fusion Reborn (after Majin Buu saga)
- Dragon Fist Explosion (end of Z timeline)
Canon Movies:
- Battle of Gods (integrated into Super but can be watched separately)
- Resurrection F (integrated into Super but can be watched separately)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (after Super series)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (after Broly)
Alternative Viewing Approaches
Chronological Order by Release Date
Some viewers prefer experiencing the series as it was originally released, which provides historical context for how the franchise evolved. This approach follows the production timeline rather than the story chronology.
Story Arc Method
Another approach involves watching complete story arcs across different series before moving to the next arc. This method can help maintain narrative momentum but requires careful planning to avoid spoilers.
Character-Focused Viewing
Some fans choose to follow specific character storylines, such as watching all Gohan-centric episodes or focusing on Vegeta’s character development across the entire franchise.
Special Considerations for New Viewers
When starting Dragon Ball, consider your preferences for pacing and content. The original series features more comedy and adventure elements, while Z emphasizes intense battles and power progression. Super attempts to balance both approaches while introducing modern animation techniques.
Dragon Ball Kai offers a remastered version of Dragon Ball Z with improved pacing and closer adherence to the manga. This version removes filler content and presents a more streamlined experience, making it an excellent alternative for viewers who want the Z story without extended padding.
For those interested in exploring different aspects of the universe, Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Super Hero represent the current direction of the franchise, featuring high-quality animation and storytelling that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers.
Conclusion
Watching Dragon Ball in proper order enhances appreciation for character growth, plot development, and the evolution of Toriyama’s creative vision. Whether you choose the complete chronological approach or focus on specific series, understanding the connections between different entries will enrich your viewing experience.
The franchise’s enduring popularity stems from its ability to balance humor, action, and emotional storytelling across multiple generations of characters. By following this guide, you’ll be able to experience the full scope of what makes Dragon Ball a truly legendary anime series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it necessary to watch Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z? A: While not absolutely required, watching the original Dragon Ball provides important character background and relationship development that enhances the Z experience. Many plot points and character motivations in Z reference events from the original series.
Q: Should I watch Dragon Ball GT? A: Dragon Ball GT is not considered canon and can be skipped without affecting your understanding of other series. However, it does contain some interesting concepts and can be enjoyable for completionist fans.
Q: What’s the difference between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Kai? A: Dragon Ball Kai is a remastered version of Dragon Ball Z with improved animation, remastered audio, and reduced filler content. Kai follows the manga more closely and has faster pacing, making it a good alternative for viewers who want a more streamlined experience.
Q: Are the Dragon Ball movies necessary to watch? A: Most Dragon Ball movies are not canon and exist outside the main storyline. However, Battle of Gods, Resurrection F, Broly, and Super Hero are considered canon and add to the overall story. Other movies can be enjoyed as standalone entertainment.
Q: Can I start with Dragon Ball Super without watching previous series? A: While Super provides some recap information, starting there would result in missing crucial character development and story context. It’s recommended to watch at least Dragon Ball Z before starting Super.
Q: How long does it take to watch all of Dragon Ball? A: The complete series (Dragon Ball, Z, and Super) contains over 600 episodes, which equals approximately 200+ hours of viewing time. Adding movies and specials extends this significantly.
Q: Is there a faster way to catch up on the story? A: Dragon Ball Kai covers the Z storyline more efficiently, and various recap movies and specials exist. However, these abbreviated versions sacrifice character development and world-building for speed.
