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Dragon Ball seasons

Dragon Ball has six TV series: Dragon Ball (1986), Dragon Ball Z (1989), Dragon Ball GT (1996), Dragon Ball Z Kai (2009), Dragon Ball Super (2015) and Dragon Ball Daima (2024). Together they total 818 episodes, or 659 without Kai, which is a remastered and re-edited version of Z. Toei Animation produced all of them. Akira Toriyama's original manga ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1984 to 1995 across 519 chapters, and the first two series adapted all of it. Since October 11, 2026, Japan has been airing Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, a remake of the start of Super.

Season	Premiere	End	Episodes	Studio
Dragon Ball	February 26, 1986	April 19, 1989	153	Toei Animation
Dragon Ball Z	April 26, 1989	January 31, 1996	291	Toei Animation
Dragon Ball GT	February 7, 1996	November 19, 1997	64	Toei Animation
Dragon Ball Z Kai	April 5, 2009	June 28, 2015	159	Toei Animation
Dragon Ball Super	July 5, 2015	March 25, 2018	131	Toei Animation
Dragon Ball Daima	October 11, 2024	February 28, 2025	20	Toei Animation

Dragon Ball

The first series follows young Goku from his meeting with Bulma and the hunt for the seven Dragon Balls, through his training with Master Roshi, the World Martial Arts Tournaments and the fight against the Red Ribbon Army. It ran for 153 episodes, from February 26, 1986 to April 19, 1989.

Dragon Ball Z

Picks up five years later with an adult Goku who is now Gohan's father. The arrival of warriors from space changes everything and leads into the Saiyan, Frieza, Android and Majin Buu sagas. It ran for 291 episodes, from April 26, 1989 to January 31, 1996.

Dragon Ball GT

An anime-original sequel not based on the manga. A wish made with the Black Star Dragon Balls turns Goku back into a child, and he sets off across space with Pan and Trunks to recover the scattered balls before Earth is put in danger. It ran for 64 episodes, from February 7, 1996 to November 19, 1997.

Dragon Ball Z Kai

A remastered HD version of Dragon Ball Z, re-edited to follow the manga closely and cut most of the filler. It aired in two runs: April 5, 2009 to March 27, 2011, then as The Final Chapters from April 6, 2014 to June 28, 2015, for 159 episodes in Japan.

Dragon Ball Super

Set after Majin Buu's defeat, with Earth at peace. The arrival of Beerus, the God of Destruction, opens the story to gods, angels and other universes, building up to tournaments between universes. It ran for 131 episodes, from July 5, 2015 to March 25, 2018.

Dragon Ball Daima

A side story set after the Majin Buu saga. Goku and his friends are turned into children and travel through the Demon Realm to collect its Dragon Balls. It ran for 20 episodes, from October 11, 2024 to February 28, 2025, and was produced by Toei Animation.

Next season Announced

A new series has been announced: Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol, revealed on January 25, 2026 at the Genkidama Matsuri event in Japan. It will adapt the Galactic Patrol arc of the Dragon Ball Super manga, which follows the Tournament of Power. As of October 2026 there is no premiere date or studio announcement. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, a remake of the opening of Super with new animation, premiered on Fuji TV on October 11, 2026.

FAQ

How many Dragon Ball series are there?

There are six TV series: Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima, with 818 episodes in total. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, a remake of Super, started in October 2026.

What order should I watch Dragon Ball in?

Follow the story order: Dragon Ball, then Dragon Ball Z (or Kai, which is shorter and closer to the manga), Dragon Ball Daima, Dragon Ball Super, and finally Dragon Ball GT, an anime-only alternate continuation.

Will there be a Dragon Ball Super season 2?

In effect, yes. Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol was announced on January 25, 2026 and continues the story after the Tournament of Power. As of October 2026 it has no premiere date.

Who is the main character of Dragon Ball?

Son Goku, a Saiyan raised on Earth who loves fighting and testing himself against stronger opponents. He is a child in the original Dragon Ball and an adult from Dragon Ball Z onward.

How many episodes does Dragon Ball Z have?

Dragon Ball Z has 291 episodes, aired in Japan from 1989 to 1996. The re-edited Dragon Ball Z Kai tells the same story in 159 episodes, with less filler and HD picture.

Dragon Ball characters →

Dragon Ball games →

Sources

Updated October 22, 2026