Filler gets a bad rep from a lot of anime fans and for a good reason. We either get some arcs and sagas that extend from their original lengths or unique stories that weren't made by the original author. Padding like this is always created so that the show's Manga author can make more content so that they can continue with the show. Dragon Ball is no different. While the original series doesn't contain as much filler as we're used to seeing in modern anime, DBZ has had plenty of filler. They even made Dragon Ball Z Kai so they could get rid of a lot of the moments that didn't happen in the original Manga.
Despite this, there are a few instances of Filler that Dragon Ball fans still enjoy, even if they're not what Akira Toriyama envisioned. So, we decided to take a look back at some of the filler moments in Dragon Ball and pick our ten favorites. Be they in DBZ, Dragon Ball Super, or the original series; it'll be counted.
10 Goku's Delayed Onset Energy Disorder
After his fight with Hit, Goku begins to suffer some side effects from over-exerting himself. He has trouble flying, his Instant Transmission teleports him all over the place, and his un-ending appetite has disappeared. The episode features a lot of great slapstick and comedic moments, like when Bulma and Vegeta nearly kill Goku for insulting her breasts. It makes for a nice change of pace, and we even get to spend more time with the adorable baby Pan. What's not to love?
9 Universe 6 v Universe 7: Dawn of Baseball
If you thought the Tournament of Destroyers was intense, you haven't seen anything yet. Once again, we find the Universes run by Beerus and Champa dueling it out, this time over a game of Baseball. The highlight of this episode is seeing our heroes and their opponents learn how to play the beloved sport, leading to a lot of amusing moments. It even has Goku and Vegeta going at it as Super Saiyan Blues, with Vegeta trying his all to strike Goku out!
It all leads up to one of the best moments to feature everyone's favorite Punching Bag, Yamcha. We won't spoil it, but let's just say that it turns his most significant defeat into his greatest achievement. It all makes for an episode that's reminiscent of classic Golden Age comic stories, like when Superman, Batman, and Robin were playing Baseball back in the '40s.
8 Goku in Hell
While hoping to get to Snake Way faster by riding a Zamboni, Goku accidentally falls from Snake Way and winds up in Hell (or as the Ocean Dub called it, The Home For Eternal Losers). While there, he runs into Goz and Mez, who promise to show him a secret way out, if he beats them. Seeing Goku take on the challenges Goz and Mez layout before him is entertaining as HFIL, and it leads to a lot of funny sequences. What more could you ask for from the episode that has Goku in Hell?
7 Goku meeting Princess Snake
Around the halfway point of Snake Way, Goku runs into Princess Snake and her servants. Like any femme fatale, Princess Snake tries to seduce our hero, but his dedication to his family and child-like IQ prevents Goku from falling under her spell. It leads to her trying to eat Goku, which luckily doesn't happen. It may start on a bumpy note, but once Goku comes back into the picture, it's a fun ride that you won't forget.
6 Vegeta and Nappa's visit to Arlia
Dragon Ball filler generally is at its best when it's used for comedic purposes, but that doesn't mean it's worthless when it's trying something different by adding to the plot. In this episode, we get a taste of what Vegeta and Nappa are made of when the two decide to make a pit-stop on planet Arlia to stretch their legs.
It then leads to our villains actually saving a kingdom that's been taken over by a tyrannical ruler.... before blowing the entire place up. Before this, we only saw Vegeta and Nappa eating some locals on a planet, but this episode let audiences see what the Z-Fighters were up against.
5 Goku and Vegeta's adventure to the Center of Buu
After Vegito is absorbed and our heroes are split back in separate bings, Goku and Vegeta venture into Super Buu and fight their way to their children and Piccolo. Along the way, the two but heads with Buu's Digestive system, Vegeta doing his best not to swear on Cartoon Network airtime, and we even have the Saiyan duo fighting against giant worms (Vegeta's greatest fear). It may not advance the plot, but it was a funny little out-of-body experience for our heroes.
4 Goku and Chi-Chi's Pre-Wedding Adventure
Believe it or not, but the original Dragon Ball ended with Goku defeating Piccolo, letting him live, and we jump straight into Goku and Chi-Chi's wedding. However, what we guess was a way to milk five more episodes out of the original series, We have Goku and Chi-Chi going to get her Father's blessings, only to find that the Ox-Kings palace is on fire. The two travel to obtain the Bansho Fan and save the Ox-King before it's too late. Goku even gets reunited with his Grandpa Gohan again and also gets to introduce Chi-Chi to him. It's a nice little piece of filler to close out the original series.
3 Goku and General Tao's Reunion
Back in Dragon Ball, Goku thought he saw the last of General Tao during the 23rd Martial Art's Tournament. However, Goku meets up with his old enemy when Tao is working for Vodka and has two Dragon Balls in his possession. It leads to Goku solving a Puzzle for Tao and getting his Dragon Balls.
What makes this episode so funny is seeing Goku go up against all the traps Vodka and Tao set up for him. It's reminiscent of a classic Road Runner and Willie E Coyote cartoon or those episodes of Tom and Jerry whenever the latter turns into a Hulking Monster.
2 The Other World Tournament
Have you ever wondered how the greatest fighters of the afterlife spend their time? Well, your wish is granted thanks to this 4-episode mini-saga. After the earth is rid of Cell, King Kai decides to take Goku to the Other World Tournament, where he faces off with the best that the Dead can offer. His greatest opponent turns out to be an alien warrior named Pikkon, someone who had managed to make short work of Cell, who arrives in Hell after his death at the hands of Gohan. It may not be the Tournament of Power, but the Other World Tournament is still a fun little adventure, and we hope that Pikkon becomes canon someday soon.
1 Goku's Ordeal
It's the episode that every DBZ fan remembers. Taking a break from their training to defeat the Androids, Goku and Piccolo must get their Drivers Licenses or suffer the wrath of Chi-Chi like never before. What's left to say about this episode? The premise is dumb, and it knows it. It has fun with the idea of Goku and Piccolo trying to do something that every human being despises: spending a day at the DMV. How can you not just love the insanity of it all? The only way something like this would be any funnier if it were Hulk and Thor in Goku and Piccolo's positions, or Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter.