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To watch the entire Dragon Ball franchise in order, start with Dragon Ball, continue with either Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai, then watch Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, and Dragon Ball DAIMA. Treat Dragon Ball GT and the older Z-era movies as optional side continuities.
The cleanest first-time route follows the major release eras rather than trying to place every film and side production into one timeline. DAIMA is the main exception: the story is set between Z and Super, but watching DAIMA after the Super-era titles usually produces a smoother release-oriented experience.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Dragon Ball Super - Complete Series - Blu-ray | $149.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Dragon Ball DAIMA - The Complete Season | $39.96 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Dragon Ball DAIMA - The Complete Season - LE | $71.24 | Buy on Amazon |
Key takeaways
- Dragon Ball comes first and contains 153 episodes from the original 1986–1989 television run.
- Choose either Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai for the Z storyline; watching both consecutively is unnecessary for a first viewing.
- Dragon Ball Super comes after Z or Kai, followed by Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO.
- Dragon Ball DAIMA works best after Super for release-oriented viewing, although its story is set between Z and Super.
- Dragon Ball GT is an optional 64-episode post-Z continuation and is not required for understanding Super, Broly, SUPER HERO, or DAIMA.
What is the recommended Dragon Ball watch order?
The recommended first-time order is the release-oriented route through the main modern anime continuity. The official Dragon Ball chronology documents the franchise’s major series and film eras, but the franchise also contains optional side continuities and older movies that do not need to interrupt the main route.
| Order | Title | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dragon Ball | Original series; 153 episodes. |
| 2 | Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai | Choose one version of the Z storyline. |
| 3 | Dragon Ball Super | Television series; Toei’s official episode list reaches episode 131. |
| 4 | Dragon Ball Super: Broly | 2018 Super-era film. |
| 5 | Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO | 2022 Super-era film. |
| 6 | Dragon Ball DAIMA | Later-produced series; its story is set between Z and Super. |
1. Start with Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball should be the starting point because the series introduces child Goku, Bulma, the Dragon Balls, the early martial-arts world, and the relationships that give the later series context. According to Toei Animation’s official listing for Dragon Ball (1986–1989), the original series has 153 episodes and aired from February 24, 1986, through April 19, 1989.
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Starting with Z is possible, especially for viewers familiar with the franchise through games or television reruns, but beginning with Z skips the original introductions and much of the character history that later stories assume.
2. Choose Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai
Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z Kai cover the same central Z-era story in different presentations, so a first-time viewer should choose one rather than watch both back-to-back.
According to Toei Animation’s official Dragon Ball Z listing (1989–1996), the original Dragon Ball Z broadcast contains 291 episodes and aired from April 26, 1989, through January 31, 1996. Dragon Ball Z is the better choice for viewers who want the original broadcast experience, extended pacing, and the identity of the complete 291-episode production.
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| Viewer preference | Choose | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Shortest route through the main Z story | Dragon Ball Z Kai | Streamlined recut with less filler. |
| Original broadcast experience | Dragon Ball Z | Original pacing and 291-episode release identity. |
| First-time viewing | Either Z or Kai | Both cover the central Z storyline, so watching both immediately duplicates most of the experience. |
How should you watch Dragon Ball Super?
Dragon Ball Super follows Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai in the main viewing order. Toei Animation’s official Dragon Ball Super episode list reaches episode 131.
The opening portion of the Super television series revisits the events of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ in television form. Most first-time viewers should simply watch the complete Super television series, including those opening adaptations.
Viewers who prefer the films can watch Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ first, then begin Dragon Ball Super after the overlapping material. Watching both films and the corresponding television adaptations is optional rather than required.
| Super-era approach | Order | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Simple television route | Watch all of Dragon Ball Super | Viewers who want one uninterrupted series and do not mind the opening film adaptations. |
| Film-first route | Battle of Gods, Resurrection ‘F’, then Super after the overlap | Viewers who prefer the films’ presentation and want to avoid repeating the same opening material. |
4. Watch Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Broly comes after Dragon Ball Super. The official Dragon Ball chronology lists the film as a 2018 release.
This is the modern Super-era Broly film, not one of the older Dragon Ball Z Broly movies. The Super-era film follows the characters, transformations, and status quo established by Dragon Ball Super and introduces the modern version of Broly’s story, along with characters including Frieza, Cheelai, Lemo, and Gogeta.
5. Watch Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO
Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO follows Dragon Ball Super: Broly. The official chronology lists SUPER HERO as a 2022 film, and watching Broly first preserves the modern film continuity’s character and relationship setup.
6. Watch Dragon Ball DAIMA
Dragon Ball DAIMA is best watched after Super, Broly, and SUPER HERO when following release-oriented order. The official chronology lists DAIMA as a later production that began broadcasting in 2024.
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DAIMA has a different position in strict story chronology. The official Crunchyroll announcement places DAIMA’s story one year after Dragon Ball Z and before Dragon Ball Super. DAIMA can therefore be inserted between Z or Kai and Super if the goal is chronological in-universe viewing.
Release order remains the better default for most first-time viewers because DAIMA was produced much later and works naturally as a newer franchise entry. Moving DAIMA earlier is an optional chronology experiment, not a requirement for understanding the story.
Where does Dragon Ball GT fit?
Dragon Ball GT fits after Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai as a separate optional post-Z continuation. According to Toei Animation’s official Dragon Ball GT listing (1996–1997), GT contains 64 episodes and aired from February 7, 1996, through November 19, 1997.
GT is not necessary preparation for Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, or Dragon Ball DAIMA. Viewers who want to include GT can watch it immediately after Z or Kai, or save GT until after the modern route so the Super-era story remains uninterrupted.
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|---|---|---|
| Dragon Ball GT | After Z or Kai | A separate 64-episode post-Z adventure for viewers who want the complete television history. |
| Older Z-era movies | After Z or Kai, or approximately alongside Z by release date | Historical side stories, including the original Broly trilogy, Cooler films, Garlic Jr. material, and other theatrical releases. |
| Dragon Ball: The Path to Power | After Dragon Ball or during a later retrospective | An anniversary-style retelling of the original Dragon Ball beginning, not a substitute for the 153-episode series. |
| Super Dragon Ball Heroes | After becoming familiar with the main route | Promotional and alternate-continuity material built around battles and crossover-style fan service. |
Are the older Dragon Ball Z movies required?
The older Dragon Ball Z movies are not required for the main Dragon Ball watch order. The older theatrical releases were produced alongside the Z era, but they should be treated as optional side stories rather than required chapters in the modern Super-era continuity.
The older catalog includes the original Broly films, the Cooler films, Garlic Jr. material, and other releases. A completionist can sample those movies after finishing Z or Kai, while a release-date viewer can place them approximately alongside the Z era. Watching every older movie during the main series creates interruptions and continuity questions, so finishing Z or Kai first is the cleaner approach.
What is the difference between release order and story chronology?
Release order follows the franchise’s production eras, while story chronology places DAIMA earlier because DAIMA is set between Z and Super. Both approaches are valid, but release-oriented viewing is easier for a first watch.
| Viewing method | Order | Advantage | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended release-oriented order | Dragon Ball → Z or Kai → Super → Broly → SUPER HERO → DAIMA | Follows the major modern production eras and minimizes backtracking. | DAIMA is watched later than its in-universe setting. |
| Strict main-continuity chronology | Dragon Ball → Z or Kai → DAIMA → Super → Broly → SUPER HERO | Places DAIMA one year after Z and before Super. | Interrupts the release progression with a later-produced entry. |
| Include GT | Dragon Ball → Z or Kai → GT → Super → Broly → SUPER HERO → DAIMA | Includes the separate post-Z television continuation. | GT is optional and is not preparation for the modern Super-era stories. |
Where can you watch the Dragon Ball franchise?
No single streaming service should be assumed to carry every Dragon Ball series, movie, cut, dub, and special in every country. Streaming licenses vary by territory and date, and the availability of one Dragon Ball title does not guarantee access to the entire franchise.
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Crunchyroll has official pages for Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and Dragon Ball DAIMA. Crunchyroll also announced in March 2022 that Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT had been added to its catalog, but a dated catalog announcement is not a guarantee of current availability in every region.
For U.S. viewers, the supplied JustWatch DAIMA availability listing is a useful title-by-title cross-check. The research snapshot dated July 28, 2026 listed DAIMA on Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, and purchase services; streaming availability can change after that snapshot.
Before subscribing or buying, check each title against these points:
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- Country: Confirm that the listing applies to your territory.
- Format: Separate titles included with a subscription from titles available only to buy or rent.
- Audio: Check whether the service offers the English dub, Japanese audio, subtitles, or multiple options.
- Version: Confirm whether the listing is Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Z Kai, an older Z movie, or a Super-era film.
- Completeness: Check the films separately; access to the television series does not automatically include Broly or SUPER HERO.
If you want to watch Dragon Ball on Crunchyroll, use the service’s title pages as a starting point, then verify the current regional catalog before paying for a subscription.
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Physical releases are useful when dependable access matters, but no single product in the supplied research contains the entire franchise. Physical ownership also requires checking region compatibility, edition details, and whether a product covers a series, a season, or only a film.
The official Crunchyroll Store lists a Dragon Ball Z complete Blu-ray set as a 36-disc Region A collection containing episodes 1–291. The set covers Dragon Ball Z only, not Dragon Ball, Kai, Super, GT, the Super films, or DAIMA. Region A buyers should confirm that their Blu-ray player supports the disc region before ordering.
For the newest series, the official Crunchyroll announcement gives the North American release date for the Dragon Ball DAIMA Blu-ray as August 11, 2026. The DAIMA complete-season release is a separate product and does not include the rest of the franchise.
Readers who want a source-material companion can use VIZ’s Dragon Ball Complete Box Set. The VIZ product is a physical manga collection of the original Dragon Ball story, not a way to watch the anime and not a complete anime franchise set.
Common watch-order mistakes to avoid
- Starting with Z without a reason: Dragon Ball provides the original character and world context.
- Watching Z and Kai as consecutive main entries: Choose the presentation that matches your preference instead of treating Kai as a sequel.
- Watching every older movie as required canon: Older Z-era films are optional side stories and can raise continuity questions if inserted into the main route.
- Assuming GT is required before Super: GT is a separate optional post-Z continuation.
- Putting DAIMA before Super automatically: DAIMA belongs there only if strict in-universe chronology matters more than release order.
- Assuming one streaming subscription includes everything: Verify each series, film, audio option, and regional listing separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I watch Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z Kai?
No. Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z Kai cover the same central Z-era storyline in different presentations. Choose Kai for a more streamlined first watch or Z for the original broadcast experience; watching both consecutively is usually unnecessary.
Where does Dragon Ball DAIMA fit in the watch order?
Dragon Ball DAIMA is best watched after Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO in release-oriented order. Strict in-universe chronology places DAIMA one year after Dragon Ball Z and before Dragon Ball Super.
Do I need to watch Dragon Ball GT before Dragon Ball Super?
Dragon Ball GT is optional. GT is a separate 64-episode post-Z continuation and is not needed to understand Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, or Dragon Ball DAIMA.
Are the older Dragon Ball Z movies required?
The older Dragon Ball Z movies are optional side stories rather than required chapters in the modern route. Watch the older Broly, Cooler, Garlic Jr., and other Z-era movies after finishing Z or Kai if you want the historical film catalog.
The Bottom Line
Best default for a first viewing: watch Dragon Ball, then either Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai, followed by Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO, and Dragon Ball DAIMA. Add Dragon Ball GT and the older Z-era movies only when you want the optional side material.
