How to watch Dragon Ball in order? Dragon Ball is one of, if not the, most popular anime series of all time. In fact, it’s challenging to think of a modern equivalent that hasn’t co-existed with Goku and the gang for years, such as One Piece and Pokemon. As such, you’d likely want to know how to watch Dragon Ball in order.
The franchise splits into several anime series, each containing memorable sagas per entry. That’s a lot of Dragon Ball to work through, so we’d best get started. Now, of course, there are filler episodes (that’s typical for every shounen anime), but even filler in Dragon Ball can be worth watching.
If you’re eager to feed your anime fix, check out our guide on where to watch Pokemon, One Piece, and Dragon Ball. But now, without further ado, here’s how to watch Dragon Ball in order.
How to watch Dragon Ball in order of release:
The best way to watch Dragon Ball in order, if you’re a first-time viewer, is definitely in order of release.
Just note that the order we’ve suggested below includes several of the Dragon Ball movies, which, for the most part, don’t have a major impact on canon (outside of the Dragon Ball Super movies, that is), so feel free to skip them if you want.
Also, please note that we’ve included Dragon Ball GT and Super Dragon Ball Heroes, both of which are of dubious canonicity at this point but feature some cool transformations and epic fights, so they’re definitely worth a watch if you’re a die-hard fan.
Here’s how to watch Dragon Ball in order of release:
- Dragon Ball, episodes 1-43
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)
- Dragon Ball, episodes 43-70
- Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987)
- Dragon Ball, episodes 71-118
- Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988)
- Dragon Ball, episodes 119-153
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 1-11
- Dragon Ball Z: The Dead Zone (1989)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 12-39
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 40-54
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 55-63
- Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 64-81
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 82-99
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 100-130
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 131-143
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 144-175
- Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z, episode 176
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z episodes 177-189
- Dragon Ball Z episodes 190-192
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 193-197
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 198-220
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 221-232
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 233-258
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 259-270
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 271-291
- Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996)
- Dragon Ball GT, episodes 1-41
- Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy (1997)
- Dragon Ball GT, episodes 42-64
- Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (2011)
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurection F (2015)
- Dragon Ball Super, episodes 1-131
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
- Super Dragon Ball Heroes
How to watch Dragon Ball in chronological order
If you’re feeling particularly bold, you can watch Dragon Ball in chronological order, starting with The Father of Goku movie and ending with Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
We’d only recommend this if you’ve already seen Dragon Ball, as there are big differences in tone between some of the films, but it does offer a slightly more unique perspective on Goku’s story.
Also, note we’ve cut Dragon Ball GT and Super Dragon Ball Heroes from the list entirely as they’re alternate timelines.
Here’s how to watch Dragon Ball in chronological order:
- Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (2011)
- Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990)
- Dragon Ball, episodes 1-13
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986)
- Dragon Ball, episodes 14-17
- Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle (1987)
- Dragon Ball: Mystical Adventure (1988)
- Dragon Ball, episodes 18-68
- Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996)
- Dragon Ball, episodes 69-153
- Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 1-20
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 21-107
- Dragon Ball Z: History of Trunks (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 108-172
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 173-193
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 195-208
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 209-226
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 227-248
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 249-288
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
- Dragon Ball Super, episodes 1-14
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
- Dragon Ball Super, episodes 15-27
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F (2015)
- Dragon Ball Super, episodes 28-131
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
- Dragon Ball Z, episode 194
- Dragon Ball Z, episodes 289-291
1. Dragon Ball (1986–1989)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Dragon Ball is where it all began. A young Goku meets a strange girl named Bulma, and the pair set off on an adventure to find the wish-granting orbs, the Dragon Balls. Finding new friends and defeating evils of all sizes along the way. Dragon Ball has a lot of life lessons about expanding your worldview, growing up, and becoming stagnant.
These lessons carry on today in Dragon Ball Super. The original Dragon Ball TV series is full of that old-fashioned anime humor and charm, including the awesome martial arts; it’s always worth a watch.
2. Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll, Prime Video
In Dragon Ball Z, an adult Goku must face the challenges of fatherhood oh, and multiple enemies with godlike strength hellbent on ending his life. Dragon Ball Z is a back-to-back action adventure, raising the stakes at every turn. From the egotistical anime villain turned ally Vegeta to the deadly emperor Frieza (aka one of the best Dragon Ball Z characters of all time). Goku and Co have their work cut out for them to save the day.
What else needs to be said? We all know what Dragon Ball Z has to offer. Action-packed fights, a lot of power-up screaming, and an energy beam clash budget that could power a small city. It’s an anime popular enough to be a household name. That is not something to say lightly.
3. Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Continuing directly where Dragon Ball Z left off at the Buu Saga, Dragon Ball GT takes Goku on a galaxy-spanning adventure and tackles an interesting consequence that’s rarely touched upon in this animated series: What if you misuse the Dragon Balls too often? I stand by thinking that that is an excellent idea for a Dragon Ball saga.
Dragon Ball GT is not based on an existing manga, and at times, it leans into the world of Saturday morning cartoons over an exciting anime early in the show’s run. Although it’s no longer canon due to the events of Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball GT has Super Saiyan 4, and that makes it worth watching alone. I have a soft spot for that cool red monkey form.
4. Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009–2011)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Simply put, Dragon Ball Z Kai is Dragon Ball Z, but cutting the fat of filler arcs from the episode count. Kai also renews the animation, bringing some situations closer to panels from the manga, correcting colors as well as infamous animation errors. Also, the overhauled soundtrack cannot be understated.
Though it is a more streamlined experience, I do personally prefer the original Dragon Ball Z series over Kai, and no one can tell me the episode where Goku and Piccolo learn to drive isn’t essential to the series. If you want a streamlined Dragon Ball Z series with no filler, then Kai is for you.
Now, those were the original three Dragon Ball anime, alongside Dragon Ball Z Kai’s abridgment of the series. Since this, series creator Akira Toriyama departed from Dragon Ball, only to return after the disastrous reception of the live-action anime movie Dragon Ball: Evolution to regain control of the franchise.
Since Toriyama’s return, Dragon Ball content has excelled, with multiple films and the brand new manga and anime Dragon Ball Super taking the reins of modern Dragon Ball.
5. Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
Dragon Ball Super is a direct continuation of Dragon Ball Z cutting in front of Dragon Ball GT, as, at this point, GT is ruled as non-canonical. So, the events of which are not considered relevant to the current story. When a terrifying god of destruction comes to earth in search of a good fight, of course, Goku and company agree, unaware that this will spin into a journey of universal proportions.
Dragon Ball Super offers exciting stories and new heights for Goku to achieve, including fighting an evil version of the iconic anime character that’s taken over Future Trunks’ world and fighting in a tournament against other universes. With Vegeta, as always, playing catchup.
6. Super Dragon Ball Heroes (2018–Present)
Super Dragon Ball Heroes is an anime built to promote the digital card game of the same name, and it’s a bit of a trip. Following the events of Dragon Ball Super Tournament of Power Arc, Super Dragon Ball Heroes takes a sidestep with the fan-favorite Future Trunks being kidnapped, leading to a massive, sometimes even border lining a “What If?” fanfiction of an adventure.
One can imagine the appeal of Super Dragon Ball Heroes’
peculiar stories. Its main watching point is featuring familiar faces from alternate realities once forgotten, including Dragon Ball GT’s Goku appearing in his Super Saiyan 4 form.
That’s everything on how to watch Dragon Ball in order for now. Hopefully, we will see more anime action in Dragon Ball Super. Maybe we’ll finally see the villainous Moro on screen or possibly another adventure. You can find out more in our speculation piece on the Dragon Ball Super season 2 release date.
We also have guides for all the One Piece filler episodes you can skip, how to watch all of Naruto in order, and everything you need to know about Demon Slayer season 4. Or why not look over our Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero review and check out all the new anime heading our way.