In what order should I watch Dragon Ball? [Complete guide]

Created by the late Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a Japanese animated series that has marked generations of fans around the world. With over 600 episodes divided into several series and more than 20 films, il n’est pas facile de savoir par où commencer ou dans quel ordre regarder Dragon Ball.

Don't panic! In this article, we're going to help you make sense of the situation and explain in which order to look Dragon Ball to fully enjoy this cult manga.

Recall :  “Canon” veut dire “faisant partie officiellement de la chronologie d’un univers”.

To look at Dragon Ball dans l’ordre chronologique

If you want to follow the manga Dragon Ball while respecting the official continuity created by Akira Toriyama, il faut regarder les œuvres canoniques en suivant l’ordre chronologique des événements. Pour regarder Dragon Ball dans l’ordre, voici ce que nous recommandons :

Dragon Ball (1986-1989)

This première série couvre l’enfance de Gokuhis meeting with Bulma et ses premières aventures jusqu’à son mariage avec Chichi.

C’est l‘introduction de l’univers de Dragon Ball and lays the foundations for the characters and Dragon Balls.

Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)

This series is the direct continuation of Dragon Ball. Elle débute avec l’arrivée des Saiyans sur Terre, suit les grandes batailles contre Freezer, Cell and Majin Boo.

C’est l’épopée qui introduces major concepts such as the Super Saiyan.

Dragon Ball Z : Baddack versus Freezer (1990)

This special episode tells the story of father's past Goku, Bardockand the destruction of the planet Vegeta by Freezer.

Dragon Ball Z : L’Histoire de Trunks (1993)

This special episode shows the alternative future of Trunks, un contexte important pour l’arc des Cyborgs dans Dragon Ball Z.

Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)

This series follows on from Dragon Ball Z and introduces new characters and concepts such as Beerusthe god of destruction, and Whisand the concept of parallel universes.

Arcs include the Tournament of Power and the transformation Ultra Instinct.

Dragon Ball Super : Broly (2018)

This film is a réinvention de l’histoire de Brolya legendary Saiyan. Unlike previous BrolyThis is considered part of the official continuity.

Dragon Ball Super : Super Hero (2022)

This film is set after the events of Dragon Ball Super : Brolyfocusing on Gohan and Piccolo in the face of nouvelle menace de l’Armée du Ruban Rouge.

Remark :

• Dragon Ball GT n’est pas une adaptation du manga d’Akira Toriyama, donc il n’est pas considéré comme canon. Si vous voulez suivre uniquement l’histoire officielle, Dragon Ball GT can be ignored.
• The films from Dragon Ball Z released in the 90's are not hot et n’influencent pas directement la continuité principale.
• Special episodes such as Bardock and Trunks are relevant to understanding certain contexts, but they are not pas strictement nécessaires pour suivre l’histoire principale.

By following this list, you can watch Dragon Ball dans l’ordre tout en respectant la continuité officielle et l’histoire telle qu’elle a été écrite et envisagée par Akira Toriyama, mais aussi développée jusqu’en 2024.

To look at Dragon Ball dans l’ordre de sortie

Another method is to watch series and films in the order in which they were broadcast in Japan. This will allow you to discover the works of Dragon Ball as they were conceived by their author and appreciated by their original audience.

Here is the list of series and films in release order:

Order Dragon Ball according to release dates

1. Dragon Ball (1986-1989) : the first series follows the beginnings of Gokuhis meeting with Bulma until her marriage to Chichi.
2. Dragon Ball : The Legend of Shenron (1986) : the first film follows the first episodes of the series with a few modifications.
3. Dragon Ball The Devil's Castle (1987): the second film features a new adventure for Goku and his friends in a haunted castle.
4. Dragon Ball L'Aventure mystique (1988): the third film continues the martial arts tournament arc with a few changes.

In which order to look Dragon Ball Z ?

This series is comprising 291 episodes and is a direct continuation of Dragon Ball. To watch Dragon Ball Z dans l’ordre avec ses films, voici l’ordre que nous recommandons :

Dragon Ball Z : Dead Zone (1989)

This first film in the Z series is not canon, but can be viewed before starting Dragon Ball Z.

He directs Goku and Piccolo joining forces to face Garlic Jran evil being seeking to seize the Dragon Balls.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 1 to 86

C’est la première partie de la série, qui couvre l’arc des Saiyans et l’arc de Namek, jusqu’à la première apparition de Freezer.

Dragon Ball Z : Baddack versus Freezer (1990)

This special episode tells the story of father's past Goku, Bardockand his confrontation with Freezer.

It takes place chronologically before the events of Dragon Ball Z and peut être regardé après la révélation de l’origine de Goku (épisodes autour de l’arc Freezer).

Dragon Ball Z episodes 87 to 107

These episodes cover the battle against Freezer and the primary processing of Goku in Super Saiyan.

Dragon Ball Z : The World’s Strongest (1990)

The second film in the Z series oppose Goku and friends to Dr. Willow, un scientifique cherchant à transférer son cerveau dans le corps de l’homme le plus fort.

This film is non-canon and can be viewed after the events on Namek, mais il n’est pas lié à l’intrigue principale.

Dragon Ball Z : The Tree of Might (1990)

Le troisième film de la série raconte l’history of Turles (Thalès in French), a Saiyan which bears a striking resemblance to Goku. Il débarque sur Terre pour planter l’Arbre de la Puissance, un arbre capable d’absorber l’énergie de la planète.

He's trying to rally Goku as well as Gohan to his cause. But Goku refuses, and a combat s’engage entre l’équipe de Turles and our heroes to save the Earth.

Dragon Ball Z : Lord Slug (1991)

Plus connu sous le titre “Dragon Ball Z : The Menace of Namek” en français, le quatrième film de la série Z oppose Goku and friends at Slug, a Namek evil seeking to use Dragon Balls to regain his youth and conquer Earth.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 108 to 125

This section covers the période juste avant l’arc des Cyborgs et l’arrivée de Trunks of the future.

Dragon Ball Z : Cooler’s Revenge (1991)

The fifth film in the Z series, which pits Goku and friends at Coolerbrother of Freezerwho wants revenge for his death.

This film is non-canonical and introduces Cooler. Bien qu’il ne soit pas intégré dans l’histoire principale, il peut être regardé après l’arc Freezer for pleasure.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 126 to 173

Ces épisodes couvrent l’arc des Cyborgs et les débuts de l’arc Cell.

Dragon Ball Z : The Return of Cooler (1992)

The sixth film in the Z series, which pits Goku and his friends against a army of Metal Cooler on the planet Namek.

Although not a cannon, it can être regardé après l’arc Freezer pour s’insérer dans la même veine que les autres films de Cooler.

Dragon Ball Z : Super Android 13 ! (1992)

The seventh non-canon film in the Z series, which pits Goku and friends at C-13, C-14 and C-15, three cyborgs created by Dr. Gero.

Dragon Ball Z The Story of Trunks (1993)

This special episode is and shows the alternative future of Trunks. Il se place après l’introduction des Cyborgs dans la série.

Dragon Ball Z : Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)

The eighth film in the Z series, which pits Goku and friends at Broly, a Saiyan legendary with enormous powers.

This film is the first of the trilogy Broly and is non-canon. Il peut être regardé après l’arc Cell.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 174 to 194

These episodes cover the fin de l’arc Cell, in particular the Cell Games.

Dragon Ball Z : Bojack Unbound (1993)

The ninth film in the Z series, which pits Goku and friends at Bojacka space pirate out to conquer the galaxy.

He is non-cannon, mais peut être regardé après l’arc Cell.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 195 to 207

Transitional period entre l’arc Cell et l’arc Majin Boo.

Dragon Ball Z : Broly – Second Coming (1994)

The tenth film in the Z series, which pits Goku and friends at Broly, returned in a fiercer form.

It's the second film by Broly non-cannonbut can be watched after the first film Broly.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 208 to 250

These episodes mark the début de l’arc Majin Boo, avec l’arrivée de Goten and Trunks.

Dragon Ball Z : Bio-Broly (1994)

The eleventh film in the Z series, which pits Goku and friends at Bio-Brolya mutant version of Broly.

It's the third film from Broly non-cannon that you can watch after the other films Broly.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 251 to 253

These episodes mark a progression importante dans l’arc Majin Boo with decisive battles.

Dragon Ball Z : Fusions (1995)

The twelfth film in the Z series presents the merger of Goku and Vegeta in Gogeta to fight Janembaa monster born of the evil accumulated in the afterlife. He is non-canon.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 254 to 288

Ces épisodes poursuivent l’arc Majin Boo, marquant l’introduction of the merger between Goku and Vegeta.

Dragon Ball Z : Wrath of the Dragon (1995)

The thirteenth film in the Z series, which pits Goku and friends at Hildegarnan evil dragon released by a sorcerer.

This film is not canon, but divertissant après l’arc Majin Boo.

Dragon Ball Z episodes 289 to end

Ces épisodes concluent l’arc Majin Boo and mark the end of Dragon Ball Z.

Release order of other series Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009-2015)

If you enjoyed the Dragon Ball Zyou'll love it remastered and shortened version.

Dragon Ball Z Kai faithfully follows the original manga and eliminates many filler scenes. Cette version améliore la qualité d’image et du son, ce qui offre une expérience plus moderne tout en restant proche de l’œuvre originale d’Akira Toriyama.

Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)

Official sequel to Dragon Ball Zthis series introduces new story arcssuch that :

• L’arc de la bataille des dieux ;
• Freezer's resurrection;
• L’arc du Tournoi du Pouvoir ;
• The Trunks saga of the future.

Dragon Ball Super développe également l’univers avec l’introduction of new gods and characters, comme Beerus, Whis et les guerriers des autres univers, élargissant ainsi l’intrigue bien au-delà de la Terre.

Dragon Ball DAIMA (2024 -)

Il s’agit de  la dernière série annoncée. Dragon Ball DAIMA se déroule après les événements de Dragon Ball Super. Cette série met en scène les new adventures for Goku and his friends qui sont confrontés à des ennemis inédits et à des mystères liés à des forces mystérieuses de l’univers.

Dragon Ball DAIMA promises rediscover the spirit of adventure that has made the franchise so successfulwith a modern twist.

By following this order to watch Dragon Ballyou can admire the evolution of animation, graphics and music. You'll also enjoy winks and references to previous works.

Whether you choose chronological order Dragon Ball or exit order, you'll be able to appreciate adventures of Goku and friends. You'll also be able to discover the different versions of Broly's story, which appears in several of the franchise's films. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a curious novice, we hope you enjoy the show.

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