Dragon Ball Z based on the original Dragon Balla successful narrative with an even greater emphasis on over-the-top action sequences and apocalyptic stakes. Dragon Ball Z elevates Goku and the rest of the series’ cast to unprecedented power through the introduction of aliens, time travel, and totemic transformations that help these characters properly realize their potential.
Dragon Ball Z accomplishes a lot over its 291 episodes, and it’s responsible for introducing some of the franchise’s most beloved characters, such as Vegeta, Future Trunks, Frieza, and Android 18. Dragon Ball Z tells a big story in series, but it can also be divided into several shorter story arcs and sagas that focus on distinct challenges. All of these sagas are particularly effective, but some of them resonate more strongly than others and represent Dragon Ball ZThe greatest achievements of.
Related
10 The Garlic Jr. saga is an ambitious side story that slightly misses its mark.
Episodes 108-117
Dragon Ball Z is a series that is dense with anime-only filler content, and it makes sense that a full-on filler story arc would lack the same impact as the anime’s more substantive material. The anime’s Garlic Jr. saga consists of ten episodes that bridge the gap between Goku’s victory over Frieza on Namek and Future Trunks’ arrival to warn the heroes of the coming android invasion. It’s not the worst idea to bring back a movie villain and give him a proper revenge story, but Garlic Jr. is arguably one of the Dragon Ball ZThe least compelling antagonists in the series. The Garlic Jr. saga may be the weak point of the series, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without its strengths.
It’s an exciting change of pace to tell a story without Goku and Vegeta that instead celebrates Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin – an idea the series would return to decades later. Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroes. The Garlic Jr. saga also gives Kami some extra autonomy and does more with the character than any other Dragon Ball Z Garlic Jr.’s plan involves a toxic black water mist that turns Earth’s population into raging, mindless zombies, which also creates an excuse to turn characters like Bulma and Chi-Chi into villains. Fans have begun to slowly reevaluate the Garlic Jr. saga and be more generous with these installments. There’s a triumphant ending that effectively foreshadows Gohan’s central role in the Cell saga, but it still can’t compete with Dragon Ball ZThe best material.
9 The Majin Buu saga awakens an ancient evil and begins to show signs of fatigue
Episodes 232-253
It is becoming increasingly difficult for Dragon Ball Z to surpass its previous heights, especially as its characters continue to grow more powerful. The series’ final Buu saga, as a whole, features some iconic moments and satisfying character development. That being said, it’s largely a mixed bag where the writing is starting to be on the wall, and it feels like Akira Toriyama’s on-the-fly storytelling is losing its punch. This series of episodes focuses on Buu’s awakening, and while it’s certainly a change of pace from Cell and Frieza, Dragon Ball Z struggles to find his bearings through these episodes.
The introduction of the Super Saiyan 3 transformation is undeniably powerful, but it also feels like a parody of past transformations and signals the idea that a new Super Saiyan will emerge when it suits the narrative. Super Saiyan 3 is flashy spectacle, but it proves impractical and causes more trouble than it’s worth. This collection of episodes fails to match the highs of the Goku-Majin Vegeta battle that precedes it and the over-the-top fusion antics that follow.
Related
Goku’s Power Level in Each Dragon Ball Z Saga (Chronologically)
From Kaioken to Super Saiyan 3, Goku achieves incredibly strong transformations in DBZ that can only truly be measured using their power levels.
8 The World Tournament Saga establishes a new status quo with an older Gohan and impending evil
Episodes 195-231
Dragon Ball Z ends so satisfyingly with Cell’s defeat and Gohan’s rise that it’s understandable that the series struggles to follow that narrative high point. The World Tournament saga that follows—which encompasses the shorter Other World, Great Saiyaman, World Tournament, and Babidi sagas—jumps ahead eight years and covers a lot of ground in a world without Goku. It’s rewarding to follow an older, teenage version of Gohan, who is effectively positioned as Dragon Ball Zthe main character through these episodes before the series finally changes course.
The episodes of The Other World and Great Saiyaman are entertaining and playful, while the content that follows builds compelling tension through the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament and the debut of powerful new characters between Supreme Kai, Kibito, Videl, Babidi, and his many Majin minions. The real highlight of these episodes is Vegeta’s terrifying return to the dark side and his long-awaited revenge against Goku. However, the episodes where Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan storm Babidi’s spaceship and confront his minions are also quite satisfying. It’s frustrating to see how much Gohan has regressed, but it also feels like a believable evolution for a character who has finally had the chance to live in a peaceful world.
7 Dragon Ball Z Fusion Saga Introduces Controversial New Concept for Fighting
Episodes 254-275
Dragon Ball Z Fans are well accustomed to the idea of major villains going through multiple transformations before reaching their peak power. Dragon Ball ZThe Fusion Saga opens with Buu, the villain, splitting into Buu the Evil and Buu the Good, before the former consumes the latter and transforms into Super Buu. This threat is so extreme that it prompts a completely different style of fighting strategy for the heroes to match Buu’s incredible power. Fusion allows two individuals to pool their strength and skills to create a superior fighter.
This process is explored by Goten and Trunks, who become Gotenks, and then Goku and Vegeta, who become Vegito. Fans either love these combined characters or see them as another desperate way to Dragon Ball Z is able to extend this story. The battle between Gotenks and Super Buu is undoubtedly the most idiotic of this final saga, and it is also disheartening to see Ultimate Gohan fail and all the character building be ruined.
6 The Namek Saga sends the heroes into space where they face captivating challenges
Episodes 36-74
Dragon BallThe scope of application continues to expand, but Dragon Ball ZThe Namek Saga is an exciting change of pace that takes the characters out of the comfort of Earth’s atmosphere for the first time. Krillin, Gohan, and Bulma travel to Namek in order to retrieve the planet’s Dragon Balls so they can resurrect the heroes who fell to Earth, which is a great premise for a story arc. Conflicts arise when Frieza’s forces, as well as Vegeta, also set their sights on Namek’s Dragon Balls. There’s some great strategy work in these episodes, and it’s fun to have Goku and Krillin in the spotlight for so long while Goku travels separately to Namek.
The Captain Ginyu Saga of the Namek Saga also features some creative villains and helps to muddy the waters regarding the series’ heroes, as Vegeta is forced to work with Gohan and Krillin for the first time. All of this tense material is connected, and Goku’s arrival and subsequent defeat of the Ginyu Force rivals his success against Nappa when he returns to Earth during the Saiyan Saga. It’s a smart saga that continually moves the story forward.
Related
The best fights of each Dragon Ball Z saga
Dragon Ball Z is full of unforgettable fights, but every great saga has a clear winner that stands out above the rest.
5 Dragon Ball Z’s Kid Buu Saga Ends Majin Menace’s Reign of Terror
Episodes 276-291
Dragon Ball Z Episode 276, “Evil Kid Buu!”, marks the beginning of the end of the series as Buu transforms into his final form. The Kid Buu saga suffers from many of the labored concessions that are prominent in the Babidi, Majin Buu, and Fusion sagas, but it at least benefits from an ending. These final episodes surpass previous spectacles like Fusion and Ultimate Gohan and once again settle into the comfortable rhythm of Goku taking on the final threat. Kid Buu’s destruction of the Earth, even if it is later reversed, is still a huge twist, and some of the most rewarding Super Saiyan 3 content is present during Goku’s final battle.
A Spirit Bomb finish is nothing new for Dragon Ball Zbut it becomes a good opportunity for many characters to return as cameos to lend their strength to Goku. It’s a clever way to reflect on how many lives Goku has touched and even Vegeta can’t help but acknowledge Goku’s worth. Kid Buu’s destruction would be a satisfying conclusion to Dragon Ball Z. However, the four-part Peaceful World saga that follows makes for an interesting epilogue that jumps forward an entire decade and hints at bigger things to come with Goku and Kid Buu’s reincarnation, Uub. It’s an ending that may be a bit abrupt, but it’s at least consistent with the franchise’s recurring themes.
4 Dragon Ball Z gets off to a flying start with its revolutionary Vegeta saga
Episodes 1 to 35
Dragon Ball Z starts off on a great note that feels like the right way to elevate and redefine the iconic shonen series after the original Dragon Ballconclusion of. Not only does Goku have a child when Dragon Ball Z begins, but it is revealed that Goku is actually an alien Saiyan warrior from Planet Vegeta. These Saiyans become the central threat during Raditz and Vegeta’s introductory sagas. Dragon Ball Z begins with a lot of narrative risk and the series also has no Super Saiyan transformations to lean on and exploit. Goku dies in Dragon Ball Zfifth episode of, which triggers incredible character development for Piccolo, who becomes the boy’s promising guardian.
There are unprecedented losses during the battle against Nappa and Vegeta, all of which carry real weight and reinforce how difficult it will be for ordinary humans to remain relevant. Goku’s duel against Vegeta is also one of the Dragon Ball ZThe most unique and fast-paced battles in . Elements like the Spirit Bomb don’t quite work as intended, and victory is a true team effort that involves help from Gohan, Krillin, and even Yajirobe. It’s an exciting starting point that proves everything Dragon Ball Z It could be, and it would have also marked a strong end to the original Dragon Ball before the franchise became more and more exaggerated and convoluted.
3 The Frieza saga is a pure fight, Frieza showing all the value of his character
Episodes 75-107
Picking up from the Namek and Captain Ginyu sagas, the next Frieza saga begins with the summoning of the Namekian Eternal Dragon, Porunga, while Frieza is still in his first form. This seems almost quaint in comparison to the end of the Frieza saga and how much changes in the next 32 episodes. This saga begins Dragon Ball Zs fascination with villains who undergo multiple transformations before reaching their full power and Frieza exhibits four unique forms before being finally defeated. There’s a lot to enjoy during these first three transformations, as Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, and a newly empowered Piccolo hold down the fort before Goku steps in to save the day.
These are well-choreographed fights that feel visceral in nature. Krillin and Vegeta’s deaths are also genuinely heartbreaking and serve as the fitting catalyst that helps lead to Goku’s inaugural transformation into a Super Saiyan. Goku’s metamorphosis is widely considered the franchise’s best moment. That being said, the number of filler episodes that needlessly drag out the Goku vs. Frieza fight ultimately drags this saga down from being the best in the series.
Related
The best Dragon Ball Z saga doesn’t even have Super Saiyans
Despite the lack of Super Saiyans, the Saiyan Saga is the best franchise in Dragon Ball history.
2 The android saga proliferates Super Saiyans and pushes heroes out of their comfort zones
Episodes 118-152
Dragon Ball ZThe collective Cell saga is one of the most captivating stories in the series, and it starts off on a very strong note with its content on Trunks, Androids, and Imperfect Cell. The introduction of a time-traveling Super Saiyan who is actually Vegeta and Bulma’s son is one of the Dragon Ball Zand it paves the way for Super Saiyans to become the new standard rather than an exception. However, the concept has yet to be worn out and it’s exciting to see characters like Vegeta reach that milestone.
The androids themselves are excellent villains, especially when they must cooperate with the heroes in order to prevent the birth of an even greater evil with Cell. Imperfect Cell lacks the power of his later forms, but the villain is also at his most terrifying when he is like this. There is a real horror element to Dragon Ball Z as this insectoid monster wreaks havoc and dries up bodies.
1 The Cell Saga represents the pinnacle of Dragon Ball Z storytelling.
Episodes 153-194
The last half of the Cell saga – the Perfect Cell and Cell Games material – is really Dragon Ball Z at its best and most fearless. The episodes kick off with Semi-Perfect Cell’s astounding rise to perfection after Vegeta arrogantly allows the villain to absorb Android 18. All of the Saiyan’s Hyperbolic Time Chamber training proves futile, and Perfect Cell is on a whole new level. These episodes push the characters beautifully beyond their limits, but the ten-day period leading up to the Cell Games is also full of deeply human moments that reinforce this idea. Dragon Ball Z It’s much more than just an intensified fight.
The real reason this series is so satisfying is because of the major risks it takes in its final battles. Cell bests Goku and successfully kills the Saiyan, only to come back stronger than before. Gohan surpassing his father is teased early on in the series, but these episodes finally allow Gohan to realize his potential by becoming the first Super Saiyan 2 fighter. Gohan saves the day, and Goku makes peace with Earth by having a new protector. There’s still plenty of solid material that follows the Cell series, but Dragon Ball Z It could have ended on a good note if it had ended here.
Dragon Ball Z (1989)
With the help of the powerful Dragon Balls, a team of fighters led by the Saiyan warrior Goku defends planet Earth from alien enemies.
- Release date
- September 30, 1996
- Casting
- Sean Schemmel, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil
- Seasons
- 9
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
- Number of episodes
- 291