Watching "Dragon Ball" in chronological order can be a bit confusing due to the various series, movies, and spin-offs. Here's a straightforward guide to help you enjoy the series in the correct order.
Start with the original "Dragon Ball" series, which introduces us to the main characters, including Goku, Bulma, and Master Roshi, and follows their adventures as they search for the Dragon Balls. This series lays the foundation for the entire franchise.
Once you've finished "Dragon Ball," move on to "Dragon Ball Z." This series continues Goku's story as he grows up and faces more powerful foes, such as Vegeta, Frieza, and Cell. "Dragon Ball Z" is essential to understanding the overarching storyline and character development.
After "Dragon Ball Z," you can watch the "Dragon Ball Z: Kai" series. This is a remastered version of "DBZ" that cuts filler episodes and enhances the animation quality, making it a quicker way to experience the core story. However, it's not necessary if you've already watched the original.
Next, dive into "Dragon Ball Super," which takes place after "Dragon Ball Z." It introduces new characters and story arcs, such as the Tournament of Power, and explores Goku's new Ultra Instinct form. This series expands the lore and introduces new universes.
Following "Dragon Ball Super," you can watch the movies. While many of them are not essential to the main plot, a few, like "Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods" and "Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'," are directly tied to the events of "Dragon Ball Super." They provide additional context for the series.
Lastly, if you're interested, you can check out the spun-off series like "Dragon Ball GT," which is not part of the main continuity and is set between "Dragon Ball Z" and "Dragon Ball Super." While it has its fans, it varies significantly in style and story.
In summary, the order to watch "Dragon Ball" would be
1. Dragon Ball 2. Dragon Ball Z 3. Dragon Ball Z: Kai (optional) 4. Dragon Ball Super 5. Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (optional) 6. Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (optional) 7. Dragon Ball GT (optional)
This way, you'll be able to follow the story as it was intended and enjoy the characters' growth and adventures fully.