Dragon Ball watch order

Young Goku's adventures: the Emperor Pilaf hunt (1–13), the 21st Tournament (14–28), the Red Ribbon Army (29–67), Fortuneteller Baba (68–83), the 22nd Tournament (84–101), King Piccolo (102–122) and Piccolo Jr. (123–153). Filler: 30–33, 45, 79–83, 127–132 and 149–153.

The Saiyan saga: five years after Dragon Ball, Goku learns he's an alien Saiyan when Raditz, then Vegeta and Nappa, come to Earth. Filler: 9–10 and 12–16.

The Namek, Ginyu and Frieza sagas: the race for Namek's Dragon Balls ends with Goku's fight against Frieza. Filler: 39–43, 100 and 102.

The Garlic Jr. saga (108–117, all filler) and the Trunks saga, where a boy from the future warns of the Androids. Filler also at 124–125.

The Android saga: Dr. Gero's Androids arrive, and nothing goes as Trunks predicted.

The Imperfect and Perfect Cell sagas, ending as Cell announces the Cell Games and gives everyone ten days to prepare.

The Cell Games, Gohan's big moment. Filler: 170–171 and 174.

The Other World saga (195–199, all filler) and the Great Saiyaman saga, seven years after the Cell Games, with Gohan in high school. Filler also at 202–203.

The World Tournament (210–219) and the Buu saga: Babidi, Majin Buu, the Fusion arc and Kid Buu, ending with Buu's defeat. Filler: 274.

A filler episode: a party after the Buu saga, with Goku late as usual. It ends the stretch before the ten-year time skip.

The epilogue, ten years after Buu: a new World Tournament and the boy Uub. In story order everything from Daima to Super Hero happens before this, so story-order viewers save it for last.

The Beerus (1–14) and Golden Frieza (15–27) arcs: an expanded TV retelling of Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F'. Watch these or the two films, not both. Filler: 4 and 15.

New story from here: the Universe 6 tournament (28–41), Future Trunks and Goku Black (47–76) and the Tournament of Power (77–131). Filler: 42–46 (the Copy-Vegeta arc), 68–70 and 73–76.

Set after the Tournament of Power: a new, canon version of Broly, with a long prologue on the Saiyans' history. Watch after Super episode 131.

Set after Broly: the revived Red Ribbon Army builds new androids, and Gohan and Piccolo take the lead.

Shortly after the Buu saga, Goku and friends are shrunk to children and travel to the Demon Realm. Toriyama wrote the story and designed the characters before his death; set before Battle of Gods, but released last, so it's fine to watch after Super.

Young Goku's adventures: the Emperor Pilaf hunt (1–13), the 21st Tournament (14–28), the Red Ribbon Army (29–67), Fortuneteller Baba (68–83), the 22nd Tournament (84–101), King Piccolo (102–122) and Piccolo Jr. (123–153). Filler: 30–33, 45, 79–83, 127–132 and 149–153.

Garlic Jr. kidnaps Gohan. Non-canon, and set before Raditz arrives, so it fits before episode 1. The anime's Garlic Jr. filler arc (108–117) follows on from it.

The Saiyan saga: five years after Dragon Ball, Goku learns he's an alien Saiyan when Raditz, then Vegeta and Nappa, come to Earth. Filler: 9–10 and 12–16.

Dr. Wheelo kidnaps Master Roshi. Non-canon; it assumes the Saiyans have come and gone, so it fits between episodes 35 and 36.

Turles, a Saiyan who looks like Goku, plants a tree that drains the planet. Non-canon; usually placed between episodes 35 and 36.

A Namekian warlord tries to take over Earth. Non-canon and it doesn't fit cleanly anywhere; it's usually listed between episodes 35 and 36.

The Namek, Ginyu and Frieza sagas: the race for Namek's Dragon Balls ends with Goku's fight against Frieza. Filler: 39–43, 100 and 102.

A TV special about Goku's father and the destruction of planet Vegeta by Frieza. A prequel, usually watched after the Frieza saga.

A short what-if: Bardock survives planet Vegeta's destruction, lands in the past and fights Frieza's ancestor Chilled. Non-canon; watch after the Bardock special.

The Garlic Jr. saga (108–117, all filler) and the Trunks saga, where a boy from the future warns of the Androids. Filler also at 124–125.

Frieza's older brother Cooler comes for Goku. Non-canon; fits in the three-year wait before the Androids, after episode 125.

The Android saga: Dr. Gero's Androids arrive, and nothing goes as Trunks predicted.

Cooler returns as a machine on New Namek. Non-canon; usually placed after episode 139.

Three more of Dr. Gero's Androids attack. Non-canon; placed in the Android saga before Cell, after episode 139.

A TV special showing Future Trunks's ruined timeline and how he came to travel back. Based on a manga side chapter, and the one special most fans recommend; watch it during the Android or Cell saga.

The Imperfect and Perfect Cell sagas, ending as Cell announces the Cell Games and gives everyone ten days to prepare.

The first appearance of Broly, a Saiyan of overwhelming power. Non-canon (Super's 2018 film reinvents him); fits in the ten-day wait, after episode 165.

A two-part OVA made as a companion to a Famicom game: Dr. Raichi's ghost machines attack. Non-canon; usually placed after episode 165.

The Cell Games, Gohan's big moment. Filler: 170–171 and 174.

Gohan fights the space pirate Bojack at an intergalactic tournament. Non-canon; fits right after the Cell Games.

The Other World saga (195–199, all filler) and the Great Saiyaman saga, seven years after the Cell Games, with Gohan in high school. Filler also at 202–203.

Broly returns and Gohan, Goten and Trunks face him. Non-canon; fits before the World Tournament, after episode 209.

A clone of Broly, with Goten and Trunks taking the lead. Non-canon; often listed after episode 209, though it doesn't fit neatly.

The World Tournament (210–219) and the Buu saga: Babidi, Majin Buu, the Fusion arc and Kid Buu, ending with Buu's defeat. Filler: 274.

The dead return to life and Goku and Vegeta fuse into Gogeta for the first time. Non-canon; best after the Buu saga, since it assumes fusion.

The last original-era Z film: Tapion and the monster Hirudegarn. Non-canon; set after Kid Buu.

A filler episode: a party after the Buu saga, with Goku late as usual. It ends the stretch before the ten-year time skip.

Shortly after the Buu saga, Goku and friends are shrunk to children and travel to the Demon Realm. Toriyama wrote the story and designed the characters before his death; set before Battle of Gods, but released last, so it's fine to watch after Super.

A 35-minute event special set after the Buu saga that introduces Vegeta's brother Tarble. Non-canon; fits after the Buu saga, before Battle of Gods.

The Beerus (1–14) and Golden Frieza (15–27) arcs: an expanded TV retelling of Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F'. Watch these or the two films, not both. Filler: 4 and 15.

New story from here: the Universe 6 tournament (28–41), Future Trunks and Goku Black (47–76) and the Tournament of Power (77–131). Filler: 42–46 (the Copy-Vegeta arc), 68–70 and 73–76.

Set after the Tournament of Power: a new, canon version of Broly, with a long prologue on the Saiyans' history. Watch after Super episode 131.

Set after Broly: the revived Red Ribbon Army builds new androids, and Gohan and Piccolo take the lead.

The epilogue, ten years after Buu: a new World Tournament and the boy Uub. In story order everything from Daima to Super Hero happens before this, so story-order viewers save it for last.

An anime-original sequel set after Z's epilogue: Goku is turned back into a child and searches the galaxy for the Black Star Dragon Balls. Not based on Toriyama's manga, and Super later went another way, so it's an optional alternate future.

A TV special set generations after GT's ending, following Goku's descendant Goku Jr. Watch after GT, if at all.

Young Goku's adventures: the Emperor Pilaf hunt (1–13), the 21st Tournament (14–28), the Red Ribbon Army (29–67), Fortuneteller Baba (68–83), the 22nd Tournament (84–101), King Piccolo (102–122) and Piccolo Jr. (123–153). Filler: 30–33, 45, 79–83, 127–132 and 149–153.

A 50-minute alternate retelling of the first Dragon Ball hunt, with King Gurumes in Pilaf's place. Non-canon; watch it after the series, if at all.

An alternate take on Goku and Krillin's training under Master Roshi. Non-canon side story.

Mixes the Red Ribbon Army and Tien Shinhan arcs into one new story set in the Mifan Empire. Non-canon retelling.

The Saiyan saga: five years after Dragon Ball, Goku learns he's an alien Saiyan when Raditz, then Vegeta and Nappa, come to Earth. Filler: 9–10 and 12–16.

Garlic Jr. kidnaps Gohan. Non-canon, and set before Raditz arrives, so it fits before episode 1. The anime's Garlic Jr. filler arc (108–117) follows on from it.

Dr. Wheelo kidnaps Master Roshi. Non-canon; it assumes the Saiyans have come and gone, so it fits between episodes 35 and 36.

Turles, a Saiyan who looks like Goku, plants a tree that drains the planet. Non-canon; usually placed between episodes 35 and 36.

A Namekian warlord tries to take over Earth. Non-canon and it doesn't fit cleanly anywhere; it's usually listed between episodes 35 and 36.

The Namek, Ginyu and Frieza sagas: the race for Namek's Dragon Balls ends with Goku's fight against Frieza. Filler: 39–43, 100 and 102.

A TV special about Goku's father and the destruction of planet Vegeta by Frieza. A prequel, usually watched after the Frieza saga.

The Garlic Jr. saga (108–117, all filler) and the Trunks saga, where a boy from the future warns of the Androids. Filler also at 124–125.

Frieza's older brother Cooler comes for Goku. Non-canon; fits in the three-year wait before the Androids, after episode 125.

The Android saga: Dr. Gero's Androids arrive, and nothing goes as Trunks predicted.

Cooler returns as a machine on New Namek. Non-canon; usually placed after episode 139.

Three more of Dr. Gero's Androids attack. Non-canon; placed in the Android saga before Cell, after episode 139.

A TV special showing Future Trunks's ruined timeline and how he came to travel back. Based on a manga side chapter, and the one special most fans recommend; watch it during the Android or Cell saga.

The Imperfect and Perfect Cell sagas, ending as Cell announces the Cell Games and gives everyone ten days to prepare.

The first appearance of Broly, a Saiyan of overwhelming power. Non-canon (Super's 2018 film reinvents him); fits in the ten-day wait, after episode 165.

A two-part OVA made as a companion to a Famicom game: Dr. Raichi's ghost machines attack. Non-canon; usually placed after episode 165.

The Cell Games, Gohan's big moment. Filler: 170–171 and 174.

Gohan fights the space pirate Bojack at an intergalactic tournament. Non-canon; fits right after the Cell Games.

The Other World saga (195–199, all filler) and the Great Saiyaman saga, seven years after the Cell Games, with Gohan in high school. Filler also at 202–203.

Broly returns and Gohan, Goten and Trunks face him. Non-canon; fits before the World Tournament, after episode 209.

A clone of Broly, with Goten and Trunks taking the lead. Non-canon; often listed after episode 209, though it doesn't fit neatly.

The World Tournament (210–219) and the Buu saga: Babidi, Majin Buu, the Fusion arc and Kid Buu, ending with Buu's defeat. Filler: 274.

The dead return to life and Goku and Vegeta fuse into Gogeta for the first time. Non-canon; best after the Buu saga, since it assumes fusion.

The last original-era Z film: Tapion and the monster Hirudegarn. Non-canon; set after Kid Buu.

A filler episode: a party after the Buu saga, with Goku late as usual. It ends the stretch before the ten-year time skip.

The epilogue, ten years after Buu: a new World Tournament and the boy Uub. In story order everything from Daima to Super Hero happens before this, so story-order viewers save it for last.

A 10th-anniversary film that retells the start of the series, from meeting Bulma to the Red Ribbon Army, with updated animation. Non-canon retelling; a decent taste of the original, but the series is better.

An anime-original sequel set after Z's epilogue: Goku is turned back into a child and searches the galaxy for the Black Star Dragon Balls. Not based on Toriyama's manga, and Super later went another way, so it's an optional alternate future.

A TV special set generations after GT's ending, following Goku's descendant Goku Jr. Watch after GT, if at all.

A 35-minute event special set after the Buu saga that introduces Vegeta's brother Tarble. Non-canon; fits after the Buu saga, before Battle of Gods.

A remastered, re-edited Z with new voice recording and nearly all the filler cut: it covers the Saiyan saga to the Cell Games in 97 aired episodes (a 98th went to home video) instead of 194. A good replacement for Z episodes 1–194.

A 30-minute remake of the 1993 OVA, made for a video game release. Non-canon and skippable.

A short what-if: Bardock survives planet Vegeta's destruction, lands in the past and fights Frieza's ancestor Chilled. Non-canon; watch after the Bardock special.

The God of Destruction Beerus wakes up and comes looking for a Super Saiyan God. The first film with Toriyama's own story, set after Buu and before Z's epilogue. Super's episodes 1–14 retell it.

Kai's version of the Buu saga: 69 episodes internationally, cut to 61 for Japanese TV. Replaces Z episodes 195–291.

Frieza is revived, trains for the first time and returns with an army. Also written by Toriyama; Super's episodes 15–27 retell it.

The Beerus (1–14) and Golden Frieza (15–27) arcs: an expanded TV retelling of Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F'. Watch these or the two films, not both. Filler: 4 and 15.

New story from here: the Universe 6 tournament (28–41), Future Trunks and Goku Black (47–76) and the Tournament of Power (77–131). Filler: 42–46 (the Copy-Vegeta arc), 68–70 and 73–76.

Short promotional episodes for a Japanese arcade card game, with what-if fights and alternate forms. Not canon; skip unless you want the spectacle.

Set after the Tournament of Power: a new, canon version of Broly, with a long prologue on the Saiyans' history. Watch after Super episode 131.

Set after Broly: the revived Red Ribbon Army builds new androids, and Gohan and Piccolo take the lead.

Shortly after the Buu saga, Goku and friends are shrunk to children and travel to the Demon Realm. Toriyama wrote the story and designed the characters before his death; set before Battle of Gods, but released last, so it's fine to watch after Super.

An enhanced edition of Super's opening story, with re-rendered footage, new and revised scenes and newly recorded voices. It began airing in Japan on October 11, 2026, and can stand in for the Super episodes it retells.