Dragon Ball Z backdrop
Dragon Ball Z poster

The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z

AnimationSci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure

Every episode of Dragon Ball Z ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z!

The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z

Now happily married and with a son, martial arts champion Goku must defend Earth from a series of extraterrestrial invaders bent on destruction.

Seasons9

  1. Background image for Cell Returns!
    9.0/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Cell Returns!

    S6:E24

    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!

    Writer:Aya Matsui
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  2. Background image for The Last Defense
    8.8/10(8 votes)

    #2 - The Last Defense

    S5:E20

    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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  3. Background image for Gohan's Rage
    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #3 - Gohan's Rage

    S1:E5

    Gohan unleashes a mighty attack that not even Radtiz can resist! But as quickly as his power appears, it vanishes. When Raditz prepares to strike back, Goku must make the ultimate sacrifice to save his son!

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  4. Background image for Deadly Beauty
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #4 - Deadly Beauty

    S4:E28

    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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  5. Background image for A Hero's Farewell
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #5 - A Hero's Farewell

    S6:E23

    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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  6. Background image for Camera Shy
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #6 - Camera Shy

    S7:E15

    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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Dragon Ball Z

    READ
  8. Background image for Piccolo's Plan
    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #7 - Piccolo's Plan

    S1:E4

    Piccolo may have a way to stop Raditz - the Makankosappo! There’s only one problem. He needs time to gather energy for the blast, which means Goku must fight Raditz alone!

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  9. Background image for The Heavens Tremble
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #8 - The Heavens Tremble

    S4:E1

    Gohan's going fishing, Krillin's found a girlfriend, and it looks as though peace has once again returned to the Earth. But a terrible evil lurks beneath this tranquil surface: Garlic Junior has escaped from the Dead Zone!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  10. Background image for Call for Restoration
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #9 - Call for Restoration

    S4:E5

    Krillin, after suffering a Spice Boys beating, attempts to free Kami and Mr. Popo, but he soon falls prey to the Black Water Mist. Gohan is the only hero left who can save the Earth, but can he do it with his two best friends against him?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  11. Background image for Suicidal Course
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #10 - Suicidal Course

    S4:E6

    Piccolo and Krillin spring their trap, revealing that they have pretended to be infected by the Black Water Mist! Enraged, Garlic Jr. transforms using the energy of the Makyo Star and warns that the Sacred Water’s effectiveness will soon expire.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  12. Background image for No Match for the Androids
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #11 - No Match for the Androids

    S4:E29

    In an earthshaking battle, the beautiful Android 18 brings Vegeta to his knees. But before she can deliver the final blow, Trunks steps in to help. Soon an all out war between good and evil begins, and the androids have the upper hand.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  13. Background image for Last Ditch Effort
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #12 - Last Ditch Effort

    S4:E30

    Vegeta, Trunks, Tien, and Piccolo realize a grim truth: unless they can increase their powers quickly, they’ll have no chance against the androids. In a drastic move, Piccolo flies to Kami’s Lookout and makes a most unexpected proposal!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  14. Background image for Bow to the Prince
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #13 - Bow to the Prince

    S5:E17

    It’s show-and-tell for Vegeta as he demonstrates how much difference a year of training can make! Meanwhile, back in the time chamber, Gohan struggles to become a Super Saiyan.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  15. Background image for Krillin's Decision
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #14 - Krillin's Decision

    S5:E19

    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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  16. Background image for Save the World
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #15 - Save the World

    S6:E26

    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?

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  17. Background image for Goku's Decision
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #16 - Goku's Decision

    S6:E27

    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?

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  18. Background image for One More Wish
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #17 - One More Wish

    S6:E28

    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?!

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  19. Background image for Gather for the Tournament
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #18 - Gather for the Tournament

    S7:E14

    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
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  20. Background image for Forfeit of Piccolo
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #19 - Forfeit of Piccolo

    S7:E21

    Piccolo stuns the crowd by surrendering to his mysterious opponent before the first punch is thrown! Next into the ring is Videl, who must face the enormous Spopovitch. Will she be able to handle such a large job?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  21. Background image for A Dark and Secret Power
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #20 - A Dark and Secret Power

    S7:E22

    Videl takes to the ring for what is expected to be an easy victory over Spopovitch. She hits the towering brute with everything she’s got, but her attacks have no effect. It seems Spopovitch is possessed by a supernatural power!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  22. Background image for Videl Is Crushed
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #21 - Videl Is Crushed

    S7:E23

    To everyone’s horror, Spopovitch delays his inevitable victory for the purposes of torturing Videl! It appears the muscle-bound thug isn’t going to stop until he kills her! Will Videl make it out of the ring alive?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  23. Background image for Identities Revealed
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #22 - Identities Revealed

    S7:E24

    Gohan’s identity is finally discovered as he takes his place on the tournament floor, but he has bigger things to worry about. His opponent, Kibito, is determined to see him transform into a Super Saiyan!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  24. Background image for Energy Drain
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #23 - Energy Drain

    S7:E25

    When Gohan transforms into a Super Saiyan, Spopovitch and Yamu spring into action! Armed with a mysterious energy-draining device, the pair launch an attack on the golden-haired teen.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  25. Background image for Saiyan Sized Secret
    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #24 - Saiyan Sized Secret

    S1:E31

    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!

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

  26. Background image for Mercy
    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #25 - Mercy

    S1:E35

    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.

    0 Comments

    Be first to comment!

    Start
    !

    Be the first to comment!

Best Episodes Summary

"Cell Returns!" is the best rated episode of "Dragon Ball Z". It scored 9/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by Hiroki Shibata and written by Aya Matsui, it aired on 6/16/1993. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Last Defense".