The Dragon Ball franchise stands as one of the most beloved and expansive anime universes to ever exist. With its intricate storyline, unforgettable characters and epic battles, the anime series and movie franchise has captured and captivated the hearts and visual sensibility of audiences since its inception in the mid-80s.
The original Dragon Ball series, based on the manga of the same name, serves as the foundation for a sprawling universe that includes Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and the latest addition, Super Dragon Ball Heroes. Alongside the series, numerous movies and TV specials add depth and complexity to the narrative, complicating the quest to watch Dragon Ball in the correct order.
Furthermore, Dragon Ball DAIMA, a highly anticipated anime series marking the 40th anniversary of the iconic franchise, has officially announced its release in Fall 2024.
On 1 March 2024, the legendary manga artist Akira Toriyama, the creative force behind Dragon Ball, passed away, leaving behind a legacy cherished by millions worldwide.
While his departure has renewed interest among fans, for newcomers warming up to the world of Toriyama and navigating the vast array of content can be a tad daunting. Especially, since understanding the chronological order of the movies and series lists is essential to fully immerse oneself in the world of Goku and his friends.
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So here’s a guide that will help you delve into the timeline of Dragon Ball and provide a comprehensive roadmap on how to watch Dragon Ball movies and series in chronological order.
But first, let’s unravel the ‘Dragon Ball’ universe
Before diving into the chronological order of Dragon Ball movies and series, it’s imperative to grasp the structure of its universe. The franchise consists of multiple anime series, including Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super, besides various other movies and specials that tie up the whole fascinating world of Akira Toriyama.
Breaking down the chronological order of the Dragon Ball universe:
- Dragon Ball (1986-1989): The journey begins with Dragon Ball in the mid-80s, where we meet young Goku and witness his adventures in search of the Dragon Balls. This series, based on the first 194 manga chapters, sets the foundation for the entire franchise and introduces key characters like Bulma, Krillin, Master Roshi and Piccolo.
- Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996): Following the events of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z picks up with Goku’s adulthood and his ongoing battles against powerful foes, including Vegeta, Frieza, Cell and Majin Buu. This series is known for its intense action sequences and iconic transformations.
- Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997): While not directly based on the manga, Dragon Ball GT explores Goku’s journey after the events of Dragon Ball Z. It introduces new adversaries and takes Goku on a quest across the universe to recover the scattered Dragon Balls.
- Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018): Set after the events of Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super continues Goku’s adventures, introducing new characters such as Beerus, Whis and the multiverse tournament. This series expands the Dragon Ball lore and explores the concept of divine beings and alternate realities.
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Movies and specials interspersed in the ‘Dragon Ball’ universe
Alongside the main series, the Dragon Ball franchise includes numerous movies and specials that complement the storyline and offer additional insights into the characters and their adventures. These movies can be enjoyed within the timeline of the series:
- Dragon Ball movies: The early Dragon Ball movies, such as Curse of the Blood Rubies and Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle, are set within the timeframe of the original series and feature self-contained stories that align with the events of Dragon Ball.
- Dragon Ball Z movies: The Dragon Ball Z movies, including classics like Dead Zone, The World’s Strongest, The Tree of Might and Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, are typically set within the Dragon Ball Z timeline and explore alternate scenarios and adversaries beyond the main series.
- Dragon Ball Super movies: With the release of Dragon Ball Super, new movies like Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F‘ tie directly into the series’ storyline, introducing new characters and expanding the universe’s mythology.
How to watch ‘Dragon Ball’ anime series in order
To experience the Dragon Ball anime series in order, follow these steps:
- Start with Dragon Ball, watching all 153 episodes to acquaint yourself with Goku’s origin story and quest for the Dragon Balls.
- Proceed to Dragon Ball Z, comprising 291 episodes, for Goku’s adulthood and his battles against formidable adversaries.
- Transition to Dragon Ball GT‘ consisting of 64 episodes, to witness Goku’s journey across the galaxy in search of the Black Star Dragon Balls.
- Conclude with Dragon Ball Super, watching all 131 episodes to explore Goku’s adventures beyond the events of Dragon Ball Z. Follow this up with the web series Super Dragon Ball Heroes (2018).
- Incorporate the movies and specials within the corresponding series based on their release dates or fitting narrative points for a better experience.
How to watch the best ‘Dragon Ball’ movies and series in chronological order
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 1-86
- Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (TV Special)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 87-107
- Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 108-123
- Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (TV Special)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 124 and 125
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 126-146
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13 (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z episodes 147-173
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 174-194
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 195-207
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly’s Second Coming (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 208-250
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 251-253
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (movie)
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 254-288
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (movie)
- Dragon Ball DAIMA
- Dragon Ball Z: episodes 289-291
- Dragon Ball GT: episodes 1-64
- Dragon Ball Super: episodes 1-3
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods (movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: episodes 4-18
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F (movie)
- Dragon Ball Super: episodes 19-131
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (movie)
- Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Where to watch ‘Dragon Ball’ movies and series
Funimation, Crunchyroll and Hulu are your go-to platforms for streaming the best Dragon Ball movies and shows. While you may need a premium account on Funimation and Crunchyroll, Hulu offers the original Dragon Ball series and Dragon Ball Z Kai, with options for both ad-supported and ad-free plans.
Keep in mind that streaming platforms may change their offerings, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for, JustWatch can help you track down your favourite Dragon Ball content across various platforms.
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Meanwhile, check out the trailer of Akira Toriyama’s last work, the upcoming series ‘Dragon Ball DAIMA’
(Header and feature image courtesy: IMDb/Dragon Ball DAIMA)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which Dragon Ball series should I watch first?
Start with the original Dragon Ball series, which aired from 1986 to 1989. It introduces the young Goku and sets the foundation for the entire franchise, including key characters like Bulma, Krillin, Master Roshi and Piccolo.
– Which Dragon Ball movie should I watch first?
Begin with Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies, which is set within the timeframe of the original series and features a self-contained story that aligns with the events of Dragon Ball.
