I was standing in a cramped manga shop when a teenager tapped my shoulder and whispered, “Which arc should I start with?” You could feel the panic in their voice—the same panic I felt the first time I tried to find order in twenty years of explosions and revelations. I smiled, because I keep the map.
I wrote this guide for you: quick, readable, and intentionally restless—so you keep scrolling until the last boss fight. I’ll point you to the official sources I use (Viz Media, Manga Plus, Crunchyroll), explain what’s been adapted and what hasn’t, and lay out the canonical arcs so you can binge the right story beats in order.
How Many Arcs are There In Dragon Ball?
At conventions fans will argue over whether a filler belongs on a “must-watch” list.
Most reference lists count 19 canon arcs across Akira Toriyama’s original run and the Dragon Ball Super continuation. Toriyama shaped the world through the 1980s and ’90s, then supervised the newer manga while Toyotarou handled the pen on Dragon Ball Super. The manga paused after the Super Hero Arc and has been on an indefinite hiatus; this guide lines up the arcs so you can follow the narrative in the cleanest order.
How many arcs are there in Dragon Ball?
I keep the tally conservative: original Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball Super arcs totaled together commonly produce the 19-arc count you’ll see below. Count methods vary—anime-only lists often split or merge arcs to fit episode breaks—so decide whether you’re tracking manga chapters or anime episodes and follow the matching column in the tables.
Dragon Ball
Flip through a vintage volume and you’ll notice the art and pacing change fast.
I’m not rewriting history: the original Dragon Ball (1984–1995) carries the earliest arcs and sets the tone—adventure, martial arts, and the first major villains. Read by manga chapter or follow the anime episodes if you want the feel of Toriyama’s original rhythm.
| Arcs Title | Anime Episode No. | Manga Chapter No. |
|---|---|---|
| Emperor Pilaf Arc | 1-13 | 1-23 |
| Tournament Arc (21st World Tournament) | 14-28 | 24-54 |
| Red Ribbon Army Arc | 29-45 | 55-69 |
| Uranai Baba Arc | 68-83 | 97-112 |
| Tien Shinhan Arc (22nd World Martial Arts Tournament Saga) | 84-101 | 113-134 |
| King Piccolo Arc | 102-122 | 135-161 |
| Piccolo Jr. Arc | 123-153 | 162-194 |
Dragon Ball Z
At a retro screening you’ll feel how the stakes shift—threats scale up and the soundtrack swells.
Dragon Ball Z compresses years of escalation into four major sagas: Saiyan, Namek/Frieza, Android/Cell, and Majin Buu. The anime includes filler episodes; if you care only about the manga story, follow the chapter ranges in the table below.
| Arcs Title | Anime Episode No. | Manga Chapter No. |
|---|---|---|
| Saiyan Arc | 1-35 | 195-241 |
| Namek / Frieza Arc | 36-117 | 242-329 |
| Android / Cell Arc | 118-194 | 330-420 |
| Majin Buu Arc | 200-286 | 421-519 |
Note: Episodes labeled 195–199 are mostly filler or transitional; they’re omitted from the manga-aligned rows above.
Dragon Ball Super
Walk into any modern anime forum and you’ll find debates about Toyotarou’s faithfulness and Toriyama’s oversight through 2024.
Dragon Ball Super continued the saga with fresh arcs and original manga chapters overseen by Toriyama, with Toyotarou writing and illustrating the ongoing manga. The Super era expands canon and introduces new threats and allies; each arc is a gear in a clockwork colossus and together they move the story forward.
| Arcs Title | Anime Episode No. | Manga Chapter No. |
|---|---|---|
| God of Destruction Beerus Arc | 1-15 | 1-4 |
| Golden Frieza Arc | 16-27 | 5-9 |
| Universe 6 Arc | 28-46 | 10-13 |
| Future Trunks Arc | 47-76 | 14-26 |
| Universe Survival Arc | 77-131 | 27-41 |
| Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc | TBD | 42-66 |
| Granolah the Survivor Arc | TBD | 67-87 |
| Super Hero Arc | TBD | 88-103 |
What Arc Is Dragon Ball Manga Covering Right Now?
Check a manga reader app and you’ll see the latest chapter numbers stamped like timestamps across a timeline.
The manga entered an indefinite hiatus after the Super Hero Arc. Toyotarou has been the regular author/artist for Dragon Ball Super’s manga, under Toriyama’s supervision through 2024. If you follow Viz Media or Manga Plus you’ll get official English releases and the most reliable chapter order—read those if you want manga-canon only.
What arc is the Dragon Ball manga covering right now?
If you’re reading this in 2026, the latest serialized chapters stop at the Super Hero Arc before the hiatus. For instant updates, I check Viz Media and Manga Plus first; they publish official English chapters and announce resumptions or new projects.
What Arc Is Dragon Ball Anime Covering Right Now?
If you check streaming queues you’ll notice Crunchyroll listings change as new seasons are announced.
The original Dragon Ball Super anime paused after the Universe Survival Arc (the Tournament of Power). The franchise announced a return in 2026: a second season/reboot that reportedly starts from the Beerus introduction and will adapt Galactic Patrol Prisoner and Granolah the Survivor arcs. To watch the streaming rollout, track official channels—Toei Animation and the Dragon Ball social accounts post season dates and stationing details.
Is the Dragon Ball anime returning in 2026?
Yes—official studio announcements confirm a new Super season for 2026, with early episodes re-adapting the Beerus arc before moving into later Super arcs. If you prefer episode-by-episode watching, Crunchyroll tends to simulcast; Netflix and Prime Video secure regional windows later on.
Where to Read Dragon Ball Manga?
If you search “official manga” the first results are usually the legal platforms.
For English readers, use Viz Media and Manga Plus (Shueisha). They publish official translations and keep chapter order accurate. I always recommend starting at those sources to avoid spoilers and to support the creators and publishers.
Where can I read Dragon Ball legally?
Visit Viz Media or Manga Plus for authorized chapters. Both platforms publish current and archived chapters; Manga Plus often provides free access to certain chapters globally, while Viz packages volumes and subscriptions for ongoing access.
Where to Watch Dragon Ball Anime?
On a Friday night most fans reach for Crunchyroll before checking other services.
Crunchyroll is the primary streaming destination for most current episodes and simulcasts. Netflix and Prime Video also carry large portions of the franchise, but availability changes by country. If regional locks block you, reputable VPN services (for example, NordVPN and ExpressVPN) are frequently used by viewers—always check terms of service for your streaming provider before using a VPN.
Is Dragon Ball on Netflix right now?
Netflix hosts many Dragon Ball titles in many regions, but the catalog varies. Crunchyroll remains the safest bet for near-complete access and simulcast windows; check your country’s listings to confirm what’s currently available.
If you want a recommended path: read the original Dragon Ball chapters, follow the Z sagas by manga chapters, then move to Dragon Ball Super chapters or the anime adaptions—stay aligned to chapters if you want the canon spine uninterrupted. I kept the tables above so you can choose by episode or chapter and avoid filler traps—so which arc will you binge first?