Summary

• Dragon Ball Z Kai offers a stripped-down version of the series that improves the pacing and modernizes the show without losing any of its charm.
• Filler episodes like “The Power of the Spirit” and “Celebrating with Majin Buu” add depth to the characters in a unique way.
• Non-canon additions like “Goku vs. Pikkon” and “A Girl Named Lime” provide entertaining and insightful perspectives.

Dragon Ball Z is one of the most iconic, well-known and longest-running anime series of all time. The series began airing 25 years ago in parallel to the ongoing manga, but is full of filler material that often disrupts the pace. A solution to this problem was presented in Dragon Ball Z Kaian abridged version of the original series that cuts out the superfluous and adds newly recorded dialogue and a cleaned-up soundtrack.

In this ultimate version of Dragon Ball Zalthough this is probably the best way to experience the anime, There is no denying that a certain charm was lost through modernization. None of the original filler segments are part of the story’s canon, but they often gave insight into the more personal aspects of the characters who spend the most time on screen. They are by no means all of the highest quality, but many of these non-canonical additions are a great addition to the original series and are absolutely worth watching..

10 “Power of the Mind” lets some supporting characters shine

Episode #94

Although this episode is not entirely uncanonical, it gives characters who are involved in the transition from Dragon Ball To Dragon Ball Z. While Piccolo tries to buy time for Goku’s Spirit Bomb on Namek, a sequence adapted from the manga, The remaining Z-Fighters on King Kai’s planet get into a confrontation with the Ginyu Force after their defeat against Vegeta..

This section of anime-original action is inserted between Piccolo receiving the beating of his life from Frieza before Goku’s Spirit Bomb hits the space tyrant and seemingly gives him victory. The Z Fighter scenes serve to convey two things to the audience: how much Yamcha, Tien and Chiaotzu have improved since they began training with King Kai, and also how far behind the main characters they are in terms of strength. The progress Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, and Vegeta have made on Namek is almost unfathomable compared to when they first landed on the planet, and episode #94 shows this growth well.

9 “Celebrations With Majin Buu” adds more depth to a popular character

Episode #287

While the Dragon Ball Manga quickly jumps through time after the conclusion of the Majin Buu Saga, the anime gives the characters some breathing room to celebrate their victory. And as the series comes to an end, It offers viewers a more intimate insight into the lives of the main characters other than defending the Earth against the new threat that has emerged. A wish is made that everyone except the Z-Fighters and friends forget about Buu’s existence, who then tries to integrate into society.

There is some fun chaos as Buu fights a boxer for ice cream prize money and is then taken shopping by Bulma, where he again encounters the boxer trying to steal from the store. In his own innocent way, he puts a stop to the robbery. Later, Goku, Goten and Trunks begin to playfully fight until they go too far and are scolded by Chi-Chi. These brief glimpses into the main characters’ quiet, everyday lives are rare in Dragon Ball and make for a lighthearted experience as the series approaches its finale.

8 “He’s always late” reminds viewers of Goku’s best qualities

Episode #288

In addition to the light-hearted nature of the previous episode #287, “Celebrating with Majin Buu”, Episode No. 288 gives another insight into the characters beyond their fighting power. Another party is taking place, this time a barbecue at Bulma’s house, when Goku leaves while the rest of the family gets ready. It turns out he wanted to check on some pterodactyl eggs that were about to hatch.

The whole gang has fun at the party while Goku is still away protecting the eggs. He finally arrives after the festivities end, but knowing that Goku will always be Goku, Bulma decides to bring the food back out and continue the fun. Another light-hearted episode full of flashbacks and dinosaur battles is a celebration of how far the cast has come.

7 “Princess Snake” has become a classic

Episode #14

“Princess Snake” is an episode entirely made up of filler material that takes place during Goku’s long journey to King Kai’s planet on Snake Way. Passing by a palace, the enchanting Princess Snake and her companions lure Goku inside and attempt to appease him with food and dancing, which leads to a humorous misunderstanding of tango, and eventually a sleeping potion.

Eventually, the princess has had enough of her inability to make Goku fall in love with her and reveals her true, monstrous form. As always, Goku defeats his opponent and continues along the Snake Way into an episode that is classic and entertaining Dragon Ball.

6 “Z Warriors Prepare” focuses on Vegeta’s development

Episode #124

The Androids/Cell Saga is a story arc that focuses on both Vegeta and Gohan. Although the latter is the undeniable star of the show, Vegeta experiences major character changes for the first time in this section of the seriesIn episode #124, Vegeta trains in a spaceship in Bulma’s home at 300 times gravity.

Vowing to capture not only Goku but Trunks as well at this point in the story, the Saiyan Prince pushes himself to near destruction, eventually collapsing and having to be tended to by Bulma. While unconscious, he dreams of Goku and Trunks taunting him. before he woke up and found Bulma sleeping next to himWhen he wakes up, 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 is dedicated to filler material, “A Girl Named Lime”, focuses on Gohan in the few days of peace before the Cell Games. The episode not only illustrates the innate heroism of Goku’s family, but is also a summary of everything that makes up Gohan’s character. After rescuing a young girl named Lime from a river, the young Super Saiyan follows her to the village where she lives.

Lime says a phrase that will carry a lot of weight in the upcoming battle with Cell, telling Gohan that he is far too gentle to fight him. Despite this pacifist nature, Gohan saves the village from the returning mercenary Tao before telling them that the shelter they built would be no match for Cell. The brief respite before the showdown against Perfect Cell provided the chance for great insight into how the characters spent their uncertain timeand the episodes after Gohan were the perfect preparation for the upcoming events.

4 “The Strangest Robot” shows more of Gohan’s early training

Episode #9

A large part Dragon Ball ZThe best filler revolves around Gohanand this rarely poignant episode, which takes place during Gohan’s training before the arrival of the Saiyans, fits well into that upper echelon. After waking up to find his tail missing and wearing a new outfit similar to his father’s, the child finds himself alone for the first time in his young life. Animals begin to hunt Gohan, and he eventually finds shelter in a cave next to a half-buried excavation robot.

At first, the robot doesn’t want anything to do with Gohan, but as the two get to know each other better, he finally sacrifices himself to save the young half-Saiyan. With tears in his eyes, he walks away from the rubble. Gohan finds a new determination to survive alone in the wildThe episode shows the change in Gohan that Dragon Ball‘s manga.

3 “Goku vs. Pikkon” introduced a fan-favorite, non-canon character

Episode #199

While the majority of Dragon Ball ZThe best gap filler is often quiet and introspective, Some episodes also feature the fast-paced action the franchise is known forThe Otherworld Filler section, which follows a tournament between the strongest fighters in the afterlife, introduced a the fan-favorite, non-canonical PikkonHe and Goku engage in a fierce battle, and the Saiyan ultimately emerges victorious after using his high combat intelligence to find a weak point in Pikkon’s attacks.

Their fight also features Goku’s non-canonical Super Saiyan Kaioken form, which never appeared again in the main series. Although it did appear in later films and Dragon Ball ZPikkon is reduced to filler. Nevertheless, his fight with Goku is one of the best animated fights in the franchise.

2 “Goku’s Torment” is so ridiculous that it has achieved cult status

Episode #125

Probably the most iconic, instantly recognizable filler episode in Dragon Ball Z, Goku’s Ordeal follows the title character as he tries to get his driver’s license with Piccolo. When Chi-Chi challenges two of the universe’s strongest fighters to take their driving test, Goku obliges, and hilarious scenes ensue.

In casual streetwear that can still be seen in social media posts 30 years after the episode’s premiere, the two warriors finally turn their trials into a competition. As it turns out, driving a car is harder than defending the Earth. Episode #125 offers the comedy that Dragon Ball And Dragon Ball Z.

1 “Memories of Gohan” is the perfect retrospective of the character

Episode #171

The best non-canonical episode of Dragon Ball Z takes place during the ten days of peace before the final showdown with Cell. After the emotional “A Girl Named Lime”, the episode turns inward to the Son family, Examination of Gohan’s life since his birthOn his birthday, the mastered Super Saiyan son and his father break plates, angering Chi-Chi, who then finds a photo album with a picture of Gohan.

What follows are flashbacks of the hybrid Saiyan’s best moments, as well as an anime-original sequence in which his cart spins out of control. Eventually, little Gohan crashes into the tree, causing a few apples to fall on Goku, who wonders about his son’s safety. The insight into Gohan’s young life only serves to reinforce what is already known about the character, namely that despite his gentle nature, he has all the prerequisites to become the strongest fighter in the universe. Finally, Gohan becomes the savior of the earth in the fight against Cell, which is shown in one of the Dragon Ball‘s largest bows.