Dragon Ball Z is the 1989 anime continuation of Dragon Ball, following Goku as he faces powerful new enemies and his son Gohan joins the battles. You can start with the original Dragon Ball for Goku’s story from childhood, or begin with Z if that is the era you want to watch; Z simply assumes the earlier story came first.
What is Dragon Ball Z about?
Dragon Ball Z shifts the focus to a new stage in Goku’s life and raises the stakes with formidable opponents. Gohan, Goku’s son, becomes part of the action as the conflicts grow more perilous. That combination—Goku’s battles and Gohan’s growing role—is the basic hook, without needing to know the franchise’s later turns in advance.
The series belongs to a larger story that began with the Dragon Ball manga, which started serialization in Japan’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984. The original Dragon Ball anime began broadcasting in 1986; Dragon Ball Z followed in 1989, according to the Dragon Ball Official Site’s chronology.
Should you watch Dragon Ball first?
Start with Dragon Ball for the full beginning
If you want to follow Goku from childhood and meet the characters in franchise sequence, begin with Dragon Ball. Toei describes that earlier series as Goku and his friends’ quest for the Dragon Balls. It gives the relationships and background that Z inherits. (Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball catalog entry)
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Start with Z if its era is what interests you
You can also begin with Dragon Ball Z if you are mainly drawn to its cast and larger-scale conflicts. It is a clear chapter of its own, but it is not the franchise’s beginning: Goku’s earlier adventures happen in the original series. The choice is between more context up front and getting straight to the Z-era story.
Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai?
Dragon Ball Z Kai is a separate official catalog title, not just another name for the original Z series. Toei’s catalog lists the original run and Kai entries separately. The counts below reflect Toei’s catalog presentation; they should not be taken as a guarantee that every regional edit, broadcast, or home-video release uses the same episode configuration. (Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball Z catalog)
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Title | Toei catalog episode count | Practical distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Ball Z | 291 episodes | The original, longer series run. |
| Dragon Ball Z Kai | 98 episodes | A separately cataloged, shorter route through the Z story. |
| Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters | 69 episodes | A separate catalog entry continuing the Kai route. |
For a shorter commitment, Kai is the practical option based on those catalog counts. Choose the original Z if you specifically want to watch that longer series run. Kai began broadcasting in 2009, two decades after Z’s 1989 broadcast commencement, according to the official chronology. Episode totals alone do not describe every edit or release difference.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where do Super and DAIMA fit?
Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball DAIMA are later franchise entries; the official chronology dates the start of Super’s serialization and broadcast to 2015 and DAIMA’s broadcast commencement to 2024. Their existence does not mean you need to watch every title before starting Z. The chronology records release milestones, not a complete viewing-order rule. (Dragon Ball Official Site’s chronology)
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
