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Dragon Ball Order To Watch: Simplified

Dragon Ball is an anime that almost everyone has watched in their childhood. It is one of the most popular, not to mention extensive, anime franchises of all time  – and for newcomers, the wealth of content can overwhelm you very easily. How to watch the Dragon Ball series? Do not worry mate! In this article, we will present you with the best watch order to get you into the series just like that!

PLOT: Dragon Ball Series

This 35 year-long old series covers Goku’s journey along with his friends, right from his childhood, as he trains to become stronger on the quest to find wish-fulfilling seven Dragon Balls.

Anime Series release order:

  • Dragon Ball (1986 – 1989)
  • Dragon Ball Z (1989 – 1996)
  • Dragon Ball GT (1996 – 1997)
  • Dragon Ball Z Kai (2005 – 2015)
  • Dragon Ball Super (2015 – 2018)
  • Super Dragon Ball Heroes (2018 – Present)

Other Media

Movies(only canons)

  • Dragon Ball Z Movie 14: Battle of Gods (2013)
  • Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)
  • Dragon Ball Super Movie 1: Broly (2018)
    If you are looking for the other Non-canon movies, click HERE.

TV Specials

  • Dragon Ball Z: Bardock, The Father of Goku (1990)
  • Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (1995)
  • Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy (1997)

OVAs

  • Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans (1993)
  • Dragon Ball Z: Yo, Son Goku and His Friends Return (2008)
  • Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans (2010)
  • Dragon Ball Z: The Episode of Bardock (2011)

Anime Chronological Watch Order

Canons & Movies

Dragon Ball (1986 – 1989)

Dragon Ball

Arcs: Emperor Pilaf Saga, Tournament Saga, Red Ribbon Army Saga,General Blue Saga, Commander Red Saga, Fortuneteller Baba Saga,Tien Shinhan Saga, King Piccolo Saga,Piccolo Jr. Saga.

Dragon Ball Z (1989 – 1996)/ Dragon Ball Z Kai (2005 – 2015)

Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai: Which one to watch?

Honestly, it doesn’t matter much. Both of the seasons are the same. The only difference is that the Kai is modified to make the series a little shorter by cutting some fight scenes. Since in Dragon Ball Z sometimes, a single fight can go up to 10 episodes, so these fights are made short. You can watch Kai as you will not miss any important details and can enjoy the show much more.

Arcs: Saiyan Saga,Namek Saga,Ginyu Saga, Frieza Saga,Garlic Jr. Saga, Trunks Saga, Android Saga, Imperfect Cell Saga,Perfect Cell Saga, Cell Games Saga,Great Saiyaman Saga,World Tournament Saga, Babidi Saga,Majin Buu Saga,Fusion Saga,Kid Buu Saga [including DBZ Epilogue].

Ovas & Specials

  • Dragon Ball Z: Bardock, The Father of Goku (After episode 63 of DBZ)
  • Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (After episode 175 of DBZ)
  • Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans(After episode 195 of DBZ)

Dragon Ball Gt

Should you watch Dragon Ball GT?

Most Dragon Ball fans don’t suggest you watching Dragon Ball GT as it is non-canon. It mostly contains character-building arcs which are not very important. We also recommend you skip this season and jump into the other seasons directly. You can watch it if you think you will miss something but it is not that necessary.

Arcs: Black Star Dragon Ball Saga,Baby Saga, Super 17 Saga,Shadow Dragon Saga

Special: Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy


More Ovas & Specials

  • Dragon Ball Z: Yo, Son Goku and His Friends Return
  • Dragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans
  • Dragon Ball Z: The Episode of Bardock

Dragon Ball Z Movie 14: Battle of Gods (2013)

Dragon Ball Z Movie 14: Battle of Gods (2013)

Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)

Dragon Ball Z Movie 15: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)

Dragon Ball Super (2015 – 2018)

Dragon Ball Super (2015 – 2018)

Arcs: God of Destruction Beerus Saga, Golden Frieza Saga, Universe 6 Saga, Copy-Vegeta Saga, Future Trunks Saga, Universe Survival Saga

Dragon Ball Super Movie 1: Broly (2018)

Dragon Ball Super Movie 1: Broly (2018)

I hope this article helps you to enjoy the fullest of the beloved Dragon Ball series. It may be difficult to watch the episodes out of order, but the OVAs and Specials can be watched as a stand-alone thing — though I personally wouldn’t recommend it. As with all good fictional worlds, your appreciation of characters and plot deepens when you follow them in a certain chronology.
Also, don’t forget to check out our Dragon Ball Movie Sequence in the next article!

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