Dragon Ball, one of the most iconic anime and manga franchises of all time, has captivated fans around the world with its action-packed adventures, charismatic characters, and epic fights. Created by Akira Toriyama, the series includes several sagas, sequels, spin-offs, films, and games, which can leave anyone new to the franchise confused as to the correct order to watch. In this exhaustive guide we will explain the best way to immerse yourself in the world of Goku and his friends in search of the Dragon Balls.
What is Dragonball?
Dragon Ball is clearly inspired by the classic Chinese story of Journey to the West, but in Dragon Ball it begins with the story of Son Goku, a child who apparently comes from outer space and is found by an old man named Son Gohan, who adopts and raises her like his nephew.
Goku in turn meets Bulma, a girl from the big city who is trying to collect the 7 Dragon Balls, who grants a unique wish to anyone who collects them. Luckily, Goku has one of these orbs and joins Bulma on an epic journey to find the artifacts.
As the story unfolds, Goku bonds with new friends, faces countless enemies, starts a family, and has children. Over the course of several sagas we follow the evolution of the hero until he becomes the most powerful warrior in the universe.
We discover that Goku is a Saiyan, a warrior race that conquers planets. However, when he arrived on Earth, he suffered a head injury and forgot his original mission, becoming a docile and altruistic person, although still passionate about fighting. Over time, Goku develops even greater powers, such as the Super Saiyan form, capable of destroying planets with a single blow, something that becomes increasingly necessary as more powerful enemies emerge.
The story of Dragon Ball is actually not very complex, and it fascinates much more because of the way it is told, but each saga is basically the premise of a new and powerful enemy that threatens the existence of the Earth and Goku and his friends they fight to defeat him. They. The Dragon Balls themselves over time became secondary elements and no longer the objective of the adventure.
The Dragon Ball sagas
The history of the Dragon Ball franchise is divided into several exciting sagas, each with their own challenges and twists. To begin the journey in the correct order, it is important to understand the three main and canonical series, that is, which are officially part of the chronology of the work.
- (1986) – With 153 episodes.
- (1989) – With 291 episodes.
- (2015) – With 131 episodes.
Furthermore, Dragon Ball Z has an abridged version called Dragon Ball Kai (2009), which has 167 episodes and essentially excludes the filler episodes of the anime, that is, those episodes that are not originally in the manga and have little impact on the main story, being a good choice for new fans, although it is noticeably more censored.
Watch Dragon Ball in the correct order
Now that you know which 3 series of the Dragon Ball franchise are officially part of the story, here is the recommended order to watch Dragon Ball according to the chronology of the main series:
1. Dragon Ball
Nothing better than starting from the beginning! The first Dragon Ball saga presents Goku’s childhood and first adventures. Here, Goku meets characters such as Bulma, Master Roshi, Yamcha, and Krillin. One of the main differences compared to the other sagas is that this one, nicknamed Classic Dragon Ball, is much more focused on comedy and less on fighting, even if it is very present.
2.Dragon Ball Z
After completing Dragon Ball, continue with Dragon Ball Z. This series marks Goku’s transition from childhood to adulthood and presents a more serious and epic approach to the story. This is undoubtedly the most popular saga in the history of Goku and his friends, as well as being the point in which the story focused much more on fighting, leaving aside the comedy present in the classic saga. Here Goku faces cosmic threats capable of destroying the world, such as the Saiyans, Frieza, the Androids and Majin Buu. Here Goku also gets the iconic Super Saiyan transformation.
3.Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super is the direct sequel to Dragon Ball Z and introduces new characters such as Beerus, the god of destruction and Whis. The series explores the multiverse and the battles between the most powerful warriors of different universes. It’s an exciting addition to the Dragon Ball canon and further elevates what was presented in Dragon Ball Z, now giving space to gods and creatures capable of destroying dimensions.
Spin-offs and other series
In addition to the main series, the Dragon Ball franchise also includes some series that are not part of the official chronology, but are still fun to watch:
Dragonball GT
Dragon Ball GT is a non-canon sequel that follows Goku, his granddaughter Pan, and Trunks, on a journey through space after Goku is transformed back into a child. While it’s not considered part of the main story, some fans still enjoy it and it adds memorable enemies, as well as introducing the iconic Super Saiyan level 4, which for many is Goku’s best transformation design to date.
Dragonball Heroes
Dragon Ball Heroes is a promotional series based on an arcade game. It features epic battles and unusual encounters between characters from different time periods and dimensions. Although not an essential part of the story, this series is highly recommended for those who are more opera fanatics, as it has shorter episodes and features fights, team-ups, and fusions that fans have always dreamed of seeing.
Dragon Ball Movies
In addition to the series, the Dragon Ball franchise has a series of exciting films that complement the story and offer unique adventures. Some of them are completely filler, meaning they don’t affect the story at all, while others have really relevant small parts, and more recently, some films are completely canon.
Dragon Ball movies (classics)
Dragon Ball Z movies
Dragon Ball Super Movie
Watching the Dragon Ball franchise in the correct order can be an exciting experience for anime and manga fans. Start with the original series, move on to Dragon Ball Z and finish with Dragon Ball Super to enjoy the complete story of Goku and his friends.
Remember that spin-offs and films can be watched at any time for a broader and more diverse experience. Enjoy your journey into the world of the Dragon Ball franchise and enjoy the countless adventures and battles that await you!
The post What is the chronological order to watch the Dragon Ball anime? appeared first on Olhar Digital.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
