Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has proven itself to be an evergreen staple of the shonen industry. For more than three decades, Dragon Ball has helped lead the way in heightened action storytelling that’s able to indulge in genre tropes, while also working hard to subvert them and establish its own voice. Dragon Ball continues to evolve in satisfying ways, but it still feels like the same series that it’s always been.
There are collectively more than 500 episodes of Dragon Ball across its various series, but some fans consider this immense amount of content to slowly hit diminishing returns. Dragon Ball concludes so many fulfilling story arcs that could have actually brought the whole series to a close with minor changes.
10 The First Time Shenron Gets Summoned
Dragon Ball’s various series craft an expansive saga that lasts for hundreds of episodes and it’s almost impossible to not think of the anime’s narrative lasting multiple decades. However, there are plenty of anime that humbly wrap up after a dozen or so episodes and the original Dragon Ball could have taken the same approach after Shenron gets summoned for the first time. There’s still so much of Dragon Ball’s universe to explore at this point, but it’d be somewhat fitting for a series that’s called Dragon Ball to conclude when the wish-granting orbs are all collected for the first time.
9 Goku Becomes A Super Saiyan And Defeats Frieza
There’s a certain level of satisfaction in ending Dragon Ball as Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan, establishes a new plateau of power, and finally defeats Frieza for the galaxy. Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation is a turning point in the series that establishes a model for the upcoming story arcs, but it’d also function as a poetic conclusion to Goku’s journey. Goku’s fight against Frieza is such a powerful battle that Dragon Ball has brought the character back on multiple occasions.
8 Gohan Defeats Cell And Avenges Goku’s Death
Dragon Ball fans have certainly gotten used to the idea that Goku will be the one to take out the next big threat and ultimately save the day. Goku typically earns these victories, but it does become slightly predictable after a while.
A thrilling exception occurs during the fight against Cell, who actually manages to overwhelm Goku, which results in his death. Gohan is left to pick up the pieces and he surpasses his father and transforms into a Super Saiyan 2. Gohan’s role as Earth’s protector is teased from the very first episode of Dragon Ball Z.
7 Goku Wins The 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai
The biggest threats in Dragon Ball involve galactic tyrants who play by their own rules, but the original series spends a lot of time on preparation for the Tenkaichi Budokai. This competition becomes a tradition in Dragon Ball and it’s a strong stepping-stone for early in Goku’s martial arts career. Goku is finally able to best his opponents and takes first place in the 23rd installment of the tournament. Goku’s victory here highlights how much he’s grown, but it also ostensibly marks the end of the original Dragon Ball and it’d be a fine point to say goodbye to these heroes.
6 Vegeta Is Defeated By Earth’s Strongest
Dragon Ball Z’s introductory Saiyan Saga marks crucial changes for the franchise, such as the reveal that Goku is actually a member of a warrior alien race. These invading Saiyans devastate Earth’s heroes, which culminates in an extremely tight battle between Goku and Vegeta.
Goku’s narrow victory requires help from Gohan, Krillin, and even Yajirobe. Vegeta’s defeat triggers what’s to come next with everyone’s exodus to Planet Namek, but some consider this to be Dragon Ball Z’s high point. The Saiyan Saga could function as a short addendum to the original Dragon Ball’s story.
5 Gohan’s Ultimate Upgrade Results In Buu’s Defeat
Plot progression and story arcs can often change from their original plans in shonen series. Majin Buu’s attack in Dragon Ball Z seems like it’s meant to be extinguished by Gohan, especially after he masters the rare Ultimate upgrade and Goku remains deceased.
Gohan’s new strength turns out to not be enough and he gets absorbed by Buu, only for Goku to be the one who later delivers the victory. So much of Dragon Ball Z feels like Gohan’s story, especially in the Buu Saga, so his defeat over this ancient evil would make for a very cathartic close to the series.
4 The Defeat Of Super 17
Lots of criticism is still directed towards the sequel series, Dragon Ball GT, especially after Dragon Ball Super has forged its own path in the canon. Dragon Ball GT takes some ambitious swings and attempts to return to the original Dragon Ball’s tone, which leads to an identity crisis in the series. Dragon Ball GT ends in a very conclusive fashion, but Goku’s victory over Super 17 would also function as a strong place to end. There’s emotional weight here with both the death of Krillin and Piccolo’s sacrifice, plus a lot of old faces briefly return during the jailbreak from the afterlife.
3 Goku Ascends To Super Saiyan God
New and powerful transformations have become a popular tradition in Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball Super pushes this trope to bold, new places through the introduction of Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue, Ultra Instinct, and more. Super Saiyan God marks the beginning of Dragon Ball Super’s journey, but it also pushes Goku to such powerful heights. It’s not hard to imagine a conclusion where Goku achieves the power of the God, protects the planet from destruction, and transcends into a deity-like figure for the universe.
2 Universe 7 Wins The Tournament Of Power
Some may consider the Tournament of Power’s multiversal battle royale to be the end of Dragon Ball Super since it’s where the anime series concludes, but so much more has happened to these heroes in the manga and follow-up feature films. It’s clear that Universe 7 still has plenty of enemies to extinguish, but the Tournament of Power briefly feels like a height that can’t be topped. Goku and company literally protect the rest of the universes from erasure, topple Universe 11’s Jiren, and Goku experiences Ultra Instinct for the first time. Even Frieza experiences a substantial character arc.
1 Goku Reunites With Grandpa Gohan
The original Dragon Ball establishes that this universe is full of unusual fighters, some of which come from different realms or even the afterlife. Master Roshi's sister, Fortuneteller Baba, hosts an exhibition tournament that's full of characters that fulfill classical horror tropes. The big pay off during this competition is that Goku briefly reunites with the ghost of Grandpa Gohan. Grandpa Gohan's teachings are all that Goku has when Dragon Ball begins and so this supernatural reunion would provide closure to his early adventures.