Dragon Ball Kai: Mirai ni Heiwa wo! Goku no Tamashii yo Eien ni

A comprehensive watch order of the Dragon Ball series, which includes every entry of the Dragon Ball franchise.
Original Guide: https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=1868189

AEGC Interest Stack index: https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=2017008

in order

The correct Dragon Ball timeline

Watch order based on release date

What started as a simple parody of Journey to the West, Dragon Ball quickly grew with sequels, specials and tie-in movies being made, it arguably became more famous globally than the story it originally parodied.

For a simple explanation, just watch Dragon Ball -> Dragon Ball Z / Kai -> Dragon Ball Super.

For a more detailed breakdown, including the specials, movies etc and when to watch those, see my list below.

I have also included all of the other movies that are non-canon and filler, but I will be listing those at the end because they don't really line up with the canon content anywhere cleanly, and introduce a lot of plot holes if you do try to make them fit. I do think they are still worth talking about though, as characters, transformations etc, are still ones that regularly make appearances in games and other media to this day. There's also the chance they could be reincorporated back into the canon in some shape or form in the future, such as they already have done with Broly.

What we can do with them is take into account characters current strength level, or age / appearance during the movies, and vaguely line those up with the main series' arcs, for you to watch them as a non-canon "what if" bonus story after each arc. Or you can just leave them as their own seperate thing and not worry too much about them.

Anime series that covers all of its original source they're based on, with some notes.

Part 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/16812
Part 3: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/20122
Part 4: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/20258
Part 5: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/20709
Part 6: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/20940
Part 7: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/21451
Part 8: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/21523
Part 9: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/29835
Part 10: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/35847
Part 11: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/39870
Part 12: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/41719
Part 13: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/42460

Anime that CN LatAm aired in the 2010s. Series that started in the previous decade but carried over to this one (like Naruto) will be included.

Dragon Ball TV Anime, Specials & OVAs.
Movies are included in my Dragon Ball Films Interest Stack.

‣ Dragon Ball TV Anime (153 Episodes)
- Specials (1)
- Movies (4)

‣ Dragon Ball Z TV Anime (291 Episodes)
- Specials (6)
- OVAs (3)
- Movies (15)

‣ Dragon Ball GT TV Anime (64 Episodes)
- Specials (1)

‣ Dragon Ball Z Kai TV Anime (167 Episodes)
- Specials (1)

‣ Dragon Ball Super TV Anime (131 Episodes)
- Specials (1)
- Movies (2)

Not Included:
‣ Vegeta Super Yasaijin ni Narou-hen (Special Commercial)
‣ Super Dragon Ball Heroes (ONA)
‣ Super Dragon Ball Heroes: Decisive Battle! Time Patrol vs. The Dark King (ONA)
‣ Dragon Ball Super: Broly - Skytree Super (Special)

The complete Dragon Ball stack.

THE LIST on how and in what order to watch Dragon Ball.

Part One:
This is the easy part. Start with the original series named Dragon Ball, which aired from 1986 to 1989.

Part Two:
This is where it gets complicated. There are two ways to continue the series.

The First Way:
Start watching Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z Special 1 when Frieza/Freezer is introduced. After that, keep watching the series until Trunks is introduced, at which point watch Dragon Ball Z Special 2. Then watch the rest of the series.

The Second Way:
Start watching Dragon Ball Kai. Then watch the two specials, Dragon Ball Z Special 1 and Dragon Ball Z Special 2, in the above mentioned parts of the series. After you finish Dragon Ball Kai, watch DBKS, and then start Dragon Ball Kai (2014).

Differences:
The Second Way is the faster way to watch the show. This is mainly because the fillers are removed and the fights are shortened. But do not worry, the fights are still long, just not as long as in DBZ. Another difference is the soundtrack. The soundtrack is mostly the same in DBK and DBZ, but there is a new soundtrack in DBK2, which covers the Buu saga. Dragon Ball Z has the more iconic soundtrack and is better, Dragon Ball Kai still has a good soundtrack.

Part Three:
This is the part that the franchise is currently in. This part takes place between the Buu saga and the Peaceful World saga, episodes 288 to 291 in DBZ and 158 to 159 in DBK. Again, there are two ways to watch the series, to be honest, there is really only one, because the other way is in no way, shape or form better than the other.

The First Way:
This is the way I strongly recommend to watch the Dragon Ball Super Timeline. First watch the first two episodes of DBS. After that, watch DBZ Movie 14 and DBZ Movie 15. The movies cover everything important from episode 3 to 27. Then continue watching the series from episode 28. When you are done, watch Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Congratulations you are now up to date on a franchise that is almost 40 years old.

The Second Way:
This is the way I cannot recommend, unfortunately. Watch DBS, then DBSB and finally DBSSH. That is it.

Differences:
You may be wondering why I told you not to watch DBS from episode 3 to 27. There is a reason, and it is a good reason. Quality. The series did not have a long enough pre-production, and that had a negative effect on the series at the beginning, and to some degree throughout its run. Art, animation, soundtrack, everything is better in the movies, Dragon Ball Z Movie 14 and Movie 15, so I recommend the former.


I hope this list was helpful for you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section on my profile. I will do my best to answer them. Other than that, I hope you enjoy the series. You will see a character grow from a child to a teenager, to an adult, to a father, to a grandfather. Along the way he will make many friends and many enemies.

If you are a fan of the series, please write me if you think I missed something. I do make mistakes. I'm only a human, after all.

Guide/Legend:
DBZ: Dragon Bal Z
DBK: Dragon Ball Kai
DBKS: Dragon Ball: Mirai ni Heiwa wo! Goku no Tamashii yo Eien ni
DBK2: Dragon Ball Kai (2014)
DBS: Dragon Ball Super
DBSB: Dragon Ball Super: Broly
DBSSH: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero