The Dragon Ball Series is a cornerstone of anime, captivating fans worldwide with its thrilling battles, memorable characters and evolving power levels. But for anyone looking to dive into the world of dragon ball, There is one big challenge: the complex timeline and watch order. Watch across multiple series, movies, specials and non-canon content Dragon Ball For the first time can be daunting.
Dragon Ball Has many different watch order possibilities that can help new or returning fans stay true to the core storyline, or canon, of the anime. There are 3 main watch orders for dragon ball, Including shortcuts for those who want to skip filler and avoid non-canon material. Each fan has the option to choose their own Dragon Ball Experience and Watch Goku’s story from his early days as a child in Dragon Ball to the latest adventures in Dragon Ball Super.
The canon watch order
How to watch Dragon Ball with the original story
1 |
Dragon Ball (1986) |
2 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 01-74) |
3 |
DBZ Special (Bardock – Goku’s father) |
4 |
Dragon Ball p (Episode 139-75) |
5 |
DBZ Special (The Story of Trunks) |
6 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 140-288) |
7 |
DBZ OVA (Yo Son Goku and his friends return) |
8 |
Dragon Ball Super |
9 |
Dragon Ball Super: Broly |
10 |
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero |
11 |
Dragon Ball p (EP 289-291) |
The Dragon Ball Canon refers to the official storyline that was created by Akira Toriyama, closely sticking to the manga. Watching through the canon watch order ensures that fans can follow the intended story without turning into filler or alternate timelines. The canon includes the original Dragon Ball series, dragon ball z, dragon ball super, and specific movies and specials. By watching the canon timeline, viewers will see all the major plotlines, character arcs and transformations that align with Toriyama’s vision.
Related
Staying true to the canon not only guarantees an authentic experience, but also allows fans to watch the character growth of Goku, Vegeta and others. Starting from Goku’s childhood in Dragon Ball And ending with the last movie, Dragon Ball: Super Hero, Fans witness a continuous story full of battles, friendships and the constant expanding Dragon Ball Universe. Watching in canon order offers a deep dive into the story, ensuring that every transformation, like Super Saiyan or Ultra Instinct, feels earned and relevant to the story.
The canon shortcut watch order
A faster way to watch Dragon Ball
1 |
Dragon Ball (1986) |
2 |
Dragon Ball Z Kai (EP 01-165) |
3 |
Dragon Ball Z: Special: Bardock – Goku’s father |
4 |
Dragon Ball Z Special: The Story of Trunks |
5 |
Dragon Ball Z: Goku and his friends return) |
6 |
DBS Movie (Battle of God) |
7 |
DBZ Movie (Resurrection of “F”) |
8 |
Dragon Ball Super (EP 131-28) |
9 |
Dragon Ball Super: Broly |
10 |
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero |
11 |
Dragon Ball Z Kai (ep 166, 167) |
For fans short on time but still looking to enjoy the main storyline of Dragon Ball Without filler or non-essential content, the canon shortcut is the best approach. This method of watching Dragon Ball Removes unnecessary filler episodes and condenses the viewing experience to focus on the core plot. Key arcs, like the battles against Frieza, Cell and Majin Buu, remain intact, while filler episodes and non-essential fights are left out.
This shortcut is especially useful for viewers who want to catch up before starting new series like Dragon Ball Super. By replacing the original Dragon Ball p for Dragon Ball Z Kai, A remastered version with less filler, fans can experience the same main story in less time. Additionally, skipping early episodes of Dragon Ball Super Which were covered in movies like Battle of the Gods And Resurrection ‘F’ Further speeds up the viewing process without sacrificing important content.
The non-canon watch order
Fun adventures outside the official storyline
1 |
Dragon Ball (EP 01-132) |
2 |
DB Movie (Curse of the Blood Rubies) |
3 |
DB Movie (Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle) |
4 |
DB Movie (Mystical Adventure) |
5 |
DB Movie (The Road to Power) |
6 |
Dragon Ball (ep 133-153) |
7 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 01-06) |
8 |
DBZ Movie (Dead Zone) |
9 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 07-35) |
10 |
DBZ Movie (The Strongest in the World) |
11 |
DBZ Movie (The Tree of Power) |
12 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 36-74) |
13 |
DBZ Special (Bardock – Goku’s father) |
14 |
Dragon Ball p (Episode 75-94) |
15 |
DB Movie (Lord Slug) |
16 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 95-125) |
17 |
DB Movie (Cooler’s Revenge) |
18 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 126-139) |
19 |
DBZ Special (The Story of Trunks) |
20 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 140-174) |
21 |
DBZ Movie (The Return of Cooler) |
22 |
DBZ Movie (Super Android 13) |
23 |
DBZ Movie (Bruly the Legendary Super Saiyan) |
24 |
(DBZ OVA (Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans) |
25 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 175-194) |
26 |
DBZ Movie (Bojack Unbound) |
27 |
Dragon Ball p (ep 195-207) |
28 |
DBZ Movie (Brooly – Second Coming) |
29 |
Dragon Ball p (EP 208-241) |
30 |
DBZ Movie (Bio – Broly) |
31 |
Dragon Ball p (EP 242-253) |
32 |
DBZ Movie (Fusion Reborn) |
33 |
Dragon Ball p (EP 254-288) |
34 |
DBZ Movie (Wrath of the Dragon) |
35 |
Dragon Ball p (EP 289-291) |
36 |
Dragon Ball GT (ep 01-40) |
37 |
DB GT Special (A Hero’s Legacy) |
38 |
Dragon Ball GT (ep 41-64) |
39 |
DBZ OVA (Bardock’s Episode) |
40 |
DBZ OVA (Yo Son Goku and his friends return) |
41 |
DBZ Movie (Cross Epoch) |
42 |
Dragon Ball Super |
43 |
DBS Movie (Brooli) |
44 |
DBS Movie (Super Hero) |
45 |
SDBH Universe Mission |
46 |
SDBH Big Bang Mission |
47 |
SDBH Ultra God Mission |
48 |
Dragon Ball Dima |
While canon content forms the core storyline of dragon ball, There is a wealth of non-canon material that can be watched alongside the canon for additional entertainment. Non-canon refers to any series, movie, or special that does not directly follow Akira Toriyama’s original plot. Although these episodes and films do not fit into the official timeline, they are often beloved for their action-packed battles and fan-favorite characters.
The non-canon side of Dragon Ball Includes a variety of movies and specials that explore “what-if” scenarios or introduce characters that don’t fit into the main storyline. One of the most prominent non-canon elements is dragon ball z gt, A sequel series that takes place after the events of Dragon Ball p. Despite being non-canon, GT Has gained a cult following for its unique storylines, such as the introduction of Super Saiyan 4. The movies also offer some exciting new villains, such as Cooler and the original version of Broly, who starred in three separate films.