Watching the Dragon Ball anime series with all the movies and specials in chronological order can be tedious work! With a whopping 24 movies/specials on top of over 600 episodes in total, there is a lot of content to digest here. While most specials and movies are not considered canon nor is the entirety of GT, I am going to be including them in this list for the sake of watching as much Dragon Ball content as possible. Because the movies and specials aren’t part of the “true timeline” the stories won’t fit perfectly but according to ability and power-scaling, they will make sense. So if you are interested in watching everything in order, you have come to the right place!
Son Goku, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of odd characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.
Evil has spread throughout Gurumes’s kingdom, who is desperate to collect all the dragon balls. He sends out his men after Goku, when he learns that he owns one.
Son Goku, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of odd characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.
Goku and Krillin want to be trained in the martial arts by the great Master Roshi. The only way he will agree to train them is if they go to Devil’s Castle to find the Sleeping Princess, who is being held prisoner by Count Lucifer, and bring her back to his island.
Son Goku, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of odd characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.
Emperor Chiaotzu’s wife has gone missing, and he is told by Master Shen that if he collects the seven dragon balls he can call upon the eternal dragon and wish for her return. Meanwhile, Goku and Krillin attend the World Martial Arts Tournament, which is hosted by the Emperor; Bora and his son Upa attempt to hide the dragon ball they found from the emperor’s forces, which are under the control of the evil Shen and General Tao; and Bulma conducts her own search for the dragon balls with the help of Yamcha, Puar, and Oolong.
Son Goku, a fighter with a monkey tail, goes on a quest with an assortment of odd characters in search of the Dragon Balls, a set of crystals that can give its bearer anything they desire.
Son Goku and friends go to an adventure searching for the legendary Dragon Balls, as they fight against the Red Ribbon army. **This is a non-canonical, alternate retelling that condenses the early Emperor Pilaf Saga and the Red Ribbon Army Saga from the original Dragon Ball series.**
Gohan is kidnapped! The evil Garlic Junior is gathering the Dragonball to wish for immortality. Only then will Garlic Junior be able to take over the Earth to gain revenge for his father’s death.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
Dr Kochin resurrects Dr Wheelo who was presumed dead after an avalanche. When the duo set out to take over the world with their evil plans, Goku and his friends do all they can to protect humans.
A Saiyan named Turles has come to Earth in order to plant the Tree of Might, which will sap all of the life from earth in order to bear fruit that will greatly increase the strength of whoever eats it. Goku and the Z Warriors cannot let this happen and duke it out with Turles’s group for the sake of the planet.
The end of the world is fast approaching, in the form of a giant asteroid on a collision course with Earth. The new terror is Lord Slug, a nomadic alien who plans to destroy all life on Earth, Goku and Krillin race to save the Earth!
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
Son Goku’s father Bardock and his futile attempt to stop Freeza from destroying his planet Vegeta.
Bardock, Goku’s father, was supposed to have died when Freeza’s attack hit him along with Planet Vegeta. Instead, he was thrown back in time, to an age where the planet was still inhabited by strange creatures. There he met Freeza’s ancestor, the space pirate Chilled, and fought against him to protect the planet.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
After destroying Frieza on Namek, Goku returns to a peaceful life on Earth. When informed his brother has been killed by a Saiyan, Cooler is hell-bent on killing Goku, and making him pay for his brother’s disgrace. Goku has to find the power within him to defeat a warrior even more powerful than the horrible Frieza.
When Planet Namek is invaded by an army of robots, the Guardian of Earth, Dende, summons the Z-Fighters. To their horror, they discover the army is led by Cooler, who was allegedly killed by Goku.
The death of Dr. Gero at the hands of Androids 17 and 18 prompts the activation of Androids 13, 14, and 15. They try to kill Goku, who fights them with the help of Trunks, Piccolo, Vegeta, Krillin, and Gohan.
Trunks from the alternate future where Goku has died and Androids terrorize the Earth. Amongst other things, it shows how Gohan trained Trunks, their fights with the Androids, and what inspired Trunks to go time traveling.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
Vegeta is lured to the planet New Vegeta by a group of Saiyan survivors in hopes that he will be the king of their new planet. But when he finds that they have ulterior motives of universal domination, he and the Z Warriors must fight Broly, the Legendary Super Saiyan.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
The Z Fighters compete in an intergalactic martial arts tournament, but when the tournament is taken over by Bojack, an evil demon who escaped the imprisonment placed upon him by the four Kais when King Kai’s planet was destroyed, they must work together to stop Bojack and his minions.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
Seven years have passed since Goku’s defeat of Broly, which culminated with Broly being blasted to Earth and frozen over while in a coma. Now, Gohan has grown up, Goten is born, and Goku has died. While Goten, Trunks, and Videl are looking for the dragon balls, they come across a village that is being terrorized by a monster. They decide to help, but as they are waiting for the monster to appear, the sound of Goten’s crying causes Broly to regain consciousness, seeking revenge! But, how will the Z warriors repel his might without Goku?
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
Broly is cloned by Lord Jaguar, who plans to pit him and other bio-warriors against Mr. Satan in an attempt to expose him as a fraud. Goten, Trunks, Kriilin and Android 18 must stop the new Bio-Broly.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
When a worker at King Yemma’s spiritual check-in station is accidentally covered in spiritual waste, he is transformed into a powerful monster named Janemba, who destroys the barrier between the real world and Other World, allowing the dead to walk the Earth. As the living Z Fighters fend off the dead, it is up to Goku, Pikkon, and Vegeta to stop Janemba.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
Hoy, a mysterious stranger, appears on Earth to release Tapion, an ancient warrior. Meanwhile, the monster Hildegarn is ready to destroy the Earth and he can only be stopped with the help of Tapion.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
Following the defeat of the evil Majin Buu and the former Demon King Dabura in Dragon Ball Z (one year later), Gomah (ゴマー, Gomā), the new Supreme King of the Demon Realm, uses the Dragon Balls to turn Son Goku and his friends into younger versions of themselves in order for them to not pose any threat to him. Goku, Shin, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Bulma are aided by the demons Glorio (グロリオ, Gurorio) and Panzy (パンジ, Panji), both who oppose Gomah, in a journey through the three worlds of the Demon Realm to gather its native Dragon Balls and revert Gomah's wish.
Two years have passed since the battle with Majin Boo. Mr. Satan’s hotel, built as a commemoration of the victory over Boo, is finally complete!! Goku and the other fighters are invited as guests. While Goku and the others are enjoying the party, a strange pod falls to Earth. Inside, a sharp-eyed Saiyan detects strong fighting abilities and takes a small alien along to the party! When the Saiyan encounters Vegeta, his words shock everyone.
The events of Battle of Gods take place some years after the battle with Majin Buu, which determined the fate of the entire universe. Bills, the God of Destruction, is tasked with maintaining some sort of balance in the universe. After awakening from a long slumber, Bills is visited by Whis and learns that the galactic overlord Frieza has been defeated by a Super Saiyan from the North Quadrant of the universe named Goku, who is also a former student of the North Kai. Ecstatic over the new challenge, Goku ignores King Kai’s advice and battles Bills, but he is easily overwhelmed and defeated. Bills leaves, but his eerie remark of “Is there nobody on Earth more worthy to destroy?” lingers on. Now it is up to the heroes to stop the God of Destruction before all is lost.
After the god of destruction, Beerus decided to not destroy the earth, the planet is back again in peace. But, Sorbet and Tagoma, previous Freeza’s servants, decide to revive his leader using the Dragon Balls. Successful in his plan, Freeza decides to return to earth to start his revenge against the Saiyans who humiliated him once.
The series' plot begins showing the aftermath of the Majin Buu Saga, then proceeds to retell and alter the stories of Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ as new story arcs. The next part of Super following this takes place in Universe 6 with the Dragon Team searching for the Super Dragon Balls.
Goku and Vegeta encounter Broly, a Saiyan warrior unlike any fighter they've faced before.
The Red Ribbon Army from Goku's past has returned with two new androids to challenge him and his friends.
Dragon Ball Z follows the adventures of the adult Goku who, along with his companions, defends the earth against an assortment of villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors, unnaturally powerful androids and near indestructible magical creatures. While the original Dragon Ball anime followed Goku through childhood into adulthood, Dragon Ball Z is a continuation of his adulthood life, but at the same time parallels the maturation of his son, Gohan, as well as other characters from Dragon Ball and more. The separation between the series is also significant as the latter series takes on a more dramatic and serious tone. The anime also features characters, situations and back-stories not present in the original manga.
The series continues the adventures of Goku, who is turned back into a child by Emperor Pilaf accidentally wishing this using the Black Star Dragon Balls in the beginning of the series and is forced to travel across the galaxy to retrieve them. The first half of the series focuses on Goku, Pan, and Trunks, while the second half brings back most of the prominent characters from Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. The series follows the Dragon Team against far more powerful foes such as the Luud Cult, the Machine Mutants, Baby, Super 17, and the Shadow Dragons.
Goku Jr. is the great-great-grandson of the legendary warrior Goku, but unlike his predecessor, he’s not a brave fighter. He’s constantly picked on by school bullies–his grandmother Pan sees this and is worried, but even though Goku Jr. is not a strong and powerful saiyan, he has a kind heart, and Pan loves him. When Pan gets sick, Goku Jr. realizes that he must do something if he doesn’t want to lose her. Then he remembers about the legends of the Dragon Balls. It was told that they grant a wish to the bearer, and Goku Jr. needs a magical wish more than ever, so he sets out to find the dragon ball that his grandmother told him about.
A mini-series and ad-based campaign that follows the Z-Fighters as they set out to rescue Trunks from a prison planet.
Have you ever attempted to watch everything the series has to offer in chronological order?
Do you think there is a better, more logical order for the anime, movies, and specials to take place?
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