Dragon Ball Watch Order: For more than three decades, Dragon Ball has been one of the most popular anime franchises in the world. Created by Akira Toriyama, the series has expanded far beyond the original manga and today includes multiple anime series, spin-offs, and a long list of movies. Because of this, new fans often wonder what the correct watch order of Dragon Ball is and how each part connects to the story. With Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Kai, and Dragon Ball Super all available to watch, the order can feel confusing. Add in the movies and things become even more complicated.
To make things easier, here is a complete guide on how to watch Dragon Ball in the right order, whether you want to follow the timeline or enjoy the series in release order.
Dragon Ball (1986–1989) – The Beginning of Goku’s Journey
The first step in watching Dragon Ball is the original Dragon Ball anime that aired in the late 1980s. This series follows a young Goku as he leaves his mountain home, meets Bulma, and begins his search for the Dragon Balls. Along the way, he trains under Master Roshi, meets Krillin, fights in the World Martial Arts Tournaments, and faces powerful enemies like the Red Ribbon Army and King Piccolo.
This part of the story shows how Goku grows from a child into a strong martial artist, and it sets up many important characters who appear later in Dragon Ball Z. Even though some fans skip the original and start with Dragon Ball Z, watching this series gives you the full story and helps you understand Goku’s background.
Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996) – The Saiyan and Frieza Sagas
When most people think of Dragon Ball, they think of Dragon Ball Z. This is the series that introduced transformations like Super Saiyan, massive battles, and villains such as Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.
The story begins when Goku learns he is not human but a Saiyan, an alien warrior race. The Saiyan Saga and Namek Saga set the stage for some of the most famous anime moments of all time, including Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation against Frieza. The later sagas, such as the Android Saga and the Majin Buu Saga, push the series into bigger and more emotional territory.
Dragon Ball Z is a must-watch for all fans. It runs for 291 episodes, which means it’s long, but it is also the heart of the franchise.
Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997) – The Non-Canon Sequel
After Dragon Ball Z ended, Toei Animation created Dragon Ball GT. Unlike the previous shows, GT is not directly based on Toriyama’s manga, which is why it is often called “non-canon.”
In GT, Goku is turned back into a child by the Black Star Dragon Balls, and he goes on an adventure across the galaxy with Pan and Trunks. The series introduces new transformations such as Super Saiyan 4 and features major storylines like the Baby Saga, Super 17, and the Shadow Dragons.
Even though GT has a mixed reputation among fans, it still contains many memorable moments and is worth watching for those who want to experience everything in the Dragon Ball universe.
Dragon Ball Kai (2009–2015) – The Remastered Z
For fans who want a shorter version of Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Kai is the answer. This is a remastered version of Z that cuts out the filler episodes and stays closer to the manga. Instead of 291 episodes, Kai tells the same story in just 167 episodes.
The art is cleaned up, the audio is improved, and the pacing is faster, making Kai a good option for new fans who want to enjoy the Z story without spending too much time. However, some fans prefer the original Z for its music and nostalgia.
Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018) – The Return of Goku
Nearly two decades after Dragon Ball Z, the story continued with Dragon Ball Super. This anime takes place after the defeat of Majin Buu and expands the universe by introducing gods, new Saiyan forms, and multiverse tournaments.
The early arcs adapt the movies Battle of Gods and Resurrection F, showing Goku’s transformation into Super Saiyan God and his battles with Beerus and Golden Frieza. Later, the Universe 6 Saga brings new characters like Hit and Cabba, while the Future Trunks Saga reintroduces a fan-favorite hero against the dark villain Goku Black.
The climax of Super is the Tournament of Power, where fighters from multiple universes battle for survival. This arc includes Goku’s Ultra Instinct form and one of the most intense finales in all of anime.
Dragon Ball Movies – Where Do They Fit?
Alongside the main anime series, Dragon Ball has produced over 20 movies. Some of them retell existing storylines with changes, while others are original stories that don’t always fit perfectly into the main timeline.
Key movies to watch include:
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods – introduces Beerus and Super Saiyan God.
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F – Frieza returns with a new form.
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly – reimagines Broly as canon, adding him into the official story.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – focuses on Gohan and Piccolo’s new powers.
If you want the full experience, watching the movies is recommended, but they are not always required to follow the main anime story.
What Is the Best Dragon Ball Watch Order?
There are two main ways to watch Dragon Ball: release order or chronological order.
Release Order:
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z (or Kai)
- Dragon Ball GT (optional)
- Dragon Ball Super
- Dragon Ball Movies
Chronological Order:
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z (or Kai)
- Dragon Ball Super
- Dragon Ball Movies in timeline order
- Dragon Ball GT (if you want to explore the non-canon sequel)
Final Thoughts
Watching Dragon Ball can feel overwhelming because of how many series and movies exist, but the journey is always worth it. Whether you watch in release order or chronological order, you’ll experience one of the greatest anime franchises of all time. From young Goku’s adventures in the original series to the universe-shaking battles of Dragon Ball Super, every step shows why Dragon Ball has stayed popular for decades.
Must Read : The 10 Longest Dragon Ball Sagas of All Time (Ranked by Episode Count)
