How to watch Dragon Ball in order (TV shows and movies)

So, you want to embark on a Dragon Ball adventure, eh? From the humble beginnings of Goku's childhood to the earth-shattering battles of Dragon Ball Super and the mysteries of Dragon Ball Daima, the journey can seem as daunting as facing Frieza in his final form. Fear not, aspiring Super Saiyan! This guide will break down the best ways to experience Akira Toriyama's iconic creation, whether you're a fresh-faced recruit or a seasoned veteran seeking a clearer path.

The Dragon Ball saga boasts a rich history spanning over four decades, encompassing 24 films and over 600 episodes across multiple series. It’s a sprawling universe, but the rewards are immeasurable. This is the show that ignited a global passion for anime, and revisiting (or discovering) its magic is always a worthwhile endeavour.

Charting Your Course: Canonical Order

If you're new to the world of Dragon Ball, the best place to start is with the core storyline. Watching in canonical order ensures you experience the narrative as intended, without getting bogged down in non-essential side stories. This approach focuses on the main series and a select few films recognised as part of the official timeline.

For newcomers, consider watching Dragon Ball Kai instead of the original Dragon Ball Z. Kai is a remastered version of Z that cuts out much of the filler, streamlining the experience and getting you to the heart of the action more quickly. However, if you relish the extended battles and the sheer scale of the original Z series, then by all means, dive right in!

Here's the recommended canonical viewing order:

Dragon Ball (153 episodes)
Dragon Ball Z or Kai (288 episodes)
Dragon Ball Daima (currently 20 episodes)
Dragon Ball Super (131 episodes)
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (film)
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (film)
Dragon Ball Z or Kai: remaining episodes (3 episodes)

The Completionist's Challenge: Chronological Order

For the truly dedicated fan who wants to experience every facet of the Dragon Ball universe, including all the films and the technically non-canonical series, the chronological approach is the ultimate challenge. Be warned: this path requires commitment, adding over 20 films and hundreds of episodes to your watch list.

Many of the Dragon Ball films take place during the timeline of Dragon Ball Z. Therefore, watching chronologically means interweaving the films with the series to maintain the proper flow of events.

Here's how to watch Dragon Ball in chronological order:

Dragon Ball episodes 1-13
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (film)
Dragon Ball episodes 14-153
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle (film)
Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (film)
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 1-86
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (special)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 87-107
Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (special)
Dragon Ball Z: The World's Strongest (film)
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (film)
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 108-123
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (special)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 124-125
Dragon Ball Z: Cooler's Revenge (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 126-146
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 147-173
Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (film)
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 174-194
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 195-207
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 208-250
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 251-253
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 254-288
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (film)
Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball Daima
Dragon Ball Super episodes 1-3
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (film)
Dragon Ball Super episodes 4-18
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F (film)
Dragon Ball Super episodes 19-131
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (film)
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (film)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 289-291

Finding Your Dragon Balls: Where to Watch

Fortunately, accessing the Dragon Ball universe is easier than ever. Many of the main series are readily available on streaming platforms.

Crunchyroll boasts a comprehensive library, including Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. This makes it a one-stop shop for many fans. Amazon Prime Video also offers some Dragon Ball content, but you'll typically need to purchase each season individually.

For the latest series, Dragon Ball Daima, Crunchyroll and Netflix are both currently streaming episodes.

Canon or Non-Canon: That is the Question

The issue of canon in Dragon Ball is a complex one. Some films are considered part of the official storyline, while others are not. The first three Dragon Ball films and the 15 Dragon Ball Z films are generally considered non-canon. However, some fans argue that Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone could potentially fit into the main timeline without contradicting established events.

Adding to the confusion, Dragon Ball Super: Broly is considered canon, while the original Dragon Ball Z: Broly trilogy is not. Dragon Ball Super: Broly directly follows the events of Dragon Ball Super, solidifying its place in the official narrative. This also makes Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero technically canon.

As a general rule, it's best to treat the Dragon Ball films as separate entities if you're aiming for a strict canon-only viewing experience. The series themselves are the most important for understanding the overarching plot and character development, so focusing on them will provide the most cohesive experience. Dragon Ball GT is also considered non-canon.

Dragon Ball Daima: A New Chapter

Dragon Ball Daima is positioned as a sequel to the Majin Buu arc, placing it before the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods film and the later stages of Dragon Ball Super. It has been confirmed that Dragon Ball Daima is indeed canon and will connect to the return of Super, making it a crucial addition to the timeline for dedicated fans.

All episodes of Daima are currently available, offering the perfect opportunity to experience this new chapter in the Dragon Ball saga.