Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball continues to draw in fans and influence new shonen series, but it’s widely accepted that Dragon Ball Z is the franchise’s masterpiece. Dragon Ball Z continues Goku’s heroic adventures, albeit as an adult, with a significantly grander scope that leaves the comfort of Earth’s atmosphere and introduces tons of totemic transformations. Dragon Ball Z ran for 291 episodes and features an expansive timeline that covers more than two decades of its characters’ lives.
These 291 episodes are nearly divided into nine separate seasons that cover smaller events and conflicts as the heroes take on Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Buu. Dragon Ball Z, as a whole, is an impressive accomplishment in storytelling. However, some of these seasons are more successful than others and there are fluctuating levels of quality across Dragon Ball Z’s run.
10 Best Dragon Ball Sagas Of All Time, Ranked
Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball is an iconic and long-running anime. What Dragon Ball arcs are the best of the best across the entire franchise?
9 The Other World, Great Saiyaman & World Tournament Sagas Help Dragon Ball Z Reset The Slate
Dragon Ball Z Season 7 (Episodes 195-219)
There’s immediately an exciting and refreshing feeling during Dragon Ball Z’s seventh season due to how it features a seven-year time-jump following the Cell Games. This, in itself, brings a lot to the table, and it’s quite compelling to follow a teen version of Gohan in a world where Goku is no longer around. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Z’s seventh season – the start of the Buu Saga – begins with a rough and uneventful start. It’s no surprise that the bulk of its material is completely excised from Dragon Ball Z Kai. There’s some joy to be had during the start of the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament, particularly when it comes to Goten and Trunks’ fight, but a lot of this material comes across as too juvenile.
Even Goku’s high school antics and Great Saiyaman shenanigans come across as sillier and more kid-friendly than his adventures when he was actually a child. Oddly enough, the saving grace to season seven is the anime-exclusive filler saga where Goku participates in the Other World Tournament. Goku’s martial arts competition against a bevy of fallen fighters only lasts for five episodes, but it’s captivating storytelling that also introduces audiences to the West Galaxy’s Pikkon. Goku and Pikkon’s fight is still a relatively lesser battle from Dragon Ball Z’s final seasons, but it feels like an appropriate bridge between the Cell and Buu Sagas.
8 The Fusion, Kid Buu & Peaceful World Sagas Descend Dragon Ball Z Into Cumbersome Chaos
Dragon Ball Z Season 9 (Episodes 254-291)
Dragon Ball Z‘s ninth and final season is nearly 40 episodes long and covers a tremendous amount of ground. The season’s first episode, “The Evil of Men,” is one of the series’ most thought-provoking and powerful installments that brings Evil Buu into the fray. Season nine includes some pivotal moments, but it’s also subjected to the majority of the issues and meandering plotting that audiences hate most about the Buu Saga. Dragon Ball Z‘s Buu Saga is considerably longer than its previous narrative arcs and there’s a level of aimlessness that holds back this season from true greatness. Buu’s repeated transformations, while terrifying, don’t feel as well-established as those of Cell or even Frieza.
Fusion is a fascinating concept that forever changes the franchise, but neither Gotenks or Vegito actually amount to much, which makes them feel like flashy plot devices rather than genuine breakthroughs. The same is true for Ultimate Gohan, who receives tons of attention and endless build-up, only to quickly get absorbed by Super Buu. Season nine, more than any other, feels like it’s figuring out its story on the fly and struggles to connect its dots. Goku’s defeat of Kid Buu with a Super Spirit Bomb is undeniably touching, but it’s a safe decision. The Peaceful World Saga that follows and turns the clock forward a full decade, while enlightening, has also seemed to cause more problems for Dragon Ball‘s timeline than it’s worth. On top of everything else, Goku’s abrupt exit with Uub also rubs many fans the wrong way.
10 Best Dragon Ball Z Story Arcs, Ranked
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7 The Garlic Jr., Trunks & Androids Sagas Are A Weak Start To A Strong Story
Dragon Ball Z Season 4 (Episodes 108-139)
Dragon Ball Z‘s fourth season is a curious period of transition that features a huge disparity between its highs and lows. It begins with the ten-episode Garlic Jr. Saga — a follow-up to the series’ first feature film, Dead Zone — that has a contentious reputation among fans. Goku and Vegeta are absent from this adventure, while Gohan, Piccolo, and Krillin step into the spotlight. It feels like a disposable arc that can be skipped to little effect, even if it’s gradually been reappraised in recent years. Alternatively, Future Trunks’ arrival, the introduction of the evil Androids, and Vegeta’s Super Saiyan debut, are all exceptional moments in the series.
There’s a strong case to be made for why Dragon Ball Z‘s Cell Saga is the series’ best. Season four just happens to scratch the surface of this rewarding story arc and concludes just as the narrative begins to heat up and push everyone out of their comfort zones. If nothing else, Season Four includes one of the series’ most popular filler episodes — “Goku’s Ordeal” — that depicts Goku and Piccolo’s frenzied attempts to get their licenses at driving school.
6 Dragon Ball Z’s Frieza Saga Highlights The Heights Of Frieza’s Overwhelming Strength
Dragon Ball Z Season 3 (Episodes 75-107)
Frieza is one of Dragon Ball Z‘s most ruthless and persistent antagonists. He heavily looms over the second season’s events, but season three is essentially one huge Frieza showcase and the 32 episodes are exclusively focused on battling this galactic tyrant. This is easily the longest of Dragon Ball Z‘s battles and Goku’s one-on-one clash with Frieza lasts for 20 episodes on its own. This season establishes some of Dragon Ball Z‘s most problematic patterns, particularly the idea that a villain has copious transformations that they can cycle through before they reach their peak power.
The opening stages of this battle, where Vegeta, Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin work together against Frieza’s earlier forms, yield incredible results. There are major events here, such as Krillin and Vegeta’s death, not to mention Goku’s inaugural Super Saiyan transformation. Unfortunately, the drawn out nature of Goku and Frieza’s fight — which takes place over the course of five minutes — isn’t Dragon Ball Z‘s strongest material. A little more discretion here would go a long way.
5 The Babidi & Majin Buu Sagas Introduce Deadly New Possibilities To Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z Season 8 (Episodes 220-253)
Dragon Ball Z‘s eighth season contains 33 terrifying episodes that consistently build tension until they reach their breaking point. Babidi’s Majin minions slowly come out of the shadows in season seven, but season eight truly highlights Majin Buu’s horrors. Dragon Ball Z‘s Buu Saga slowly goes off the rails, but season eight is tight and stays on track. Vegeta giving into Majin temptations is a believable turn for his character that creates genuine conflict between him and Goku that allows Vegeta to work out years of aggression that he’s kept pent-up inside. It’s an incredible fight that’s nearly on par with their original Saiyan Saga struggle.
This season also marks the debut of Super Saiyan 3, which is underutilized, but still makes a considerable impression upon its reveal. Everything in these episodes feels important, whether it’s Gohan’s rigorous Z Sword training on the Sacred World of the Kai or Goten and Trunks’ fusion dance efforts. It’s not until the following season that the majority of these ideas fail to follow through on their promise. Season eight is rich in setup, which is a testament to Dragon Ball Z‘s storytelling abilities and plot twists.
Will Dragon Ball Ever Provide Canon Stories Between the Cell and Buu Sagas?
Dragon Ball Super is set during a 10-year time gap. Perhaps something similar could be done with the seven years between Cell and Majin Buu.
4 The Imperfect Cell & Perfect Cell Sagas Explore New Saiyan Milestones & A Villain’s Growth
Dragon Ball Z Season 5 (Episodes 140-165)
The final season of Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Saga contains its most rewarding material, but it wouldn’t be possible without the strong foundation that’s laid for it in season five. These 25 episodes chronicle Cell’s impressive metamorphosis from imperfect menace to his complete and perfected self. Cell’s ability to outsmart the heroes — as well as the Androids — illustrates why he’s such a memorable villain. Cell’s gravitas plays a major factor in this season’s success, but it’s also dense in impressive battles that give everyone a chance to showcase their strength. Piccolo’s battle against Android 17 is one of his best fights in the franchise and even Tien gets a chance to step into the spotlight during an important clash with Semi-Perfect Cell.
However, season five is likely most memorable for its heavy incorporation of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, which becomes a saving grace for the heroes during their efforts to surpass Cell. Many episodes are purely focused on intense Saiyan-on-Saiyan training as characters like Gohan achieve Super Saiyan status for the first time, while Goku, Future Trunks, and Vegeta stumble upon Super Saiyan Second and Third Grade. The heroes have never been stronger, but it’s their arrogance that ultimately gets in the way and helps Cell achieve perfection. It’s a humbling lesson that makes the following Cell Games, and their consequences, hit much harder.
3 The Namek & Captain Ginyu Sagas Send The Z-Fighters To Space Without Their Leader
Dragon Ball Z Season 2 (Episodes 40-74)
Dragon Ball Z’s second season sends the characters to space for the first time as they head to Namek to collect the planet’s Dragon Balls and revive their fallen friends. These episodes chronicle Goku, Krillin, and Bulma’s initial trip to “Fake Namek” before they reach their actual destination, which turns into an enlightening experience and a valuable homecoming for Piccolo. Vegeta experiences a fascinating journey of self-discovery against Frieza’s minions before he’s forced to work with Krillin and Gohan for the first time when they take on the Ginyu Force.
There’s a lot of variety among these unconventional mercenaries. Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta do their best under these circumstances, but this also becomes another triumphant opportunity for Goku to prove just how much stronger he’s become. Goku’s effortless defeat of Recoome, Burter, and Jeice finally gives the heroes hope that they might have a chance against Frieza. Captain Ginyu and his body-swap abilities also result in a thoroughly creative battle that puts both Gohan and Krillin in a very complicated situation.
2 Dragon Ball Z’s Introductory Saiyan Saga Starts The Series On An Unforgettable Note
Dragon Ball Z Season 1 (Episodes 1-39)
The original Dragon Ball ends on a satisfying note of finality, only for Dragon Ball Z to immediately redefine the status quo. In a single episode, Dragon Ball Z doesn’t just introduce the concept of the evil Saiyan warrior race, but that Goku is also one of these aliens. Dragon Ball Z makes ambitious choices right from the jump that keep the audience on their toes and it delivers a story that’s impossibly unpredictable. Goku perishes in only five episodes and the subsequent battle against Nappa and Vegeta results in major casualties for multiple characters, such as Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Piccolo.
Amid the heroes’ Saiyan struggles, Goku undergoes an incredible experience in the afterlife as he trains under King Kai and masters the Kaio-Ken Attack and Spirit Bomb, which become staples for the character. Dragon Ball Z’s Saiyan Saga includes training sequences that are genuinely exciting and the culminating clash against Vegeta is one of the anime’s most effectively paced and structured battles. Goku, Krillin, Gohan, and even Yajirobe provide fundamental contributions to this major battle that truly functions as a group effort.
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1 Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Games Saga Is Peak Shonen Storytelling
Dragon Ball Z Season 6 (Episodes 166-194)
Grandiose battles and martial arts tournaments are common occurrences in Dragon Ball Z. However, season six’s Cell Games are especially sadistic, since Cell decides to televise what he presumes will be his systematic defeat of Earth’s strongest fighters. This is his way of asserting dominance over the world and giving them a preview of their new overlord. There’s a surprising degree of rules and structure to the heroes’ battle against Perfect Cell, as opposed to Frieza’s lawless nature. The pacing here is exceptional, as is the varied combat. However, Dragon Ball Z’s sixth season is held in such high regard since it’s when Gohan properly surpasses his father and becomes the series’ strongest character after achieving Super Saiyan 2 strength.
All of Super Saiyan 2 Gohan’s exploits are deeply rewarding, whether it’s his evisceration of the Cell Juniors or his demoralizing defeat of Cell. Powerful and surprising storytelling makes the Cell Games such a success. Goku’s death even comes as a greater shock than his initial demise against Raditz. It feels like the ultimate clash between good and evil and there’s a large faction of fandom who wish that Dragon Ball Z ended with its sixth season.
Dragon Ball Z (1989)
With the help of the powerful Dragonballs, a team of fighters led by the saiyan warrior Goku defend the planet earth from extraterrestrial enemies.
- Release Date
- September 30, 1996
- Cast
- Sean Schemmel , Brian Drummond , Christopher Sabat , Scott McNeil
- Seasons
- 9
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
- Number of Episodes
- 291