This is your guide on how to watch all of the anime episodes and films from the long-running franchise in the right order.
If you’ve lived long enough, you’ve probably caught at least one episode of Dragon Ball Z at some time in your life, even if you’re not the biggest lover of anime. It is widely considered to be one of the best animated programs out there. On the other hand, if you want to watch it again, you might be wondering, “How should I watch Dragon Ball in sequence?” Consequently, in order to provide an answer to that query, we have compiled this watch guide specifically for you.
Dragon Ball Z is one of the anime series that has aired for the longest amount of time. It has been providing enjoyment for decades upon generations. On the other hand, because there is so much Dragon Ball information out there, it’s easy for one person to become overwhelmed by it all. He is curious about the proper order in which to view the Dragon Ball episodes.
Don’t worry if you are also seeking for a thorough and exhaustive instruction on the sequence in which to watch Dragon Ball, as this article will provide everything for you. Using this guide, you will be able to find out the proper order in which to watch the Dragon Ball television series. After that, we have outlined all of the television series and movies that are essential viewing for you, both in chronological order and in the order in which they were originally released.
However, before we get into that, let’s take a moment to talk about the program that we’re going to be watching.
Dragon Ball Overview
Akira Toriyama is the creator of the Dragon Ball manga and anime series. Toriyama invented Dragon Ball. The series is also known as Dragon Ball Z in certain regions of the world.The original volume of the manga was published in 1984, while the first episode of the anime television series was broadcast in 1986. It was Toei Animation that was responsible for creating the anime.
Son Goku, a youthful warrior who has a tail, is the protagonist of the Dragon Ball series, which follows his adventures. In reality, he is a member of the formidable extraterrestrial race known as the Saiyans. He embarks on his journey to become more powerful and stumbles into the Dragon Balls along the way. After collecting all seven Dragon Balls, the genie will grant the wish of the player’s choice.
Goku progressively matures into a more powerful and mature version of himself as the series unfolds. Every episode gives viewers the opportunity to witness Goku, together with his family, engage in combat with a wide variety of different extraterrestrial and supernatural beings.
The action-packed battles that can be found in each episode of Dragon Ball have contributed significantly to the show’s enormous popularity. In addition to that, the show features an exciting plot that has very little room for boring interludes.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about the actual subject of this post.
How To Watch Dragon Ball In Order
If you are interested in watching the Dragon Ball series, there are two different recommended orders in which to do so. However, the choice of which of these you want to use is entirely dependent on your own personal preferences. In this guide on how to watch Dragon Ball in the correct order, we will cover both of these different ways to watch the series.
First things first, let’s go through the chronological order of the Dragon Ball series.
Dragon Ball Chronological Order
To get the most out of any lengthy franchise, you should watch the episodes in the sequence in which they occurred. You, for example, will be able to view events in real time as they occur. Because everything is presented in this sequence, you won’t have any trouble keeping everything straight. Additionally, it is useful for newcomers to the area.
Keep in mind that we will only be discussing the entries that are canon to the tale from this point on. Because of this, non-canon entries have been removed from our guide in an effort to make things clearer for everyone.
1. Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
Source: Zachary David
The first episode of the original Dragon Ball series aired in 1986, and the series ran for a total of 156 episodes. This was the first time Goku appeared on screen, and this series was essential in the development of many of the characters that are now a part of the Dragon Ball world as a whole.
Additionally, there are three films included in this collection.. They are:
- Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)
- Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987)
- Mystical Adventure (1988)
The stories told in these films are essentially a condensed version of their original arcs. However, we suggest watching Curse of the Blood Rubies after episodes 1-13 of the series, and then watching the following two movies after the completion of the series.
This franchise got its start thanks in part because of Dragon Ball. It was the beginning of many recurring themes and characters that would later come to characterize the series. When viewing Dragon Ball in chronological order, some people have a habit of skipping over this series; however, it is in fact extremely important to watch this series.
2. Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
Source: HDSuperGokuHD
Dragon Ball Z is the most well-known of the Dragon Ball franchise. In this series, Goku is an adult and is finally coming to terms with his true identity as well as his incredible power. After seeing this series, the majority of individuals will get their start in the Dragon Ball franchise.
The anime series Dragon Ball Z has a total of 291 episodes. This series also includes a total of 14 movies in addition to the episodes that make up the series.
The following is the recommended order in which to watch Dragon Ball Z:
- Dragon Ball Z (Episodes 1- 86)
- Dragon Ball Z Special 1: Bardock, The Father of Goku (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z (Episodes 87-123)
- Dragon Ball Z Special 2: The History of Trunks (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z (Episodes 124-194)
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z (Episodes 194-288)
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z (Episodes 288-291)
In addition to these episodes and specials, there are a lot of movies, however those movies aren’t considered to be part of the canon. As a consequence of this, they have been removed from the watch order. If, on the other hand, you plan to view each of these films as a stand-alone experience, let us know, and we will include that information in the Release Order section of this article.
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3. Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009-2015)
Source: Luis Guilherme Berenguer Todo-Bom
In contrast to the other series on this list, Dragon Ball Z Kai is not a continuation of the previous storyline. It is essentially a remastered version of the original Dragon Ball Z series. People who wish to know how to watch Dragon Ball in the correct order typically find this to be very confusing.
The majority of the filler footage has been removed, and DBZ Kai does feature some remastered moments. You can choose to watch Dragon Ball Z or DBZ Kai; all versions essentially contain the same content. In a nutshell, it is an updated version of Dragon Ball Z that was remastered in high definition and aimed towards a younger demographic.
If I were to recommend one of the Dragon Ball series to you, it would be Dragon Ball Z Kai rather than the original Dragon Ball Z. Not only is Dragon Ball Z: Kai a more polished and improved version of the original program, but it also tells better stories than the original series. The majority of the unnecessary episodes that were a problem with the original show have been deleted.
If you choose to watch DBZ Kai instead of DBZ, you will have a viewing experience that is far more unified as a result.
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4. Dragon Ball GT (1996-2003)
Source: María
Dragon Ball GT is probably the most controversial episode in the whole series. Some fans even consider it non-canon. But in point of fact, that is not the situation at all. In Dragon Ball GT, Goku is regressed to his younger self after he is hit by the Black Star Dragon Balls. He sets out on a mission to recapture the person he was in the past.
It’s possible that Dragon Ball GT should be seen of as filler rather than a non-canon series. Therefore, it is completely up to the viewers to decide whether or not they want to watch it.
There are a total of 64 episodes in this television series. Due to the strange approach it took to the original material, the show received a lot of reviews that were all over the place. It was significantly different from Dragon Ball Z, which turned off a lot of fans because they were expecting something similar.
On the other hand, I don’t think it should be considered a continuation of the first series; rather, it should be considered something of a spin-off. If you watch it with that frame of mind, you’ll be able to take pleasure from the show.
5. Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
Source: Saiyan Island
In the ongoing Dragon Ball series, the most recent installment is titled Dragon Ball Super. If you want to watch Dragon Ball in chronological sequence, we suggest that you start with the most recent season. This television show debuted in 2015 and broadcast its very last episode in 2018.
A total of 131 episodes make up the show, which debuted in 2015 and was an immediate success after its debut. In addition to the episodes, Dragon Ball Super also includes a number of movies, which we will go over in more detail later.
Seven years have passed since the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z, and this is where the narrative of Dragon Ball Super begins. The fact that this series made Broly canon, who was a fan-favorite among DBZ fans, is another reason why it is notable.
In the following order, you should watch Dragon Ball Super:
- Dragon Ball Super (Episodes 1-3)
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
- Dragon Ball Super (Episodes 4-18)
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)
- Dragon Ball Super (Episodes 19-131)
- Dragon Ball Super Movie: Broly (2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
The next step in our chronological arrangement is as follows. If this is your first time watching Dragon Ball, I strongly suggest that you follow this timeline to watch the series in the correct sequence.
Dragon Ball Release Order
Now that we’ve covered how to watch Dragon Ball in the proper chronological order, let’s talk about the order in which the episodes were originally broadcast. Because it can be confusing for novices to the series, I wouldn’t recommend watching it in this order. On the other hand, if you are currently in the process of rewatching the series, you won’t find it to be an issue at all.
In accordance with what was said earlier, the non-canon movies and specials will be included in the release order portion of this article. The Dragon Ball franchise includes a wide variety of media, including television shows, movies, specials, and original video animations (OVAs).
So here’s how to watch Dragon Ball in order based on when it came out:
- Dragon Ball (1986)
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)
- Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987)
- Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988)
- Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
- Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z Special 1: Bardock, The Father of Goku (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: Summer Vacation Special (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Atsumare! Gokuu World (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Destroy the Saiyajin (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z Special 2: The History of Trunks (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
- Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996)
- Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997)
- Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy (1997)
- Dragon Ball: Yo! The Return of Son-Goku and Friends!! (2008)
- Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009-2011)
- Dragon Ball Z Kai: Bring Peace to the Future! Goku’s Spirit is Eternal (2011)
- Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (2011)
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)
- Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
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How Can I Watch Dragon Ball?
Now that you know the right order in which to watch Dragon Ball, you need to know where to watch it. The answer is very easy to understand.
On Funimation, you can stream all the Dragon Ball shows and movies, including Dragon Ball, DBZ, DB Super, and their own movies. So all you have to do to watch Dragon Ball content is sign up for a Funimation account. Even Dragon Ball GT can be watched here.
You can easily watch Dragon Ball in order on Funimation because it has both subbed and dubbed versions of the anime.
Also, you can watch the Dragon Ball series on Hulu, which is a well-known streaming service. There are a few Dragon Ball Z movies on Netflix, but they are not available in the US. But don’t worry, you can still watch those movies by reading our guide on how to change your Netflix region.
Upcoming Dragon Ball Series/Movies
Source: IGN Movie Trailers
There is only going to be one Dragon Ball movie released in the near future, and the title of that film is Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. The release was originally scheduled for April, however it has been postponed indefinitely until further notice.
There have also been whispers regarding Dragon Ball Super’s second season, but we won’t be able to comment on this matter until we get some official word.
There are a few different trailers available for this movie, which will be released in the near future. These trailers have also generated excitement among the fans. First and foremost, portions of the trailer are being distributed via various social media platforms. Because this movie won’t be released for some time, you have plenty of time to watch the Dragon Ball series in the correct order.
Conclusion
This concludes our instruction on the proper order in which to watch the Dragon Ball television series. Due to the length of time that has passed since the beginning of the series, there was an extreme requirement for a guide of this nature. We have made an effort to clarify everything that is necessary for you to understand in order for you to watch Dragon Ball in the correct sequence.
You should make sure that all of your friends who are interested in beginning their own Dragon Ball journey have access to this guide.
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