Ka-me-ha-me-HA! Whether you’re a newcomer who’s heard legends of the Saiyan warrior or a longtime fan looking to share this classic with someone new, figuring out how to watch Dragon Ball in 2026 can be surprisingly complicated. With multiple series, Kai remasters, GT debates, and a movie timeline that makes quantum physics look simple, even veteran fans sometimes get confused.
Dragon Ball is the grandfather of modern shonen anime, influencing everything from Naruto to One Piece to My Hero Academia. Akira Toriyama’s legendary creation has been entertaining audiences since 1984, and with Dragon Ball Daima arriving in 2024 and Dragon Ball Super continuing its manga run, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
This guide will walk you through every series, explain the Kai vs. Z debate once and for all, place the movies in their proper timeline, and help you decide what to do about GT. Get ready to gather the Dragon Balls and begin your adventure.
Quick Answer: Dragon Ball Watch Order
- Dragon Ball (153 episodes) — Where it all begins
- Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Kai (Choose one)
- Dragon Ball Super (131 episodes)
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Movie, canon)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Movie, canon)
- Dragon Ball Daima (2024 series)
- Dragon Ball GT (Optional, non-canon)
Complete Dragon Ball Watch Order Explained
Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
The original Dragon Ball follows young Goku from his first meeting with Bulma through his training under Master Roshi and his battles at multiple World Martial Arts Tournaments. This series is more comedic and adventure-focused than Z, but it’s essential viewing for understanding Goku’s origins.
- Episodes: 153
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Filler Percentage: ~18%
- Time Investment: ~64 hours
Key Arcs:
- Emperor Pilaf Saga (Episodes 1-13)
- Tournament Saga (Episodes 14-28)
- Red Ribbon Army Saga (Episodes 29-67)
- Tien Shinhan Saga (Episodes 82-101)
- King Piccolo Saga (Episodes 102-122)
- Piccolo Jr. Saga (Episodes 123-153)
Filler to Skip (if rushing):
- Episodes 29-33 (RR Army filler)
- Episodes 42-45
- Episodes 79-83
Should You Skip Dragon Ball?
Some viewers want to jump straight to DBZ, and while you can, we recommend against it. Dragon Ball introduces critical characters (Krillin, Piccolo, Tien, Master Roshi), establishes the Dragon Balls’ rules, and provides context for relationships that pay off in Z. Plus, it’s genuinely fun once you embrace its more comedic tone.
Dragon Ball Z vs. Dragon Ball Kai: The Great Debate
Here’s the million-zeni question: should you watch the original Dragon Ball Z or the remastered Dragon Ball Kai? Let’s break it down:
Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
- Episodes: 291
- Pros: Original Japanese score, nostalgic pacing, complete experience
- Cons: Heavy filler (~25%), pacing issues, five-minute Frieza fights
- Best for: Nostalgic viewers, those who don’t mind filler
Dragon Ball Kai (2009-2015)
- Episodes: 159 (97 + 62 for Buu Saga)
- Pros: No filler, tighter pacing, modern audio mix, closer to manga
- Cons: Different music (controversial), some prefer OG voice performances
- Best for: New viewers, efficient watchers
Our Recommendation: Dragon Ball Kai for newcomers. It tells the same story in nearly half the episodes without losing anything important. The original DBZ has its charm, but Kai is the definitive way to experience the story efficiently in 2026.
Key DBZ/Kai Sagas:
- Saiyan Saga
- Namek/Frieza Saga (often called the peak of Dragon Ball)
- Android/Cell Saga
- Buu Saga
All are essential viewing regardless of which version you choose.
Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
The direct continuation of Z (ignoring GT), Dragon Ball Super takes place after the defeat of Majin Buu and before the end of Z’s finale. This series introduces new transformations, expands the universe to include other universes and Gods of Destruction, and delivers some of the most hypee battles in franchise history.
- Episodes: 131
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu
- Time Investment: ~55 hours
Key Arcs:
- Battle of Gods Arc (Episodes 1-14) — Can skip if you watched the movie
- Resurrection ‘F’ Arc (Episodes 15-27) — Can skip if you watched the movie
- Universe 6 Arc (Episodes 28-46)
- Goku Black Arc (Episodes 47-76) — Fan favorite
- Tournament of Power Arc (Episodes 77-131) — Peak Super
Note: The first two arcs adapt the Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ movies. The movies have better animation; the anime has more content. Your choice.
Dragon Ball Super continues in manga form. The Moro arc and Granolah arc are only available in the manga currently. Grab Dragon Ball Super Vol. 1 on Amazon to continue the story.
Dragon Ball Super Movies (Canon)
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) Watch after: Dragon Ball Super Episode 131
The first truly canon Broly film, featuring stunning animation from Naohiro Shintani. This movie is essential viewing and sets up characters who appear in later content.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) Watch after: Broly
A Gohan and Piccolo focused film that finally gives Gohan his flowers. Uses a unique CGI animation style that divided fans but tells a great story.
Dragon Ball Daima (2024)
The newest entry, created with significant involvement from the late Akira Toriyama before his passing in 2024. Daima features the characters transformed into mini versions of themselves and explores a new “Demon Realm” storyline.
- Episodes: Ongoing (as of 2026)
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- When to Watch: After Dragon Ball Super
Daima is considered canon and takes place during the Super timeline.
Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997) — The Controversial One
GT is the black sheep of the Dragon Ball family. Created without Toriyama’s direct involvement (though he provided designs), it takes place after Z’s ending and follows an adult Goku who has been turned back into a child.
- Episodes: 64
- Canon Status: NOT CANON (Super replaced it)
- Worth Watching?: Optional for completionists
If you do watch GT:
- The first ~20 episodes (search for Black Star Dragon Balls) are widely disliked
- Baby Saga and Shadow Dragons Saga have their fans
- Super Saiyan 4 remains popular despite non-canon status
Our Take: Skip GT unless you’re a Dragon Ball completionist or curious about SSJ4. Super is the official continuation.
Dragon Ball Movies: Where Do They Fit?
Most DB/DBZ movies are non-canon “what-if” stories. Here’s the breakdown:
Original Dragon Ball Movies:
- Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Sleeping Princess in Devil’s Castle
- Mystical Adventure
- The Path to Power
All are alternate retellings, not part of the main timeline.
DBZ Movies (Non-Canon): Movies 1-13 (Dead Zone through Wrath of the Dragon) are non-canon but fun. Watch whenever for entertainment.
Canon Movies:
- Battle of Gods (2013) — Or watch Super episodes 1-14
- Resurrection ‘F’ (2015) — Or watch Super episodes 15-27
- Broly (2018) — MUST WATCH, canon
- Super Hero (2022) — Canon, watch after Broly
Where to Watch Dragon Ball
- Crunchyroll — Dragon Ball, Z, Kai, Super, Daima
- Hulu — Most series available
- Funimation (merged with Crunchyroll) — Historical home of the dub
- Netflix — Limited availability varies by region
For the manga: Dragon Ball Vol. 1 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to watch all of Dragon Ball? A: Main series only (DB + Kai + Super): ~200 hours. With original Z instead of Kai: ~250 hours. Including GT and movies: ~275 hours.
Q: Dubbed or subbed? A: The Funimation dub is iconic, with Sean Schemmel’s Goku becoming definitive for Western fans. However, the Japanese version with Masako Nozawa (who has voiced Goku since 1986!) is the authentic experience. Both are excellent choices.
Q: Can I start with Dragon Ball Z? A: You can, and many 90s kids did. But we recommend starting with Dragon Ball for the full experience. If you absolutely must skip, at least watch a recap of Dragon Ball’s plot.
Q: Is Dragon Ball Super better than Z? A: Different vibes. Z has more consistent tension and iconic moments. Super has better animation (later episodes), more humor, and expands the universe significantly. Most fans love both.
Final Thoughts
Dragon Ball isn’t just anime—it’s a cultural institution that defined the shonen genre. Whether you’re experiencing Goku’s adventures for the first time or revisiting them, the core experience remains magical: a kind-hearted warrior constantly pushing his limits while making friends and protecting the universe.
Start with Dragon Ball, choose Kai for efficiency, don’t skip Super or the Broly movie, and check out Daima as Toriyama’s final gift to fans. As for GT? That’s entirely up to you. The Dragon Balls are scattered—time to start your hunt.
Related: Naruto Watch Order 2026 | One Piece Watch Order Guide | Bleach Watch Order 2026 | Best Anime Fights of All Time