The BEST Episodes of Dragon Ball Z
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Aug 4, 2019
Many years have passed since Goku first searched for the Dragon Balls. He is a grown man, with a wife and son. He and his friends have settled into their own lives and, for the most part, things are rather peaceful. Then one day, Goku learns he is really a Saiyan and comes from another planet. Now begins new adventures for Goku and his friends as they defend their home against new, more powerful threats.
#1 - Save the World
Season 6 - Episode 26
The final showdown begins! Cell has returned more powerful than ever, and it's all up to Gohan to put him down! While Goku coaches him telepathically from the Other World, the Z Fighters jump in for a five-sided attack! Gohan may have the potential inside him, but can Goku show him how to bring it out?
8.78 
#2 - Final Atonement
Season 8 - Episode 18
Trunks and Goten save Vegeta from a savage beating, but the headstrong Super Saiyan is determined to destroy Majin Buu by himself. Vegeta is prepared to risk everything to defeat this foe, but is he really ready to give up his own life?
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#3 - Transformed At Last
Season 3 - Episode 21
It looks like the battle is over, as Frieza seems to be defeated and the Ginyu Force has fallen down to Hell. As everyone celebrates, Frieza reappears and spares no time knocking Piccolo out and killing Krillin. Fueled by rage, Goku's power increases exponentially. Has Goku finally fulfilled the Super Saiyan legend?
8.70 
#4 - A Hero's Farewell!
Season 6 - Episode 23
Clearly outmatched by the powered-up Gohan, Cell initiates his last line of defense: a self-destruct program that will blow up the entire planet! With only seconds to act, Goku uses his Instant Transmission technique to transport Cell away from the Earth. The planet is saved, but at what cost?
8.68 
#5 - Spirit Bomb Triumphant
Season 9 - Episode 33
Goku is ready to throw the Spirit Bomb, but Vegeta is in the way, and, despite Vegeta's pleas otherwise, he refuses to take out Vegeta along with Buu. Suddenly, old Buu gets up and holds Kid Buu down long enough for Hercule to pull Vegeta to safety. Old Buu is kicked aside, and Goku throws the Spirit Bomb. It hits Kid Buu, but he starts pushing it back. Goku uses all of the energy he has trying to push it back into Kid Buu, but Buu is too powerful. Vegeta suddenly remembers that they still have a third wish with Porunga. He instructs Dende to wish for Goku's power to be normal again. The wish is granted, and Goku is able to force the Spirit Bomb back at Majin Buu. As he does so, he silently wishes that Buu had been a better person, and hopes to fight him some day in the future. The Spirit Bomb hits with full force, driving Buu into the ground. Majin Buu is finally dead.
8.59 
#6 - Super Saiyan 3?!
Season 8 - Episode 26
Trunks searches frantically for the lost Dragon Radar, as Goku powers-up to an unimaginable level...Super Saiyan 3! But will this newfound strength be enough to stop Majin Buu from destroying West City?
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#7 - Vegeta's Respect
Season 9 - Episode 27
Goku and Buu continue to fight, each taking powerful blows from each other. Buu tries his ball trick again, and hits Goku hard. Goku puts all of his energy into a massive Kamehameha, but Buu just reforms afterward. Goku powers down to his normal state and collapses. Vegeta steps in, but he is no match for Buu. Buu cleans his clock, and just as he's about to give Vegeta his finishing blow, Goku pushes him out of the way. He then powers back up to Super Saiyan 3 and continues their furious fight. Vegeta reminisces about all of the fights he and Goku were in. He finally admits that Goku is better.
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#8 - Explosion Of Anger
Season 3 - Episode 22
Goku's hair has turned blonde and his eyes blue, as he is surrounded by a gold aura; the fuel of this power being his anger towards Frieza. As Gohan takes Piccolo to Goku's ship, our hero starts to pound on Frieza as the tyrant fires back, but none of his attacks are working against Goku now that he is a Super Saiyan. It looks like Frieza will finally be defeated.
8.49 
#9 - Awakening
Season 6 - Episode 20
Gohan attacks! Spurred on by Android 16's dying words, Gohan's hidden power is unleashed! With his amazing new strength and speed, Gohan easily destroys the wicked Cell Juniors. Now the young Super Saiyan has his sights set on a bigger target, Cell himself!
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#10 - Meet Vegito
Season 9 - Episode 16
The fused Goku and Vegeta names himself Vegito, and begins to fight Buu. He clearly is far superior to even the new Super Buu. In Other World, Bulma, Videl, Chi Chi, and Dabora are looking for Gohan, whom they believe to be dead. Dabora has changed his ways, and is trying to help them. Back on earth, Dende and Hercule arrive at the battle scene, just as Buu has decided to destroy the earth. He creates a massive ball of energy, and throws it towards the earth. Vegito easily catches it, and deflects it back out into space. Buu claims that he has yet to fight at his full power. Vegito says the same, and powers up to a Super Saiyan.
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#11 - The Long Awaited Fight
Season 8 - Episode 11
Super Saiyan powers collide! The long awaited battle between Goku and Vegeta has begun! With Babidi's magic enhancing his already incredible strength, Vegeta matches Goku move for move. But every blow the Saiyan Prince lands is a boost for Majin Buu!
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#12 - A Whole New Gohan
Season 9 - Episode 10
Gohan arrives at the scene, and everyone is shocked at how much power he has. As Gohan begins pounding him, Buu steps up the intensity, but Gohan still has the upper hand. He is easily picking Buu apart.
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#13 - End of Earth
Season 9 - Episode 24
Supreme Kai explains to the Elder Kai that there were once five Supreme Kais. Four of them ruled over a quadrant of the universe, and the fifth was their leader. He says that Kid Buu was his original form. North and West Kai perished against Majin Buu. South Kai was absorbed. The leader, Dai Kaio, was also absorbed, but this absorption changed Buu into the fat, happy Buu that came out of the ball. The absorption of the Kais weakened Buu. Back on earth, Kid Buu creates a massive ball of energy and throws it at the earth. Goku and Vegeta try to grab their sons and Piccolo, but are only able to grab Dende and Hercule. Goku Instantly Transmits to the world of the Kais.
8.43 
#14 - The Last Wish
Season 3 - Episode 27
With Guru back to life, the Namekian Dragon Balls have been restored as well, with Porunga ready to grant the third wish. As Dende prepares to complete the final phase of King Kai's plan, Frieza flies towards Porunga to have his wish granted as well.
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#15 - Free the Future
Season 6 - Episode 29
Even though peace and order have been re-established on Earth in the present, Trunks' future world is still a place of darkness and despair! Androids 17 and 18 are on a rampage, wreaking havoc on the defenseless citizens. But when Trunks arrives, the future is forever changed!
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#16 - Mystery Revealed
Season 4 - Episode 15
Goku finally arrives to Earth, but wonders who this mysterious man is. The young swordsman asks Goku to speak to him privately. Once he and Goku are out of nearly everyone's earshot, his identity is finally revealed, and he is from the future. But why is he here, and what news does he bring?
8.41 
#17 - Pathos Of Frieza
Season 3 - Episode 29
As Namek gets closer to explosion it looks like Goku can beat Frieza with ease as his power keeps increasing. Finally, Goku decides to leave, knowing that he's more than a match for Frieza, but the tyrant won't give up that easily.
8.40 
#18 - Buu's Mutiny
Season 8 - Episode 27
Goku uses his new Super Saiyan 3 abilities to combat the evil Majin Buu, buying Trunks the time he needs to locate the missing Dragon Radar. But now that Goku has started the fight, he may not be able to escape!
8.40 
#19 - No More Rules
Season 6 - Episode 14
As the battle intensifies, Cell quickly becomes tired of the rules he has imposed on the tournament. With a flick of his finger, he destroys the fighting ring. Now there's only one way to win the Cell Games...it's a fight to the finish!
8.40 
#20 - Power Of The Spirit
Season 3 - Episode 20
The battle on King Kai's planet begins with the Z-Fighters against the Ginyu Force and it seems that our heroes' training is paying off. Piccolo does his best for Goku to comeplete the Spirit Bomb, but it seems that Frieza might win this battle.
8.39 
#21 - Vegeta's Pride
Season 8 - Episode 10
The possessed Vegeta gives Goku an ultimatum: fight with him, or watch him annihilate more innocent lives! Goku vows to settle the score between them once and for all, but the Supreme Kai steps between the Saiyans with a bold declaration. To fight Vegeta, Goku will have to destroy the Supreme Kai first!
8.37 
#22 - Frieza Defeated!
Season 3 - Episode 30
Frieza fires two copies of Krillin's Destructo Disk that will follow Goku until it hits him or anything else. Even so, Goku has the situation under control as the battle draws to a close and the mighty villain is going to lose.
8.36 
#23 - Goku's Next Journey
Season 9 - Episode 38
Goku and Uub begin to fight, and it's clear that Uub doesn't know much about fighting. But as the match goes on, he learns more and more, and is able to go toe to toe with Goku. Uub nearly falls out of the ring, but Goku saves him from hitting the ground. He realizes that Uub doesn't even know how to fly, so he decides to live with Uub in his village and train him. Despite his friends and family pleading with him to stay, he flys away with Uub. Goku is training Uub to defend the earth when he's gone. He hopes one day, when Uub's training is complete, to have a real all-out match with him to test their power.
8.36 
#24 - Say Goodbye, 17
Season 5 - Episode 13
The battle between Android 16 and Cell continue. Cell tries to counter-attack but falls short to 16's Inferno Flash. 16 warns 17 and 18 to quickly leave the battlefield. But before they could do so, Cell sneaks up behind 17 and quickly absorbs him. Cell has transformed, and his next task is to absorb 18 to become complete. Android 16 is no match for the second form of Cell, and is mortally wounded. Is there anyone left who can stop Cell from achieving perfection?
8.36 
#25 - Videl is Crushed
Season 7 - Episode 23
Apparently powered by evil supernatural forces, Spopovitch defeats Videl. But victory is not enough: Spovovich clearly intends to subject the poor girl to ritualistic torture before finishing her off.
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