The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   9.1/10(8 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. 

   8.9/10(12 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. 

   8.9/10(11 votes)

   #3 - 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
4. 

   8.9/10(9 votes)

   #4 - 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
5. 

   8.9/10(10 votes)

   #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. 

   8.8/10(10 votes)

   #6 - 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
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7. 

   8.8/10(12 votes)

   #7 - 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
8. 

   8.8/10(10 votes)

   #8 - 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
9. 

   8.8/10(10 votes)

   #9 - 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
10. 

    8.8/10(10 votes)

    #10 - 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
11. 

    8.8/10(9 votes)

    #11 - 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
12. 

    8.8/10(10 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. 

    8.8/10(9 votes)

    #13 - 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
14. 

    8.8/10(9 votes)

    #14 - 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
15. 

    8.8/10(9 votes)

    #15 - 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
16. 

    8.7/10(12 votes)

    #16 - 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
17. 

    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #17 - 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
18. 

    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #18 - 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
19. 

    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #19 - 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
20. 

    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #20 - 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
21. 

    8.7/10(10 votes)

    #21 - 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
22. 

    8.6/10(10 votes)

    #22 - 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
23. 

    8.6/10(11 votes)

    #23 - 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
24. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #24 - 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
25. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #25 - 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