How to Watch Dragon Ball in Order: The Ultimate Guide for New Fans
Dragon Ball is one of the most iconic anime franchises in history, with millions of fans worldwide. However, with multiple series, movies, and spin-offs, figuring out the correct order to watch Dragon Ball can be confusing—especially for new viewers.
If you’re wondering how to watch Dragon Ball in order, this guide will help you enjoy the complete storyline without unnecessary fillers or confusion. Whether you're a first-time viewer or revisiting the series, here’s the best way to experience Dragon Ball.
.png "How to Watch Dragon Ball in Order || ドラゴンボールを順番に見る方法")
Understanding the Dragon Ball Series
Before jumping into the watch order, let’s break down the different series in the Dragon Ball franchise:
- Dragon Ball (1986–1989) – The original series follows Goku’s childhood and early adventures.
- Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996) – A direct sequel where Goku grows up, faces powerful enemies, and discovers his Saiyan heritage.
- Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997) – A non-canon sequel that takes place after Dragon Ball Z.
- Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018) – A new, official sequel to Dragon Ball Z that continues the story after the Majin Buu saga.
- Dragon Ball Movies – Several movies have been released, but not all are canon to the main story.
Now, let’s explore the best way to watch Dragon Ball in order.
The Best Watch Order for Dragon Ball
There are two main ways to watch Dragon Ball: chronological order (based on the storyline) or release order (based on when they aired). The best option is to follow the chronological order while including only the canon content.
1. Start with Dragon Ball (1986–1989)
This is where it all begins! Dragon Ball introduces Goku as a child and follows his journey to becoming a martial artist while searching for the Dragon Balls.
- Watch Episodes 1-153 (Covers the entire series)
- Skip any filler episodes if you prefer a faster watch
2. Watch Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)
Dragon Ball Z continues Goku’s journey as an adult, introducing powerful villains such as Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu.
- Watch Episodes 1-291 (Covers the entire series)
- For those who prefer the main plot, skip the filler episodes.
Alternative Option: If you prefer a faster-paced version without filler, you can watch Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009–2015) instead. It follows the same story as Dragon Ball Z but removes unnecessary episodes and improves animation quality.
- Watch Dragon Ball Z Kai Episodes 1-167 (Instead of DBZ)
3. Watch Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)
After Dragon Ball Z, watch Dragon Ball Super, which continues Goku’s story with new transformations, gods, and multiverse battles.
- Watch Episodes 1-131
- Skip filler episodes if desired
4. Optional: Watch Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997)
Dragon Ball GT is not canon (meaning it doesn’t follow the official storyline). However, it can be watched as an alternate sequel to Dragon Ball Z.
- Watch Episodes 1-64 (Optional)
Dragon Ball Movies: Which Ones to Watch?
Several Dragon Ball movies exist, but only a few are considered canon. Here’s the best order for the movies that fit into the main timeline:
Canon Dragon Ball Movies (Must-Watch)
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013) (Before Dragon Ball Super)
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015) (Before Dragon Ball Super)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) (After Dragon Ball Super)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) (After Dragon Ball Super Broly)
Non-Canon Dragon Ball Movies (Optional)
If you want extra content, you can watch other Dragon Ball Z movies, but they don’t fit into the main story. Some popular ones include:
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
Should You Watch Dragon Ball Kai Instead of Dragon Ball Z?
If you want to experience the Dragon Ball Z story without filler episodes, Dragon Ball Z Kai is a great alternative. It follows the same events as Dragon Ball Z but removes unnecessary episodes, improving pacing and animation.
Choose Dragon Ball Z if:
- You want to watch the original experience with all episodes, including fillers.
Choose Dragon Ball Z Kai if:
- You prefer a shorter, faster-paced version with updated animation.
Final Thoughts
Watching Dragon Ball in the correct order will help you enjoy the series without confusion. If you’re a first-time viewer, start with Dragon Ball, then move on to Dragon Ball Z (or Kai), and finally, Dragon Ball Super. The movies add extra excitement but are optional.
By following this guide, you’ll experience the legendary journey of Goku and his friends in the best possible way. Now, grab some Senzu Beans and start your Dragon Ball adventure today!
FAQs on How to Watch Dragon Ball in Order
1. What is the correct order to watch Dragon Ball?
The best order is:
- Dragon Ball (1986–1989) – Episodes 1-153
- Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996) – Episodes 1-291 (or Dragon Ball Z Kai for a shorter version)
- Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018) – Episodes 1-131
- Dragon Ball Super Movies (Canon) – Battle of Gods, Resurrection ‘F’, Broly, Super Hero
- (Optional) Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997) – Episodes 1-64 (Non-canon sequel)
2. Should I watch Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z?
Yes! Dragon Ball introduces Goku’s origins and early training, which makes Dragon Ball Z more enjoyable and easier to understand.
3. Can I skip Dragon Ball GT?
Yes, Dragon Ball GT is not canon, meaning it doesn’t follow the official storyline. You can skip it, but it’s still fun to watch.
4. Should I watch Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai?
- Watch Dragon Ball Z if you want the full experience, including fillers.
- Watch Dragon Ball Z Kai if you prefer a faster-paced version with improved animation and no filler episodes.
5. What Dragon Ball movies are important?
The canon movies that fit the main story are:
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
All other movies are non-canon and can be watched for fun.
6. Where can I watch Dragon Ball?
Dragon Ball series are available on platforms like:
- Crunchyroll
- Funimation
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
Availability may vary by region.
7. How long does it take to watch all of Dragon Ball?
If you watch only the main series (Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super), it takes about 400+ hours. Skipping fillers or watching Dragon Ball Z Kai reduces the total time.
Now you're ready to start your Dragon Ball journey! 🚀🔥 Have more questions? Let me know in comments! 😊
.png)
