Dragon Ball Watch Order: Dragon Ball, Z, Super, Daima and GT in Order, in order
“Dragon Ball, Z, Super, Daima and the key movies in order, with Kai and GT explained.”
Dragon Ball's watch order is a family tree where half the relatives are the same person in a different outfit. Kai is Z with the filler cut out. Super retells two Z movies. GT isn't even canon. Let's untangle it.
The main line is easy: Dragon Ball, then Dragon Ball Z, then Dragon Ball Super, then the movies and Daima. So which is better, Z or Kai? Answer: depends on your patience. Z is the full original run, with filler and long power-up screaming. Kai is the condensed version. Pick one, never both.
Now the movies. Battle of Gods and Resurrection F are marked optional because Super's first arcs retell both stories (with changes). If you watch Super, you've effectively seen them. Super: Broly and Super: Super Hero are the two theatrical sequels, and they belong after the TV series so nothing gets spoiled.
Daima is a newer official side story. Chronologically it sits after the Majin Buu saga, but most viewers watch it after Super. It stands on its own, so either approach works.
Dragon Ball GT is the odd one out. It's an anime-original sequel to Z and not part of the official canon. Watch it for nostalgia, not for the lore. And the older Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z movies are mostly standalone side stories, so they're left out of the main order.
At the end: Dragon Ball, Z (or Kai), Super, the two Super movies, then Daima. GT is the bonus level. Now go find those Dragon Balls.
The original series
Start here. Kid Goku and the hunt for the Dragon Balls.
You can start at Z and survive, but the relationships between Goku, Krillin, Master Roshi and Piccolo all begin here. Z leans on them without stopping to explain.
Dragon Ball Z
The main story, from the Saiyan arrival through Frieza, Cell and Majin Buu.
Z has a lot of filler and long stretches of power-up screaming. That is exactly why Kai exists. Choose either Z or Kai, not both.
Condensed re-edit of Z with most filler removed. Watch this instead of Z, not in addition to it.
Kai's second run, covering the Majin Buu saga. Only needed if you chose the Kai route.
Between Z and Super
Its story is retold in the opening arc of Dragon Ball Super, so you can skip it.
Super's first arc retells this film's story, with changes. Skipping it costs you nothing. Watch it if you want to see the original theatrical version.
Its story is also retold in Dragon Ball Super, so you can skip it.
The second arc of Super retells this film, again with changes. Optional for the same reason as Battle of Gods.
Dragon Ball Super
Direct continuation of Z. Starts with retellings of the two Z movies.
Super opens with retellings of Battle of Gods and Resurrection F, then moves on to the Universe 6 tournament, the Future Trunks saga and the Tournament of Power.
Theatrical sequel that follows the Tournament of Power.
Set after Super's final arc, so watch Super first. Otherwise you'll run into spoilers for the Tournament of Power.
Dragon Ball Daima
Official side story. Chronologically it sits after Z's Majin Buu saga, but most viewers watch it after Super.
Strict timeline people watch Daima right after Z. Release-order viewers watch it after Super. Either works, because Daima stands on its own.
Non-canon
Anime-original sequel to Z. Not part of the official canon.
GT was made as an anime-original series without a manga behind it, which is why it sits outside the canon. Watch it for nostalgia, not for the story.
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