The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   8.7/10(1096 votes)

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   #1 - Goku's Arrival

   S1:E2811/29/1989

   Piccolo makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Gohan from the rampaging Saiyans. Just when all seems lost, Goku returns to Earth with an incredible new level of power and confronts the invaders.

   Director:Minoru Okazaki

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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   Director:Minoru Okazaki

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda
2. 

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   8.6/10(1102 votes)

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   #2 - Saiyan Sized Secret

   S1:E3112/20/1989

   Vegeta and Goku continue trading brutal blows, but the action intensifies when Vegeta reveals the secret power of the Saiyans: the ability to transform into a giant, planet-destroying ape!

   Director:Daisuke Nishio

   Writer:Toshiki Inoue

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   Director:Daisuke Nishio

   Writer:Toshiki Inoue
3. 

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   9.1/10(8 votes)

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   #3 - Cell Returns!

   S6:E246/16/1993

   The nightmare continues! Cell explodes, but a particle of his nucleus survives the blast, providing all the android needs to regenerate himself! Restored to his ultimate form, Cell returns to the Earth more powerful than ever!

   Director:Hiroki Shibata

   Writer:Aya Matsui

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   Director:Hiroki Shibata

   Writer:Aya Matsui
4. 

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   8.8/10(13 votes)

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   #4 - Transformed at Last

   S3:E216/19/1991

   A victory celebration comes to a halt when Frieza reappears! With no reserves left, Goku watches helplessly as Frieza directs his fury at Piccolo and Krillin. Enraged by the loss of his friends, Goku undergoes a wild transformation!

   Director:Shigeyasu Yamauchi

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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   Director:Shigeyasu Yamauchi

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda
5. 

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   8.9/10(10 votes)

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   #5 - Save the World

   S6:E266/30/1993

   The final showdown begins! While Goku telepathically coaches Gohan from the Other World, the Z-Fighters jump in for a five-sided attack! Gohan has the potential inside him, but can Goku show him how to unlock it?

   Director:Kazuhito Kikuchi

   Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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   Director:Kazuhito Kikuchi

   Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
6. 

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   8.8/10(12 votes)

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   #6 - Another Super Saiyan?

   S4:E1312/11/1991

   Frieza and King Cold descend upon the Earth, but a mysterious warrior has come to thwart their diabolical plot for revenge. Does this brash young hero have what it takes to stand up to these twin titans of evil?

   Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

   Writer:Takasu Oyama

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   Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

   Writer:Takasu Oyama
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7. 

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   8.8/10(12 votes)

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   #7 - Welcome Back Goku

   S4:E1412/18/1991

   After defeating Frieza and King Cold, the mysterious stranger announces the exact time and place of Goku's arrival on Earth. Can this young Super-Saiyan really predict the future?! Gohan and the others are determined to find out!

   Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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   Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda
8. 

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   8.8/10(12 votes)

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   #8 - Mystery Revealed

   S4:E151/15/1992

   After testing Goku in combat, the mysterious stranger reveals his true identity! What does his timely arrival mean?! In a startling conversation with Goku, this powerful hero from the future tells all!

   Director:Junichi Fujise

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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   Director:Junichi Fujise

   Writer:Hiroshi Toda
9. 

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   8.8/10(12 votes)

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   #9 - The Last Defense

   S5:E209/30/1992

   With the remote control smashed, Krillin and Trunks must save Android 18 from Cell’s power-hungry grasp. But Vegeta has other plans in mind. Will trunks attack his own father to save humanity?

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
10. 

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    8.9/10(9 votes)

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    #10 - A Hero's Farewell

    S6:E236/2/1993

    Clearly overmatched by Gohan, Cell initiates his last line of defense: a self-destruct program that will blow up the entire planet! With only seconds to spare, Goku risks everything to transport Cell away from the Earth.

    Director:Masahiro Hosoda

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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    Director:Masahiro Hosoda

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda
11. 

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    8.3/10(1067 votes)

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    #11 - Goku vs. Vegeta

    S1:E3012/13/1989

    Goku decides to take on mighty Vegeta all by himself! The two appear evenly matched, but both are hiding their true strength. The epic battle is underway - which mighty warrior will claim victory?

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Keiji Terui

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Keiji Terui
12. 

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    8.3/10(1000 votes)

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    #12 - Lesson Number One

    S1:E2912/6/1989

    Locked in battle with the Saiyans, Goku gives Nappa a brutal demonstration of the training he received from King Kai. Broken and defeated, Nappa must now face the ferocious wrath of Vegeta!

    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
13. 

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    8.3/10(948 votes)

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    #13 - Mercy

    S1:E352/7/1990

    Vegeta is crushed beneath the full weight of Gohan’s giant ape form! With the Saiyan battered and defeated, Krillin moves to finish the Saiyan with a final blow - but Goku has other plans.

    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda
14. 

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    8.7/10(12 votes)

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    #14 - Frieza Defeated!!

    S3:E308/21/1991

    Frieza lashes out in a blind rage, launching a reckless volley of energy attacks. In the face of Goku’s superior power, the evil tyrant’s greatest fear has finally been realized: defeat at the hands of a Super Saiyan!

    Director:Shigeyasu Yamauchi

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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    Director:Shigeyasu Yamauchi

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda
15. 

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    8.8/10(9 votes)

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    #15 - The Horror Won't End

    S6:E256/23/1993

    After easily dispensing of both Trunks and Vegeta, Cell announces a new plan. First, he’ll destroy the Earth, and after that, the Universe will be his next target! Can this weapon of ultimate destruction be stopped?

    Director:Shigeyasu Yamauchi

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda

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    Director:Shigeyasu Yamauchi

    Writer:Hiroshi Toda
16. 

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    8.8/10(9 votes)

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    #16 - Goku's Decision

    S6:E277/7/1993

    Cell is finally defeated, but the Z-Fighters still have much to resolve! Can they make it to the Lookout in time to heal the badly-injured Gohan? Is Android 18 still a threat? And can our heroes find a way to bring back Goku?

    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
17. 

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    8.8/10(9 votes)

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    #17 - One More Wish

    S6:E287/14/1993

    After Goku’s decision to stay in the after-world, Krillin uses the final wish to save Android 18, but does he have the courage to reveal his true feelings? And is anyone brave enough to break the news of Goku's passing to Chichi?!

    Director:Masahiro Hosoda

    Writer:Takao Koyama

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    Director:Masahiro Hosoda

    Writer:Takao Koyama
18. 

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    8.6/10(12 votes)

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    #18 - The End of Vegeta

    S3:E124/17/1991

    Goku rejoins his friends on the battlefield, but not before Vegeta is defeated by Frieza! As the Saiyan Prince clings to life by a thread, he reveals the secrets of his violent past.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
19. 

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    8.6/10(11 votes)

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    #19 - Krillin's Decision

    S5:E199/23/1992

    With beautiful Android 18 in his sights, Krillin clutches the controller that will shut her down forever. But when the moment arrives, the little man hesitates! All the while, Cell looms overhead, hungry for perfection!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
20. 

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    8.6/10(10 votes)

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    #20 - Hour of Temptation

    S5:E189/16/1992

    Vegeta quickly pounds Cell six feet into the ground! With his back against the wall, the monstrous android attacks Vegeta’s weakest point: his arrogance! Can the Saiyan Prince resist Cell’s tempting challenge?

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
21. 

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    8.6/10(9 votes)

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    #21 - Awakening

    S6:E205/12/1993

    Spurred by Android 16’s dying words, Gohan’s hidden power is finally unleashed! With his new strength and speed, Gohan easily destroys the wicked Cell Juniors, but his sights are set on a bigger target!

    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
22. 

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    8.6/10(9 votes)

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    #22 - Gather for the Tournament

    S7:E1411/24/1993

    Videl learns to fly, and Gohan and Goten do some last minute honing of their Super Saiyan skills. On the island where the tournament will be held, a special guest arrives! What do you say to a hero who's been dead for seven years?!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
23. 

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    8.6/10(9 votes)

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    #23 - Camera Shy

    S7:E1512/8/1993

    High school jock, Sharpner, discovers his crush, Videl, has her heart set on the mysterious Great Saiyaman! Refusing to be replaced, Sharpner vows to ruin the caped fighter by unmasking his true identity and capturing it on film!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
24. 

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    8.5/10(12 votes)

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    #24 - Deadly Beauty

    S4:E284/15/1992

    Vegeta and Android 18 have a showdown on the highway. Trunks and the others are there to help, but the Saiyan prince insists on fighting his opponent man-to-android! Will Vegeta’s overconfidence be his undoing?

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
25. 

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    8.5/10(11 votes)

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    #25 - The Prince Fights Back

    S2:E105/23/1990

    Dodoria’s search for Krillin and Gohan brings him face to face with an unexpected foe - Vegeta! The Saiyan prince has a score to settle with Dodoria, and the time for a final showdown between these two powerful villains has arrived!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown