LayarHijau – Dragon Ball is not just a popular shōnen anime, but one of the most influential franchises in the history of Japanese animation. Since its debut in 1986, Akira Toriyama’s legendary series has continued to grow and evolve for nearly four decades, spanning Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, and the latest installment, Dragon Ball DAIMA.
With so many different series, timelines, and side stories, Dragon Ball can feel overwhelming for newcomers. However, the sheer number of episodes and films is also proof of how massive the franchise has become and why it continues to attract fans across generations.
The journey begins with the original Dragon Ball series, which aired in 1986 and consists of 153 episodes. The story follows a young Goku on Earth, complete with his iconic tail, as he trains in martial arts and embarks on adventures to find the mystical Dragon Balls.
The franchise truly exploded in popularity with Dragon Ball Z, the most widely known installment worldwide. With a total of 291 episodes, Dragon Ball Z is the longest series in the franchise and features many of its most iconic moments, including Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation, often regarded as one of the most famous scenes in anime history.
Dragon Ball Z was followed by Dragon Ball GT, which runs for 65 episodes. While it is often considered the weakest entry by fans, GT remains part of Dragon Ball’s long-running legacy. Later, Dragon Ball Z Kai was released as a condensed version of Dragon Ball Z, trimming filler content and reducing the episode count to 197 for a more streamlined viewing experience.
The modern era of the franchise is represented by Dragon Ball Super, which has 131 episodes, as well as Super Dragon Ball Heroes, a promotional series with around 50 episodes that sits outside the main storyline. Meanwhile, Dragon Ball DAIMA, the newest series, adds another 20 episodes and introduces a fresh twist on Goku’s adventures.
When all of these series are combined, Dragon Ball totals approximately 907 episodes. With an average runtime of about 25 minutes per episode, watching the entire franchise would take roughly 22,675 minutes, or around 378 hours. That equals nearly 16 full days of nonstop viewing.
Beyond the TV series, Dragon Ball also boasts more than 20 theatrical films. Most of the classic Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z movies are not part of the main canon, but they offer entertaining side stories for fans. Several recent films, however, are officially canon, including Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
In addition to movies, there are several special episodes that fall somewhere between a regular TV episode and a full-length film. These include Bardock – The Father of Goku, The History of Trunks, and Episode of Bardock, which explore the backstories of key characters.
With close to 1,000 episodes and dozens of movies, Dragon Ball stands as one of the longest-running anime franchises ever created. Its size may seem intimidating, but there are multiple ways to start watching. Longtime fans often recommend beginning with the original Dragon Ball, while those who prefer faster pacing may jump straight into Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Super. For viewers looking for the quickest option, Dragon Ball Z Kai offers a more concise alternative.
No matter where viewers choose to begin, Dragon Ball remains one of the most influential anime series of all time. The adventures of Goku, Vegeta, and their companions continue to deliver unforgettable battles, iconic characters, and stories that have defined generations of fans around the world.
