Top 60 Worst Episodes of Dragon Ball Z
These are my least favorite episodes of Dragon Ball Z, respectively. I choose them not only based on the lack of emotional depth or developmental value... but also on the lack of sheer ferocity and brutality. Neither is evident in these episodes. This is, after all, a fighting series. The episodes I have listed here rely far too heavily on holding a face far too long to waste time onscreen, or groaning and moaning to the extent where the episode's dialogue lacks a heavy degree of actual meaning. If it's not on my list, then it's most likely not a bad episode in terms of development and storyline. If it's on this list, then it is likely a very boring episode overall, having a long-lasting beam struggle or overall superfluous amount of airtime when it shouldn't have. Also, most of these episodes weren't even filler as some of the filler material actually had a stronger premise. It is evident that this list is comprised of episodes that were rather boring or relied only on a one-on-one scuffle that just plain lasted too long. Otherwise, other instances of inclusion on this list are episodes that were just too silly and/or stupid and made comical jokes rather than being targeted more towards a dramatic and morally complex story. Since this is a fighting series, these episodes lack a bone-shattering, back-breaking, uber-action-packed explosion of the nitty gritty feel of most Dragon Ball Z episodes.
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- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeThe final showdown begins! While Goku telepathically coaches Gohan from the Other World, the Z-Fighters jump in for a five-sided attack! Gohan has the potential inside him, but can Goku show him how to unlock it?This here would be the worst episode of the entire series. Well, this and the one before it. I absolutely hate this ending and the overall emphasis placed on just one beam struggle. The grunting and moaning in the episode also annoyed me. I was completely towards disliking the saga overall but this ending was my least favorite as well as worst overall in terms of storyline progression. In general, I hated this episode and the one prior to it, I believe it was called "Horror won't end", yup, those two are my least favorites due to the ongoing emphasis of boredom here. This episode also lacks the sheer brutality of the 200 or so other really awesome episodes of DBZ. This is the prime example of an overall terrible episode as it is an attempt to conclude a one-on-one fight that just dragged on too long as it is. Cell v. Gohan was the most boring fight in the series, but this ending to the fight was the most grueling and boring due to the fact that if someone is not a fan of Cell (which I am not), then this episode's appeal is very minimal if any. It concentrated too heavily on a beam struggle and not enough on anything but that. There was hardly any dialogue if any and mostly concentrated on repeated footage of the two characters blasting each other, which is the opposite of a very well orchestrated fight scene, but rather, a prime example of "I must hold this face to appear more and add more unnecessary airtime"... very poor episode overall.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeVegeta lashed out against Cell but was incapacitated in a single blow. Gohan jumps in front to save Vegeta and is wounded in the process. Cell and Gohan unleash their devastating Kamehameha waves as they collide in a fierce beam struggle.This is the lead-up to the forthcoming horrible episode "Save the World." It's one of the worst episodes as well as Gohan and Cell begin their beam struggle here and continue it onto the next 22 minutes of an overload of boredom. The only horror here is the lame footage that people are forced to undergo; it's the worst 44 minutes in the history of the entire series; well, this episode and the one right after. Nothing much happens here, of course... Gohan and Cell get into their useless beam struggle which is the absolute most boring footage in the entire series run. Indeed... There is the "Horror" of actually staying awake during this episode as everyone stares at Gohan and Cell's useless scuffle.
- StarsSean SchemmelChristopher SabatJustin CookHaving been reduced to a coffee-flavored candy, it seems nothing can stop Vegito from being consumed by the evil Majin Buu. But when the gumdrop fights back, Buu realizes that the battle is far from over!This is one of the worst episodes as well as Vegito fights back after he is changed into a chocolate candy jawbreaker piece and starts to battle in this form... against Super Buu... who is bounced around by this piece of candy. He ends up returning Vegito to his initial body since he can't keep up with the piece of candy; Stupid much...? We could have been spared this entire episode and everyone's useless reactions of anticipation for 20 minutes and we might have had a more serious saga here. So basically a piece of candy fights Super Buu, which was already a goofball antagonist to begin with, making the culmination of the saga even less enthralling. A fighting piece of candy isn't something I'd expected to see in such an excellent series. Well, when it comes to this episode, it relies too heavily on being idiotic and sometimes, having a light-hearted fight isn't the best way to go about it.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeThe nightmare continues! Cell explodes, but a particle of his nucleus survives the blast, providing all the android needs to regenerate himself! Restored to his ultimate form, Cell returns to the Earth more powerful than ever!Oh, just great... We didn't get enough of Cell so we find out he's survived that stupid explosion and he's learned instant transmission so he comes back and whacks Trunks. Then, he's supposed to be unbeatable again. Camp idiot is quite the Gary Stu and Mary Sue... as much as this was a boring and lame fight, I was hoping for it to be over sooner, and instead... we have to see more beam struggling.
- StarsSean SchemmelChristopher SabatJustin CookThe battle rages on between Vegito and Majin Buu! The Super Saiyan Combo seems to have the fight well in hand. But is Vegito tempting fate by toying with Buu? What terrible tricks does the wily, pink monster still have up his sleeve?Here's the lead-on to the "incredible fighting candy" episode which sucked equally as bad. Here, Vegito is changed into the candy and all hope is temporarily lost... as well as our patience as an audience expecting to see dramatic action and pulse-pounding drama. This was one idiotic episode overall as it destroys the seriousness of previous episodes and the overall feel of the series. Of course, it may appeal to very young children as it has the very random and moronic touch to it, but for people who prefer to see the darker, more serious atmosphere of Dragon Ball, won't really be gaining much here. Here's the lead-on to the "incredible fighting candy" episode which sucked equally as bad. Here, Vegito is changed into the candy and all hope is temporarily lost... as well as our patience as an audience expecting to see dramatic action and pulse-pounding drama. This was one idiotic episode overall as it destroys the seriousness of previous episodes and the overall feel of the series. Of course, it may appeal to very young children as it has the very random and moronic touch to it, but for people who prefer to see the darker, more serious atmosphere of Dragon Ball, won't really be gaining much here. This was a rather foolish attempt at a comedic twist that we could have lived without...
- StarsSean SchemmelKyle HebertKara EdwardsDangers abound as Goku and Vegeta continue their search for Gohan and inside of Majin Buuâ€ôs body! After meeting some disgusting bedfellows, they finally find what theyâ€ôre looking for as they enter Majin Buuâ€ôs head!This episode is an uber-joke. We continue to see Goku and Vegeta in Super Buu's stomach as they interact with the worms and end up fighting random replicas of their teammates, created inside Super Buu's body. But that's not why this episode sucks so bad. The major aspect of it being so stupid is the fact that Super Buu has to go to the bathroom, so we witness this as he goes to a portable potty outside and takes a big one. Dende and Mr. Satan don't like the stench as they watch Super Buu leave the potty. This was random and stupid and didn't feel anything like the rest of the series. This is another thing we could have done without.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitRealizing that his powers are no match for his opponent, Trunks accepts defeat, only to be given a second chance when Cell proposes a tournament! Is Cell really interested in competition, or does he have a sinister motive?This was a horrible episode as a starter of an onslaught to a very boring tournament which only Cell himself would fight in. Let's save the surprises because... there are none. Cell fights Goku and Gohan... and everyone else just stands by and watches. What uselessness. An actual tournament has actual contestants as was the case with Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z's Buu saga, where a true fight is seen between Spopovich and Videl. That was a tournament fight. This, on the other hand, was a sorry excuse of some lame beam struggles between Cell and Gohan... and, that's about it.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitThe earth's greatest fear has come true: Cell is complete! Can anyone stop the android nightmare in his final, perfect form? As the heroes nervously line up, a glimmer of hope shines from above. Gohan is a Super Saiyan!This was one REALLY long transformation... it took far too long for what it was... essentially more ways to waste time onscreen. Cell really stunk in his first and second forms, but the major disappointment was his "Perfect" form. For the great 20-minute wait of watching him "evolve" with flashy lights and everyone watching, it ended up being a hugely boring character who stood there and kept admitting to being "perfect" and acting stuck up as his "ultimate perfection" would remain undefeated. Or so he thought.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitWhile Trunks tells the others of Cell's plans to hold a tournament, the diabolical android begins his preparations for the competition by constructing a fighting arena. Do the Z-Fighters have a chance, or is this a contest that only Cell can win?We all know Cell is holding a tournament because he's full of himself and he wants to test his might against all the actually powerful characters residing on planet Earth. You'd think an actual villain would have destroyed the planet and gone on to do more evil. But no... this one wants to test his might for the next 50 episodes.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitCell breaks into showbiz - literally! The sinister android hijacks a television station in order to announce his "Cell Games" to the world! But are there any challengers left with the strength and courage to get into the ring?So Cell goes to the TV station and declares his tournament official, etc. and asks for all the contestants who dare to challenge him in 10 days to show themselves. Waste of air time much?
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitTapping into the deepest wells of his energy, Vegeta summons one last attack: the Final Flash! Meanwhile, Trunks struggles to decide whether or not to help his father. Vegeta's pride is at stake, but so is his life!So it wasn't bad enough watching Cell mutate for 22 minutes + that we have to watch Trunks "ascend" for 22 minutes also? And Krillin has to shake and shudder at the sight of Trunks' useless Super Saiyan stage? This saga REALLY was annoying and boring, greatly targeted at younger audiences it seems.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeAfter surrendering to Cell, Goku names the next challenger to enter the Cell Games: Gohan! Goku has supreme faith in his son's abilities, but the young Saiyan will need a lot more than his father's confidence if he's going to survive!Goku says he has faith in Gohan, who steps up to fight Cell. And this would be the ONLY other fight in this "tournament"... which is rather lacking as it fails to actually be a tournament but rather... Gohan and Goku versus Cell seems more fitting. Gohan doesn't really want to fight here, but he doesn't want to let down his friends and attempts to do so anyway. Cell begins to fight Gohan in what would continue to be the most boring fight in the entire series run. What made this episode even worse was the fact that Goku gave Cell a senzu bean to ensure it would be a fair fight. We could have actually been spared the forthcoming 12 episodes of stupidity, Goku. Why did your honor have to kick in there?
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitPanicked Earthlings flee their homes to escape Cell's wrath, but all hope is not lost! Back at the Lookout, Goku and Gohan finally emerge from the Time Chamber. After a quick trip to size up the competition, Goku is ready to battle Cell!So after announcing his tournament, Cell talks to Goku for 20 minutes and they explain how far they've come... which isn't much considering Cell would get his backside handed to him, but why did we have to see it for 50 episodes?
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeThe wait is over, and the Cell Games are ready to begin! The Z-Fighters arrive ringside, only to discover another challenger already on the scene. It's none other than World Martial Arts Champion, Mr. Satan!Oh, so the "Cell Games" begin. Big woop. Nothing happens... the fighters gather and Cell remains cocky... Goku's first up to fight Cell... wow, that must have been a really big surprise.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeGoku and Cell start fighting with each other in the ring. If Cell wins then he'll destroy the earth. If Goku wins then the Cell will give up.So Goku fights Cell... and what? They are both kidding with each other trying to revel on the fact that they're extremely powerful. What a waste of airtime.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeCell attacks Goku with a dazzling array of moves including the Destructo Disk, the Special Beam Cannon, and even the Kamehameha Wave! Goku matches the monster blow for blow, but how long can he last against such a lethal arsenal?Cell pulls off moves previously seen by all the other characters in the series because he's a pretender who doesn't have his own. These moves were great the first time we saw them, but now it's just stupid as this unoriginal copycat bores the life out of the combat itself, excessively abusing these moves that don't belong to him in the first place.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeAs the battle intensifies, Cell quickly grows tired of the rules he created for the tournament. With a flick of his finger, the Android destroys the ring, instantly turning the Cell Games into a deadly fight to the finish!Cell gets annoyed and destroys the arena ring out of his own stupidity and overconfidence. Now he wants to fight without a ground base so there aren't any restrictions. Big deal. Goku never needed those restrictions anyway. It was Cell's own stupidity and uselessness, primarily being one who likes to waste episodes worth of footage on talking about just how "perfect" he is.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeGoku blasts Cell with a Kamehameha Wave that reduces the android to a pile of cinders, but his triumph is short-lived. The monster shows his amazing resilience by fully regenerating himself!Goku gives up against Cell after a few boring episodes. He stands down and says he can't win. Then, he says Gohan is next to fight Cell... which wasn't much of a surprise considering this is the only thing built up for storyline purposes in the last 30 or so episodes. What uselessness.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeThe fight between Gohan and Cell intensifies, but the villain's attacks seem to have no effect on the boy! Could the young hero really have the power to defeat the evil android once and for all?Mr. Satan is still faking his stomach aches... oh wow. Now we have to hear Gohan and Cell talk about how far they've come. As if our seeing this onscreen wasn't bad enough that we have to listen to them explain the same thing over again.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyDameon ClarkeGoku's training is complete, so the gang summons the Eternal Dragon to wish him back to life. There's only one day left before the Saiyans arrive. Unfortunately, it will take Goku two days to return!Gohan kicks the daylights out of Cell making him puke up Android 18. This stunk for the sheer fact that Cell is such a stupid antagonist and seeing him getting pounded by Gohan was equally stupid as you'd think someone as greatly built as Vegeta, Piccolo, Goku, etc. could have squashed this bug eventually. But instead, we have to bare witness to Gohan attempting to be a bada$$ when this is extremely random and idiotic, the most foolish aspect being Cell's regurgitation of android 18... was that supposed to be awesome, because it was just gross. It wasn't even great like the action-packed bone-bashing fighting and bloody fists getting jammed up each others backs and guts, instead... it was just a gross aspect that wasn't even remotely enjoyable. Cell goes down as being another idiotic antagonist instead of a very serious one as most DBZ villains are.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitVegeta lies unconscious after his battle with Cell, and Trunks unleashes his hidden powers to save his father's life. With Goku and Gohan still training, Trunks is the only person standing in the evil android's way.So Super Vegeta got beat down by Cell and Trunks attempts to take on Cell in the same pumped-up format... and is too slow to take down the insect... that's about it.
- StarsStephanie NadolnySonny StraitEric ValeWith hopes of saving the future, Trunks and Krillin race to destroy Dr. Gero's lab. Meanwhile, Piccolo and Tien search for the elusive Cell. But how can they stop an enemy who knows their every move?So Krillin and Trunks find the lab where Cell from the present or future or whatever is being held. Too many timelines to follow anyway. So they destroy the basement and leave to ensure at least the Cell of their timeline won't come to be. Good, saved us the trouble of seeing more Cell onscreen. As if one moronic insect wasn't lame enough.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitHeavily-armored tanks fail to halt Cell's rampage, and now it's up to Piccolo to stop the monster! As the Namekian fights for survival, Cell reveals that he's actually an android, the ultimate achievement of Dr. Gero!So the insect has got to have the title of this episode... "His name is Cell" as if it makes any difference in terms of actual storyline... well, it doesn't. Imperfect Cell appears and challenges Piccolo, who is now fused with Kami and is able to kick the stupid insect around, forcing him to retreat and absorb more people uselessly to try and make itself stronger.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnyChristopher SabatTrunks must face the fact that he cannot change history and save his timeline.So Trunks gets a response from Bulma and a scanned image of his time capsule, which Cell had jacked from him in the future and traveled back in time to attempt to change the events to his liking. This really stunk. Confusing and annoying timelines aren't the best route for storytelling.
- StarsSean SchemmelStephanie NadolnySonny StraitVegeta quickly pounds Cell six feet into the ground! With his back against the wall, the monstrous android attacks Vegeta's weakest point: his arrogance! Can the Saiyan Prince resist Cell's tempting challenge?Gohan and Goku train in the hyperbolic time chamber. Semi-Perfect Cell continues to fight Vegeta... and convince Vegeta to allow him to become complete and pose a challenge for him. Vegeta, with his Saiyan genetics for wanting a challenge and thirst for combat, is actually evidently idiotic enough to allow Cell to become complete, adding a repertoire of episodes that could easily have been avoided. See how Krillin, Vegeta, and Goku all made Cell's lifespan longer than it should have been...