Dragon Ball Watch Order

If you’ve just started exploring anime or you’re diving back into the nostalgic world of Dragon Ball, one question always pops up: What’s the correct watch order? With so many series, movies, and spin-offs spanning over decades, it can feel confusing. Don’t worry—this guide breaks it all down in simple steps so you can enjoy Goku’s journey without missing a thing.

Dragon Ball isn’t just an anime—it’s a cultural phenomenon that shaped the shonen genre. From Goku’s first adventures as a child to epic battles against gods, the story has expanded massively over the years. Knowing where to begin will help you experience the story in its true flow.

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Why Watch Order Matters

Unlike some other anime where the story follows a straight timeline, Dragon Ball has multiple adaptations, filler arcs, and even remakes. If you skip around randomly, you might get confused about character growth, transformations, or even major battles. Watching in the right order ensures you follow the story, understand Goku’s power-ups, and enjoy the series the way it was meant to be seen.

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Dragon Ball Watch Order – The Main Series

Here’s the recommended watch order for the Dragon Ball franchise:

1. Dragon Ball (1986–1989)

Start here! This series introduces kid Goku, Bulma, Master Roshi, and the original hunt for the seven Dragon Balls. It has martial arts tournaments, humor, and sets the foundation for the whole franchise.

• Episodes: 153
• Why watch: It builds the world, explains Dragon Balls, and shows Goku’s childhood journey.

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2. Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)

This is the legendary series that made Dragon Ball famous worldwide. It covers Saiyan Saga, Namek/Frieza Saga, Android/Cell Saga, and Majin Buu Saga. This is where Goku becomes a Super Saiyan, Vegeta joins the heroes, and battles get massive in scale.

• Episodes: 291
• Why watch: It’s the core of the franchise and contains the most iconic transformations and fights.

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3. Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997) (Optional)

GT isn’t based on the manga and is considered non-canon, but many fans still enjoy it. It follows Goku’s adventures after Z, featuring Baby Saga, Super 17 Saga, and the Shadow Dragons Saga.

• Episodes: 64
• Why watch: It introduces Super Saiyan 4, a form still loved by fans.

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4. Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)

Super is the official sequel to Z, written with Akira Toriyama’s involvement. It explores gods, multiverses, and introduces iconic characters like Beerus, Whis, Hit, Jiren, and Broly. The Tournament of Power arc is a fan favorite.

• Episodes: 131
• Why watch: Modern animation, new transformations like Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct, and huge universe-level battles.

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5. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018 Movie)

This movie is canon and connects directly after the Tournament of Power. It reintroduces Broly in a fresh, official way.

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6. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022 Movie)

Another canon movie, focusing on Gohan and Piccolo, while introducing new androids and forms.

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Chronological vs. Release Order

Some fans ask if they should watch in chronological order (storyline) or release order. The safest path is release order, since that’s how the story was introduced and how most fans experienced it. Chronological order can work too, but you risk jumping into non-canon stories (like GT) that don’t connect smoothly.

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Dragon Ball Movies – Where Do They Fit?

There are over 20 Dragon Ball movies, but most of the older ones (before Dragon Ball Super: Broly) are non-canon. You can watch them for fun, but they don’t impact the main storyline.

• Popular non-canon movies: Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge, Fusion Reborn, Wrath of the Dragon.
• Canon movies: Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

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Recommended Watch Path for Beginners

If you’re new and just want the essentials, follow this:

1. Dragon Ball
2. Dragon Ball Z (or Dragon Ball Kai – a remastered version with fewer fillers)
3. Dragon Ball Super
4. Canon Movies (Broly, Super Hero)

You can watch GT later as an alternate universe if you’re curious.

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Final Thoughts

The Dragon Ball watch order depends on how deep you want to dive. If you’re a completionist, watch everything, including GT and movies. If you’re here for the canon story, stick with Dragon Ball → Z → Super → movies. Either way, you’ll witness one of the greatest anime journeys of all time.

From Goku’s humble beginnings to battling gods of destruction, Dragon Ball has something for every anime fan. So grab your senzu beans and get ready for an unforgettable ride!

If you’re also following other classics, check out our complete guide on the Naruto Watch Order to see how the shinobi journey unfolds.

And for darker storytelling, here’s the Attack on Titan Watch Order you shouldn’t miss.