Created by the legendary Akira Toriyama and brought to life by Toei Animation, Dragon Ball isn’t just an anime; it’s practically a rite of passage for anyone who dares call themselves an anime fan. The granddaddy of action shounen anime.
Whether you’re here for Goku’s wild hair transformations, Vegeta’s perpetual grumpiness, or just to see how many times they can raise the power level before someone’s scouter explodes, Dragon Ball has it all.
This guide is your Dragon Radar for navigating the epic saga, from the humble beginnings of a monkey-tailed kid to the earth-shaking battles that define the series.
Ready to find out why this show’s been punching its way through pop culture for decades? Strap in—it’s going to be over 9000!
1. Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
| Episodes | 153 |
| Aired | Winter 1986 – Winter 1989 |
Goku Son is a young boy who lives in the woods all alone—that is until a girl named Bulma runs into him in her search for a set of magical objects called the “Dragon Balls.”
Since the artifacts are said to grant one wish to whoever collects all seven, Bulma hopes to gather them and wish for a perfect boyfriend. Goku happens to be in possession of a dragon ball, but unfortunately for Bulma, he refuses to part ways with it, so she makes him a deal: he can tag along on her journey if he lets her borrow the dragon ball’s power. With that, the two set off on the journey of a lifetime.
They don’t go on the journey alone. On the way, they meet the old Muten-Roshi and wannabe disciple Kuririn, with whom Goku trains to become a stronger martial artist for the upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament.
However, it’s not all fun and games; the ability to make any wish come true is a powerful one, and there are others who would do much worse than just wishing for a boyfriend. To stop those who would try to abuse the legendary power, they train to become stronger fighters, using their newfound strength to help the people around them along the way.
2. Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
| Episodes | 291 |
| Aired | Spring 1989 – Winter 1996 |
Goku is back with his new son, Gohan, but just when things are getting settled down, the adventures continue.
Whether he is facing enemies such as Freeza, Cell, or Boo, Goku is proven to be an elite of his own and discovers his race, Saiyan.
He meets many new people, gaining allies as well as enemies, as he still finds time to raise a family and be the happy-go-lucky Saiyan he is.
There are also some anime films that are side stories:
- Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)
- Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)
- Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (1991)
- Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13! (1992)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (1993)
- Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (1994)
- Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (1995)
- Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (1995)
- Dragon Ball: The Path to Power (1996)
3. Dragon Ball GT (1996-1997)
| Episodes | 64 |
| Aired | Winter 1996 – Fall 1997 |
Emperor Pilaf finally has his hands on the Black Star Dragon Balls after years of searching, which are said to be twice as powerful as Earth’s normal ones.
Pilaf is about to make his wish for world domination when he is interrupted by Gokuu Son. As a result, Pilaf flubs his wish and accidentally turns Gokuu back into a child.
After the wish is granted, the Black Star Dragon Balls scatter across the galaxy. However, Gokuu discovers that they will cause the Earth to explode unless they are all brought back within a year.
Uniting with his granddaughter Pan and a young adult Trunks, Gokuu sets off on an adventure through the universe to find the Black Star Dragon Balls and save his planet from destruction.
4. Dragon Ball Z Kai (2019-2015)
A remastered version of Dragon Ball Z that adheres more to the manga’s story.
This version includes newly recorded dialog by the original voice actors, new sound effects, new OP/ED sequences, and a brand new HD video transfer.
1. Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009-2015)
| Episodes | 64 |
| Aired | Spring 2009 – Winter 2015 |
2. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
| Title | Dragon Ball Z: Kami to Kami |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Spring 2013 |
The film is set between the 517th and 518th installments of Akira Toriyama’s original manga. Specifically, it is set during the “lost decade” of story time after the end of the battle with Majin Boo.
Kuririn, Piccolo, Vegeta, and other familar characters will appear in the film. The film is not a spinoff, but a story in the official history of Dragon Ball.
3. Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters (2014)
| Title | Dragon Ball Kai (2014) |
| Episodes | 69 |
| Aired | Spring 2014 |
Remastered version of the Majin Boo arc that adheres more to the manga’s story.
4. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2015)
| Title | Dragon Ball Z: Fukkatsu no “F” |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Spring 2015 |
One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Freeza’s army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Freeza. They succeed, and Freeza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.
5. Dragon Ball Super (2015-2022)
After 18 years, we have the newest Dragon Ball story from creator Akira Toriyama.
1. Dragon Ball Super (2015-2018)
| Episodes | 131 |
| Aired | Summer 2015 – Winter 2018 |
With Majin Buu defeated, Goku has taken a completely new role as…a radish farmer?!
With Earth at peace, our heroes have settled into normal lives. But they can’t get too comfortable. Far away, the powerful God of Destruction, Beerus, awakens to a prophecy revealing his demise at the hands of an even more formidable being.
When his search for the Saiyan God brings him to Earth, can Goku and his friends take on their strongest foe yet?
2. Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Fall 2018 |
Earth is at peace after The Tournament of Power but Goku continues to train, knowing there are ever-stronger forces in the universe.
With the arrival of a Saiyan warrior named Broly, Goku and Vegeta face their most dangerous challenge yet.
The film also chronicles the history of the Saiyans and the background story of these three Saiyans with different destinies connected to the turbulent period of their now extinct race.
3. Dragon Ball Super: SUPER HERO (2022)
| Episodes | 1 |
| Aired | Spring 2022 |
The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku.
Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes”. They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan.
What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!
By now, you’re probably either powering up to start your Dragon Ball marathon or questioning how many Saiyan transformations one series can possibly have. Either way, you’ve got the knowledge and the watch guide to tackle this iconic series head-on.
Dragon Ball isn’t just a show; it’s a cultural phenomenon that has shaped generations of anime fans, inspired countless parodies, and given us more screaming than a rock concert.
So, whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the epic battles, or just to see what all the fuss is about, one thing’s for sure: you’re in for a wild, thrilling ride through the universe of Dragon Ball. Just remember—no matter how many episodes you binge, you’ll never get tired of hearing, “Kamehameha!”
