Complete Guide to Watching Dragon Ball Chronologically

One of the most popular anime and manga franchises ever, Dragon Ball has been captivating fans since its inception in 1984. How should you enjoy this iconic series today?

Akira Toriyama forever changed pop culture with Dragon Ball in the ’80s. His dynamic manga, which follows the adventures of young Goku in his quest for the dragon balls, has led to some of the best anime series and numerous anime movies.

Since those early days, where Goku wandered the Earth with Bulma and friends, the saga has expanded dramatically. Goku has ventured to other planets, faced a plethora of villains, and encountered several of Shenron’s dragon siblings.

With literally hundreds of episodes and a somewhat convoluted timeline, it may seem daunting for newcomers. Fear not, as we guide you through watching all of Dragon Ball effortlessly.

How to watch Dragon Ball in canon order

The canon order for Dragon Ball includes everything currently recognized by the franchise. Regardless of filler, these episodes are likely to be referenced in future shows and films.

How to watch Dragon Ball in order — Crunchyroll

There are a few key choices to consider: the preference between Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z Kai, as well as the first 27 episodes of Dragon Ball Super. Choosing Z offers the original experience, while Kai streamlines production with less filler.

Dragon Ball Super remakes the films Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’, so viewing these movies may save you time compared to the series.

The lone large omission is Dragon Ball GT, which is often viewed as the black sheep of the franchise due to its lesser involvement from Akira Toriyama and mixed reception.

Dragon Ball in canon order:

Dragon Ball 1-153
Dragon Ball Z 1-291 / Dragon Ball Z Kai 1-167
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
Dragon Ball Super 29-131
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

How to watch Dragon Ball in chronological order

Watching Dragon Ball in chronological order provides the most comprehensive experience, allowing you to witness every high and low point in the series. It showcases the creative endeavors of both Toriyama and the production teams at Toei Animation.

However, be prepared for a lengthy viewing experience. Certain sections can feel prolonged, particularly in the Androids Saga, and you will encounter extensive power-ups and battle preparations.

In return, you will experience some of the most memorable and defining moments in anime history.

Dragon Ball in chronological order:

Dragon Ball 1-43
Dragon Ball: Curse of the Dragon Rubies
Dragon Ball 44-70
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle
Dragon Ball 71-118
Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure
Dragon Ball 119-153
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone
Dragon Ball Z 1-86
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku
Dragon Ball Z 87-107
Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
Dragon Ball Z 108-123
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks
Dragon Ball Z 124-125
Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge
Dragon Ball Z 126-146
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13
Dragon Ball Z 147-173
Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Z 174-194
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
Dragon Ball Z 195-207
Dragon Ball Z: Broly’s Second Coming
Dragon Ball Z 208-250
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly
Dragon Ball Z 251-253
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
Dragon Ball Z 254-288
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
Dragon Ball GT 1-64
Dragon Ball Super 1-3
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods
Dragon Ball Super 4-18
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
Dragon Ball Super 19-131
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Dragon Ball Z 289-291

How to watch Dragon Ball without filler

Dragon Ball is known for its filler episodes, which can distract from the main plot. If you prefer a streamlined viewing experience focused on the core story, you can skip significant filler content.

For a filler-free experience, it’s advisable to watch Dragon Ball Z Kai rather than the original Z series, as it offers enhanced animation and fewer filler episodes. Additionally, the first 27 episodes of Dragon Ball Super can be skipped.

Dragon Ball without filler:

Dragon Ball 1-28, 35-41, 46-49, 51-78, 84-131, 133, 148
Dragon Ball Z Kai 1-6, 8-54, 55-57, 59-72, 74-98
Dragon Ball Z: The History Of Trunks
Dragon Ball Z Kai 99-100, 102-128, 130-158, 160-165
Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Gods
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
Dragon Ball Super 28-29, 31-41, 47-51, 53-67, 77-89, 92-131
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

When does every major Dragon Ball villain appear?

Dragon Ball is known for introducing memorable villains throughout its history. With countless foes faced by Goku and the Z Fighters, it’s fascinating to track their entrances.

Below, you can find the list of when the major villains appear. Note that this list does not include one-off adversaries or anti-villains, which could vastly increase the number of entries.

Major Dragon Ball villains and their appearances:

Pilaf – Dragon Ball 1
Commander Red – Dragon Ball 30
Mercenary Tao – Dragon Ball 58
King Piccolo – Dragon Ball 102
Raditz – Dragon Ball Z 1
Nappa – Dragon Ball Z 5
Frieza – Dragon Ball Z 44
Captain Ginyu – Dragon Ball Z 60
Garlic Jr – Dragon Ball 108
Androids 19 and 20 – Dragon Ball Z 126
Cell – Dragon Ball Z 141
Broly – Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan
Majin Buu – Dragon Ball Z 232
Doctor Myuu – Dragon Ball GT 13
Baby – Dragon Ball GT 22
Syn Shenron – Dragon Ball GT 57
Beerus – Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Goku Black – Dragon Ball Super 47
Jiren – Dragon Ball Super 85

How many episodes of Dragon Ball are there?

Across the entire franchise, there are 639 episodes in total, encompassing Dragon Ball, Z, GT, and Super.

If you opt for Dragon Ball Z Kai instead of Z, that total drops to 515 episodes, and to 451 when excluding Z and GT.

Breakdown of episodes by series:

Dragon Ball – 153 episodes
Dragon Ball Z – 291 episodes
Dragon Ball Z Kai – 167 episodes
Dragon Ball GT – 64 episodes
Dragon Ball Super – 131 episodes

How many Dragon Ball movies are there?

As of now, there are 22 Dragon Ball movies, spanning the entire franchise. The first film, Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies, was released in 1986, and the latest is Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, which debuted in 2022.

All Dragon Ball movies released:

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle
Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure
Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug
Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge
Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon
Dragon Ball: The Path to Power
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’
Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

Where does Dragon Ball Daima fit in the timeline?

Dragon Ball Daima is set to take place after the Majin Buu Arc of Dragon Ball Z, but before Battle of Gods. This information comes from renowned insider Geekdom101, who provided insights in September 2024.

While we await its release, the positioning of Dragon Ball Daima suggests it will likely occur towards the end of Dragon Ball Z.

What’s next for the Dragon Ball franchise?

After Dragon Ball Daima, the future of the franchise appears uncertain. The passing of Akira Toriyama raises questions regarding future creative leadership. His only absence was during Dragon Ball GT, which received a mixed response.

The rights to the franchise have also become contentious following Toriyama’s death, with several companies vying for licensing before he passed, leaving a leadership gap.

We can speculate what may follow Daima, potentially hinting at new developments.

Where can you watch all the Dragon Ball shows and movies?

You can find the entire Dragon Ball franchise streaming on Crunchyroll. The service acquired the rights to Dragon Ball Z in February 2024, enabling it to host the complete saga.

Now, every show and movie is available for subscribers in the UK and US, making it the ultimate destination for Dragon Ball fans.

This is a thorough guide to watching Dragon Ball—enjoy! If you’re eager for newer anime, check out our upcoming anime guide, along with our guides on other popular series like One Piece and My Hero Academia.