How to Watch Dragon Ball in Canonical Order

Introduction
"Dragon Ball" is one of the most iconic anime series ever created, captivating audiences worldwide with its thrilling battles, charismatic characters, and intricate plotlines. However, with its extensive universe spanning multiple series, movies, and special episodes, fans often find it challenging to follow the story in the correct canonical order. This guide will provide a detailed breakdown of how to watch "Dragon Ball" in the proper canonical order, ensuring you don't miss any crucial developments in the saga.

1: Understanding the Dragon Ball Universe
The "Dragon Ball" universe is vast, consisting of several series, movies, and special episodes. The main series include "Dragon Ball," "Dragon Ball Z," "Dragon Ball Super," and "Dragon Ball GT." However, "Dragon Ball GT" is generally considered non-canon, so it will be excluded from this list. The canonical order focuses on the content that follows the original manga storyline by Akira Toriyama.

2: Starting with Dragon Ball (1986–1989)
The journey begins with "Dragon Ball," which introduces us to a young Goku and his quest to collect the seven Dragon Balls. This series lays the foundation for the entire saga, showcasing Goku’s childhood adventures, training under Master Roshi, and his encounters with iconic characters like Bulma, Yamcha, and Krillin. It’s essential to watch "Dragon Ball" first, as it sets up the character dynamics and world-building that are crucial for understanding later events.

3: Moving on to Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)
"Dragon Ball Z" picks up where "Dragon Ball" left off, focusing on Goku’s adulthood and the arrival of powerful enemies from space. This series is where the story truly takes off, introducing the Saiyan saga, the Frieza saga, the Androids saga, the Cell saga, and the Majin Buu saga. Each arc brings new challenges and power-ups for Goku and his friends. It's important to watch "Dragon Ball Z" in its entirety to grasp the full scope of the series’ developments.

4: Dragon Ball Z Movies
While the movies released during the "Dragon Ball Z" era are generally considered non-canon, a few have elements that fit into the broader storyline. Notable movies that you might want to watch after completing "Dragon Ball Z" include:

• Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013): This movie introduces the God of Destruction, Beerus, and sets the stage for "Dragon Ball Super."
• Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015): This movie features the return of Frieza and directly leads into the events of "Dragon Ball Super."

5: Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)
"Dragon Ball Super" continues the story after the events of "Dragon Ball Z" and the aforementioned movies. The series introduces new characters, such as the God of Destruction, Beerus, and his attendant, Whis. Key arcs in "Dragon Ball Super" include:

• Battle of Gods Arc: An adaptation of the "Battle of Gods" movie, where Goku attains the Super Saiyan God form.
• Resurrection ‘F’ Arc: An adaptation of the "Resurrection ‘F’" movie.
• Universe 6 Arc: Introduces the concept of multiple universes and the Tournament of Destroyers.
• Future Trunks Arc: Features a dystopian future where an evil Goku doppelganger, Goku Black, wreaks havoc.
• Universe Survival Arc: The Tournament of Power, where the fate of multiple universes is decided in an epic battle royale.

6: Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
After finishing the "Dragon Ball Super" series, the next step is to watch "Dragon Ball Super: Broly." This movie is canon and explores the backstory of the Saiyan race, focusing on the legendary Super Saiyan, Broly. It also continues the narrative from "Dragon Ball Super," making it an essential watch.

7: Super Dragon Ball Heroes (2018–Present)
Though not canon, "Super Dragon Ball Heroes" is an ongoing promotional anime that features non-canon storylines and fan-service battles. It’s optional but can be enjoyed if you're interested in seeing more of your favorite characters in alternate scenarios.

8: Chronological Order vs. Release Order
When watching "Dragon Ball" in canonical order, it’s important to distinguish between chronological order and release order. The chronological order aligns with the in-universe timeline, while the release order reflects the order in which the content was originally aired or released.

9: Canonical Order Viewing List
Here’s a concise viewing list in canonical order:

1. Dragon Ball (Episodes 1-153)
2. Dragon Ball Z (Episodes 1-291)
3. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (Movie)
4. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (Movie)
5. Dragon Ball Super (Episodes 1-131)
6. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Movie)

10: Conclusion
Watching "Dragon Ball" in the correct canonical order provides a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of the entire saga. By following this guide, you can experience the story as intended, enjoying all the critical character development, plot twists, and epic battles that have made "Dragon Ball" a timeless classic. Whether you’re a new fan or revisiting the series, this order ensures that you won’t miss any significant events in the "Dragon Ball" universe.

11: Additional Tips
To enhance your viewing experience, consider watching with subtitles to capture the original Japanese nuances. Also, note that while some filler episodes in "Dragon Ball Z" can be skipped, they often contain entertaining content that adds depth to the characters and their relationships.

12: Final Thoughts
The "Dragon Ball" series has left an indelible mark on popular culture, and watching it in canonical order is a rewarding experience that showcases the epic scale of Akira Toriyama's creation. From Goku’s humble beginnings to his battles against gods and beyond, this guide will help you navigate the expansive world of "Dragon Ball" and fully appreciate its legacy.

Tables & Data
To help visualize the chronological flow, consider the following table outlining the arcs and their respective series:

Series	Arc	Episodes
Dragon Ball	Pilaf Saga	1-13
	Tournament Saga	14-28
	Red Ribbon Army Saga	29-68
	King Piccolo Saga	102-122
Dragon Ball Z	Saiyan Saga	1-35
	Frieza Saga	36-107
	Androids/Cell Saga	118-194
	Majin Buu Saga	195-291
Dragon Ball Super	Battle of Gods	1-14
	Universe 6	28-46
	Future Trunks	47-76
	Universe Survival (TOP)	77-131

By following this structure, you can experience "Dragon Ball" as a seamless narrative journey.