Dragon Ball Z boasts an impressive history. The series has been the source of internet memes, endless video games, and sequels helping to keep the franchise alive. With beautiful animation and formidable enemies, it's no wonder DBZ has maintained a special and nostalgic place in the hearts of fans.
That said, Dragon Ball Z has serious issues when it comes to pacing. Running while the manga was still being published, several key moments had to resort to filler so the anime could have enough content to adapt. There is an incredible amount filler episodes in Dragon Ball Z , some better than others.
8 Best: Driving Lessons
Immediately after being given a warning from the future about a team of deadly androids that will destroy the world, two of the strongest fighters on the planet spend their time earning their driver's licenses. With the countdown towards the end of the world on the way, Goku and Piccolo are forced by Chi-Chi to learn to drive because she's fed up with being chased by dinosaurs while bringing home the shopping. Despite the premise, Goku and Piccolo learning to driving is a beloved piece of filler that offers a moment to breathe before the androids arrive.
7 Worst: Pendulum Room Peril
The Saiyan saga dedicates a fair amount of time to training. While Goku and Gohan get the meatiest arcs, the Earthling also train on Kami's Lookout. Fans are forced to experience the long wait for the dreaded Saiyans alongside the main cast.
Pendulum Room Peril pits the main cast against two ruthless Saiyans, putting into perspective the threat they face. Unfortunately, this takes away the impact from Nappa's first appearance and isn't that engaging of an episode to begin with.
6 Best: Gohan's Training
Gohan's training with Piccolo is adapted from the manga, but the anime goes out of its way to flesh out the six months Gohan spends before actually beginning his training. From hunting robots, learning to fend for himself in the wild, and befriending a robot, Gohan's filler arc makes an already great part of DBZ even better.
5 Worst: Trouble On Arlia
In one of the most bizarre and redundant moments of the entire saga, Vegeta and Nappa end up on a mysterious planet where they are imprisoned by an alien race.
They destroyed Arlia and its inhabitants without breaking a sweat. Instead of fans being impressed by their strength, Vegeta and Nappa looked absurd in the eyes of some viewers.
4 Best: Duel On A Vanishing Planet
Goku's fight against Frieza might not be filler, but Piccolo delivers an anime-only monologue where he admits for he has respect for Goku for the first time. Considering how Goku and Piccolo's arc parallel each other throughout the Frieza saga, it's powerful to hear Piccolo's respect for Goku be vocalized.
3 Worst: Fake Namek
The main characters' journey to Namek was a dull and arduous process. Krillin, Gohan, and Bulma constantly got themselves into misadventures in the anime. While in the manga they got to Namek in just a few chapters, the anime has them running into a band of children on a spaceship and landing on a "Fake Namek" before actually getting to the meat of the arc.
2 Best: The Garlic Jr. Saga
With unique abilities like vampiric mind-control and trapping people in bottles, the Garlic Jr. saga was a highly entertaining segment for fans. The antagonists had progressively more powerful forms and were very close to achieving their goals. Being connected to The Dead Zone gave the arc a unique flare while also unintentionally foreshadowing Gohan's role as the anime's eventual main character.
1 Best: Other World Tournament
The Dragon Ball franchise goes back to its roots with a martial arts tournament against the most powerful fighters in the universe. Held in the afterlife and with a prize of being trained by the Grand Kai himself, fans were in awe at the spectacular abilities and techniques of the fighters. This tournament is also where one of the strongest — and most beloved side characters — was introduced. Pikkon was a fearsome warrior who gave Goku a run for his money and managed to end their fight in a draw.