Dragon Ball remains one of the most widely loved anime of all time. This is in part due to the various sagas and story arcs throughout the whole series. From Dragon Ball's early arcs to Dragon Ball GT's biggest moments, the series features some of the coolest story arcs in any series ever, full of iconic moments that are hard to forget.

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Unsurprisingly, when discussing all of them, issues arise. Fans everywhere have varying opinions on the matter. Some fans love the arcs from Dragon Ball Z and others love arcs from the recent Dragon Ball Super. Dragon Ball GT has its fans as well. These Dragon Ball arcs are the best of the best across the entire franchise.

Updated on March 2nd, 2023 by Michael Colwander: Dragon Ball arcs can take a long time to wrap up. To help readers, we've provided tables with a list of episodes in each of these arcs!

10 Universe Survival Arc

Dragon Ball Super, Episodes 77-131

Anime Goku Kefla Dragon Ball Super Tournament of Power

The final arc of Dragon Ball Super is one of the longest, pivoting around a massive tournament between the many universes of Dragon Ball. While many complained this arc dragged on, what they could not deny is it offered fans countless incredible battles. New characters are introduced. Old ones return. It's simply full of wonderful moments.

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Sadly, the problems are pretty noticeable. Much of the arc is ruined by its frankly boring antagonist, Jiren. While many of the side characters are cool and interesting, Jiren is the opposite by design. It is telling that Goku Black is a far more memorable adversary than Jiren, who just feels like a face to get punched. Truly, a disappointing final adversary.

9 The Shadow Dragons Arc

Dragon Ball GT, Episodes 48-64

Omega Shenron smiles in Dragon Ball GT.

Dragon Ball GT is not fondly regarded, and for good reason. It has a lot of issues. However, the final arc of Dragon Ball GT has arguably one of the highest points in the series, and, on paper, is ingenious.

The heroes attempt to undo the damage from Hell opening up, but can't. They've expended all the energy the Dragon Balls have to offer, which has corrupted the balls into seven evil Dragons. So, what is the only way to make a wish? Fight the Dragon Balls themselves. While this idea isn't utilized to its best, the concept is incredible. It culminates in Dragon Ball GT's ending — an ending so perfect for the series that you almost forget the disappointment that was the rest of GT

8 21st World Martial Arts Tournament

Dragon Ball, Episodes 14-28

Jackie Chun and Goku each kick eachother in the face at the end of their fight in Dragon Ball

This early arc of Dragon Ball might be overlooked in favor of the more high-flying, super-powered arcs to later follow. However, this brief arc offers the best of what early Dragon Ball has to offer: humor. The arc is ridiculous and zany, with one villain being defeated essentially by Krillin remembering he doesn't have a nose.

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The highlight of the saga is the battle between Goku and Jackie Chun, who is Master Roshi in disguise. The fight incorporates some of the best actual martial arts in the whole series. This arc is short but unforgettable.

7 Buu Arc

Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 200-287

Mystic Gohan kicks Super Buu in his stomach in Dragon Ball Z

Buu is the final villain of Dragon Ball Z. The Buu arc has some of the greatest scenes and fights in the whole franchise. Yet, many fans remember it less fondly than previous DBZ arcs.

While there are several great moments in the Buu arc such as the fight between Majin Vegeta and Goku, Goku turning Super Saiyan 3, fusion, and Vegeta's sacrifice, the Buu arc is poorly paced. Plot points don't pan out quite right. Several ideas and concepts, such as fusion, have little bearing on how the Buu arc wraps up. It spends much of its time propping up the next generation of fighters only for Goku to once again save the day.

6 God of Destruction Beerus Arc

Dragon Ball Super, Episodes 1-14

Beerus punches Super Saiyan God Goku in Dragon Ball Super.

Whether it's the Battle of Gods film or the first arc of DBS, there is no denying that Beerus remains one of the coolest additions to Dragon Ball. The God of Destruction Beerus awakens from a long slumber and seeks to find the Super Saiyan God that he foresaw in a dream.

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The most entertaining part of the Beerus arc is how the majority of it is spent trying not to fight. For a series so focused on combat, the change of pace is more than welcome, offering characters a chance to solve problems without using their fists. That said, the final fight between Super Saiyan God Goku and Beerus is nothing short of awesome.

5 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament

Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 123-153

Piccolo and Goku fight in the Dragon Ball World Martial Arts Tournament.

The final arc of Dragon Ball takes place after a significant time skip. It follows up on the Demon King Piccolo Arc, while also boasting a truly unique scenario. During one last tournament, Goku needs to confront the spawn of the Demon King, Piccolo Jr, who is the same Piccolo from DBZ, in one final battle to rid the world of the Demon King's evil. In order to do so, Goku has to fight his friends, get married, and convince Kami not to kill himself.

The original Dragon Ball series comes to a head here and it's the last Tournament Arc in Dragon Ball until DBS to have real stakes and tension. Plus, the final fight with Piccolo is so incredibly brutal and intense. Few fights since match it in terms of sheer intensity.

4 Saiyan Saga

Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 1-35

Great Ape Vegeta crushes Goku in Dragon Ball Z.

The attack of the Saiyans kicks off the events of Dragon Ball Z. It begins with the arrival of Raditz, which already serves as an incredible moment, and ends with Vegeta and Goku's iconic first brawl.

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But while those moments are great, what makes the Saiyan Saga shine is the involvement of the other characters. Tien, Yamcha, and Chiaotzu have some pretty iconic moments in the Saiyan arc, but the star has to be Piccolo. This is Piccolo's arc, allowing him to grow as a character from the evil villain to basically Gohan's surrogate father. That's truly something.

3 Demon King Piccolo Saga

Dragon Ball, Episodes 102-122

Demon King Piccolo laughs maniacally in Dragon Ball

The Demon King Piccolo Saga marks the point when the series went from hilarious hijinks to serious fighting. It starts with the aftermath of the first intense death in the anime and doesn't let up from there. King Piccolo and his minions present a real sinister presence that had, until then, really hadn't been present.

And to put it mildly, Piccolo really wins. The rest of Dragon Ball is spent undoing what Piccolo does, but he accomplishes everything he set out to do. He truly is the first villain in Dragon Ball to feel unstoppable.

2 Namek/Frieza Saga

Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 36-107

Super Saiyan Goku stares down a scared Frieza in Dragon Ball Z

The Namek and Frieza saga blur together for many fans. While the Namek Arc centers around an incredible hunt for the Dragon Balls featuring three competing factions and the helpless fight against the Ginyu Force, the events of the Frieza arc often overshadow Namek. That being said, it's altogether incredible.

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Of course, the fight with Frieza epitomizes the greatness of the Dragon Ball franchise. There are so many emotional moments, including a number of emotional deaths, as well as tons of epic scenes, such as Piccolo and Frieza's fight, Goku turning Super Saiyan, and the final slug-fest over the dying Namek. Some fans believe this was supposed to be the true ending of the Dragon Ball series. If it was, it would've been an extremely high point to go out on.

1 Android/Cell Saga

Dragon Ball Z, Episodes 118-194

The Android and Cell Saga remain the definitive arc in Dragon Ball history. It draws from the past while directing the series to its future. It starts with the introduction of Future Trunks, who remains one of the most memorable characters in all of Dragon Ball. Fans will never forget Future Trunks' arrival where cut the last arc's villain, Frieza, to bits!

To make things better, the Androids themselves serve as a wonderful throwback to the Red Ribbon Army, giving an old villain a chance to take revenge on Goku. The Android/Cell arc presents several iconic moments for every character — even minor players like Tien and Krillin. Some of the series's greatest fights take place here; 18 vs. Vegeta, Piccolo vs. 17, and Goku vs. Cell. Of course, the Android/Cell arc culminates with one of the most popular moments in Dragon Ball, if not all of anime, to date: Gohan ascending to Super Saiyan 2.

NEXT: 18 Dragon Ball Villains Ranked From Weakest To Most Powerful