Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball Z is a historical shonen series that features over-the-top action sequences, incredible displays of power, and totemic transformations that elevate heroes and villains to new heights. Dragon Ball Z is a series that people turn to when they want to see non-stop fighting and suspenseful storytelling that takes place over a long period of time. Dragon Ball ZThe most memorable and celebrated moments come in epic fight sequences, but reducing the series to intense battles does a disservice to its engaging character development and rich emotional core.
Dragon Ball ZThe characters in have experienced many epiphanies as they overcome their inner struggles and learn more about themselves and the world at large. Dragon Ball Z is actually quite thought-provoking and philosophical when it wants to be, and it’s full of illuminating exchanges that prove that Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and the rest of its cast are complex characters and not just overpowered warriors. There’s an incredible depth to Dragon Ball Z for those willing to look for it.
10 Buu Heals a Blind Child and Completes His First Good Deed
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 249, “Return to Another World”
Dragon Ball Z There’s no shortage of villains in the world, but Majin Buu is a particularly fascinating character because of his childish naivety about the world around him. This ignorance leads to some powerful exchanges, many of which only reinforce the gravity of this threat. However, there is one incredibly sweet and introspective encounter when Buu meets a blind boy in the mountains named Tommy. Buu doesn’t understand why Tommy isn’t afraid of him, but the boy explains to him that he’s blind and can’t see Buu. Buu uses his magical abilities to restore Tommy’s sight, but even then, the boy doesn’t run away from Buu out of fear, insisting that the villain must be beautiful on the inside for him to perform such a generous act. Buu is genuinely flattered by Tommy’s kindness, and it’s a surprising look at Buu’s depth and how he’s not purely a creature of destruction.
Buu is able to better appreciate the world through Tommy’s eyes. This sweet moment becomes even more complex when Buu provides Tommy with a carton of milk so he can quench his incredible thirst – except Buu used his shapeshifting ray to transform an old man into that carton of milk. Buu also follows up his act of kindness towards Tommy with the total destruction of a nearby city. It’s a very complex scene that helps reflect Buu’s duality and multitudes. Buu’s empathy and kindness become a recurring theme in these episodes and the ruthless killing of Hercules’ dog, Bee, even sparks an incredible animosity in Buu that leads to the creation of the Evil Buu.
9 Goku meets Goten for the first time
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 208, “Gather for the Tournament”
Dragon Ball ZThe story spans several decades, and one of its most interesting transitional periods is the seven-year time jump that occurs between Cell’s destruction and the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament. Dragon Ball Z returns with an older, teenage Gohan, but it is also revealed that he now has a younger brother, Goten. Goku has been dead during this entire period, but he is given a 24-hour leave of absence that turns out to be rather fortuitous timing, as this is also when Babidi plans Buu’s awakening. Goku returns for what is supposed to be a quiet reunion with his friends and family at the World Tournament, but it is also the first time Goku meets his seven-year-old son, Goten. Dragon Ball Z is very careful and particular in the way he handles this meeting.
Goten is quite shy when he first meets his father and there is a very delicate relationship here that could become disastrous if handled poorly. Goku’s infinite kindness and affable nature shine through and the two play together and have a lot of fun by the end of the episode. Goku doesn’t regret his decision to stay in the Other World and let Earth move on, but his first meeting with Goten helps him better understand how much he has missed him and that time has not yet stood still. He has missed very important moments in his family’s life, but he is relieved to learn that he can start working and building lasting relationships with people like Goten.
8 Krillin uses a wish from Dragon Ball to grant Androids 18 and 17 a better life
Dragon Ball Z, episode 193, “One More Wish”
Dragon Ball wishes have become a fascinating litmus test for characters. Such incredible luxury is sometimes used for selfless and even painful purposes, while other characters simply give in to greedy impulses with their requests to Shenron. Humanity’s collective wishes in Dragon Ball are a great way to highlight society’s values and whether humanity is inherently selfless or evil. After Cell’s destruction, the heroes are left with several Dragon Ball wishes that can be used to reverse some of the villain’s destruction. The Z-Fighters are surprised when Krillin attempts to use a Dragon Ball wish to turn Androids 17 and 18 back into humans. Shenron is unable to grant this request, but he is able to acquiesce to Krillin’s request to remove their self-destruct bombs so they can live peaceful lives.
Android 18’s innocent kiss on Krillin’s cheek sparks a crush in him, but he doesn’t make this wish for selfish purposes. In fact, he even assumes that Androids 17 and 18 would make a good couple and that this wish is to give them a happy ending that was previously impossible. Krillin’s kindness here ends up leading to one of the Dragon Ball ZIt’s one of the most endearing relationships in the universe, and it’s an important reminder that a little kindness can go a long way and cause an unexpected butterfly effect. It’s a heartwarming reflection of heroism that Krillin uses his Dragon Ball wish to help others instead of eliminating characters who might one day become threats again.
7 Vegeta gives Trunks his first hug and ponders his destiny before his final explosion
Dragon Ball Z, episode 237, “The Final Atonement”
Dragon Ball Z is an anime full of death and tragedy. Characters are often killed on the battlefield in the heat of battle, but there are also a handful of instances where individuals engage in harrowing self-destructive maneuvers in a desperate attempt to take out their opponent with them. Vegeta is such a proud character that such a tactic would seem impossible to him, but he resorts to this measure when confronted with Majin Buu’s incredible strength. Vegeta accepts his end and decides to go for his Final Blast attack, which releases all of his life energy in an intense explosion.
Before his sacrifice, Vegeta has a tender moment with Trunks where he admits that he hasn’t held his son since he was a baby. Vegeta hugs Trunks for the first time and tells his son that he’s proud of him before knocking him and Goten out so they don’t have to witness his death. It’s already an emotional scene, but it gets even more profound when Piccolo tells Vegeta that his life of villainy means he’ll be sent to Hell and his soul will be reincarnated upon his death, rather than receiving the benefits of the Other World like Goku. This grim news doesn’t deter Vegeta and he continues to fight. He’s technically still Majin Vegeta at this point, but he comes out as a hero and someone trying to save the Earth until his very last moment.
6 Goku rolls the dice and chooses to spare Vegeta
Dragon Ball Z, episode 35, “Mercy”
One of Goku’s greatest strengths as a hero is that he always tries to prioritize rehabilitation over revenge. Some of Goku’s best friends—Tien, Piccolo, Android 17, and Beerus—all started out as villains. Goku barely survives his fight with Vegeta during Dragon Ball ZVegeta would have perished without the help of Krillin, Gohan, and Yajirobe. Vegeta attempts to escape in his Saiyan Attack Ball before Krillin notices his escape plans and threatens his life. Goku tells Krillin to stop and that while there is no guarantee Vegeta will change his ways, he wants to see the best in him.
Goku argues that killing Vegeta makes him no better than the rest of the Saiyans and that sparing his life proves that Earth is a kind, humane, and healing place. Krillin still wants to carry out the attack and even owes it to Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Tien, and Piccolo so that their deaths were not in vain. Goku remains determined and continues to praise the importance of mercy and what it can do for others. Vegeta spends his final moments on Earth swearing that he will get revenge, making Goku’s questionable kindness all the more meaningful. Goku continues to reflect this philosophy later in life and even gives genuine individuals like Frieza and Moro a chance at redemption.
5 The Painful Circumstances Surrounding Vegeta’s First Super Saiyan Transformation
Dragon Ball Z, episode 129, “Going Super Saiyan”
Super Saiyan transformations are some of the Dragon Ball ZVegeta’s most cathartic experiences and the circumstances of his inaugural Super Saiyan ascension are incredibly contemplative and help demonstrate some of the fundamental differences between Goku and Vegeta. Goku’s initial Super Saiyan transformation is driven by the pain of seeing his friends suffer. However, Vegeta’s transformation is more driven by his own personal progress and the superficial goals he has set for himself. Vegeta becomes obsessed with matching Goku’s accomplishments and proving that he is just as powerful. He puts his body through extreme 450x gravity training and still fails to do so.
Vegeta removes himself from distractions and trains in space, which exposes him to a massive meteor storm. Faced with these dangers, Vegeta snaps and no longer cares about anything, not even surviving the meteor storm and returning home. Vegeta must reach his lowest point and abandon all hope in order to trigger his Super Saiyan transformation and prove that he is, in fact, worthy of it. It is a psychological conflict much deeper than what other Saiyans experience during their first Super Saiyan transformations, though it is fitting for Vegeta’s punishing nature and how he is always his harshest critic.
4 Android 16 tells Gohan he can fight
Dragon Ball Z, episode 184, “The Attack of the Cell Juniors!”
Android 16 becomes one of the most interesting characters in the Cell saga, and he has much more depth than his other Android peers. Perfect Cell destroys Android 16’s body, but his head remains and manages to share some inspiring words of wisdom with Gohan during the Saiyan’s crisis of faith. Gohan is haunted by the sight of all his friends faltering in the face of Cell Jr.’s committed horde, and he feels terrified and helpless in that moment. Fighting doesn’t come naturally to Gohan, and he’s someone who has a good heart and shows his best moments when under pressure. Gohan is afraid of unleashing his killer instinct and what kind of person it will make him.
However, Android 16 reassures Gohan that a combative attitude does not make him a bad person. In fact, sometimes it is necessary to fight and there are situations where words and reason are useless. Perfect Cell is well past the point of reason and the only way to stop this threat, help his friends and save the planet is to fight. These words resonate with Gohan and open his eyes, but they have an even greater impact on him once Perfect Cell crushes Android 16’s head and kills him completely. Android 16’s wise advice, combined with Cell’s cruel violence, helps Gohan shed his inhibitions and transform into a Super Saiyan 2.
3 Goku trusts Gohan to defeat Cell
Dragon Ball Z, episode 188, “A Hero’s Farewell”
Dragon Ball Z may be a series that is very caught up in the immediate moment. That being said, there are some impressive long-term strategies that play out gradually over dozens of episodes. Gohan’s potential has been teased as early as Dragon Ball ZThe start of the Cell Games and Goku and Gohan’s training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber reinforces Goku’s belief that his son will truly be the one to defeat Cell. Goku is careful not to cloud Gohan’s judgment or unnecessarily boost his son’s confidence. However, he takes serious risks during the Cell Games, such as when he gives Cell a Senzu Bean to heal his injuries and give him a “fair fight” against Gohan.
It takes time and incredible tragedy, but Gohan eventually proves his father right, realizes his potential, and becomes the first Super Saiyan 2 warrior and someone who is strong enough to destroy Cell. It’s such a profound moment because it demonstrates Goku’s implicit trust in his son. This belief reaches its peak when Goku makes the ultimate sacrifice and uses Instant Transmission to send a self-destructing Cell off the planet. Goku knows that Earth will always be safe in Gohan’s hands, and that he can confidently make such a terrible sacrifice while someone like Gohan is still around. It would be much harder for Goku to come to this conclusion if Gohan were weaker.
2 Vegeta, on his deathbed, explains to Goku that Frieza made him a killing machine.
Dragon Ball Z, episode 86, “The End of Vegeta”
Vegeta’s Redemption Arc in Dragon Ball Z is simply incredible. He is gradually pushed into the position of a reluctant ally on Namek when the Ginyu Force and Frieza prove too powerful for him to face alone. Vegeta meets his first death at the hands of Frieza, but not before reuniting with Goku and being able to reveal illuminating details about his past. Vegeta explains that he was not always an evil, power-hungry individual. Frieza forced the Saiyans to conform, and Vegeta was forced to obey Frieza’s orders under threat of his father’s death.
Vegeta opens his heart and sheds very real tears over the freedom that was taken from him and the person Frieza forced him to become. He pleads with Goku to show Frieza no mercy and that any redemption towards this villain could result in more innocents being turned into his murderous subjects. All of this provides fascinating context for Vegeta’s story and the value of nature over nurture. Goku, touched by Vegeta’s words, even gives the fallen Saiyan a proper burial as a sign of respect.
1 Piccolo feels like a man, not a monster, and sacrifices himself for Gohan
Dragon Ball Z, episode 28, “The Arrival of Goku”
Piccolo and Gohan’s bond begins under surprising and tragic circumstances, but it naturally blossoms into one of Dragon Ball ZPiccolo’s most endearing relationships. Piccolo takes Gohan under his wing and exposes him to rigorous wilderness training as Earth prepares for the impending Saiyan invasion. Piccolo intercepts a deadly blast from Nappa that was meant for Gohan and perishes in the process. Piccolo’s sacrifice is truly beautiful considering he was brought into the world for the purpose of subjugating the planet and ruining Goku. Piccolo explains that his time with Gohan was eye-opening and helped him feel like a man rather than a monster.
He even considers Gohan the son he never had and his first friend. Piccolo thanks Gohan for opening his heart and showing him that life doesn’t have to be filled with darkness and pain. It’s a heartbreaking gesture, but it strengthens the bond between Gohan and Piccolo that continues to this day. Many characters have sacrificed themselves to protect others, but few are as emotionally evocative as Piccolo’s death and the person it made him. It’s a touching example of how deep Piccolo and Gohan’s relationship is. Dragon Ball Z can be obtained while its characters are still immersed in the conflict.