Dragon Ball Canon Timeline 2026: Where Daima Fits

Dragon Ball Canon is officially set after the defeat of Majin Buu and before Dragon Ball Super. According to the canon timeline in 2026, it takes place during the ten year gap at the end of Dragon Ball Z. This makes Daima a mid story that connects the end of Z to the beginning of Super.

If you have ever tried to figure out the Dragon Ball timeline, you already know how messy it feels.

One moment Goku defeats Majin Buu. Next, Dragon Ball Super jumps into gods, multiverse battles, and new transformations. Now Dragon Ball Daima shows up, and suddenly everyone is asking the same thing.

Where does Daima actually fit?

Is it canon, or just another side story like GT?

In 2026, this confusion is everywhere. Fans want a clear answer, not theories. So let’s break it down simply and finally place Dragon Ball Daima exactly where it belongs in the official timeline.

What Does Canon Mean in Dragon Ball?

Yes, Dragon Ball canon is Daima in 2026. The story is based on original concepts and involvement from Akira Toriyama, which places it inside the official Dragon Ball timeline alongside Dragon Ball Super.

In the world of anime, “canon” refers to the official storyline. These are the events that actually happened within the main universe. For Dragon Ball, the primary source of canon has always been the original manga written and illustrated by Akira Toriyama.

If an event or character appears in the manga, it is canon. If it only appears in the anime as “filler” to prevent the show from catching up to the book, it is generally considered non-canon. However, modern series like Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima have changed this rule. Toriyama provided the plot outlines for these shows, making them official parts of the story even without a traditional manga lead.

The Official Dragon Ball Canon Order

To watch the story in its intended sequence, you should follow the chronological timeline. This order ensures you see characters grow and power levels evolve naturally.

Dragon Ball (The Beginning)

Our journey starts here. This series covers Goku’s childhood, his first meeting with Bulma, and the hunt for the seven Dragon Balls. It concludes with the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. Every episode based on the original manga is 100% canon.

Dragon Ball Z (or Dragon Ball Z Kai)

This is the most iconic era of the franchise. It introduces the Saiyans, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. We recommend Dragon Ball Z Kai for a more “canon-accurate” experience. Kai removes the filler episodes and sticks closely to the manga’s pacing. The canon story officially ends with the defeat of Kid Buu, followed by a ten-year time skip.

Dragon Ball Daima

This is the newest addition to the Dragon Ball canon, explained in our guide. Dragon Ball Daima takes place shortly after the defeat of Kid Buu but before the start of Dragon Ball Super. In this story, Goku and his friends are turned into “minis” by a conspiracy in the Demon Realm. Because Akira Toriyama was deeply involved in the story and character designs, this is a vital piece of the official timeline.

Dragon Ball Super

Despite being released years after the original run, Dragon Ball Super takes place within the ten-year gap at the end of Dragon Ball Z. It introduces Gods of Destruction, Angels, and the Multiverse.

• Battle of Gods & Resurrection ‘F’: You can watch the movies or the first two sagas of the Super anime.
• The Universe Survival Saga: The climax of the televised anime.
• Dragon Ball Super: Broly: This film is officially canon and introduces the “real” Broly.
• Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero: The most recent canon film, set even closer to the end of the Dragon Ball Z timeline.

Is Dragon Ball Daima Set After Majin Buu?

Yes. Dragon Ball Daima takes place after Majin Buu is defeated and before the events of Dragon Ball Super. This timeline placement has been confirmed through official story context and character ages shown in the series.

Where Does Dragon Ball Daima Fit?

There has been much debate about where the “mini” adventures sit. We can confirm that Dragon Ball Daima is a mid-quel. It fills the quiet period after the Majin Buu conflict.

We see the characters at a specific age—Trunks and Goten are still young children, and Goku hasn’t met the God of Destruction, Beerus, yet. This placement allows the story to explore the Demon Realm without interfering with the high-stakes cosmic battles seen in Super. It is a bridge that connects the grounded adventures of the original series with the god-tier powers of the modern era.

Is Dragon Ball GT Canon?

The short answer is no. Dragon Ball GT was produced by Toei Animation as a sequel to Dragon Ball Z in the 1990s. However, Akira Toriyama was not the writer. He only provided some initial designs.

When Dragon Ball Super was released, it completely ignored the events of GT. For example, in GT, Kibito and Supreme Kai are still fused, whereas in the canon timeline, they used the Dragon Balls to separate. While GT has a loyal fanbase and introduced the popular Super Saiyan 4 form, it exists in an “alternate reality” or a “side story” timeline. It is not part of the official Dragon Ball canon.

Canonical Movies vs. Non-Canon Movies

Most of the classic Dragon Ball Z movies (like Cooler’s Revenge or Fusion Reborn) do not fit into the timeline. They are “what-if” scenarios. However, the modern films are different.

Movie Title	Canon Status	Timeline Placement
Dead Zone / World’s Strongest	Non-Canon	Various Z points
Battle of Gods	Canon	Post-Buu / Start of Super
Resurrection ‘F’	Canon	Pre-Universe 6 Tournament
Dragon Ball Super: Broly	Canon	Post-Tournament of Power
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero	Canon	Post-Granolah Arc (Manga)

Dragon Ball Canon: A Comparison Table

To help you decide what to watch, we have organized the main series by their official status as of 2026.

Series Name	Status	Creator Involvement
Dragon Ball	Canon	Full (Manga Author)
Dragon Ball Z / Kai	Canon	Full (Manga Author)
Dragon Ball Daima	Canon	High (Story & Designs)
Dragon Ball Super	Canon	High (Plot Outlines)
Dragon Ball GT	Non-Canon	Low (Designs Only)
Super Dragon Ball Heroes	Non-Canon	None (Promotional)

Why the Timeline Can Feel Confusing

The confusion often stems from the “End of Z.” The very last episodes of Dragon Ball Z take place ten years after Buu’s defeat, where Goku meets Uub. Almost all modern content, Super and Daima, is being squeezed into that ten-year gap.

As we approach the 2026 landscape of the franchise, we are seeing the timeline fill up. Daima happens almost immediately after Buu. Super starts a few years later. Eventually, all these stories will lead back to that final tournament where Goku flies off to train Uub.

FAQs

Does Dragon Ball Daima replace Dragon Ball Super?

No, it does not. Dragon Ball Daima takes place before the events of Super. Both series are part of the same official timeline. Think of Daima as a lost chapter that happened while the characters were waiting for their next big threat.

Should I watch Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Z Kai?

If you want the most accurate Dragon Ball canon order, watch Dragon Ball Z Kai. It follows the manga much more closely and removes the episodes that were not in the original book. However, if you enjoy the nostalgic music and extra character moments, the original Z is still a great choice.

Is the Dragon Ball Super manga different from the anime?

Yes. While both follow the same general plot from Toriyama, the details vary. For example, certain transformations like “Super Saiyan God” are used differently in the manga. Both are considered canon, but the manga is often seen as the primary source for the modern story.

Will Goku ever turn back into an adult in Daima?

Without spoiling the plot, the goal of the series is for the characters to solve the mystery of their transformation. The story focuses on how they adapt to their smaller bodies while retaining their martial arts knowledge.

Conclusion

The Dragon Ball canon explained in this article shows that the franchise is more cohesive than it looks. By following the path from the original series through Z, into Daima, and finally Super, you get the complete, official experience. While spin-offs like GT and the older movies are fun to watch, they do not affect the main journey of Goku and his friends.

The addition of Dragon Ball Daima provides a fresh look at the Demon Realm and adds depth to the early post-Z era. We hope this guide helps you navigate the rich history of one of the world’s most beloved anime franchises.

Would you like me to create a custom read list that includes both the canon episodes and the most popular non-canon movies for your next marathon?