What order is the Dragon Ball series?

If you’ve ever tried to get into Dragon Ball or wanted to rewatch it from the beginning, you’ve probably run into the same problem most fans face: what’s the right order to watch or read it? With multiple sagas, spin-offs, and reboots, it can be confusing to know where to start. Don’t worry, let’s go through it together like two friends catching up about one of the most legendary anime franchises of all time.

Starting at the very beginning: Dragon Ball

The journey begins with the original Dragon Ball manga and anime. This is where we first meet young Goku, Bulma, Master Roshi, Krillin, and the rest of the iconic cast. It’s not yet about massive power-ups or cosmic battles. Instead, the story feels more like an adventurous comedy with martial arts sprinkled in.

This era sets the foundation for everything. You’ll watch Goku grow from a naïve boy into a determined fighter, facing off in martial arts tournaments and discovering the magical power of the Dragon Balls. If you skip this part, you’ll miss a lot of the heart that makes the series special.

Dragon Ball Z: The Turning Point

Next comes Dragon Ball Z, and this is where things get explosive. The tone shifts dramatically, introducing Saiyans, intergalactic threats, and transformations like the legendary Super Saiyan. Many fans actually started here because of how popular it was in the 90s and 2000s.

The major sagas of Dragon Ball Z include:

• Saiyan Saga

• Namek and Frieza Saga

• Android and Cell Saga

• Majin Buu Saga

Each arc raises the stakes, and the battles become more intense than ever. This is also the part of the series that gave Dragon Ball its reputation as the king of shonen action.

Dragon Ball GT: the debated sequel

After Z ended, Dragon Ball GT came out as a continuation, though it wasn’t based directly on Akira Toriyama’s manga. GT has always divided fans. Some love it for its creativity, while others criticize its pacing and story choices.

Even though it’s not canon in the strictest sense, it’s worth watching if you want to experience everything Dragon Ball has to offer. Plus, transformations like Super Saiyan 4 have become iconic in their own right.

Dragon Ball Super: the modern era

Fast forward years later, and Dragon Ball Super reignited the franchise. Set after the defeat of Majin Buu but before the epilogue of Z, it expands the world with new gods, universes, and villains.

The arcs you’ll find here include:

• Battle of Gods

• Resurrection of F

• Universe 6 Tournament

• Future Trunks Saga

• Tournament of Power

• Galactic Patrol Prisoner (Moro) Arc

• Granolah the Survivor Arc

With Super, the scale of battles goes beyond anything we saw before. The Tournament of Power alone brought together dozens of fighters from across universes, pushing Goku and Vegeta to new limits.

Movies and specials along the way

Besides the main series, Dragon Ball has a ton of movies. Some retell existing arcs (Battle of Gods and Resurrection of F later became part of Super), while others, like Broly, introduced new canon material.

If you’re a completionist, you can slot the movies alongside the series, but if you’re just starting, they’re fun extras you can enjoy once you’re familiar with the characters.

The best order to follow

So, how should you actually watch or read everything? Here’s a straightforward path most fans recommend:

1. Dragon Ball (start here to understand the roots)

2. Dragon Ball Z (continue with the classic arcs)

3. Dragon Ball Super (modern continuation, both anime and manga)

4. Dragon Ball GT (optional, if you want to explore the non-canon sequel)

5. Movies and specials (sprinkle them in once you’re deep into the story)

If you’re reading instead of watching, you can follow the manga flow: Dragon Ball transitions directly into what’s known as the Dragon Ball Z storylines, then continue with Dragon Ball Super. For anyone new, the Dragon Ball manga is the perfect place to start since it captures Toriyama’s original vision without filler.

Why the order matters

Sure, you could jump straight into Super or just watch the biggest battles on YouTube, but you’d miss out on so much of what makes Dragon Ball timeless. The humor, the character growth, the bonds between friends—those are the pieces that make the giant battles feel meaningful.

Watching in the right order lets you experience Goku’s growth step by step, from chasing Dragon Balls as a child to battling gods and warriors from across universes. That progression is what makes Dragon Ball unlike anything else.

So, what order is the Dragon Ball series? The answer is simpler than it seems: start with the original, move through Z, explore Super, and save GT if you’re curious. Along the way, dive into the movies for extra fun.

At the end of the day, there’s no wrong way to enjoy Dragon Ball. Whether you’re binge-watching all night or flipping through the manga during breaks, the important thing is to join the adventure. After all, Dragon Ball isn’t just about the fights—it’s about the journey, the friendships, and the excitement of pushing past limits.