The Dragon Ball franchise is one of the most popular and influential anime and manga series of all time. It has spawned a vast number of media, including multiple anime series, movies, video games, and other dragon ball merchandise.
If you’re new to the Dragon Ball series, it can be a bit daunting to know where to start. There are so many different series and movies, and it’s not always clear which ones are canon and which ones are not.
In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to the Dragon Ball series and movies, including the correct order to watch them. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about the franchise.
Table of Contents
Dragon Ball (Anime: 1986-1989, Manga: 1984-1995)
The original Dragon Ball series follows the adventures of Goku, a young boy with a monkey tail who possesses superhuman strength. Goku travels the world in search of the seven Dragon Balls, which, when combined, can summon the wish-granting dragon Shenron. Along the way, he makes new friends, faces powerful enemies, and trains to become the strongest fighter in the world.
Dragon Ball Z (Anime: 1989-1996, Manga: 1988-1995)
Dragon Ball Z picks up where the original series left off, with Goku now an adult and the father of a son, Gohan. The series follows Goku and his friends as they defend Earth from a variety of threats, including alien invaders, powerful androids, and even the gods themselves.
Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997)
The original manga author, Akira Toriyama, did not create Dragon Ball GT, which is a sequel series to Dragon Ball Z. The series follows Goku and his friends on a new adventure as they travel through space in search of the Black Star Dragon Balls.
Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
Dragon Ball Super is a sequel series to Dragon Ball Z that is canon to the main storyline. The series follows Goku and his friends as they face new threats, including the powerful God of Destruction, Beerus, and his twin brother, Whis.
Watch Order
There are two main ways to watch the Dragon Ball series and movies:
Chronological Order: This is the best way to watch the series if you want to experience the story in the order it was originally told. To watch the series in chronological order, start with the Dragon Ball Z movie “Bardock – The Father of Goku” (1990), which tells the story of Goku’s father. Then, watch the Dragon Ball series, followed by Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. Finally, you can watch the remaining Dragon Ball movies, which are mostly non-canon to the main storyline.
Release Order: This is the best way to watch the series if you want to experience the series in the order it was released to the public. To watch the series in release order, start with the Dragon Ball series, followed by Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. Finally, you can watch the Dragon Ball movies in any order you like.
Chronological Order
If you want to watch the Dragon Ball series in chronological order, here is the recommended viewing order:
- Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
- 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: The History of Trunks (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009-2011)
- Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters (2014-2015)
- Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
Dragon Ball Super Whis Funko Pop
Release Order
If you prefer to watch the Dragon Ball series in the order that they were released, here is the recommended viewing order:
- Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
- Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
- Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997)
- Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009-2011)
- Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters (2014-2015)
- Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
Dragon Ball Z 3D Amazing 2023 Gogeta Hoodie
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Kai?
In 2009, they released Dragon Ball Kai as a remastered version of the Dragon Ball Z series. It features updated animation and music, as well as a number of cuts and edits.
Q: Is Dragon Ball GT canon?
No, Dragon Ball GT is not canon to the main Dragon Ball storyline. Toei Animation produced it without the involvement of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball.
Q: Which Dragon Ball movies are canon?
The following Dragon Ball movies are canon:
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)
- Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Movie – Dead Zone (1989)
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: Tree of Might (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly –
Q: What is the difference between canon and non-canon?
A: Canon refers to the stories and characters that are considered to be part of the official Dragon Ball storyline.
Non-canon refers to stories and characters that are not considered to be part of the official storyline.
Q: What Dragon Ball movies are canon?
A: Only the Dragon Ball Super movies are canon to the main storyline. All other Dragon Ball movies are non-canon.
Q: What is the best way to watch the Dragon Ball series and movies?
A: The best way to watch the series and movies depends on your personal preferences. Watch the series and movies chronologically to experience the story in the order it was originally told. Watch the series and movies in the order of their release to experience the series as it was released to the public
Q: Where can I watch the Dragon Ball series and movies?
A: The Dragon Ball series and movies are available to stream on a variety of platforms, including Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu. You can also purchase the series and movies on DVD or Blu-ray.
Q: Which Order Should I Watch Dragon Ball In?
Ultimately, the best way to watch Dragon Ball is in the order that you enjoy the most. If you’re new to the series, I recommend starting with the original Dragon Ball series, as it introduces the main characters and world of Dragon Ball. Once you’ve finished the original series, you can move on to Dragon Ball Z, which is where the story really starts to pick up.
If you’re a longtime fan of Dragon Ball, you may want to watch the series in chronological order, as the creators originally intended. You will be able to experience the story in the way it was originally intended. However, there’s no wrong way to watch Dragon Ball, so just go with the order that you think you’ll enjoy the most.