The Ultimate Guide to Watching Dragon Ball Z in the Right Order

Dragon Ball Z, one of the most iconic anime series of all time, has a vast and sometimes confusing episode structure, making it challenging for new viewers to determine the best order to watch the series. In this guide, we'll break down the various sagas and arcs, and provide a clear viewing order that ensures you get the most out of the Dragon Ball Z experience.

Understanding Dragon Ball Z’s Structure

Dragon Ball Z, originally airing from 1989 to 1996, is the second series in the Dragon Ball franchise and follows the adventures of Goku and his friends as they defend the Earth against a range of powerful foes. The series is divided into several sagas, each consisting of multiple episodes. These sagas are further grouped into larger story arcs that tell the broader narrative of the series.

The show is famous for its epic battles, power-ups, and dramatic moments, but its narrative complexity, especially with the inclusion of filler episodes, can make it tricky to know what to watch and what to skip. Additionally, Dragon Ball Z has had several versions, including the original Japanese broadcast, the English dubbed version, and the remastered Dragon Ball Z Kai, which eliminates most of the filler content.

Recommended Viewing Order

To fully enjoy Dragon Ball Z, it's important to understand the order in which the episodes should be watched. Here's a breakdown of the best way to watch Dragon Ball Z:

1. Start with Dragon Ball (Optional but Recommended)

   • Episodes: 1-153
   • Overview: Although not part of Dragon Ball Z, the original Dragon Ball series introduces many of the characters and sets up the story for Dragon Ball Z. Watching this first provides valuable context, especially for Goku’s early life and the origins of key characters like Piccolo and Krillin.

2. Dragon Ball Z: Saiyan Saga

   • Episodes: 1-39 (DBZ) or 1-18 (DBZ Kai)
   • Overview: The Saiyan Saga introduces Goku’s brother Raditz and the arrival of the Saiyans, culminating in the iconic battle between Goku and Vegeta. If watching Dragon Ball Z Kai, which is a remastered and shortened version, the episodes are condensed but the core story remains intact.

3. Dragon Ball Z: Namek and Captain Ginyu Sagas

   • Episodes: 40-74 (DBZ) or 19-26 (DBZ Kai)
   • Overview: Goku and his friends travel to the planet Namek in search of the Dragon Balls, only to encounter the ruthless Frieza and his elite squad, the Ginyu Force.

4. Dragon Ball Z: Frieza Saga

   • Episodes: 75-107 (DBZ) or 27-36 (DBZ Kai)
   • Overview: The battle against Frieza is one of the most intense and memorable in the entire series, featuring Goku’s transformation into a Super Saiyan.

5. Dragon Ball Z: Garlic Jr. Saga (Filler, Optional)

   • Episodes: 108-117 (DBZ)
   • Overview: This is a filler saga that takes place after the Frieza Saga and is not part of the manga storyline. It revolves around Garlic Jr. returning to take revenge on Earth.

6. Dragon Ball Z: Trunks and Android Sagas

   • Episodes: 118-139 (DBZ) or 37-44 (DBZ Kai)
   • Overview: These sagas introduce the mysterious Trunks and the deadly androids created by Dr. Gero, setting the stage for the Cell Saga.

7. Dragon Ball Z: Imperfect Cell and Perfect Cell Sagas

   • Episodes: 140-165 (DBZ) or 45-56 (DBZ Kai)
   • Overview: The Cell Saga is a major arc in Dragon Ball Z, where the bio-engineered android Cell becomes the most formidable foe the Z Fighters have ever faced.

8. Dragon Ball Z: Cell Games Saga

   • Episodes: 166-194 (DBZ) or 57-77 (DBZ Kai)
   • Overview: The Cell Games feature some of the most iconic moments in Dragon Ball Z, including Gohan’s transformation into a Super Saiyan 2 and his epic battle against Cell.

9. Dragon Ball Z: Other World, Great Saiyaman, and World Tournament Sagas (Filler, Mostly Optional)

   • Episodes: 195-219 (DBZ)
   • Overview: These sagas bridge the gap between the Cell Saga and the Buu Saga, with some filler content that can be skipped if you prefer to focus on the main story.

10. Dragon Ball Z: Babidi and Majin Buu Sagas

    • Episodes: 220-253 (DBZ) or 78-98 (DBZ Kai)
    • Overview: The Majin Buu Saga is the final major arc in Dragon Ball Z, with Goku, Vegeta, and the next generation of fighters facing off against the powerful Majin Buu.

11. Dragon Ball Z: Fusion and Kid Buu Sagas

    • Episodes: 254-291 (DBZ) or 99-167 (DBZ Kai, includes the final episodes from DBZ and content from Dragon Ball Z: The Final Chapters)
    • Overview: The Fusion Saga and Kid Buu Saga bring the series to an epic conclusion, with the fate of the universe hanging in the balance. The series ends with Goku’s final battle against Kid Buu.

Dragon Ball Z Movies

In addition to the main series, there are several Dragon Ball Z movies. These movies are generally considered non-canon (meaning they don't fit into the main timeline of the series) but are still enjoyable for fans. Here’s a suggested order to watch them in:

1. Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone

   • Watch after Dragon Ball or before the Saiyan Saga.

2. Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest

   • Watch after the Saiyan Saga.

3. Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might

   • Watch after the Saiyan Saga.

4. Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug

   • Watch after the Namek Saga.

5. Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge

   • Watch after the Frieza Saga.

6. Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler

   • Watch after the Frieza Saga.

7. Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13!

   • Watch after the Android Sagas.

8. Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan

   • Watch after the Cell Saga.

9. Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound

   • Watch after the Cell Games Saga.

10. Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming

    • Watch after the Great Saiyaman Saga.

11. Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly

    • Watch after Broly – Second Coming.

12. Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn

    • Watch after the Buu Saga.

13. Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon

    • Watch after the Buu Saga.

14. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods

    • Watch after the Buu Saga and before Dragon Ball Super.

15. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'

    • Watch after Battle of Gods and before Dragon Ball Super.

Dragon Ball Z Kai vs. Dragon Ball Z

For those new to the series, you may be wondering whether to watch the original Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai. Here’s a comparison to help you decide:

• Dragon Ball Z: The original version, which includes all the episodes, including filler content. The pacing is slower, with some episodes focused on character development or side plots that aren’t essential to the main storyline. This version is ideal if you want the full Dragon Ball Z experience with all its classic moments.

• Dragon Ball Z Kai: A remastered version of Dragon Ball Z, which removes most of the filler episodes and focuses more on the core storylines. The animation is also cleaned up, and the pacing is much faster. This version is recommended if you want a more streamlined experience without the filler content.

Conclusion

Dragon Ball Z is a legendary series with a complex structure that can be overwhelming for new viewers. By following the recommended viewing order above, you can enjoy the series as it was meant to be experienced, savoring each epic battle and storyline without getting bogged down by filler. Whether you choose to watch the original Dragon Ball Z or the remastered Dragon Ball Z Kai, this guide will ensure you get the most out of this iconic anime. Enjoy the adventure!