RealTalkAJ

If you’ve ever dived deep into Dragon Ball, you’ve probably stumbled upon debates about whether a certain movie or series is “canon.”

For die-hard fans, this distinction can become almost a badge of authenticity—proof of what “really happened” in the story’s timeline.

But the truth is, anime often expands beyond its official storyline, and Dragon Ball is one of the best examples.

Between alternate timelines, spin-offs, and fan-favorite movies like Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan, understanding what “canon” means isn’t just about lore—it’s about appreciating how creative worlds evolve beyond their main storylines.

What does it mean when a Dragon Ball movie or series isn’t “canon”?

When a Dragon Ball movie or series isn’t canon, it means it doesn’t take place within the official storyline created by Akira Toriyama. These stories exist outside the main timeline, often as “what if” scenarios or creative side plots. While some fans argue they don’t count, others appreciate them for expanding the universe and offering fresh perspectives on beloved characters.

“It’s Not Part of the Official Story”

Die-hard fans care more about whether stories are canon or not. Personally, it seems kind of stupid to make it such a big deal. If anything, I see it as being something close to the “What If” series for Marvel. Non-canon stories serve as imaginative detours—alternate versions of events that could have been.

When a Dragon Ball movie isn’t canon, it means the events don’t fit neatly into the main manga or anime timeline. The power levels, character arcs, or even plotlines might contradict what happens in the official series. Yet that doesn’t make them meaningless. They’re still a part of Dragon Ball’s cultural DNA, giving creators room to experiment without disrupting the central story. For many fans, that freedom is part of what makes Dragon Ball’s universe so endlessly entertaining.

The Broly Trilogy and How It Confused Fans

Growing up and following the Broly trilogy was actually one of the moments in DBZ that helped solidify my fandom. I watched all three—Dragon Ball Z: Broly – The Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly – Second Coming, and Bio-Broly. It confused me myself because I assumed it was an actual part of the story since it was included in the video games that came out during the time.

That’s what happens when a non-canon story gets big—it blurs the line between official and fan-favorite. The original Broly movies didn’t fit the main continuity, yet fans adored the character so much that Toriyama eventually brought him into canon with Dragon Ball Super: Broly. It proves that even non-canon material can shape the franchise’s future when audiences connect deeply with it.

Canon Confusion Extends Beyond Dragon Ball

I actually didn’t begin learning about the concept of canon and non-canon until Naruto. There would be side stories that I’d be interested in, but would find out later that they never even happened. That was the same case with Yu Yu Hakusho too. It started showing in even a few live-action shows like Halloween (specifically the third movie, which I haven’t even seen yet). There’s more in the Predator series too, I’m sure, but I’ll have to confirm.

This pattern shows that the “canon problem” isn’t unique to Dragon Ball. Across anime, manga, and film, creators often use side stories to test new ideas or entertain fans while the main series takes a break. It’s not deception—it’s expansion. Canon defines what’s official, but non-canon material builds the world around it.

Manga and the “Mandela Effect” of Non-Canon Stories

Most of the manga I would get were Naruto, but I can recall some stories that would make their way back into the Shonen Jump magazines that were still being published. They would have a majority of these stories that I could remember, but technically never happened. It can be frustrating because it’s like a cheap version of the Mandela Effect when you think about it.

Manga and anime often blur reality and fiction for fans who follow both formats closely. A non-canon story may feel real because it reflects familiar themes or characters, yet it exists outside the official timeline. This creates a kind of collective memory—fans swear it happened, but technically, it didn’t. Still, these “false memories” show how storytelling can transcend strict definitions of canon, resonating with audiences even when it’s unofficial.

Final thoughts

In the end, whether a Dragon Ball story is canon or not doesn’t change its impact. Non-canon movies and specials—like the Broly trilogy—often carry the same emotional weight as the main series. They might not “count” in the official storyline, but they build imagination, nostalgia, and cultural depth. Across anime and even live-action franchises, canon debates will always exist. But instead of dividing fans, they remind us that great storytelling doesn’t need to be official—it just needs to be remembered.