Where Can You Watch Dragon Ball Z? Your Ultimate Viewing Guide

Dragon Ball Z stands as a monumental anime series, captivating audiences worldwide for decades. Following the adventures of Goku and his friends as they defend Earth from formidable foes, Dragon Ball Z is a cornerstone of anime culture. With its action-packed battles, compelling characters, and epic storylines, it’s no surprise that new and returning fans are constantly searching for ways to experience this iconic series. But with numerous Dragon Ball iterations, movies, and specials available, knowing Where Can You Watch Dragon Ball Z can be confusing.

This guide will clear up the confusion and provide you with everything you need to know about watching Dragon Ball Z and navigating the wider Dragon Ball universe. We’ll explore the different viewing orders, discuss canon versus non-canon material, and most importantly, point you to where you can watch Dragon Ball Z online and offline, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of Saiyan action.

Understanding the Dragon Ball Universe: More Than Just Z

Before diving into where to watch Dragon Ball Z, it’s helpful to understand its place within the larger Dragon Ball saga. The journey begins with the original Dragon Ball, which chronicles Goku’s childhood adventures. Dragon Ball Z picks up years later, focusing on a grown-up Goku and escalating threats to the planet. Beyond Z, the franchise expands with Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, and the recently announced Dragon Ball Daima, alongside a plethora of movies and TV specials.

This expansive universe, while enriching, can be daunting for newcomers. Questions like “Do I need to watch Dragon Ball before Z?” or “What’s the best order to watch Dragon Ball movies?” are common. This guide addresses these concerns, starting with the most crucial question for many fans: where can you watch Dragon Ball Z?

Dragon Ball Son Goku

Where to Stream Dragon Ball Z: Your Digital Viewing Options

For fans eager to jump into the action, streaming services offer the most convenient way to watch Dragon Ball Z. Here are some of the top platforms where you can find Dragon Ball Z:

Crunchyroll: A premier streaming service for anime, Crunchyroll boasts a vast library of Dragon Ball content, including Dragon Ball Z. You can typically find both the original Japanese version with subtitles and the English dubbed version. Crunchyroll often offers simulcasts of newer anime, but for Dragon Ball Z, you can expect the complete series to be available. Check Crunchyroll’s regional availability as content may vary depending on your location.
Hulu: Hulu is another popular streaming platform that often carries Dragon Ball Z. Like Crunchyroll, Hulu usually provides access to both subbed and dubbed versions. Hulu’s anime selection is constantly expanding, making it a reliable place to find classic series like Dragon Ball Z.
Funimation (now merged with Crunchyroll): While Funimation itself has merged with Crunchyroll, its legacy as a major distributor of Dragon Ball in North America means that much of its content is now accessible through Crunchyroll. If you were a Funimation subscriber, Crunchyroll is now your go-to for Dragon Ball Z and other Funimation titles.
Amazon Prime Video: Depending on your region, Amazon Prime Video may offer Dragon Ball Z for streaming, either as part of your Prime membership or for purchase/rental. It’s worth checking your local Amazon Prime Video library to see if Dragon Ball Z is available.
Netflix: While Netflix’s anime library is substantial, availability of Dragon Ball Z on Netflix can be region-dependent and fluctuate. It’s always best to search Netflix directly in your country to confirm if Dragon Ball Z is currently streaming.

Beyond Subscription Services:

Digital Purchase/Rental (Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, etc.): If Dragon Ball Z isn’t available on your preferred streaming service, or if you prefer to own the series digitally, platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube, and others often offer episodes and seasons for individual purchase or rental. This can be a great option for building your digital anime library.
Blu-ray and DVD: For collectors and those who appreciate physical media, Dragon Ball Z is readily available on Blu-ray and DVD. Numerous editions exist, including remastered versions and complete series box sets. Owning physical copies ensures you can watch Dragon Ball Z anytime, regardless of streaming availability.

Dragon Ball Z Watch Order: Chronological and Canon Approaches

Once you know where can you watch Dragon Ball Z, the next question often revolves around the viewing order. There are two main approaches: chronological order and canon order.

1. Chronological Order (Including Movies and Specials):

This approach follows the in-universe timeline, incorporating movies and specials based on their approximate placement within the story. While comprehensive, it includes non-canon material, which might not appeal to purists.

Dragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 1-86
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (TV Special)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 87-107
Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 108-123
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (TV Special)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 124 and 125
Dragon Ball Z: Cooler’s Revenge (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 126-146
Dragon Ball Z: Super Android 13 (movie)
Dragon Ball Z episodes 147-173
Dragon Ball Z: The Return of Cooler (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 174-194
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 195-207
Dragon Ball Z: Broly’s Second Coming (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 208-250
Dragon Ball Z: Bio-Broly (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 251-253
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 254-288
Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon (movie)
Dragon Ball Z: episodes 289-291

Note: This list includes Dragon Ball Z but not Dragon Ball Z Kai. Dragon Ball Z Kai is a remastered, less filler-heavy version of Dragon Ball Z, telling the same core story.

2. Canon Order (Focusing on the Main Story):

For those prioritizing the core narrative as intended by creator Akira Toriyama, the canon order focuses on the main anime series and select specials considered part of the official storyline. This order omits Dragon Ball GT and most of the Z movies.

Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball: all episodes (to understand Goku’s origins)
Dragon Ball Z or Kai: until the end of the Frieza Saga
Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku (TV Special)
Dragon Ball Z or Kai: until the end of the Cell saga
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks (TV Special)
Dragon Ball Z or Kai: until just before the Peaceful World saga
Dragon Ball Z or Kai: all remaining episodes

Choosing Your Order:

Newcomers: Starting with the canon order (after watching Dragon Ball) is often recommended for a streamlined experience focused on the core storyline.
Completionists/Returning Fans: The chronological order can offer a more comprehensive, albeit longer, journey through the Dragon Ball Z era, including the movies and specials that, while non-canon, offer entertaining side stories.

Beyond Watching: Engaging with Dragon Ball Z Further

Once you’ve explored where can you watch Dragon Ball Z and decided on your viewing order, you might want to delve deeper into the Dragon Ball universe.

Video Games: Dragon Ball video games are incredibly popular and cover storylines from Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Super. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is particularly noteworthy for its detailed retelling of the Dragon Ball Z story, even incorporating elements up to Dragon Ball Daima. While not strictly canon, games offer interactive ways to experience the battles and story.
Manga: The original Dragon Ball manga by Akira Toriyama is the source material for the anime. Reading the manga provides another way to experience the story, often with more detail and a slightly different pacing than the anime.
Dragon Ball Super and Beyond: After Dragon Ball Z, consider continuing your journey with Dragon Ball Super, which continues the canon storyline. Dragon Ball GT is a non-canon sequel series, and Dragon Ball Daima is the newest upcoming entry in the franchise.

Start Your Dragon Ball Z Adventure Today!

Finding where can you watch Dragon Ball Z is the first step into an unforgettable anime experience. Whether you choose to stream online, purchase digitally, or collect physical media, Dragon Ball Z is readily accessible. Select your preferred viewing order, grab your snacks, and prepare to witness the epic battles and enduring legacy of Dragon Ball Z!