Summary

• Dragon Ball Z Kai offers a trimmed version of the series, enhancing pacing and modernizing the show without losing charm.
• Filler episodes like "Power of the Spirit" and "Celebrations With Majin Buu" add depth to characters in unique ways.
• Non-canon additions, such as "Goku vs. Pikkon" and "A Girl Named Lime," provide entertaining and insightful perspectives.

the show is riddled with filler that often disrupts the pacing. A solution to that issue was presented in Dragon Ball Z Kai, an abridged version of the original series that trims the fat, along with adding re-recorded dialogue and a cleaned up soundtrack.

In this ultimate version of Dragon Ball Z, despite likely being the best way to experience the anime, it is undeniable that a certain charm was lost to modernization. None of the original filler sections belong to the canon of the story, but they often gave glimpses into the more personal aspects of the characters which share the most screen time. By no means are they all of the highest quality, but many of these non-canon additions greatly add to the original series, and are absolutely still worth viewing.

10 "Power of the Spirit" Lets Some Secondary Characters Shine

Episode #94

Though not entirely non-canon, this episode gives some rare shine to characters who became largely left out of focus in the transition from Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Z. As Piccolo struggles 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 have a run-in with the Ginyu Force, following their defeat at the hands of Vegeta.

This section of anime-original action is spliced between Piccolo receiving the beatdown of a lifetime from Frieza, before Goku's spirit bomb connects with the space tyrant, seemingly handing him the victory. The Z-Fighter scenes serve to communicate two things to the audience: how greatly improved Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu have become since beginning training with King Kai, and also how far behind the main characters in strength they remain. The improvements made by Goku, Piccolo, Gohan, and Vegeta on Namek are near incomprehensible compared to when they all first landed on the planet, and episode #94 displays that growth well.

9 "Celebrations With Majin Buu" Adds Depth to a Beloved Character

Episode #287

While the Dragon Ball manga quickly undergoes a time skip following the conclusion of the Majin Buu Saga, the anime leaves a little breathing room for the characters to celebrate their victory. And as the series winds down, it treats viewers to a more intimate look at the main cast's lives outside of defending the Earth against whatever new threat has appeared. A wish is made for everyone but the Z-Fighters and friends to forget about Buu's existence, who then goes on to try and integrate into society.

Humorous chaos ensues when Buu fights a boxer for prize money to use on ice cream, and is then taken shopping by Bulma where once again, he comes across the boxer attempting to steal from the store. In his own innocent way, he puts an end to the robbery. Later, Goku, Goten, and Trunks begin playfully fighting, until they take it too far and get scolded by Chi-Chi. These brief peeks into the calm, everyday lives of the main characters are rare in Dragon Ball, and bring a light-hearted experience as the series approaches its finale.

8 "He's Always Late" Reminds Viewers of Goku's Best Qualities

Episode #288

Adding to the happy-go-lucky nature of the pervious episode #287, "Celebrations With Majin Buu", episode #288 is another glimpse into the characters beyond their fighting prowess. 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 in on some pterodactyl eggs that were ready to hatch.

The gang all enjoy themselves at the party, while Goku is still absent protecting the eggs. He eventually 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 lighthearted episode, packed with flashbacks and fights with dinosaurs, acts as a celebration of just how far the cast has come.

7 "Princess Snake" Has Become a Classic

Episode #14

"Princess Snake" is an episode comprised entirely of filler, taking place during Goku's long trip to King Kai's planet down Snake Way. Coming across a palace, the charming Princess Snake and her attendants lure Goku inside and attempt to butter him up with food, dancing which leads to a humorous misunderstanding of the Tango, and finally, a sleeping potion.

Eventually, the Princess becomes fed up with her inability to make Goku fall for her, and reveals her true, monstrous form. As he always does, Goku defeats his opponent and continues down Snake Way in an episode that's classic, entertaining Dragon Ball.

6 "Z Warriors Prepare" Focuses on Vegeta's Development

Episode #124

The Androids/Cell Saga is just as much an arc that focuses on Vegeta as it does Gohan. Though the latter is the undeniable star of the show, Vegeta undergoes major character changes for the first time during this section of the series. Episode #124 sees Vegeta training under harsh 300x gravity in a spaceship at Bulma's home.

Swearing to catch not only Goku at this point of the story, but also Trunks, the Saiyan prince pushes himself to near destruction, eventually collapsing and having to be tended to by Bulma. While ed out, he dreams of Goku and Trunks mocking him, before waking up to find Bulma asleep at his side. When he wakes, he vows to sur the two Super Saiyans and begins to train again.

5 "A Girl Named Lime" Shows the Calm Before the Storm

Episode #170

An entire episode dedicated to filler content, "A Girl Named Lime", turns the focus to Gohan in the few days of peace preceding the Cell Games. Not only does the episode exemplify the innate heroism found in Goku's family, but is also an encapsulation of everything that makes Gohan's character. Upon 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 which will go on to hold a great deal of weight in the battle with Cell, telling Gohan that he's far too gentle to fight. Despite that pacifist nature, Gohan goes on to save the village from the returning Mercenary Tao, before telling them that the shelter they built would be no match for Cell. The short reprieve before the showdown against Perfect Cell offered the chance for great insight into how the characters spent their uncertain time, and the episodes following Gohan were perfect setup for the oncoming events.

4 "The Strangest Robot" Shows More of Gohan's Early Training

Episode #9

Much of Dragon Ball Z's best filler is centered around Gohan, and this rarely poignant episode taking place during Gohan's training prior to the Saiyans' arrival fits comfortably in that upper echelon. After waking 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 chasing Gohan, and he winds up taking shelter in a cave beside a half-buried excavation robot.

At first, the robot wants nothing to do with Gohan, but as the two get to know each other, it ends up sacrificing itself to save the young half-Saiyan. Walking away from the rubble with tears in his eyes, Gohan finds a new determination to survive on his own in the wild. The episode displays the change in Gohan that goes unseen in Dragon Ball's manga.

3 "Goku vs. Pikkon" Introduced a Fan-Favorite Non-Canon Character

Episode #199

While the majority of Dragon Ball Z's best filler is often quiet and introspective, some episodes also offer the high-octane action the franchise is known for. The Otherworld Filler section, following a tournament between the strongest fighters in the afterlife, introduced the fan-favorite non-canon Pikkon. He and Goku battle intensely, and eventually the Saiyan comes out victorious, after using his high fighting intelligence to find a weakness in Pikkon's attacks.

Their fight also boasts Goku's non-canon Super Saiyan Kaioken form, which never appeared in the main series again. Despite appearing in future films and Dragon Ball GT, Pikkon remains relegated to filler content. Regardless, his fight with Goku provides one of the best-animated fights in the franchise.

2 "Goku's Ordeal" Is So Ridiculous It's Become Iconic

Episode #125

Likely the most iconic, instantly recognizable filler episode in Dragon Ball Z, "Goku's Ordeal" follows the titular character attempting to get his driver's license with Piccolo. When Chi-Chi orders two of the strongest fighters in the universe to take their driving test, Goku obliges and hilarity ensues.

Wearing casual streetwear still featured in social media posts 30 years after the episode's premiere, the two warriors eventually turn their exams into a competition. As it turns out, driving a car is more difficult than defending the Earth. Episode #125 offers the comedy that was largely discarded between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.

1 "Memories of Gohan" Is the Perfect Retrospective on the Character

Episode #171

The best non-canon episode of Dragon Ball Z takes place during the ten days of peace before the final showdown with Cell. Following the emotional, "A Girl Named Lime", the episode turns inward toward the Son family, examining Gohan's life from the time he was a newborn. On his birthday, the mastered Super Saiyan son and father break plates, angering Chi-Chi, who then finds a photo album, picturing Gohan.

What follows are flashbacks of the hybrid Saiyan's best moments, along with an anime-original sequence in which his carriage runs wild. Eventually, the infant Gohan and smashes into the tree, causing a few apples to fall onto Goku who seems puzzled by his son's safety. The glimpse into Gohan's young life only functions to reinforce what is already known about the character, that despite his gentle nature, he holds all the tools to become the strongest fighter in the universe. Eventually, Gohan becomes Earth's savior in the fight against Cell, culminating in one of Dragon Ball's greatest arcs.