Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z has lasted the test of time and become an evergreen anime staple thanks to its compelling characters, strong storytelling & world-building, and unbelievable transformations that elevate both heroes and villains to the power of gods. As a battle shonen series, fight sequences are extremely important to Dragon Ball. The franchise’s quality is frequently analogous to its last big battle and a disappointing duel can completely tank the series’ reputation. Dragon Ball knows how to deliver when it comes to epic fights that have been building up for dozens – or even hundreds – of episodes.
The franchise’s final battles – whether they’re against Demon King Piccolo, Frieza, Cell, or Moro – never disappoint. Dragon Ball knows how to give the fans what they want when it comes to these cathartic clashes. That being said, Dragon Ball is so dense with combat that there are plenty of fights that slip through the cracks and aren’t discussed nearly as much as they deserve to be. It’s easy to single out Dragon Ball’s biggest and most important fights, but there are some underrated battles that are just as rewarding, if not even more so.
10 Goten Vs. Baby Is A Rare Showcase For The Overlooked Saiyan
Dragon Ball GT, Episode 26, "Saiyan Hunting"
Despite all his potential, Goten often gets overlooked in post-Dragon Ball Z stories. Goten and Trunks have both become Dragon Ball Super’s designated comic relief and even simple procedures like fusion seem to be too much for them to properly execute. Dragon Ball GT begins with Goten supposed to go to space with Goku and Trunks before Pan sneaks her way onto their ship and replaces him. Goten really doesn’t get much to do in Dragon Ball GT and the series fails to take advantage of what’s possible with an older version of this character. Goten’s one moment in the spotlight is during Baby’s initial invasion on Earth. Baby settles on Vegeta as his final host body, but he first challenges Goten and experiments with this Saiyan.
An engrossing battle breaks out that interrupts Goten’s date with Valese and gives him a captive audience for the fight that follows. Goten does his best against Baby and one of the fight’s best details is that Goten resorts to comically named attacks, like his Super Goten Strike Ball, that are reminiscent of Gotenks’ wild techniques. It’s a welcome glimpse into what Goten’s life has become as a young adult. Baby eventually gains the upper hand when he invades one of Goten’s wounds and takes him over. The subsequent fight between Baby Goten and Baby Gohan against Vegeta is also quite strong, but it’s a clash that usually receives more attention.
9 Krillin Vs. Chiaotzu Is A World Tournament Duel That Properly Tests Both Warriors
Dragon Ball, Episodes 90 & 91, "The Dodon Wave" & "Counting Controversy"
Dragon Ball's 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament is a thrilling saga that really celebrates the show's expanded cast. Dragon Ball introduces Tien and Chiaotzu as worthy Crane School rivals to Goku and Krillin. Krillin and Chiaotzu's relationship recedes into the background as Dragon Ball continues, but their first fight is an enlightening showcase for both fighters. Chiaotzu reveals during this battle that he can fly, which is still a fresh concept for the series.
This fight also marks Krillin's inaugural use of the Kamehameha, which results in a suspenseful showdown between Chiaotzu's Dodon Ray and Krillin's Kame House staple. The energy beam spectacle makes this a memorable encounter, as do Krillin's attempts to restrain Chiaotzu's wild flight pattern. Chiaotzu even turns to telekinetic attack to impair Krillin's body. There's a creative finish to this fight where Krillin perseveres through unconventional thinking. He exploits Chiaotzu's difficulties with basic math to confuse his opponent, gain the advantage, and knock Chiaotzu out of the ring.
8 Master Roshi Vs. Frost’s Tournament Of Power Clash Is Full Of Twists & Turns
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 107, "Revenge ‘'F'’! A Cunning Trap is Set?"
Dragon Ball Super's Tournament of Power is a grandiose multiversal free-for-all where it's very easy for fights to get lost in the shuffle because so much is going on at once. Goku, Vegeta, and Frieza do a lot of the heavy lifting for Universe 7, but there are still some vital contributions from the team's human participants, like Master Roshi. Frost begins to systematically target and eliminate the competition’s weaker fighters, which triggers Roshi’s grander sense of justice. Master Roshi has experienced mixed success with his implementation of the Evil Containment Wave and his mishandling of this operation even resulted in his initial death against Demon King Piccolo.
Roshi attempts to get redemption on this front by channeling the technique at Frost, which has some unexpected consequences when Frost’s tactics result in Vegeta getting trapped in the container. Roshi is eliminated by Frost once everything is said and done, but he manages to free Vegeta from captivity and the Saiyan’s aggravated temperament fuels his next few fights, including Auta Magetta’s defeat. Master Roshi doesn’t win against Frost, but his courage and strategic tactics help him earn Beerus’ respect, which is even more impressive in its own way.
7 Guldo Freezes Time To Brutalize Gohan & Krillin
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 63, "Guldo's Mind Binds"
Frieza's Ginyu Force are responsible for some tense and creative fights on Namek before the heroes take on Frieza himself. The fights against Recoome and Captain Ginyu get the most attention, but the opening battle against the Ginyu Force's weakest member, Guldo, is truly underrated. Gohan and Krillin take on Guldo, who has the powerful ability to freeze time for the duration that he's able to hold his breath. There's a welcome "cat and mouse" quality to this fight as Gohan and Krillin try to track down their target, who goes on the defensive.
Guldo eventually unveils a more challenging technique, his Mind Bind, which freezes Gohan and Krillin in place. Guldo mercilessly takes out his aggression on his two immobile opponents as he worries about his standing with the Ginyu Force. Guldo's prolonged abuse of these two, especially the young Gohan, is hard to watch. Guldo plans to finish them off by impaling them with a sharpened tree stump, only for them to narrowly avoid the attack when Vegeta intervenes and decapitates Guldo. It's a great example of early teamwork for everyone involved that sets the stage for the rest of Namek's more intense group fights.
6 Goku Vs. Spike The Devil Man Exposes Him To Otherworldly Action
Dragon Ball, Episodes 73 & 74, "The Devilmite Beam" & "The Mysterious Fifth Man"
There is no shortage of odd individuals in the Dragon Ball universe. Goku and company's participation in Fortuneteller Baba's Tournament puts them up against supernatural monsters like a vampire, a mummy, and an invisible man. Goku takes on Spike the Devil Man, a demonic individual who Roshi reveals has won two previous World Martial Arts Tournaments. Spike has an intimidating design and his signature attack, the Devilmite Beam, is even more foreboding in nature.
The Devilmite Beam amplifies its target's negative thoughts into pure destruction. Spike is aghast to learn that the technique has no effect on Goku, which further emphasizes the character's purity and that he's a true hero. Goku proceeds to eliminate Spike with a powerful kick. It's a bit of a lackluster finish, but this battle stands out for its tremendous build-up and the fear that Spike generates through his Devilmite Beam and imposing trident.
5 Android 16 Throws His Weight Around Against Imperfect Cell
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 151 & 152, "Silent Warrior" & "Say Goodbye, 17"
Androids 17 and 18 are crucial players during the Cell Saga since they're essential for the villain's perfection. This gives Android 16 a certain freedom when it comes to how he approaches the enemy. Android 16 is incredibly powerful and his clash with Imperfect Cell is full of mighty blows as well as his intensely destructive Hell's Flash technique, which turns their battleground into a crater. Android 16 turns to a brilliant strategy where he rips off Cell's tail, so he's unable to absorb the Androids and achieve perfection.
This tactic would have stopped Cell in his tracks if it weren't for his regeneration ability from Piccolo. Hubris and pride are destructive themes during the Cell Saga, and Android 17 unfortunately succumbs to this folly. His arrogance in Cell's defeat leads to his absorption and the birth of Semi-Perfect Cell. There's a rematch between Android 16 and Perfect Cell, which results in Android 16's complete destruction, but it's a fight that typically receives more attention due to the effect that it has on Gohan as opposed to any actual action.
4 Buu Vs. Basil’s Zeno Expo Battle Allows The Majin Menace to Showcase His Skills
Dragon Ball Super, Episode 79, "The 9th Universe's Kicking Basil Vs. The 7th Universe's Majin Buu!!"
Majin Buu is one of Dragon Ball's strongest characters, yet he's been given surprisingly little to do in Dragon Ball Super. Buu is conveniently unable to participate in the Tournament of Destroyers or the Tournament of Power, which makes his inclusion in the Zeno Expo exhibition match an exciting anomaly. Buu faces Basil, one of the members of Universe 9's Trio of Dangers. Any Buu battle is going to hold a lot of weight, but this fight reminds audiences why he's such a powerful character.
Buu initially fails to take the fight seriously and views his sparring with Basil as a game. This leads to some humorous visuals, like Basil blasting a hole through Buu's belly, while he's unphased by the attack. However, Hercule's injury ignites Buu's fighting spirit and he goes on to completely dominate his opponent, even after Basil consumes a mysterious mineral that gives him a significant power boost. It's an exciting start to the Zeno Expo and proof of what Buu brings to the table when he's properly utilized.
3 Piccolo Makes His Namekian People Proud Against Frieza’s Second Form
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 81 & 82, "Déjà Vu" & "Frieza's Second Transformation"
Dragon Ball Z’s battle against Frieza is one of the franchise’s longest and most grueling challenges. It’s easy to get caught up in Goku’s prolonged fight against Frieza’s final form, which prompts him to become a Super Saiyan for the first time. That being said, there’s a lot to appreciate in Gohan, Krillin, Vegeta, and Piccolo’s combined efforts as they take on Frieza’s earlier forms. Piccolo’s one-on-one duel with Frieza’s second form sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, but it’s one of the Namekian’s best battles.
Piccolo, having recently fused with Nail and acquired a major power boost, actually manages to overwhelm Frieza. This battle comes down to martial arts fundamentals and there’s a rough quality to the attacks that they launch at each other. Piccolo could potentially kill Frieza, but his arrogance gets the better of him and allows the galactic tyrant to shift into his third form. Piccolo doesn’t fare nearly as well as against Frieza’s new state and it’s up to an enraged Gohan to level the playing field.
2 Goten Vs. Trunks' First Fight Is the Standout Battle in the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 211 & 212, "Trunks Vs. Goten" & "Best of The Boys"
Goten & Trunks are best friends and their union becomes so strong that they go on to primarily fight in their fused form, Gotenks. The 25th World Martial Arts Tournament features a Junior Division and, unsurprisingly, Goten and Trunks are its finalists. It's rare to witness Goten and Trunks going all out on one another, and there's a degree of innocence to the proceedings while they make agreements mid-battle, like to stop using energy attacks.
The fight grows more intense when Goten and Trunks both become Super Saiyans, which excites Goku and Vegeta in the audience. Trunks wins the fight, albeit through slightly deceitful tactics, but he's able to smooth things over with his friend. This fight effectively sets up Goten and Trunks’ strength before they go on to fight together in the battle against Buu.
1 Yamcha Vs. Tien Is One of Dragon Ball's Greatest Fights Ever
Dragon Ball, Episode 87 & 88, "Yamcha Vs. Tien" & "Yamcha's Big Break"
Yamcha and Tien's fight during the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament's finals is an exciting turning point for the original Dragon Ball that introduces a more mature brand of combat to the series. It's a stark reflection of how far everyone has come since the 21st World Tournament. Tien's battle with Yamcha doesn't get nearly enough love, but it helps establish Tien as a true force to be reckoned with. The two-episode battle begins with fairly grounded combat where the two fighters match each other's punches, kicks, and blocks.
Yamcha debuts his Wolf Fang Blowing Wind attack, which doesn't have the desired effect on Tien. Yamcha's Kamehameha also falls short. Tien doesn't resort to flashy energy attacks, but he still asserts dominance over Yamcha by knocking him unconscious and breaking his leg. It's a visceral finish to the fight with lasting consequences into the Demon King Piccolo arc. There's also some beautiful animation and battle choreography on display here as Tien and Yamcha's battle intensifies.
