Summary
Dragon Ball Z Kai offers a cut-down version of the series, spicing up the pace and modernizing the show without losing any of its charm. Filler episodes like “Power of the Spirit” and “Celebrations With Majin Buu” add depth to the characters in unique ways. Non-canon extras like “Goku vs. Pikkon” and “A Girl Named Lime” provide entertaining and insightful insight.
Dragon Ball Z is one of the most iconic, recognizable, and enduring anime series of all time. However, having started airing 25 years ago alongside the ongoing manga, the series has a lot of filler content that often disrupts the pacing. A solution to that problem was provided in Dragon Ball Z Kai.a shortened version of the original series, stripped of redundant details, while adding re-recorded dialogue and a cleaned-up soundtrack.
In this definitive version of Dragon Ball Z, while it may be the best way to experience the anime, There is no denying that a certain charm has been lost due to modernization.. None of the original spin-offs are canonical to the story, but they often reveal more personal aspects of the characters who get the most screen time. That's not to say they're all of the highest quality, But many of these unofficial extras add a lot to the original series and are still completely worth watching..
10 “Power of the Spirit” Shows That Let Some Supporting Characters Shine
Episode #94
While not entirely non-canon, this episode offers some rare spotlight on characters who were largely overlooked in the transition from Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Z. As Piccolo struggles to buy time for Goku's Spirit Bomb on Namek, a scene adapted from the manga, The remaining Z Fighters on King Kai's planet have a clash with the Ginyu Force, following their defeat at the hands of Vegeta..
This anime-original action sequence is cut between Piccolo being pummeled by Frieza, before Goku's spirit bomb connects with the space tyrant, seemingly giving him victory. The Z-Fighter scenes serve to convey two things to the audience: How Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu Have Been Improved Significantly since they began training with King Kai, and their power is still far behind the main characters. The improvements that Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, and Vegeta have made on Namek are almost incomprehensible compared to when they first landed on the planet, and episode #94 clearly shows that growth.
9 “Celebrations With Majin Buu” Adds Depth to a Beloved Character
Episode #287
While the Dragon Ball manga quickly went through a time jump after the end of the Majin Buu Saga, the anime still left some time for the characters to celebrate their victory. And when the series ended, It gives viewers a deeper insight into the lives of the main cast. in addition to protecting Earth from any new threats that arise. A wish is made for everyone except the Z-Fighters and friends to forget Buu's existence, who then continues to try to integrate into society.
Comical chaos ensues when Buu fights a boxer for ice cream prize money, and is later taken shopping by Bulma, where he once again catches the boxer trying to steal from the store. In his own naive way, he puts an end to the robbery. Afterwards, Goku, Goten, and Trunks start to fight each other happily, until they go too far and are scolded by Chi-Chi. These glimpses into the quiet, everyday lives of the main characters are rare in Dragon Ball, and provide a light-hearted experience as the series draws to a close.
8 “He’s Always Late” Reminds Viewers of Goku’s Best Qualities
Episode #288
Adding to the carefree fun nature of previous episode #287, “Celebration with Majin Buu”, Episode #288 is another glimpse of the characters beyond their fighting abilities.. Another party is being held, this time a barbecue at Bulma's house, when Goku wanders off while the rest of the family is getting ready. It turns out he went to check on some flying dinosaur eggs that are ready to hatch.
The group enjoys the party, while Goku remains absent to protect the eggs. He eventually arrives after the festival ends, but knowing that Goku will always be Goku, Bulma decides to bring out the food and continue the fun. Another light-hearted episode, filled with flashbacks and dinosaur fights, serves as a celebration of how far the cast has come..
7 “The Snake Princess” has become a classic
Episode #14
“Snake Princess” is an episode entirely made up of filler, taking place during Goku’s long journey to King Kai’s planet in Snake Way. Passing by a palace, the seductive Snake Princess and her servants lure Goku inside and attempt to flatter him with food, dancing leading to a hilarious misunderstanding about Tango, and finally a sleeping potion.
Eventually, the Princess gets fed up with not being able to make Goku fall in love with her, and reveals her true monstrous form. As usual, Goku defeats his opponent and continues down the Snake Path. a classic, entertaining Dragon Ball episode.
6 “Z Warriors Prepare” focuses on Vegeta's development
Episode #124
The Androids/Cell Saga is also a Vegeta-focused arc like Gohan. Although Gohan is the undeniable star of the show, Vegeta undergoes major personality changes for the first time in this part of the series.Episode #124 sees Vegeta training under 300 times the harsh gravity on a spaceship at Bulma's house.
Vowing to capture not only Goku at this point in the story, but also Trunks, the Saiyan prince pushes himself closer to destruction, eventually collapsing and having to be tended to by Bulma. While unconscious, he dreams of Goku and Trunks taunting him, before waking up to find Bulma sleeping next to himUpon awakening, he vows to surpass the two Super Saiyans and begins training again.
5 “A Girl Named Lime” Shows the Calm Before the Storm
Episode #170
An entire episode dedicated to the spin-off, “A Girl Named Lime,” focuses on Gohan during the few days of peace before the Cell Games. The episode not only illustrates the innate heroic nature that runs in Goku's family, but also sums up everything that makes up Gohan's character. After saving a young girl named Lime from a river, the young Super Saiyan follows her to the village where she lives.
Lime delivers a line that will carry great weight in the upcoming battle with Cell, telling Gohan that he is too gentle to fight. Despite that peaceful nature, Gohan goes on to save the village from the returning Mercenary Tao, before telling them that the shelter they built will be no match for Cell. The brief delay before the battle with Perfect Cell gives Great insight into how the characters spend their uncertain timeand the episodes after Gohan are the perfect setting for the events to come.
4 “The Strangest Robot” Shows More About Gohan’s Early Training
Episode #9
Much of Dragon Ball Z's best side content revolves around Gohan.and this rarely emotional episode takes place during Gohan's training before the Saiyans arrive to fit into that upper class. After waking up to find his tail missing, and wearing a new outfit similar to his father's, the child is alone for the first time in his young life. Animals begin to chase Gohan, and he eventually takes refuge in a cave next to a half-buried excavated robot.
At first, the robot wanted nothing to do with Gohan, but as the two got to know each other better, it sacrificed itself to save the half-Saiyan boy. Walking away from the rubble with tears in its eyes, Gohan finds new determination to survive in the wild on his own.. The episode shows a change in Gohan that was not seen in the Dragon Ball manga.
3 “Goku vs. Pikkon” Introduces a Fan-Favorite Non-Canon Character
Episode #199
While much of Dragon Ball Z's best side content tends to be quiet and introspective, Some episodes also offer the high-speed action that the series is known for.The Otherworld Filler arc, which follows a competition between the strongest warriors in the afterlife, was introduced. Unofficial Pikkon is a fan favorite. He and Goku fought fiercely, and the Saiyan eventually won, after using his high combat intelligence to find weaknesses in Pikkon's attacks.
Their fight also featured Goku's unofficial Super Saiyan Kaioken form, which never made an appearance in the main series again. Despite appearing in future movies and Dragon Ball GT, Pikkon was relegated to filler content. Regardless, his fight with Goku provided one of the best animated battles in the series.
2 “Goku's Ordeal” is so ridiculous it's become iconic
Episode #125
Perhaps the most iconic and recognizable filler episode in Dragon Ball Z, “Goku’s Ordeal” sees the titular character trying to get his driver’s license with Piccolo. When Chi-Chi orders two of the strongest fighters in the universe to take the driving test, Goku agrees and hilarity ensues.
Still dressed in their usual street clothes in social media posts 30 years after the episode's premiere, the two warriors finally turned their exam into a competition. Turns out, driving is harder than protecting the EarthEpisode #125 brings back the comedic element that was pretty much eliminated between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.
1 “Memories of Gohan” is the perfect character retrospective
Episode #171
The unofficial best episode of Dragon Ball Z takes place in the ten days of peace before the final battle with Cell. After the emotional episode “A Girl Named Lime,” the episode shifts focus to the Son family, Explore Gohan's life from when he was a babyOn his birthday, the Super Saiyan son and father smashed plates, angering Chi-Chi, who then found a photo album with pictures of Gohan.
What follows is a flashback to the Saiyan hybrid's best moments, along with an original anime scene of his chariot running amok. Finally, Gohan and the infant smash into a tree, causing a few apples to fall on Goku, who looks confused about his son's safety. A Glimpse into Gohan's Young Life only serves to reinforce what's already known about the character, that despite his gentle nature, he holds all the tools to become the strongest warrior in the universe. Ultimately, Gohan becomes Earth's savior in the fight against Cell, culminating in one of Dragon Ball's greatest arcs.
