Dragon Ball Anime Timeline
Growing up in middle school, my next-door neighbor Daniel had a weekly tradition. Every new episode of Dragon Ball Z on Cartoon Network's Toonami block was a must-watch event. I jumped in somewhere around the Frieza Saga, but those nail-biting cliffhangers and epic episode teasers had me hooked instantly. I needed to know what happened next. And when Goku was pushed past his absolute limit and transformed into a Super Saiyan for the first time? There are no words for the rush those episodes gave me.
I've been a fan ever since. I went back and watched the original Dragon Ball series from the start when young Goku began training under Master Roshi, then followed the story all the way through GT (highly recommend!) and into Dragon Ball Super. I even picked up most of the movie releases, featuring legendary showdowns against enemies like Broly and Cooler. Safe to say, this franchise holds a permanent spot on my favorites list.
For anyone looking to dive in fresh, I put together a timeline-order guide covering both the episodes and movies. One thing worth knowing before you start: the original Dragon Ball series carries a lighter, more comedic tone throughout, while DBZ shifts into something far more intense! Expect serious battles, real stakes, and some genuinely graphic fights!
Most of the episodes can be watched on Crunchyroll with a subscription, or if you prefer HD physical media collecting, I've curated a list with all the seasons and movies! - Dragon Ball Anime Physical Media Collection
Now, the Dragon Ball Timeline:
DRAGON BALL (1986–1989) (premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami block on August 20, 2001)
- Dragon Ball Episodes 1–57
- 🎬 Curse of the Blood Rubies (1986) - (Non-canon, optional retelling of the Emperor Pilaf Saga)
- Dragon Ball Episodes 58–101
- 🎬 Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle (1987) - (Non-canon, optional - Goku & Krillin train under Master Roshi)
- Dragon Ball Episodes 102–118
- 🎬 Mystical Adventure (1988) - (Non-canon, optional retelling of the Tien Shinhan Saga)
- Dragon Ball Episodes 119–153
- 🎬 The Path to Power (1996) - (Non-canon, optional retelling of the Red Ribbon Army Saga)
DRAGON BALL Z (1989–1996)
- 🎬 Dead Zone (1989) — Watch before DBZ Episode 1 — Goku and Piccolo are still enemies and Gohan is unaware of his potential
- 🎬 Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (1990)
- DBZ Episodes 1–35 (Saiyan Saga) (initially aired in first-run syndication on September 13, 1996, then moved to Cartoon Network's Toonami block on August 31, 1998, where it ran until April 7, 2003)
- 🎬 The World's Strongest (1990) — (After the Saiyan Saga, before Namek)
- 🎬 The Tree of Might (1990) — (After the Saiyan Saga, before Namek)
- DBZ Episodes 36–107 (Namek/Frieza Saga)
- 🎬 Lord Slug (1991) — Fits between episodes 81 and 82, just as Frieza begins showing off his transformations on Planet Namek
- 🎬 Cooler's Revenge (1991) — (After the Frieza Saga, Goku back on Earth)
- DBZ Episodes 108–139 (Garlic Jr. / Trunks Saga)
- 🎬 The Return of Cooler (1992) — (After Trunks' warning, before the Androids arrive)
- 🎬 Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (1993)
- 🎬 Super Android 13 (1992) — (Android Saga era)
- 🎬 Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993) — (Android/Cell Saga era)
- DBZ Episodes 140–194 (Android / Cell Saga)
- 🎬 Bojack Unbound (1993) — Fits between episodes 192 and 193, after the Cell Games with Goku in the afterlife
- 🎬 Broly – Second Coming (1994) — (Buu Saga era, Gohan is older)
- 🎬 Bio-Broly (1994) — (Direct sequel to Second Coming)
- 🎬 Fusion Reborn (1995) — (Buu Saga era)
- 🎬 Wrath of the Dragon (1995) — (Late Buu Saga, after Majin Buu's major events)
- DBZ Episodes 195–291 (Buu Saga)
DRAGON BALL GT (Non-Canon, Optional) (1996–1997)
- GT Episodes 1–64 - (Anime-only sequel; does not align with Super's canon but fun to watch. Premiered in the United States on Cartoon Network's Toonami block on November 7, 2003)
DRAGON BALL DAIMA (2024–2025)(English dub premiered in U.S. theaters November 10–12, 2024, then premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block on June 14, 2025)
- 🎬 Daima Episodes 1–20 - Set after the battle with Kid Buu, several years before Dragon Ball Super and Battle of Gods
DRAGON BALL SUPER (2015–2018) (premiered on Adult Swim's Toonami block on January 7, 2017)
- 🎬 Battle of Gods (2013) — (Watch this OR skip to Super Episodes 1–14, which cover the same story)
- 🎬 Resurrection 'F' (2015) - (Watch this OR skip to Super Episodes 15–27)
- Dragon Ball Super Episodes 28–131 (Universe 6 Tournament through Tournament of Power)
- 🎬 Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) - Canon - Watch after Super Episode 131
- 🎬 Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) - Canon - Watch after Broly
