The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   9.0/10(7 votes)

   #1 - 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
2. 

   8.8/10(11 votes)

   #2 - Gohan's Rage

   S1:E55/24/1989

   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!

   Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   8.8/10(9 votes)

   #3 - 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
4. 

   8.8/10(10 votes)

   #4 - 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
5. 

   8.8/10(7 votes)

   #5 - 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
6. 

   8.8/10(9 votes)

   #6 - 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
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7. 

   8.7/10(9 votes)

   #7 - 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
8. 

   8.7/10(10 votes)

   #8 - 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
9. 

   8.7/10(9 votes)

   #9 - 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
10. 

    8.7/10(9 votes)

    #10 - 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
11. 

    8.7/10(9 votes)

    #11 - Bow to the Prince

    S5:E179/9/1992

    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

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
12. 

    8.7/10(9 votes)

    #12 - 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
13. 

    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #13 - 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
14. 

    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #14 - Piccolo's Plan

    S1:E45/17/1989

    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!

    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue

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    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue
15. 

    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #15 - 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
16. 

    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #16 - 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
17. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #17 - 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
18. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #18 - Explosion of Anger

    S3:E226/26/1991

    Engulfed in golden light, Goku announces that he is now a Super Saiyan! Frieza is unimpressed - until the fighting begins! In a raging battle, Frieza is horrified when he realizes that Goku is now superior to him in every way!

    Director:Junichi Fujise

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa

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    Director:Junichi Fujise

    Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
19. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #19 - 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
20. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #20 - The Heavens Tremble

    S4:E19/18/1991

    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

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
21. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #21 - Call for Restoration

    S4:E510/16/1991

    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

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
22. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #22 - Suicidal Course

    S4:E610/23/1991

    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

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
23. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #23 - Extreme Measures

    S4:E710/30/1991

    Garlic Junior and his Spice Boys harness the evil power of the Makyo Star to become stronger than ever, but Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo are ready to battle this new threat!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
24. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #24 - 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
25. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #25 - No Match for the Androids

    S4:E294/22/1992

    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

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown