Dragon Ball Z, the legendary anime that premiered in Japan on Fuji Television in 1989 and ended in 1996, has been a major source of inspiration worldwide. DBZ is not just an anime based on manga – it’s a wonderful tale of courage, sacrifice, redemption, hard work, character development, and much more.
Throughout its history of 291 episodes, Dragon Ball Z has had numerous exciting moments, which is why I’ve prepared a little tier list. However, I don’t claim to have the absolute truth, as I’m just a simple fan of the anime. My passion for Dragon Ball has been for more than 25 years, but even so, there’s no use getting upset if you don’t find your favorite episodes in my tier list:
S-Tier (Legendary Episodes)
Episode 95 – “Goku’s Alive!!”
Episode 109 – “The End of Vegeta”
Episode 126 – “The Unbeatable Enemy Within!”
Episode 11 – “Piccolo’s Last Stand”
Episode 175 – “Goku’s Decision”
Episode 184 – “Trump Card”
Episode 237 – “No More Rules”
Episode 238 – “The Fight is Over”
Episode 245 – “Final Atonement”
Episode 280 – “Earth Reborn”
Episode 291 – “Goku’s Next Journey”
Episode 11, known as “Piccolo’s Last Stand,” is one of my all-time favorites. This episode is all about the sacrifice that Piccolo made for his pupil and friend Gohan, who was just a little boy at that time. During the intense fight with Nappa, who was the main henchman of Prince Vegeta and also a general in the Saiyan Army, Gohan was preparing to meet his end because of a massive blast of energy shot from Nappa’s hand. Piccolo, who was a villain at that time, rapidly put himself in front of the blast to save Gohan. Piccolo died, but he did it proudly and full of love for his young pupil and friend.
Episode 109, known as “The End of Vegeta,” showcases the proud Saiyan Prince Vegeta beaten down by Frieza. In his final moments, Vegeta gave a speech to Goku, in which he told him with tears in his eyes about the atrocities of Frieza and how the evil intergalactic tyrant tried to exterminate the Saiyan race. Vegeta proved for the first time to have a sensitive side as well, as he said that Frieza is responsible for his cruel heart. Vegeta told Goku in those final moments that Frieza killed his parents even though the Saiyan Prince did everything the intergalactic tyrant wanted.
Episode 245, known as “Final Atonement,” presents how Vegeta, who, despite being at Super Saiyan level, couldn’t defeat Majin Buu and decided to use a kamikaze attack. Vegeta does the most noble act he could possibly do as he sacrifices himself for the sake of the whole world in his attempt to destroy Majin Buu once and for all. Even though the attack failed to destroy the monster, Vegeta still proved to everyone that he has a much more noble character within than anyone could have possibly hoped for.
A-Tier (Excellent Episodes)
Episode 39 – “Friends or Foes?”
Episode 74 – “Goku’s Time is Up”
Episode 85 – “The Ultimate Battle”
Episode 120 – “The Warrior’s Decision”
Episode 144 – “The Last Defense”
Episode 153 – “A Hero’s Farewell”
Episode 164 – “Save the World”
Episode 219 – “True Saiyans Fight Alone”
Episode 238 – “The Nightmare Returns”
Episode 265 – “People of Earth Unite”
Episode 153 of Dragon Ball Z, known as “A Hero’s Farewell,” presents how Goku decided to sacrifice himself in order to destroy Cell. Even though Gohan was doing great in his fight against Cell, the biological android created by Dr. Gero, the monster still managed to gain the upper hand in the end. Cell was about to destroy the whole Earth by transforming himself into a kamikaze bomb, and any touch from Gohan would have set off the blast. At that point, Goku figured out the only way to save the Earth: by using instant transmission to teleport Cell to King Kai’s planet. Once he did it, Cell exploded, and Goku was lost. The beloved Saiyan sacrificed himself for the whole planet.
Episode 85, entitled “The Ultimate Battle,” shows the start of the battle between Goku and Frieza on Namek. The beloved Saiyan was well aware of the horrible things that Frieza did and wanted to avenge his Saiyan race. In the past, Frieza destroyed the entire planet Vegeta along with the vast majority of Saiyans who were living on it. The battle between Goku and Frieza probably remains the longest fight in anime history, as it lasted for 20 episodes. The battle also showcases Goku’s transformation into the classical Super Saiyan with golden hair for the first time, a scene that remains iconic in anime.
B-Tier (Solid Episodes)
Episode 31 – “The Return of Goku”
Episode 50 – “Frieza Strikes!”
Episode 95 – “The Darkest Day”
Episode 110 – “The Ultimate Sacrifice”
Episode 129 – “Namek’s Destruction”
Episode 145 – “Dende’s Demise”
Episode 155 – “The Games Begin”
Episode 169 – “Cell Returns!”
Episode 218 – “The Losses Begin”
Episode 284 – “Cell is Complete”
Episode 31, “The Return of Goku,” shows how the beloved Saiyan hero comes back from the dead and is ready to fight the two evil Saiyans at that time who came to Earth to find the dragon balls and wreak havoc, Nappa and Prince Vegeta. On the other hand, Goku was exceptionally stronger since the last time he’s been in a battle, and he has definitely proven that to the two rascals. Goku was armed with new powerful techniques, such as Kaioken and Spirit Bomb. The first battle between Goku and Vegeta remains epic in anime, especially for the beam clash Kamehameha vs. Galick Gun. The two Saiyans gave it their all in that battle.
Episode 284, known as “Cell is Complete,” presents the introduction of the ultimate form of the biological android created by Dr. Gero. Cell absorbed Android 17 and 18, and he thus became stronger than ever. He was so incredibly strong that Super Saiyan Trunks couldn’t even flinch him after repeatedly landing punches and kicks.
Episode 129, known as “Namek’s Destruction,” focuses on the destruction of planet Namek after Frieza sent a flash of energy at its core to disintegrate it. The measure was used by Frieza once he realized that he couldn’t beat Super Saiyan Goku otherwise. Goku, who had just achieved the iconic transformation a few episodes earlier, was teaching some manners to Frieza, but the intergalactic tyrant opted for a somewhat cowardly measure: by destroying the fighting arena. Therefore, Goku had only 5 minutes at his disposal to finish Frieza, or else he would get obliterated by the blast or caught in space where he could not breathe. On the other hand, Frieza’s biology allows him to breathe in space for some reason.
C-Tier (Decent Episodes)
Episode 10 – “A New Friend”
Episode 23 – “The Battle Begins”
Episode 65 – “Piccolo the Super-Namek”
Episode 83 – “Frieza’s Second Transformation”
Episode 100 – “Ginyu Assault”
Episode 138 – “Laboratory Basement”
Episode 158 – “The Doomsday Broadcast”
Episode 192 – “Closing In”
Episode 224 – “Cell’s Mighty Breakdown”
Episode 65, entitled “Piccolo the Super-Namek,” shows the new powers of Piccolo, who came straight from the Other World, where he has been training under King Kai. In that episode, Piccolo confronts Frieza, the villain who is having fun torturing Gohan, Vegeta, and Krillin. But thankfully, Piccolo proved to be stronger than ever and even able to go toe to toe with Frieza.
The “Cell’s Mighty Breakdown” episode of Dragon Ball Z focuses on the beginning of the end for Cell, one of the strongest villains in the show. He was severely beaten and overwhelmed by Gohan, and it became clear that it was just a matter of time until Cell would be defeated once and for all.
Feel free to tell us about your own tier list of your favorite Dragon Ball Z episodes!