With almost four decades of history, the phenomenon created by Akira Toriyama can be intimidating and even confusing for casual viewers or newcomers. And it is that within the animated universe of dragonball coexist numerous series, more than twenty films, numerous OVAs (original animations for video) and specials for television. This without considering that several stories and characters still generate intense debates among fans about their validity within the canon.
Next, we carry out a general review of all the main productions that make up the anime franchise, according to their release date in Japan. We break down each series by sagas, movies and their most outstanding special chapters, as well as where they are found on digital platforms in Mexico (and for several Latin American countries). Later, we offer you a proposal to see only those titles that are essential to understand the official canon of the saga.
Chronology of all the sagas and films of dragonball (by release date)
dragonball
The series where it all started. A young girl named Bulma is in search of the mystical Dragon Balls that are rumored to grant any wish. On her way, she meets a peculiar orphan boy named Goku, and the two will embark on a journey that will forever change the fate of the universe. The classic series ends with Goku’s unforgettable battle against Piccolo Jr. in the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, and his marriage to Milk.
Composed of 153 episodes broadcast between 1986 and 1989, the anime adapted the first 194 chapters of Akira Toriyama’s manga. In the world of cinema, the original series inspired a total of four films that tell alternate versions of the story we all know.
sagas
- Emperor Pilaf.
- 21st World Martial Arts Tournament.
- Red Patrol Army.
- Uranai Baba’s Palace.
- 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament.
- Piccolo Daimaku.
- 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament.
Where to watch the classic series dragonball? Available on Crunchyroll.
Films
- the legend of shenlong (1986).
- The sleeping princess of the haunted castle (1987).
- a mystical adventure (1988).
- The path to the strongest (nineteen ninety six).
Where to watch all the movies dragonball? Available for digital rent/purchase on iTunes.
You may also like: Retro Anime: Dragon Ball.
Dragon Ball Z
Considered by many fans to be the golden era of the franchise. dragonball z is packed with the epic battles, villains, and moments that made Akira Toriyama’s universe the global pop culture phenomenon it is today. The 291 chapters broadcast between 1989 and 1996 adapted the remaining 26 compiled book volumes of the manga.
Likewise, the series inspired 15 films; however, the vast majority are not considered part of the official canon because they did not have the participation of Akira Toriyama. The only exceptions are the battle of the gods (2013) and Frieza’s resurrection (2015), whose arguments would be taken up in the sequel series Dragon Ball Super.
Here it is also worth mentioning Dragon Ball Z Kaia renewed version launched in the framework of the twentieth anniversary of Dragon Ball Z. The series offers remastered images in high definition; re-recorded voices and sound effects; new openings, endings and soundtrack; and more strictly follows the manga’s plot, removing all original content created for the first anime. kai ended with a total of 167 episodes broadcast between 2009 and 2015.
sagas
- The Saiyans.
- Frieza.
- Garlic Jr.
- Androids and Cell.
- Majin Buu.
Where to see Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Z Kai? Available on Crunchyroll.
Films
- Give me back my Gohan!! (1989).
- The strongest man in this world (1990).
- The biggest battle in the world is about to begin (1990).
- Goku is a Super Saiyan (1991).
- The most powerful rivals (1991).
- The mightiest warriors (1992).
- The fight of the three Saiyans (1992).
- the invincible power (1993).
- the galaxy is in danger (1993).
- The return of the legendary warrior (1994).
- the final combat (1994).
- The fusion of Goku and Vegeta (nineteen ninety five).
- the dragon attack (nineteen ninety five).
- the battle of the gods (2013).
- Frieza’s resurrection (2015).
Where to watch all the movies Dragon Ball Z? Of Give me back my Gohan!! to the dragon attack available on Crunchyroll; the battle of the gods and Frieza’s resurrection are not available at streaming, nor in digital rent/purchase in Mexico.
featured specials
- Frieza’s battle against Goku’s father (1990).
- The two warriors of the future: Gohan and Trunks (1993).
Where to see the specials of dragonball z? Available for digital rent/purchase on iTunes.
You may also like: The best moments of Dragon Ball Z.
Dragon Ball GT
Set 10 years after the end of Dragon Ball Z, this series begins when Pilaf and his henchmen find the seven “Ultimate Dragon Balls” that were hidden in the Kamisama Temple. Unfortunately, the villain becomes nervous in Goku’s presence and wishes that he would become a child again. Now, Goku must embark on an interstellar journey to retrieve said Dragon Balls or else the Earth will explode within a year.
It is the first series of the franchise that was not based on a manga saga, but was intended as an exclusive original sequel to the anime, which is why it was never considered canon. The series ended with 64 episodes between 1996 and 1997.
sagas
- The great journey.
- Baby.
- Super Android Number 17.
- The Dark Dragons.
Where to see dragonball GT? Available on Crunchyroll: Eps. 1-15 (August 17), Eps. 16-34 (August 24) and Eps. 35-64 (Coming soon).
featured specials
- The Legendary Four Star Sphere (1997).
Where to see the specials of dragonball GT? For now is not available at streaming, nor for digital rent/purchase in Mexico.
You may also like: Retro Anime: Dragon Ball GT.
Dragon Ball Super
official sequel to Dragon Ball Z. After recapitulating the events of the films the battle of the gods (2013) and Frieza’s resurrection (2015), the series shows us the new battles of Goku and Vegeta, as they try to master their new powers of gods under the supervision of the God of Destruction, Beerus.
Dragon Ball Super It ended with 131 episodes that were broadcast between 2015 and 2018, but it is expected that the rest of the adventures seen in the homonymous manga written by Akira Toriyama and illustrated by Toyotarou will eventually continue to be adapted.
sagas
- Battle of the gods.
- Resurrection of Frieza.
- Universe 6 tournament.
- Goku Black.
- Power Tournament.
- Prisoners of the Galactic Patrol (Pending adaptation).
- The Survivor Granola (Pending adaptation).
Where to see dragonball Super? Available on Crunchyroll.
Films
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018).
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022).
Where to watch movies dragonball Super? superhero is now available on Crunchyroll. For now brolly are not available at streaming, nor in digital rent/purchase in Mexico.
You may also like: The 50 bestores animes of history.
in what order to see dragonball?
Is there a unique and definitive order to enjoy the franchise dragonball? Most fans agree in considering as official canon productions only those based on the original manga or that had a direct participation of Akira Toriyama in its creation.
In this sense, to follow the main plot line of the saga, it will be enough to watch the series in order dragonball, Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. In the latter case, the films brolly (2018) and superhero (2022) are also considered part of the main continuity by having scripts signed by Toriyama himself.
As optional viewings that can enrich your knowledge of the series, the specials are accepted. Frieza’s battle against Goku’s father (1990) and The two warriors of the future: Gohan and Trunks (1993).
You may also like: Son Goku: The legend of the strongest man in the universe.
Staff Cinema PREMIERE This text was conceived, created and developed at the same time by a team of experts working in harmony. All together. One letter each.