So you're trying to figure out the whole deal with Dragon Ball Super seasons, huh? Honestly, it's way more confusing than it should be. I remember when I first dove in after finishing DBZ, expecting neat season breaks like other shows. Boy, was I wrong. Let's clear up the mess and get you sorted.
Why Dragon Ball Super Seasons Are Confusing (And How to Navigate Them)
First thing's first: Dragon Ball Super wasn't originally split into seasons for broadcast. It aired weekly in Japan as one continuous run. Streaming services like Crunchyroll and Funimation sliced it up later for Western audiences. That's why you'll see different numbers floating around – there's no single "official" season count globally.
Fun fact: Japan often refers to story arcs, not seasons. But since Western fans search using "seasons," we've got to bridge that gap. Here’s the breakdown most platforms use:
| Common Season Label | Episodes Covered | Main Story Arcs | Where to Stream | Blu-ray/DVD Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 1-27 | God of Destruction Beerus Saga, Golden Frieza Saga | Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation | Part 1 (Ep 1-13), Part 2 (Ep 14-27) |
| Season 2 | 28-46 | Universe 6 Saga | Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation | Part 3 (Ep 28-39), Part 4 (Ep 40-46) |
| Season 3 | 47-76 | "Future" Trunks Saga, Copy-Vegeta Saga | Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation | Part 5 (Ep 47-58), Part 6 (Ep 59-76) |
| Season 4 | 77-106 | Universe Survival Saga (Preliminary) | Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation | Part 7 (Ep 77-88), Part 8 (Ep 89-106) |
| Season 5 | 107-131 | Universe Survival Saga (Tournament of Power) | Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimation | Part 9 (Ep 107-118), Part 10 (Ep 119-131) |
🚨 Reality Check: Some sites lump all 131 episodes into 5 seasons like above. Others split the massive Tournament of Power into separate chunks. Always check episode numbers! Missing crucial fights because you skipped "Season 4 Part 2" is the worst.
The Real Meat: What Each Dragon Ball Super Season Delivers
Let's cut through the noise. Forget filler counts for a minute. When judging Dragon Ball Super seasons, it's about the core arcs and character growth. Here’s my take as someone who’s rewatched them all:
Season 1: Finding Its Feet (Episodes 1-27)
Honestly? The start is rough. The animation quality dips sometimes – remember Goku’s weirdly skinny neck in episode 5? But you get the epic Beerus battle introducing Super Saiyan God. Golden Frieza feels like a retread though. Still, it’s essential setup. Power scaling gets messy fast.
Season 2: Universe 6 Tournament (Episodes 28-46)
This is where things get fun. New universe! New Saiyans (hello, Caulifla and Kale foreshadowing)! Hit is one of the coolest antagonists-turned-ally. The tournament format is tight, fights are creative (Botamo’s belly bouncing attacks? Genius). Animation stabilizes a bit. Solid season overall.
Season 3: Future Trunks Returns (Episodes 47-76)
Dark. Emotional. Zamasu might be the best villain in Super. Seeing Future Trunks struggle again hits hard. Vegito Blue’s return caused actual screaming in my living room. BUT… the ending. Without spoilers, many fans (me included) found it rushed and unsatisfying. Great build-up, flawed payoff.
Season 4: Universe Survival Prelude (Episodes 77-106)
Okay, slower pace here. Lots of recruitment episodes gathering the U7 team. Some fun character moments (Krillin’s doubts, Tien’s relevance… kinda), but feels like padding until the big tournament. The exhibition match against Universe 9 is crucial though. Stick with it.
Season 5: Tournament of Power (Episodes 107-131)
Peak Dragon Ball Super. Non-stop action across 44 episodes. Every character gets moments. Ultra Instinct reveal? Chills. Jiren is a force of nature. The animation surges in quality, especially during key fights (Goku vs Kefla!). Drains a bit near the end, but the finale delivers. Worth the entire journey.
Top 5 Must-Watch Fights by Season:
- Season 1: Goku vs Beerus (Ep 10-11) - The spectacle that started it all.
- Season 2: Hit vs Goku (Ep 39-40) - Time-skip mastery vs adaptation.
- Season 3: Vegito Blue vs Fused Zamasu (Ep 65-66) - Fusion power unleashed.
- Season 4: Gohan & Piccolo vs Universe 6 Namekians (Ep 88) - Teamwork throwback.
- Season 5: Goku Ultra Instinct vs Jiren (Ep 129-130) - Pure. Animation. Glory.
You know what surprised me? How much I enjoyed the smaller character moments in later seasons. Android 17 getting development? Master Roshi’s serious fight? Didn’t see that coming after DBZ.
Dragon Ball Super: Movies vs. Anime Seasons - The BIG Confusion
This trips up EVERYONE. Here’s the deal:
- Battle of Gods Movie: Covers the Beerus arc. The anime Season 1 (Ep 1-14ish) retells this but adds extra scenes and stretches it out. Movie pacing is better.
- Resurrection 'F' Movie: Covers Golden Frieza. Anime Season 1 (Ep 15-27) retells it. Again, movie is tighter, anime adds filler (mostly Ginyu Force nonsense).
Should you skip the anime versions? For BoG and RoF, I often recommend the movies for first-time viewers. They're prettier and faster. BUT... the anime adds tiny character bits that sometimes reference later. It’s a toss-up. Personally? I watched both. No regrets.
Now, Super Hero (2022 movie)? That’s AFTER the anime seasons, focusing on Gohan and Piccolo. Not covered in the 131 episodes.
⚠️ Crucial Tip: If you start with the movies (BoG and RoF), begin the anime series at Episode 28 – the start of the Universe 6 tournament and original content! Skipping the first 27 episodes avoids the redundant sagas.
Where & How to Watch All Dragon Ball Super Seasons Legally
Finding consistent streaming is a pain. Licensing shifts. Here's the current state (as of late 2023, but verify - this stuff changes!):
- Crunchyroll: All 131 episodes available. Subbed and Dubbed. Their season breakdown matches the 5-season structure we discussed. Most reliable option globally.
- Funimation: Still has all episodes (sub/dub) as they were the original licensee. Merging with Crunchyroll though, so future access might shift.
- Hulu: Has all seasons, but sometimes lists them weirdly (e.g., "Season 1 Part 3"). Dubbed and Subbed.
- Netflix: Varies wildly by region. Some countries only have movies or random seasons (often just Tournament of Power). Not reliable for the full saga.
- Physical Media: Blu-ray/DVD box sets exist for each "Part" (roughly 12-14 episodes). Collecting all 10 parts gets expensive but offers best quality and no reliance on internet.
Price wise? Crunchyroll subscription is cheapest monthly access. Blu-ray sets run $20-$40 per part. Ouch. I grabbed them slowly during sales.
Dragon Ball Super Seasons FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
How many seasons of Dragon Ball Super are there actually?
Technically, just one continuous production. But for practical viewing, Western streaming services split it into 5 seasons covering 131 episodes.
What order should I watch Dragon Ball Super seasons?
Watch in release order: Season 1 to Season 5 (Ep 1-131). See the table above! Don't jump around. Power creep matters.
Is Dragon Ball Super: Broly part of the seasons?
Nope! The Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie takes place AFTER the 131 anime episodes (post-Tournament of Power). Essential viewing though!
Why does animation quality vary so much between Dragon Ball Super seasons?
Tight schedules early on caused issues (Season 1 is notorious). Later seasons (especially Tournament of Power) had more time and budget, resulting in stunning fights. Production struggles hit anime hard.
Which Dragon Ball Super season is considered the best?
Most fans and critics point to Season 5 (Tournament of Power, Ep 107-131). Highest stakes, best animation, and payoff for character arcs. Season 3 (Future Trunks) is also highly rated for its darker tone, despite its controversial ending.
After finishing all Dragon Ball Super seasons, what's next?
Watch the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie, then the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie. Then, dive into the ongoing Dragon Ball Super manga! It continues the story beyond the anime with arcs like Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga and Granolah the Survivor Saga. No official anime return yet, sadly.
Are there filler episodes in Dragon Ball Super seasons?
Yes, but less than classic DBZ. Mostly comedic slice-of-life stuff early on (e.g., Goten and Trunks misadventures, Goku driving). Some recruitment episodes in the Universe Survival lead-up feel like filler. You can skip some without missing major plot, but check guides first.
Why are some Dragon Ball Super seasons harder to find on streaming?
Blame licensing fragmentation. Contracts expire. Regions have different rights holders. Crunchyroll/Funimation merger aims to fix this, but it's still messy. Physical media avoids this headache.
Beyond the Anime Seasons: Movies, Manga, and What's Next
The Dragon Ball Super story didn't end with Season 5. Here's how it expands:
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Movie): Canon sequel to the anime seasons featuring Broly's official introduction. Must-watch. Gorgeous animation.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Movie): Latest film, focusing on Gohan, Piccolo, and the Red Ribbon Army. Set after Broly. Major power-ups here!
- Dragon Ball Super Manga: CONTINUES THE STORY! Written by Akira Toriyama with Toyotarou art. Picks up after the Broly movie, covering arcs like:
- Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga (Moro Arc)
- Granolah the Survivor Saga
- Currently ongoing: Super Hero arc (adapting/expanding the movie) & beyond.
Is the anime coming back? Nothing official. Rumors swirl constantly ("Season 6" hype). But Toei Animation hasn't announced anything. The manga is your source for new canon content for now. I check monthly V-Jump leaks religiously. It’s a habit.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Dragon Ball Super Seasons Journey
Look, getting into Dragon Ball Super seasons isn't always smooth. The inconsistent numbering, the varying quality, the movie overlaps – it can be a headache. I wish Toei had planned a clearer season structure from the start. But is it worth it? Absolutely.
Despite the flaws, the highs are incredible. The Tournament of Power delivers some of the most hype moments in all of Dragon Ball. Seeing characters like Android 17, Roshi, and even Tien get meaningful screen time felt rewarding after DBZ sidelined them. Goku's journey to Ultra Instinct? Iconic.
My advice? Start with the Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F' movies for a tighter intro. Then jump into the anime at Episode 28. Power through the slower bits of Season 4 knowing the Tournament of Power payoff is immense. Watch Broly and Super Hero movies afterward. Then dive into the manga.
Understanding the structure of the Dragon Ball Super seasons is half the battle. Now you're equipped to enjoy the ride without the confusion. Go forth and unleash your inner Super Saiyan!