Dragon Ball Super (DBS), the highly anticipated continuation of the legendary Dragon Ball saga, captivated audiences worldwide with its new storylines, powerful transformations, and epic battles. But for newcomers and seasoned fans alike, a common question arises: just how long is Dragon Ball Super? Understanding the series’ length, structure, and different ways to consume it is essential for planning your viewing experience. Let’s dive deep into the world of Dragon Ball Super and explore its runtime in detail.
Dragon Ball Super: The Core Series and Its Structure
Dragon Ball Super is primarily comprised of a television anime series. The anime serves as the main narrative, expanding upon the events following the defeat of Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z. Knowing the episode count and arc divisions provides a fundamental understanding of the series’ length.
The Episode Count: A Foundation for Understanding Length
Dragon Ball Super consists of 131 episodes. This single number is the bedrock for calculating the total viewing time and understanding the pacing of the story. Each episode, typically running for approximately 24 minutes (including opening and ending credits), contributes to the overall narrative.
The Arc Breakdown: A Journey Through Story Segments
The 131 episodes are further divided into distinct story arcs, each focusing on a specific antagonist, event, or training period. Understanding these arcs allows viewers to approach the series in manageable chunks and appreciate the thematic shifts throughout the story. The main arcs are:
- Battle of Gods Arc (Episodes 1-14): A retelling of the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods movie, introducing Beerus, the God of Destruction.
- Resurrection ‘F’ Arc (Episodes 15-27): Another retelling, this time of the Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ movie, featuring the return of Frieza.
- Universe 6 Saga (Episodes 28-41): A tournament arc where Universe 7 (Goku and Vegeta’s universe) battles Universe 6.
- Future Trunks Arc (Episodes 47-76): The return of Future Trunks with a new and powerful enemy, Goku Black.
- Universe Survival Saga (Episodes 77-131): A massive tournament involving eight universes, where the losing universes face erasure.
Calculating the Total Watch Time: Hours, Days, and Binge-Watching Potential
Now that we know the number of episodes and the typical length of each episode, we can calculate the total watch time for Dragon Ball Super. This provides a tangible understanding of the commitment required to experience the entire series.
The Raw Numbers: Multiplying Episodes and Time
With 131 episodes, and approximately 24 minutes per episode, the total runtime of Dragon Ball Super is roughly 3,144 minutes. This can be converted to approximately 52.4 hours, or just over two days of continuous viewing.
Accounting for Openings, Endings, and Recaps: The Adjusted Watch Time
While the raw numbers give us a baseline, it’s important to consider that each episode includes opening and ending themes, as well as brief recaps of previous episodes. These segments contribute to the overall runtime, but are often skipped by viewers seeking to maximize their viewing efficiency. If you were to skip the opening and closing sequences, you would shorten the view time substantially.
Binge-Watching Strategies: Breaking Down the Commitment
Dragon Ball Super is often consumed through binge-watching. Understanding the total watch time allows viewers to strategize their viewing schedule and break the series into manageable chunks. Watching 5-6 episodes per day, for example, would allow you to complete the entire series in approximately three weeks.
Dragon Ball Super: Beyond the Anime Series
The Dragon Ball Super universe extends beyond the anime series, encompassing movies and manga. These alternative mediums offer different perspectives and supplementary content, further expanding the Dragon Ball Super experience.
The Movies: A Cinematic Experience
Two major films are directly linked to the Dragon Ball Super timeline: Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. These films offer enhanced animation, self-contained stories, and a cinematic scale that complements the anime series.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018):
This movie re-introduces Broly into the Dragon Ball universe with a compelling backstory and visually stunning battles. The movie runs for approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes (101 minutes).
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022):
This film focuses on Gohan and Piccolo as they face the Red Ribbon Army’s new androids. The film has a runtime of around 1 hour and 39 minutes (99 minutes).
The Manga: An Alternative Narrative and Pace
The Dragon Ball Super manga, illustrated by Toyotarou, offers an alternative perspective on the story. While it generally follows the same plot points as the anime, there are notable differences in pacing, character development, and certain plot elements. The manga also continues the story beyond the point where the anime ended. Reading the manga offers a different way to experience the Dragon Ball Super universe and can be enjoyed at your own pace.
Factors Affecting Your Dragon Ball Super Viewing Time
Several factors can influence the amount of time it takes you to watch Dragon Ball Super. These factors relate to your viewing habits, choices, and the platforms you use to access the series.
Skipping Openings and Endings: Maximizing Efficiency
As mentioned previously, skipping the opening and ending themes of each episode can significantly reduce your overall viewing time. While these sequences are enjoyable for many fans, they can add up to a substantial amount of wasted time if you are looking to binge-watch the series efficiently.
Rewatching Episodes: A Nostalgic Deep Dive
Many fans choose to rewatch episodes of Dragon Ball Super, either to revisit favorite moments or to gain a deeper understanding of the plot. Rewatching episodes will, of course, increase your overall viewing time.
Streaming Services and Playback Speed: Tailoring Your Experience
The streaming service you use to watch Dragon Ball Super may offer options to adjust the playback speed. Watching at 1.25x or 1.5x speed can significantly reduce your viewing time, although it may require some adjustment to the faster pace.
Commercial Breaks: A Necessary Evil
If you are watching Dragon Ball Super on a platform that includes commercials, these breaks will add to your overall viewing time. The length and frequency of commercial breaks can vary depending on the platform and your location.
The Enduring Appeal and Time Investment of Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super’s popularity stems from its captivating characters, thrilling battles, and exploration of new power levels. While the series requires a significant time investment, the rewards for fans include a deeper understanding of the Dragon Ball universe and the opportunity to witness the continued evolution of Goku and his friends. Understanding the time commitment involved helps fans plan their viewing experience and fully appreciate the epic saga that is Dragon Ball Super.
In summary, while Dragon Ball Super requires a significant time investment, understanding its structure, episode count, and available alternatives can help you tailor your viewing experience. Whether you choose to binge-watch the entire series or enjoy it at a more leisurely pace, the journey through the Dragon Ball Super universe is a rewarding one for fans of all ages. The core series clocks in at around 52.4 hours of watch time without openings or endings, and the movies add a few more hours on top of that. It’s a commitment, but one that many fans find well worth it.
How many episodes are there in Dragon Ball Super?
Dragon Ball Super consists of 131 episodes in total. The series aired from July 5, 2015, to March 25, 2018, covering several story arcs that follow the events after the defeat of Majin Buu in Dragon Ball Z.
These episodes encompass a range of narratives, from the God of Destruction Beerus saga to the epic Tournament of Power, providing fans with a substantial continuation of the Dragon Ball universe. Each episode typically runs for about 23 minutes without commercials.
What are the main story arcs in Dragon Ball Super?
Dragon Ball Super features several distinct story arcs, each building upon the last and introducing new characters, transformations, and challenges. Key arcs include the Battle of Gods Arc, Resurrection ‘F’ Arc, Universe 6 Arc, Future Trunks Arc, and the Tournament of Power Arc.
Additionally, there are shorter arcs such as the Copy-Vegeta Arc and the Universe Survival Arc Prelude. These arcs contribute to the overall narrative, exploring themes of interdimensional conflict, Saiyan heritage, and the pursuit of greater power.
How long does it take to watch Dragon Ball Super in its entirety?
Given that there are 131 episodes, and each episode typically lasts around 23 minutes, the total watch time for Dragon Ball Super without commercials is approximately 3,013 minutes. This equates to roughly 50 hours and 13 minutes.
This estimate excludes any opening or ending sequences that viewers might skip. Therefore, fans looking to experience the complete Dragon Ball Super storyline should allocate at least 50 hours to immerse themselves fully in the series.
Are the movies “Battle of Gods” and “Resurrection ‘F'” essential to watch Dragon Ball Super?
While the “Battle of Gods” and “Resurrection ‘F'” arcs are adaptations of the movies of the same name, they are not entirely essential. The anime versions expand on the movie storylines, providing additional context and character development.
However, skipping these arcs won’t necessarily make the rest of Dragon Ball Super incomprehensible. The core events and character introductions are still present in later arcs, although viewers might miss some nuances and expanded scenes.
Does Dragon Ball Super continue the story after the Tournament of Power?
The anime series of Dragon Ball Super concluded with the Tournament of Power arc, leaving a gap in the ongoing storyline. However, the manga series continued beyond this point, introducing new characters and story arcs.
Currently, the manga has explored the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc and the Granolah the Survivor Arc, indicating there is more Dragon Ball Super content available. Fans awaiting a continuation of the anime series can look forward to future adaptations of these manga arcs.
Is Dragon Ball Super dubbed in English, and where can I watch it?
Yes, Dragon Ball Super has been dubbed in English. The English dub is widely available and has contributed significantly to the series’ global popularity. This allows English-speaking audiences to fully enjoy the show without subtitles.
Dragon Ball Super, including the English dub, can be streamed on various platforms such as Crunchyroll, Funimation, and Hulu, depending on your region. Physical copies of the series on Blu-ray and DVD are also available for purchase.
What is the difference between the anime and manga versions of Dragon Ball Super?
While the Dragon Ball Super anime and manga share the same core story, there are notable differences in pacing, character development, and certain plot details. The manga often progresses at a faster pace and sometimes introduces unique elements not seen in the anime.
Furthermore, after the Tournament of Power, the manga continued the story with new arcs, while the anime concluded. This makes the manga a continuing source of new Dragon Ball Super content, offering fans an extended narrative experience beyond the anime’s ending.