Akira Toriyama Dragon Ball Z has become an enduring success for many reasons, but it’s hard to deny the impact of its heightened action sequences. Dragon Ball Z is rich in character development, suspenseful storytelling, and intensive training arcs. However, it’s the series’ grandiose battles that get the most attention. Dragon Ball Z punctuates each of its major narrative arcs with epic battles and Goku’s fights with Frieza and Kid Buu or Gohan’s confrontation against Cell are highlights of the series. These final fights feature characters at their peak strength, but this doesn’t always translate into unique altercations.
Actually, Dragon Ball Z resorts to repetitive storytelling and there’s even a predictable quality to many of the series’ biggest battles, whether it’s Goku’s reliance on the Spirit Bomb or the advent of a new Super Saiyan transformation that comes out of nowhere. Fortunately, Dragon Ball Z still features plenty of fights that pride themselves on being original and using unconventional tactics to create suspense.
10 Goku vs. Pikkon is a serious showcase of various skills
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 198 and 199, “Final Round” and “Goku vs. Pikkon”
Dragon Ball ZThe Other World Tournament is a creative subversion of the anime’s standard martial arts competition, as it is a ceremony held between the most powerful deceased fighters in the universe. Goku’s fight against the Pikkon of the Western Galaxy becomes the climax of the Otherworld Tournament and there is a lot to enjoy in this battle. Overall, this is largely a traditional fight, but the various techniques used by Goku and Pikkon contribute to the originality of the fight.
Pikkon, in addition to his use of weighted clothing, performs creative elemental-based attacks, including his Burning Shoot, Hyper Tornado, and Thunder Flash Attack. It’s rare to display so many different elemental abilities from a single character. Goku follows Pikkon’s impressive techniques and levels the playing field with his Super Kaio-Ken maneuver, which combines the advantages of the Super Saiyan and the Kaio-Ken attack. These are all tactics that are rarely found in Dragon Ball Z and add to the unique nature of combat.
9 Tien, Krillin, Yamcha and Chiaotzu experience perilous training in the pendulum room against Shorty and Scarface
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 17, “Peril of the Pendulum Room”
Earth has about a year head start to properly train for Nappa and Vegeta’s arrival on Earth, and it’s essential that everyone exceeds their limits, since Goku is temporarily out of sight. Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, and Chaiotzu have used this time to train under Kami, and are presented with a unique proposition six months into their efforts. Mr. Popo takes the four fighters to a mental combat simulation chamber – the Pendulum Room – which seems to send them back a hundred years to a ruined Saiyan city. In this simulation, Tien, Krillin, Yamcha and Chiaotzu fight against two imaginary Saiyans – Shorty and Scarface – making it a truly exciting and unpredictable battle.
This episode may be filler, but it stands out for its inspired implementation of the heroes’ attacks and teamwork. Tien shows off his Multi-Form and Tri-Beam techniques, Krillin distributes Kamehamehas, and Yamcha defends himself with his Spirit Ball technique, as well as a new and improved variant, the Super Spirit Ball. Due to the simulated nature of this fight, Dragon Ball Z is also able to end it on a dour note. All the heroes are viciously killed by Shorty and Scarface, which becomes a poignant wake-up call that motivates them all to train even harder.
8 Innocent Buu and Evil Buu fight a crazy demon duel
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 255, “Buu vs. Buu”
Majin Buu becomes Dragon Ball ZThe last major antagonist of, and he proves so powerful that even the peaks of fusion and Super Saiyan 3 strength are not enough against this ancient evil foe. Buu, like many of them Dragon Ball Z‘s greatest villains, goes through several transformations before reaching his peak power. However, what’s different about Majin Buu is that some of these forms separate into unique entities. This results in a mind-boggling fight between Innocent Buu and Evil Buu. On the one hand, it’s shocking to support Innocent Buu after watching him massacre civilians not too long ago.
It’s also just plain exciting to see these two powerful sides of the same coin throwing comparable abilities at each other. Innocent Buu and Evil Buu find themselves in a stalemate when they exchange Kamehameha blasts. Innocent Buu uses his signature Chocolate Beam attack on Evil Buu, only for it to be reflected back at him so he inadvertently turns into candy. Evil Buu continues to eat Innocent Buu, leading to a wild and unexpected ending to this fight, which also triggers Evil Buu’s evolution into the intimidating Super Buu.
7 Android 16 shows impressive strength against imperfect and semi-perfect cells
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 151 and 152, “Silent Warrior” and “Say Goodbye, 17”
Dragon Ball ZThe Cell saga introduces many compelling new players and mines rich thematic territory when it comes to Androids 17 and 18. They are villains who are thrust into an unlikely alliance due to Cell’s desire to absorb them in order to achieve perfection. Androids 17 and 18 are necessary for Cell’s program, but this turns Android 16 into a rogue wild card. Android 16 is an entirely artificial creation, unlike its Android peers, and it is driven by a certain altruism and appreciation for life absent from Androids 17 and 18.
Android 16 is completely overwhelmed by Cell once he reaches perfection, but he causes serious damage to the villain when he is still in his imperfect and semi-perfect states. It’s exciting to see Android 16 take advantage of his mechanical nature as he transforms his arms into machine guns and delivers barrages of bullets. Android 16’s Hell Flash is a devastating energy attack that essentially buries Cell underground, but still isn’t enough to finish him off. Android 16 also uses some clever combat strategies during this fight, such as ripping off Imperfect Cell’s tail so he can’t absorb anyone, only for the villain to regenerate his lost limb using his Namekian DNA. It’s an original fight full of clever tactics, even if they prove unsuccessful.
6 Team Dragon vs. Frieza Helps Highlight the Tyrant’s Terrifying Resilience
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 77-86
Dragon Ball ZThe epic showdown between Goku and Frieza on Namek remains one of the most memorable – and longest – battles in the series. There’s a lot to enjoy about this fight, especially Goku’s inaugural transformation into a Super Saiyan. That being said, this battle lasts almost two dozen episodes and definitely suffers from diminishing returns the longer it drags on. Goku’s fight against Frieza’s final form begins in Episode 87, “The Ultimate Battle,” but none of it would be possible without the intrepid work of Krillin, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Gohan against Frieza’s first three forms. . This prelude, in retrospect, may seem like filler until Goku shows up.
However, the heroes’ efforts to humiliate Frieza and reduce his resistance until he is forced to switch to his final form are arguably full of more original and engaging fights. The novelty of Frieza going through multiple transformations was still a new and surprising development at the time, as were the tactics the heroes improvised on the fly. There is such a range of physical combat and energy attacks throughout these extended battles. Vegeta’s strategy of having Krillin attack him so that he is within an inch of his life, only for Dende to heal him so that he receives a Saiyan zenkai boost, is particularly inspired.
5 The altercation between Goku and Arqua takes place underwater
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 197, “Water Fight”
Goku’s quarterfinal clash against Arqua during the Otherworld Tournament isn’t always up to par, but it’s actually a pretty original assault, even if it doesn’t particularly last a long time. Several battles are packed into a single episode, but it’s Goku’s fight with Arqua from the Eastern Galaxy that leaves the biggest impression. Arqua doesn’t have much to offer in the way of physical strength, but he has a formidable skill called Flooding Technique that allows him to transform an environment into an underwater arena where he has a natural advantage. Arqua can breathe comfortably underwater, but Goku cannot, which pushes the Saiyan on the defensive. Goku begins to panic and struggle in this new underwater setting, and it reminds us how rare aquatic combat is. Dragon Ball Z.
Goku uses quick thinking to gain extra time with the use of his Solar Flare. With Arqua temporarily blinded, Goku jumps out of the water and fires a Desperate Kamehameha which eliminates Arqua and ensures him victory. The power of Arqua’s Flood technique is incredibly useful, and he could become one of the strongest characters in the series if he had the physical strength and energy attack skills to back it up.
4 Goku and Vegeta’s first fight is a tour de force of Saiyan skills
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35, “Goku vs. Vegeta”, “Saiyan Sized Secret”, “Spirit Bomb Away”, “Hero In The Shadows”, “Krillin’s Offensive” and “Mercy” ‘
Goku’s first skirmish in the Saiyan saga against Vegeta remains one of Dragon Ball ZThe most electric battles are, and they set a high benchmark for the franchise that it has continued ever since. It’s easy to understand why Dragon Ball continues trying to come up with storylines that pit Goku and Vegeta against each other in serious fights, including the emergence of Majin Vegeta, Baby Vegeta, and Duplicate Vegeta. Goku and Vegeta’s first fight is so original because it beautifully uses all of Goku’s skills – his Kamehameha, his Kaio-Ken attack, and his spirit bomb – while relying on the support of his friends.
Vegeta’s transformation into a great ape is a terrifying development that leaves Goku with crushed bones and little recourse. However, Dragon Ball Z keeps the audience in suspense thanks to the unexpected intervention of Yajirobe and the metamorphosis of Gohan’s great ape. This is a perfectly paced fight that has many moving parts that make it a truly original and surprising fight.
3 Goku’s battle again, Majin Minion Yakon, is short, sweet and surprising
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 223, “The Next Day, Goku”
Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan are all forced to jump through Babidi’s hoops when they storm the dark wizard’s spaceship in an attempt to prevent Majin Buu’s awakening. Each of them must face one of Babidi’s lackeys and Goku’s showdown against Yakon becomes a creative change of pace. Goku’s fight with Yakon – a monstrous alien from a dark planet – is so short that it barely qualifies as a battle. However, it’s an effective way to show just how strong Goku has become in the seven years since he was last seen. Yakon’s signature technique is that he consumes light and energy to become stronger.
He is delighted when Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan and he is able to feed off his aura. However, Goku steps up this display and ascends to Super Saiyan 2 status, which overloads Yakon with so much light and energy that he explodes in the process. He is one of the rare characters in Dragon Ball Z who Goku kills, which makes it an important fight, but it’s even more interesting that Goku achieves this victory through particularly passive means. He kills Yakon without even throwing a punch.
2 Gotenks’ fierce fight against Super Buu features some of the most creative attacks in the series
Dragon Ball Z, episodes 258, 259, 261 and 262, “Super Moves Of Gotenks”, “Trapped In Forever”, “Gotenks Is Awesome!” & “Unlucky Break”
Fusion becomes an essential tool when Dragon Ball ZBuu Saga’s and Gotenks become the first character to experience this incredible skill. Gotenks is so powerful that he can harness the strength of Super Saiyan 3, resulting in one of Dragon Ball ZThe most absurd battles against Super Buu. Gotenks understands that the fate of the world hangs in the balance, but this fight plays out with the reckless disregard of a gag comedy showdown. This fight is endlessly stupid and has become somewhat controversial as a result, but there’s no denying that it’s deeply original.
Gotenks has a savage attack arsenal that includes abilities designed to embarrass and demean his opponent, such as his Continuous Matrix Missile and his Buu Buu Charge Volleyball, the latter of which makes Buu a recreational sport. Gotenks’ Super Ghost Kamikaze attack also creates hordes of explosive ghosts that mimic Gotenks’ body language and bombard Super Buu with non-stop explosions. Gotenks’ fight against Super Buu is amazing, and it’s really just a way to Dragon Ball Z buy time until Ultimate Gohan arrives. However, this is definitely a unique fight unlike any other.
1 Gohan and Krillin are subject to Guldo’s mental bonds and temporal deceptions
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 63, “Guldo’s Spirit Binds”
The Ginyu Force is introduced as Frieza’s best team of mercenaries that he recruits whenever he wants someone else to do his dirty work for him. The Ginyu Force is full of incredibly powerful fighters, particularly Recoome, while other members, like Captain Ginyu himself, possess fearsome powers like the ability to swap bodies. Guldo is considered the weakest member of the Ginyu Force, and he hosts an entertaining drinks reception before the team’s strongest teammates attack. What Guldo lacks in raw strength he makes up for in his dangerous ability to freeze time and assert powerful telekinetic abilities.
However, Guldo cannot freely abuse this skill and his time-freezing powers are limited to the length of time he can hold his breath. This is a creative battle to fight that turns into an entertaining game of cat and mouse between Gohan, Krillin and Guldo. Guldo repeatedly freezes time so he can defeat his targets or run away and escape their attacks, but he becomes increasingly concerned about their strength. It’s an original and suspenseful battle that almost ends with Gohan and Krillin getting skewered by a sharpened tree before Vegeta intervenes and decapitates the Ginyu Force fighter.