There’s no doubt you’ve seen the Dragon Ball series at some point in your life, but if you’ve only caught a couple of episodes here and there and not the entire series, then this article will definitely assist you. In this article, I will demonstrate how to view the Dragon Ball series in sequence!
The Dragon Ball franchise is one of the most renowned anime series in the world; it’s essentially the show that brought worldwide recognition to the anime industry.
When I was growing up, this was my preferred show, but back then, I had no idea what anime even was; let alone the other anime shows that were airing at the time. But now I know what anime is, and I was able to watch Dragon Ball in sequence once I discovered the entire series.
Believe me, I watched Dragon Ball Z, and I didn’t even know that there was a series before that titled “Dragon Ball,” which featured Goku’s adventures as a kid. I discovered that much later.
Since I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did, I prepared this Dragon Ball watch order guide. If you are like me, who watched only a couple of episodes or movies without knowing about the entire series, then this article will help you watch the whole show in the correct order.
How to View Dragon Ball Series in Sequence?
The Dragon Ball anime series is an iconic series unlike any other. There are a total of 807 episodes in the series, divided into multiple seasons that are further divided into numerous sagas.
There are also several movies that were released while the show was on air, and we will discuss them, too.
So, let’s take a look at the Dragon Ball watch order you should follow!
1. Dragon Ball in Sequence (TV Series):
- Dragon Ball (1986)
- Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
- Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997)
- Dragon Ball Kai (2009-2011)
- Dragon Ball Kai: The Final Chapters (2014-2015)
- Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
These are the various parts that make up the entire Dragon Ball anime series. But there’s some info that you should know before you begin watching it.
Dragon Ball GT is an anime-only series. It’s really well done, and the animation is top-notch, but the story isn’t canon. I personally enjoyed watching it, but some fans don’t really care about it. However, I recommend you watch it because it features one of the most popular Super Saiyan forms ever!
Next, Dragon Ball Kai is a revised version of Dragon Ball Z. It’s mostly the same but has less filler content than DBZ, and Kai ends at Cell Games Saga. Dragon Ball Kai: The Final Chapters cover the Majin Buu Saga!
2. Dragon Ball Movies In Sequence
The movies in the franchise aren’t canon, but they are worth watching. However, the recently released movies, starting from Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, are all canon, and you should watch them!
- 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: Dead Zone (1989)
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (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 Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
3. Dragon Ball Specials
- Dragon Ball Specials (1988)
- Dragon Ball Z Special 1: Bardock, The Father of Goku (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: Summer Vacation Special (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z Special 2: The History of Trunks (1993)
- Looking Back at it All: The Dragon Ball Z Year-End Show! (1993)
- Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy (1997)
- Dragon Ball: Yo! The Return of Son-Goku and Friends!! (2008)
- Dragon Ball Z Kai: Bring Peace to the Future! Goku’s Spirit is Eternal (2011)
- Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (2011)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly – Skytree Super (2018)
4. OVAs
- Dragon Ball Z: Atsumare! Goku World (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Destroy the Saiyajin (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate Super Saiyans OVA Remake (2010)
These are all the episodes, movies, and OVAs that make up the entire Dragon Ball universe! There are over 800 episodes and several movies to watch, but I guarantee you will enjoy watching it.
If you ask me how I would watch it, I would first watch the anime series, and once I am done with that, I would then take my time watching the movies, OVAs, and specials or spin-offs.
But there’s also the chronological order to watch the show, and if you want to go through with it, I’ve got you covered. In the next section, I will tell you how to watch the Dragon Ball series and movies chronologically!
How to Watch Dragon Ball Series in Chronological Order?
If you don’t know what chronological order means, here’s a brief explanation. It basically means watching the story according to the time the events unfold.
I am not sure why anyone would want to watch the series in this order because it includes everything in the closest timeline possible. The movies might conflict with the show’s timeline a little bit, which is why they are not considered canon.
But if you are ready for this Dragon Ball watch order, by all means, go ahead. Here’s the chronological order to watch Dragon Ball series:
- Dragon Ball – All Episodes
- Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 1-86
- Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (TV Special)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 87-107
- Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 108-123
- Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (TV Special)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 124 and 125
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 126-146
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13 (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 147-173
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 174-194
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 195-207
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly’s Second Coming (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 208-250
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 251-253
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 254-288
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Z – Episodes 289-291
- Dragon Ball GT – All Episodes
- Dragon Ball Super – Episodes 1-3
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Super – Episodes 4-18
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Super – Episodes 19-131
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly – Skytree Super
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Movie)
How to Watch Dragon Ball Series In Canon Order?
For those fans who aren’t willing to watch everything with the Dragon Ball name on it, here’s a canon order of the series. When you watch the show according to the info mentioned below, you won’t have to waste time behind movies or episodes that aren’t canon and aren’t considered part of the main story.
I would recommend everyone to watch Dragon Ball in canon order, and once you’re done, maybe you can watch all the movies and OVAs!
- Dragon Ball – All Episodes
- Dragon Ball Z or Kai – Until the end of the Frieza Saga
- Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (TV Special)
- Dragon Ball Z or Kai – From Frieza Saga until the end of the Cell Saga
- Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (TV Special)
- Dragon Ball Z – All Remaining Episodes
- Dragon Ball Super – All Episodes
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Movie)
