The Dragon Ball franchise, with its sprawling universe and decades of content, can be daunting for newcomers and even confusing for long-time fans looking to revisit the saga. The optimal viewing experience interleaves the core anime series – Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super – with its numerous movies, strategically placed to enhance the narrative flow and avoid continuity conflicts.
Understanding the Dragon Ball Timeline
Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand the basic chronology of the Dragon Ball universe. We’ll follow the official timeline as much as possible, acknowledging that some movies exist in semi-canon or alternate timelines. This ensures a satisfying and cohesive viewing journey.
Key Series and Their Place
- Dragon Ball: This series covers Goku’s childhood and early adventures, from meeting Bulma to defeating King Piccolo.
- Dragon Ball Z: A continuation of Dragon Ball, this series focuses on the Saiyan saga and beyond, introducing powerful adversaries like Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. It’s also where transformations like Super Saiyan become prominent.
- Dragon Ball GT: This series is considered non-canon by many, as it wasn’t directly written by Akira Toriyama. However, some fans still enjoy it for its unique concepts.
- Dragon Ball Super: This series is the official continuation of Dragon Ball Z and takes place after the defeat of Majin Buu, introducing Gods of Destruction and multiversal tournaments.
The Recommended Viewing Order
Here’s a detailed, recommended watch order, incorporating both the anime series and the theatrical movies, designed for maximum enjoyment and minimal confusion:
- Dragon Ball: Episodes 1-153 (The entire series).
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 1-67 (Saiyan Saga and Namek Saga up to Frieza’s defeat).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 1: Dead Zone.
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 2: The World’s Strongest.
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 3: The Tree of Might.
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 68-107 (The Garlic Jr. Saga and Androids Saga up to Androids 16, 17, and 18’s appearance).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 4: Lord Slug.
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 108-125 (Continuation of the Androids Saga up to Cell’s emergence).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 5: Cooler’s Revenge.
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 126-165 (Cell Saga up to the end of the Cell Games).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 6: Return of Cooler.
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 7: Super Android 13!
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 166-194 (The Great Saiyaman Saga and World Tournament Saga up to the start of the Buu Saga).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 8: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan.
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 195-219 (Start of the Buu Saga up to the introduction of Super Buu).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 9: Bojack Unbound.
- Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 220-276 (Buu Saga from Super Buu to Kid Buu’s defeat).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 10: Broly – Second Coming.
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 11: Bio-Broly. (Optional; considered one of the weaker entries).
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 12: Fusion Reborn.
- Dragon Ball Z Movie 13: Wrath of the Dragon.
- Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Movie. (Alternatively, watch Dragon Ball Super episodes 1-14, which retell this story.)
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ Movie. (Alternatively, watch Dragon Ball Super episodes 15-27, which retell this story.)
- Dragon Ball Super: Episodes 28-131 (Universal Survival Saga and beyond).
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly Movie. (Canon continuation of the Dragon Ball Super series)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Movie. (Canon continuation of the Dragon Ball Super series)
Note: Dragon Ball GT isn’t included as it’s generally considered non-canon. If you choose to watch it, do so after completing Dragon Ball Z and before starting Dragon Ball Super.
Why This Order Works
This watch order meticulously considers the continuity of the anime. Placing the movies in between specific arcs ensures they don’t contradict established plot points and character power levels. For example, movies featuring Super Saiyan transformations are placed after Goku achieves this form during the Frieza saga.
The inclusion of both movie versions and the Dragon Ball Super arc retelling of Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ allow the viewer to choose their preferred format for experiencing these stories. While the movie format offers a condensed experience, the Dragon Ball Super episodes provide additional character development and world-building.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: What’s the difference between Dragon Ball Z Kai and Dragon Ball Z?
Dragon Ball Z Kai is a remastered version of Dragon Ball Z that removes filler content, making it a more streamlined and faster-paced viewing experience. It also features updated animation and voice acting. Some prefer Kai for its brevity, while others prefer the original DBZ for its more fleshed-out scenes and nostalgia.
FAQ 2: Are the Dragon Ball movies canon?
Most of the older Dragon Ball movies are non-canon, meaning they don’t fit into the main timeline of the series. However, Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero are considered canon sequels to the Dragon Ball Super series. This is because Akira Toriyama was heavily involved in the production and storyline of these movies.
FAQ 3: Should I watch Dragon Ball GT?
Dragon Ball GT is a divisive topic among fans. While it features some interesting concepts and characters, it’s not considered part of the official canon. Ultimately, the decision to watch Dragon Ball GT is a matter of personal preference.
FAQ 4: Where can I watch Dragon Ball legally?
You can legally watch Dragon Ball on various streaming services like Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. Availability may vary depending on your region.
FAQ 5: What is the best Dragon Ball movie?
This is subjective, but many fans consider Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn and Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon to be among the best non-canon movies. Dragon Ball Super: Broly is widely regarded as the best canon movie.
FAQ 6: Do I need to watch Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z?
Yes, it’s highly recommended to watch Dragon Ball before Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball establishes the characters, world, and core themes that are essential to understanding Dragon Ball Z.
FAQ 7: What’s the difference between the subbed and dubbed versions?
The subbed version features the original Japanese voice acting with subtitles, while the dubbed version features English voice acting. Some prefer the subbed version for its authenticity, while others prefer the dubbed version for ease of understanding.
FAQ 8: How long will it take to watch all of Dragon Ball?
Watching all of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z (including Kai), Dragon Ball Super, and the movies can take hundreds of hours. It’s a significant time commitment, but well worth it for fans of the franchise.
FAQ 9: Is Dragon Ball Super a reboot?
Dragon Ball Super is not a reboot. It’s a direct continuation of Dragon Ball Z, taking place after the defeat of Majin Buu.
FAQ 10: Are there any filler episodes I should skip?
While Dragon Ball Z Kai removes most filler, there are some episodes in the original Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball that some viewers may choose to skip. However, filler can often provide valuable character development and world-building.
FAQ 11: What is the significance of the Dragon Balls?
The Dragon Balls are mystical orbs that, when collected, summon the powerful dragon Shenron, who can grant wishes. They are a central element of the Dragon Ball universe and drive many of the plotlines.
FAQ 12: Which order should I watch the Dragon Ball Super specials?
There are no specifically designated “specials” in Dragon Ball Super in the way there were in Dragon Ball Z. The series is continuous and best watched in sequential episode order. Any “special” episodes are typically just longer or more focused installments within a particular arc. Focus on the order of the main episodes for the best viewing experience.