The Dragon Ball anime series has been broadcast for about 40 years, from the 1986 'Dragon Ball' to the 2024 'Dragon Ball DAIMA'. Multiple series including the original, Z, Kai, Super, GT, and DAIMA exist, and it’s natural for first-time viewers or those returning after a long time to wonder, "In what order should I watch them?" In this article, we will detail three viewing patterns for enjoying the Dragon Ball anime and the characteristics of each series. Find a viewing method that suits you and fully enjoy the world of Dragon Ball.
The Dragon Ball anime series consists of works based on the original manga and anime-original sequels. By first grasping the overall picture, you will be able to see which series to start with.
The Dragon Ball anime series is mainly composed of the following six works.
Dragon Ball (Original): All 153 Episodes (1986-1989). An adventure drama depicting Goku's childhood. It adapts from the early parts of the original until the Piccolo Daimao arc.
Dragon Ball Z: All 291 Episodes (1989-1996). A battle action series depicting Goku's youth and beyond. It is a long-running series from the Saiyan arc to the Buu arc, which popularized Dragon Ball worldwide.
Dragon Ball Kai: All 159 Episodes (2009-2015). A remastered and re-edited version of Dragon Ball Z. It removes the fillers from the original Z and has a more faithful structure to the original work.
Dragon Ball Super: ...
All 131 episodes (2015-2018). A series depicting a new story after the Buu Saga. **Supervised by the original creator, Akira Toriyama** it is an official sequel produced under his guidance.Dragon Ball GT: All 64 episodes (1996-1997). An anime-original story created as a sequel to Z. The original creator was not directly involved, but it has a dedicated fanbase with its unique worldview.
Dragon Ball DAIMA: Starts airing in October 2024. The latest series with original concept and script by Akira Toriyama. Goku and the others take on child forms and embark on new adventures.
Arranging the Dragon Ball story chronologically deepens understanding. In the original timeline, the correct historical flow is **Original → Z (or Kai) → Super**. GT is not included in the original timeline, positioned as a sort of parallel world.
The original series is a coming-of-age story of Goku from childhood to young adulthood. Z takes place after Goku gets married and has his son Gohan, developing into cosmic battles. Super begins a few years after Z (Buu Saga), introducing new characters like Beerus the Destroyer and the Omni-King. **GT is an anime-original development set about 10 years after Z, existing on a different timeline from Super**. DAIMA is a new adventure set in the demon realm, believed to take place around the timeline of Super.
Complete explanation of the Dragon Ball timeline | Summary of the story flow and chronology
There are three main approaches to watching Dragon Ball. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so choose according to your viewing style and objectives.
The method of watching in broadcast order is in the sequence of "Dragon Ball (Original) → Dragon Ball Z → Dragon Ball GT → Dragon Ball Super → Dragon Ball DAIMA". The advantage of this method is that you can have the same experience as the fans at that time, feeling the evolution of animation techniques and direction. You can re-experience the surprise and excitement felt by the real-time viewers. Additionally, it helps you understand the historical context between each series and changes in the anime industry.
The disadvantage is that **Z has a long episode count of 291 episodes** and that there are many anime-original stretched scenes. In particular, Z includes extended battle scenes and long filler episodes that are not in the original work. This viewing method is recommended for those who have plenty of time and want to experience the entire history of Dragon Ball.
Watching in chronological order follows the story flow of "Dragon Ball (Original) → Dragon Ball Z (or Kai) → Dragon Ball Super". The advantage of this order is that **the continuity of the story is maintained, allowing for a natural tracking of character growth**. You can consistently enjoy Goku, who was a boy in the original, becoming a father in Z, and fighting new foes in Super.
Since you can experience the **official story involving the original creator, Akira Toriyama**, this is ideal for those who want to know "the authentic Dragon Ball". GT is original to the anime, so it is not watched in this order (or is enjoyed as a separate entity after Super). The disadvantage is that you might miss out on the unique charm of GT. However, if you seek a faithful experience to the original work, chronological order is the most logical choice.
For those watching Dragon Ball for the first time, the most recommended order is "Dragon Ball (Original) → Dragon Ball Kai → Dragon Ball Super → Dragon Ball DAIMA".
This method is designed for efficiently enjoying the story.
The key point is to choose Kai instead of Z. Kai is a remastered version of Z, cutting out padding and filler, resulting in a structure that is faithful to the original work. While Z has 291 episodes, Kai has 159, allowing you to enjoy the same story in about half the time. The visuals have also been remastered in high definition, and the music has been newly recorded, optimized for modern viewing environments.
Experience Goku's growth in the original, savor the core battles of Dragon Ball in Kai, and enjoy the latest stories in Super. This flow offers the best balance of time efficiency and satisfaction. If you're interested in GT, it's advisable to watch it after Super, and enjoy DAIMA as the latest work last. [Related Article]: Thorough comparison of Dragon Ball Z and Kai: Which one should you watch?
Each series has its own unique charm, and your impression may change depending on the order you watch them. Here, we will detail the characteristics and highlights of each series.
The original series, consisting of 153 episodes, is an adventure that depicts Goku's childhood. Centered around the search for Dragon Balls, it features tournaments and battles against colorful enemy characters. Compared to later series, ** The battle power inflation is being kept in check, and battles that make use of martial arts and strategy are characteristic.
The highlights include Goku's pure growth story and the friendship with his companions such as Bulma, Krillin, and Yamcha. There are also plenty of gag elements, and the balance between comical scenes and serious battles is exquisite. In particular, the Piccolo Daimao arc is an important episode that connects to later series, where Goku experiences his first major defeat and growth. Those who started watching from Z will deepen their understanding of the characters by watching the original series, and will be able to enjoy the world of Dragon Ball even more.
This is a grand series of 291 episodes that made Dragon Ball a global sensation. It depicts Goku after his youth and is composed of four major story arcs: the Saiyan arc, Frieza arc, Cell arc, and Buu arc. Epic battles unfold on a cosmic scale beyond Earth, and a new transformation form known as Super Saiyan makes its debut.The highlights are the large-scale battle scenes and the activities of new generation characters like Gohan and Trunks. In particular, the scene of Goku's Super Saiyan awakening in the Frieza arc is a memorable moment in anime history. The downside is that there is a lot of stretching, with battle scenes lasting a long time. It's not uncommon for episodes to progress the story very little. This series is for those who have time to spare and want to immerse themselves in the world view.
This is a remastered work of Dragon Ball Z, consisting of 159 episodes. Unnecessary fillers and anime-original episodes have been removed from the 291 episodes of Z, and it has been re-edited to faithfully follow the original manga. The visuals have been remastered in a 16:9 widescreen format, allowing viewers to watch it in high quality. The music has also been newly produced, and the opening and ending themes have been revamped.
The biggest difference between Z and Kai is the good pacing. Kai emphasizes the flow of the original work, so the story progresses efficiently without boring stretches. It's recommended for those who are watching Dragon Ball for the first time or those who want to enjoy the story in a short amount of time. On the other hand, if you have fondness for Z's anime-original episodes or those uniquely drawn-out battle scenes, it might be good to choose Z. If in doubt, choosing Kai is a safe choice.
A total of 131 episodes were aired from 2015 to 2018, and it is a **official sequel series**. The original creator, Akira Toriyama, supervises the original concept and script, and the story begins a few years after the Buu Saga. The hierarchy of gods such as Beerus, Whis, and Zeno is revealed, and other universes are also discovered. In the Tournament of Power Saga, a tournament is held where warriors from multiple universes gather, introducing new formidable foes and allies.
The highlights are Goku and Vegeta's **new transformation forms (Super Saiyan Blue and Ultra Instinct)**, and a world view that expands on a cosmic scale. Additionally, the interactions between Beerus and Whis and the appearance of the unique character Zeno are also attractive features. There were mixed reviews for the early animation, but the quality improved in the latter half, particularly **the Tournament of Power Saga received high praise.** Watching it after Z or Kai allows for an experience that further expands the world of Dragon Ball.
It is a **completely original anime series** with a total of 64 episodes, set about 10 years after Z. The original creator, Akira Toriyama, was not directly involved in the script, but he was responsible for character design. The story follows Goku who has returned to his childhood form as he travels through space with his granddaughter Pan and Trunks in search of the Dragon Balls. In the latter half, **the unique transformation form known as Super Saiyan 4** makes its appearance.
GT holds a special position, as it is treated as a different timeline from Super. Now that Super is considered the “true history,” GT exists like a parallel world. However, GT has its unique charm, and the ending depicting Goku's final moments is touching. Furthermore, the design of Super Saiyan 4 and the storyline of the Evil Dragon Saga have a strong fan base. While it is not essential, watching it after Super can provide enjoyment of the diverse possibilities within Dragon Ball. 【Related Articles】: Differences Between Dragon Ball GT and Super | Which is the True History? An Explanation of the Timeline
The latest series started airing in October 2024
features the original creator Akira Toriyama handling the original story, character design, and screenplay. Goku and his friends are transformed into children due to the schemes of the demon world, leading to a new adventure set in this new backdrop. The new stage of the demon world, which has not been depicted much until now, further expands the worldview of Dragon Ball.
The feature of DAIMA is the enhancement of adventure elements, which can be referred to as a return to the origins. The depiction of Goku and his friends exploring an unknown world in their child forms evokes the atmosphere of the original series. The battle scenes drawn with the latest animation techniques and new characters illustrated by Akira Toriyama are also captivating. It is believed to take place around the timeline of Dragon Ball Super, and watching it after Super will enhance the enjoyment even more. Currently being aired, it is a rare opportunity to experience a new story of Dragon Ball in real-time. A thorough explanation of the charm of Dragon Ball DAIMA | Highlights of the latest work
There are numerous theatrical versions of Dragon Ball. These are generally independent stories from the TV series, although some works are connected to the television series. This section explains when you should watch the movies and which works are must-sees.
Among the many theatrical versions, here are three that are particularly highly rated and are a must-see for Dragon Ball fans.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) is a movie that incorporates the legendary Saiyan Broly into the official story. Written by Akira Toriyama, this film revamps Broly's character. With its overwhelming animation quality and intense battle scenes, it became a big hit, exceeding 4 billion yen in box office revenue. It is recommended to watch it after the Super arc.
"Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero" (2022) focuses on Gohan and Piccolo. It depicts the revival of the Red Ribbon Army and the battles against new androids. **It is produced with 3DCG animation** and features a story development that evokes the early atmosphere of the original. You should watch it after the final episode of Super or after Broly.
**"Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'" (2015)** depicts the revival of Frieza and became the prototype for the Frieza arc of the TV anime "Super." It is also the first appearance of Super Saiyan Blue, and watching it before Super enhances your viewing experience of the TV series. It is ideal to watch just before Kai or Super.
The timing for watching the movies varies by work. The most efficient way is to advance through the TV series while interspersing the relevant movies from that era.
The Z era movies (such as "Battle of Gods" and "Dangerous Duo! Super Warriors Can't Sleep") are basically **independent parallel stories from the TV series**. You can casually watch them anytime during Z or Kai as you have interest. However, since the transformations and characters of Goku differ by movie, it’s good to check which period of the TV series they correspond to.
**The Super movies are linked to the TV series** so the viewing order is important. "Resurrection 'F'" has the same content as the early part of Super (Frieza arc), so you can watch it before Super or in place of Super's Frieza arc. "Broly" is recommended after the final episode of Super, and "Super Hero" after Broly. By watching in this order, the continuity of the story is maintained, and you can naturally follow the growth of the characters. [Related Article]: The Timeline and Viewing Order of Dragon Ball Movies | The Positioning of All 21 Works
We will answer common questions that beginners often have about the viewing order of Dragon Ball.
If you value time efficiency, I recommend "Kai." ** Kai offers the same story in about half the number of episodes as Z, with extensions and fillers removed and the visuals are remastered in high quality, making it optimal for modern viewing environments**. On the other hand, if you find value in Z's anime-original episodes or its unique drawn-out atmosphere, and have time to spare, choosing Z might also be a good option. I recommend Kai for first-time viewers.
GT is not essential. Since Super is considered the continuation of the main story, skipping GT will not affect your understanding of the narrative. However, GT has its own charm, with beloved elements for fans such as ** Super Saiyan 4 and the Evil Dragon arc**. After watching Super, if you're interested, you can also check out GT to enjoy the diverse world of Dragon Ball. If you don't have time, it's fine to skip it.
You can enjoy it starting from the middle, but I recommend watching from the beginning if possible to understand the characters' backgrounds and relationships. If you really don't have time, starting from the Saiyan arc of "Kai" is one method. Additionally, the first episodes of each arc often include summaries of previous events, so starting from the Frieza arc or the Cell arc will allow you to follow the story to some extent.
The quickest route is "Kai -> Super in that order
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