In this post we’re taking a look at ten of the most iconic DragonBall Z fights.  This list will not include fights from the movies.

[10] Goku and Piccolo vs. Raditz

What better way to set the tone of the series than the first epic battle.  After visiting friends, Goku is approached by a stranger who reveals himself as Goku’s brother, Raditz.  After he kidnaps Gohan, Goku teams up with this arch-rival Piccolo and the two take the fight to Raditz.  What we get is a fast paced, intense fight that elevates itself from the fights of the previous series focusing on a great blend of martial arts and special abilities.  Despite the fact Raditz dominates the two fighters, they do give him a run for his money, even managing to defeat him at the cost of Goku’s life.  Though it’s low on the list it still sets up the future fights and how intense they are.

[9] Krillin vs. Piccolo vs. Nappa

Though there are a ton of great fights in the series we seldom get any where two or more characters fight someone at the same time.  Vegeta and Nappa come to Earth and are met by the Z fighters minus Goku.  After a drawn out battle in which Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu fall to the barbaric Nappa, Krillin and Piccolo launch a desperate attack in which both of them utilize the Multi-Form Technique to clone themselves and attack Nappa.  It’s short lived but man is it intense.  Despite the numbers Nappa still holds them off and overpowers them.  It’s a great highlight in the series and definitely shines on one of the more interesting (and nearly forgotten) techniques.

[8] Vegeta vs. Recoome

Vegeta is a badass and his time on Namek shows how smart, resourceful, and ambitious (and ruthless) he is.  He’s slowly killing off Frieza’s henchmen and proves a major threat to Bulma, Krillin, and Gohan.  But despite Vegeta’s bluster, he’s easily dwarfed by Recoome, a member of the Ginyu Force.  It’s an intense battle where despite everything the saiyan throws at the brute, he easily brushes it off while pummeling Vegeta in the process.  It even comes to the point Gohan and Krillin have to intervene.

[7] Piccolo vs. Android 17

This is a great fight where the choreography blends martial arts and special abilities.  Piccolo is one of the best characters with one of the more pronounced arcs in the series.  It’s unfortunate that he’s never given much to do especially since his role in DragonBall and early Z.  However, this fight is epic with a lot of back-and-forth.  It’s fast paced, it’s intense, it’s entertaining.  And not only does it show how cool 17 is but also let’s Piccolo totally cut loose.  Of course, Piccolo’s fusion with Kami is what gives him the power boost allowing viewers to see what a Super Namekian’s capable of.

[6] Goku vs. Perfect Cell

This fight was incredible.  Cell, an advanced android sent from the future, infused with the DNA of all the fighters and then some, with the sole mission to defeat Goku.  So when he achieves his perfect form he goes to do just that.  This fight is fast paced.  I mean really fast paced.  Cell and Goku are zipping about disappearing and throwing blows, at first attempting to force the other off the ring, but then into a full out battle.  It’s great showing how disciplined Goku has become as a fighter and how powerful Cell has become.  Not to mention Goku performs the Instant Kamehameha Wave destroying the top half of Cell before the villain regenerates due to Piccolo’s DNA.

[5] Goku vs. Majin Vegeta

DragonBall Z is practically built on the rivalry between Goku and Vegeta and after their first epic battle, it was only a matter of time before the two had a rematch.  Vegeta allows the sorcerer Babidi to take control of him in order to challenge Goku with a new level of power.  Despite the threat of Majin Buu’s resurrection the pride of these two warriors must be addressed.  Although not as grand as their first battle, it does feel more personal.  Vegeta’s able to embrace his savage nature, putting aside his life with Bulma and Trunks, address his rivalry with Goku.  Great choreography with the fast paced fighting that makes the series awesome.

[4] Goku vs. Kid Buu

Next to Fat Buu, Kid Buu is my favorite form and this fight allows us to see how chaotic and unpredictable a character he is.  Vegeta and Goku draws Buu to fight them to stop him from destroying the universe.  Goku steps up to fight him first and man is this fight epic.  One of the things is how well paced the fight is.  The back-and-forth between the characters.  The diversity of their abilities makes the fight unique.  And there’s the stakes.  If Buu wins, he’ll destroy the universe.  But perhaps what makes this standout more is Vegeta’s acknowledgement and respect of Goku.

[3] Teen Gohan vs. Perfect Cell

This is the fight that put Gohan on the map and as the new champion of Earth (at least before the show basically retconned it).  Goku steps aside and allows his son Gohan to challenge the android and although Cell presses him to see his hidden potential.  He even creates the Cell Jr.’s to attack the Z fighters to push Gohan.  And it’s not until Cell kills Android 16 that Gohan taps into his rage and he reaches Super Saiyan 2.  This fight is the moment where Gohan gets his moment, the one time we finally get to see what’s been hinted at but never truly revealed.  It’s a great fight with Gohan matching Cell blow for blow, his strength outweighing Cell’s, his speed outpacing Cell’s.  And the finale, the famous Father-Son Kamehameha is one of the most iconic moments in the series.

[2] Goku vs. Frieza

Of course, this showdown can be split into two parts: base Goku versus Level 4 Frieza, and Super Saiyan Goku versus Level 4 Frieza.  It’s great seeing Goku challenge such a powerful opponent and unlike many of his other opponents Goku is completely out of his league.  Frieza clearly dominates the fight despite Goku barely holding his own.  And to show how powerful Frieza is, he’s the only villain that’s survived being hit by a Spirit Bomb.  And it isn’t until Frieza kills Krillin that Goku ascends to the level of Super Saiyan quickly turning the tide of battle.  The fight’s filled with great dialogue between the two characters, a nice array of abilities displayed on both sides,

 [1] Goku vs. Vegeta

This fight definitely deserves the number one spot. It’s an exciting fight that never gets dull. Not only does it have some of the most exciting moments in the series but Goku and Vegeta as fighters prove themselves to be quite formidable. There’s Goku’s Kamehameha Wave versus Vegeta’s Galick Gun clash that was completely epic. The tide of battle turns when Vegeta turns into the Saiyan’s greatest transformation, the Great Ape form. And one of the best aspects of the fight is that Goku essentially loses and it isn’t until Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe join in the fight that they manage to actually beat him.

Thanks for checking out the post and in the comment section below let us know what your favorite DragonBall Z fights.