Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z is an evergreen anime classic that’s as popular as ever 35 years later. Many of the Dragon Ball franchise’s staples, such as Super Saiyan transformations, are introduced in Dragon Ball Z as its heroes reach unprecedented heights. Dragon Ball Z is full of unforgettable heroes, all of whom get pushed out of their comfort zones when it comes to the series’ powerful villains.
Dragon Ball Z’s major antagonists are iconic characters who have made significant impacts that extend beyond Dragon Ball alone. Frieza, Cell, and Buu are all landmark shonen villains. Dragon Ball Z’s fiercest foes engage in suspenseful fights, but each enemy has one battle that stands out more than the rest.
10 Raditz’s Big Battle Against Goku & Piccolo Unites Two Former Foes
Dragon Ball Z Episodes 3, 4 & 5, "Unlikely Alliance," "Piccolo's Plan," & "Gohan's Rage"
Dragon Ball Z wastes absolutely no time when it comes to raising the stakes and putting its heroes up against unimaginable danger. Raditz, Goku’s alien brother from outer space, lands on Earth and immediately disrupts Dragon Ball’s status quo. Raditz is the first Saiyan threat that Dragon Ball Z introduces and his powers are so immense that it forces Goku and Piccolo to team up for the first time. There’s an electric quality to this clash, as Goku and Piccolo are forced to put aside their differences and implicitly trust one another.
Raditz doesn’t showcase a wide arsenal of energy attacks and this fight instead focuses on physical strength and speed as the Saiyan confidently takes on Goku and Piccolo at once. This fight reaches a terrifying breaking point when Goku realizes that the only way in which they’ll be able to defeat Raditz is if he also sacrifices himself. It’s proof of Goku’s unwavering status as the ultimate hero as well as the introduction of Piccolo’s signature Special Beam Cannon technique. This might be Raditz’s only fight, but it’s still a memorable encounter with permanent consequences for the franchise.
9 Nappa’s Burly Bully Bravado Is Broken By Goku
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 28 & 29, "Goku's Arrival" & "Lesson Number One"
Nappa’s strength is proven to be significantly inferior to that of Vegeta, but he still causes irrevocable casualties before Goku shows up to save the day and protect his planet. Nappa is responsible for the deaths of Chiaotzu, Tien, and Piccolo, but none of these feel like proper fights due to how greatly the heroes are overwhelmed. Admittedly, Goku turns the tables on Nappa in much the same fashion, but there’s still more substance to this short showdown.
Nappa becomes Goku’s first opportunity to test out his improved powers and just what’s possible with his new Kaio-Ken Attack. It’s an enlightening experience that helps remind audiences why Goku should never be underestimated. The ease at which Goku neutralizes Nappa also makes his subsequent struggles against Vegeta all the more significant.
8 Vegeta Faces Earth’s United Efforts When He’s Challenged By Goku, Gohan & Krillin
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 30-35
Goku and Vegeta’s Saiyan Saga skirmish remains one of Dragon Ball Z’s most memorable battles and a high that the series has chased ever since. There’s palpable animosity between Goku and Vegeta, which becomes a powerful reflection of nature versus nurture due to these two Saiyans’ contrasting backgrounds. What makes this fight so satisfying is that it’s successfully structured so that audiences never get bored. Goku’s Kaio-Ken opening act against Vegeta makes for an effective introduction until Vegeta ascends to greater heights with his Great Ape transformation.
There’s a true sense of danger once this behemoth crushes Goku’s bones and leaves him completely helpless to his aggressor’s attacks. This fight against Vegeta stands out so much because it makes such strong use of Dragon Ball Z’s supporting players and properly emphasizes the power of teamwork. Krillin follows through with Spirit Bomb support, while Gohan’s own Great Ape form gives Vegeta a taste of his own medicine. Yajirobe is even able to swoop in when it matters most and assist his allies.
7 Frieza’s Feud Against Goku Becomes The First Super Saiyan Spectacle
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 78-105
Frieza remains one of Dragon Ball’s most relentless antagonists and he continues to cause trouble to this day in Dragon Ball Super. The fight against Frieza on Planet Namek features cooperation from all the series’ top heroes as Frieza cycles through numerous transformations before he attains peak power. The clash against Frieza is full of milestones, whether it’s Piccolo’s fusion with Nail or the deaths of Krillin and Vegeta.
The fights between Piccolo and Frieza’s second form and Gohan against Frieza’s third form are excellent, but they can’t compete with the extended altercation between Goku and Frieza’s final form. This fight needlessly extends itself to 27 episodes, 11 of which feature Goku as a Super Saiyan. However, the heights are among Dragon Ball Z’s greatest moments and it’s invigorating to see Goku fight as a Super Saiyan for the first time. There’s plenty in this battle that can be trimmed, but it’s the perfect encapsulation of the series.
6 Android 18 Seriously Humbles Vegeta’s Super Saiyan Hubris
Dragon Ball Z, Episode 135, "Deadly Beauty"
Dragon Ball Z’s Android invasion is a fascinating period of transition, especially for Vegeta. The Saiyan Prince has never felt stronger after his Super Saiyan upgrade and the way in which he demolishes Android 19 leaves him feeling invincible against these artificial antagonists. Vegeta’s powerful build-up makes his fall from grace against Android 18 all the more effective. Android 18 and Vegeta fight across a busy highway where they hurl attacks at one another as they move across moving vehicles.
It’s an exciting extra element that brings something new to Dragon Ball Z’s battles, which are often isolated in nature. Vegeta’s Super Saiyan strength is immense, but Android 18 breaks Vegeta’s arm with her vicious blows. This helps establish Android 17 and 18’s phenomenal power and how they have infinite energy at their disposal, unlike Saiyans who grow progressively weaker over time.
5 Android 17 Meets His Match With Piccolo’s Prolific Power-Up
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 148 & 149, "The Monster Is Coming" & "He's Here"
Vegeta’s loss against Android 18 is a devastating wake-up call for the heroes. Piccolo sets his sights on 18’s brother, Android 17, which leads to one of the Cell Saga’s best battles before its central villain achieves perfection. Piccolo has recently fused with Kami and become stronger than ever.
This helps him hold his own against Android 17 in a fierce fight that’s full of destructive energy blasts, like Piccolo’s Hellzone Grenade. Piccolo doesn’t always get his due in Dragon Ball Z, especially following the Cell Saga. This makes Android 17 and Piccolo’s brutal battle one of the better showcases of the Namekian’s power and potential. There’s no true winner to this fight and these two enemies are forced to work together once Imperfect Cell crashes the party.
4 Perfect Cell’s Clash With Super Saiyan 2 Gohan Signals A Significant Turning Point In The Series
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 181-191
Dragon Ball fans are certainly accustomed to the idea that Goku is destined to defeat each story arc’s major villain and become the first one to stumble upon a new transformation. The Cell Saga is so celebrated because it bravely breaks from this formula and proudly celebrates Gohan realizing his full potential. Cell’s self-destruct gambit ends Goku’s life and it’s Gohan who has to step up and save the planet.
It’s extremely satisfying to see Gohan achieve his destiny and surpass his father – something that’s been teased since Dragon Ball Z’s start – but his inaugural Super Saiyan 2 transformation makes this an unforgettable fight. A new side of Gohan presents himself that feels like the synthesis of what both he and his father represent. Gohan is able to outsmart Cell’s strategy, protect the planet, and make his father proud. It’s a cathartic conclusion in every regard.
3 Majin Buu Faces The Wrath Of Super Saiyan 3 Goku In Their First Fight
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 245 & 246, "Super Saiyan 3?!" & "Buu's Mutiny"
Majin Buu is an ancient evil who’s responsible for innumerable casualties across the galaxy. Buu descends the Earth into chaos and each of his different forms are uniquely dangerous. Buu’s first form, also known as Innocent Buu, is a horrifying mix of childish and cruel. Buu views wanton destruction as a silly game, which makes all of his attacks all the more disturbing.
Goku does his best against Innocent Buu and unveils his Super Saiyan 3 transformation for the first time. This alone makes the battle quite memorable, even if Goku doesn’t secure the victory. Goku’s transformation causes ripple effects across the world and his intense energy becomes a deadly counterpoint to Buu’s abject silliness. This fight successfully sets up the horrors and challenges to come as Buu grows stronger.
2 Super Buu’s Battle Against Gotenks Is One Of Dragon Ball Z’s Weirdest Encounters
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 261 & 262, "Gotenks Is Awesome" & "Unlucky Break"
Super Buu isn’t Buu’s final form, but he’s an intimidating threat who wipes out most of the planet’s population simply because he’s bored and impatient. Super Buu is the culmination of Evil Buu’s consumption of Good Buu and his newly-sleek physique ditches Innocent Buu’s more farcical appearance. Fusion becomes a pivotal procedure in the latter-half of Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga. Goten and Trunks are able to multiply their powers as Gotenks and even achieve Super Saiyan 3 status. Gotenks has one of the most unique attack arsenals in the series.
The comical nature of this battle is occasionally criticized, but it’s unlike anything else in Dragon Ball Z. Gotenks bombards Super Buu with explosive ghosts, constant missiles, and even temporarily transforms this apocalyptic threat into a volleyball. Gotenks’ battle against Super Buu is immediately followed by the villain’s fight with Ultimate Gohan. Ultimate Gohan versus Super Buu is also an exceptional assault, but it’s slightly more disappointing due to Gohan’s failure on this front.
1 Kid Buu’s Final Fight With Goku Solidifies The Saiyan’s Status As The Ultimate Shonen Hero
Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 279, 280, 281 & 286, "Battle For The Universe Begins," "Vegeta's Respect," "Minute Of Desperation" & "Spirit Bomb Triumphant"
Kid Buu is the Majin menace’s final form and a threat that proves to nearly be too much for Earth’s greatest heroes. Goku applies everything that he’s learned throughout the entirety of Dragon Ball Z into this fight. Goku has incredible Super Saiyan strength at his disposal, but it’s fitting that he secures this victory in his base form as he relies upon the planet’s trust and energy to deliver an overwhelming Super Spirit Bomb.
Goku’s Super Spirit Bomb becomes the perfect reflection of how he’s earned the planet’s trust and moved so many lives with his heroic acts. There’s a temporary interlude during Goku and Kid Buu’s brawl where Vegeta and Innocent Buu challenge Kid Buu so that Goku can regain his strength and properly power up his Spirit Bomb. It’s Goku’s greatest accomplishment, even if it’s technically a group effort from the entire planet.
