What are Dragon Ball series in order? If you’re about to dive into Dragon Ball, you’ve probably asked yourself the same question every new fan does: where the heck do I start?
The franchise has been running for decades, with spin-offs, movies, remakes, and even shows fans debate about to this day. It can look like a giant puzzle when you first try to figure out timeline. But once you break it down, it’s pretty simple.
Here’s the order that makes the most sense if you want to experience the story without missing anything important.
Dragon Ball (1986–1989)
This is the beginning of everything. A kid named Goku, who just happens to have a tail and insane strength, sets off on an adventure with Bulma to find the Dragon Balls. It’s goofy, lighthearted, and way less intense than what comes later. This one introduces most of the characters and ideas that drive the series in future. If you skip it, you’ll still follow Z, but you’ll miss a lot of the charm.
Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)
This is the one everyone knows. Dragon Ball Z turns up the stakes immediately, Goku’s an adult now, aliens are attacking, and battles literally decide the fate of the universe. The Saiyan saga, Frieza, Cell, Majin Buu… it’s all here. It’s also where the legendary Super Saiyan transformation shows up for the first time. If you’ve only heard about Dragon Ball through memes or clips, this is probably what people were talking about.
Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997)
GT is… complicated. It wasn’t written by creator Akira Toriyama, and fans are still split on whether it deserves a spot in the timeline. The story sends Goku into space (as a child again) and eventually introduces Super Saiyan 4. You don’t need to watch it to follow the main story, but it’s there if you’re curious.
Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009–2015)
Think of Kai as Z without all the fluff. It’s basically a remaster that cuts out filler episodes and keeps things closer to the manga. Same story, better pacing, and updated visuals. If 291 episodes of Z feels like too much, Kai is the quicker way to experience it.
Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)
After years, Dragon Ball came back with Super, and this one is a mix of nostalgia and fresh ideas. The series introduces gods, multiverse tournaments, and new transformations like Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct. It’s little lighter in tone, but the fights are huge, and the animation really shines.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
This isn’t just another side movie, it’s canon. Broly, a fan-favorite character from the old non-canon films, gets reintroduced properly into the timeline. The animation here is on another level, and the fights are pure chaos in the best way possible. If you watch Super, you have to watch this movie too.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
Instead of focusing on Goku and Vegeta, this one shifts the spotlight to Gohan and Piccolo. The Red Ribbon Army returns, there’s new animation style, and longtime fans finally got to see Gohan step up again. It feels different from the usual Dragon Ball movie, but in a refreshing way.
Dragon Ball Daima
The next big chapter in the dragon ball universe. Daima turns Goku and friends back into kids again, but this time Toriyama himself is involved in the story. That alone has fans hyped, since his direct touch usually means we’re in for something fun.
The Best Watch Order
If you don’t want to overthink it, here’s the cleanest order to follow:
- Dragon Ball
- Dragon Ball Z (or Kai if you want the faster version)
- Dragon Ball Super
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
- Dragon Ball Daima
GT? Totally optional. Some people love it, some skip it entirely. It won’t break the story either way.
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Dragon Ball’s been around for nearly forty years, and it’s still pulling in new fans every day. The crazy transformations, the emotional rivalries, or just the sheer chaos of universe-ending battles, there’s plenty to enjoy. Now that you know the order, all that’s left to do is start watching and see why this series became one of the biggest anime franchises in the world.