Dragon Ball is a series full to the brim with some of the greatest fights in anime history. Watching combatants scream their hearts out, unleash punches that can destroy boulders, use ki attacks to decimate foes, and unlock transformations to become stronger never ceases to be engaging.
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This is why a lot of the fights in Dragon Ball Z feel as cinematic as they come, with everything from the stakes of each battle to the amazing art direction playing a huge role in making these fights feel larger than life.
8 Goku VS Kid Buu
The Final Fight Of Dragon Ball Z Ends With A Bang
- Takes Place In: Kid Buu Saga, Dragon Ball Z
The final fight to save the entire universe takes place on the Planet of the Kais, with Goku being the only fighter capable of taking out Kid Buu. Vegeta witnesses the duo fight and gives one of the most iconic monologues in the series where he acknowledges his rival’s superiority.
After Goku resorts to the Spirit Bomb, everyone in the Universe wills Goku to deal the final blow. His energy dies out, only for Porunga’s last wish to give this hero the boost he needs to obliterate Kid Buu and save everyone one final time in Dragon Ball Z.
7 Goku & Vegeta VS Broly
The Movie Goes All Out With A Lengthy Battle With Varying Viewpoints And Amazing Attacks
- Takes Place In:Dragon Ball Super: Broly
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is a movie where the fight doesn’t stop when Goku and Vegeta decide to take Broly seriously. The Legendary Super Saiyan goes berserk all the time, making it clear to the Saiyan duo that their combined efforts need to become more literal.
After performing the Fusion Dance, Gogeta’s first-ever canon appearance graces audiences as this fused fighter shows Broly just how out of his depth he is. Before a Limit Ultra Kamehameha can wipe him out at the end of an amazing animated battle, Cheelai wishes for Broly to be saved, and all is back to normal.
6 Goku VS Kefla
The Sliding Kamehameha Is An Incredible Visual To End The Fight
- Takes Place In: Tournament of Power, Dragon Ball Super
The battle against Caulifla and Kale is a huge test for Goku, who opts to push his body when he’s at his very limit in a two-on-one fight for the ages. He manages to hold his own until the two decide to fuse, and an underpowered Goku can’t keep up.
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However, at the peak of his desperation, Goku unlocks the Ultra Instinct Sign form and decides to end things in one move before all his energy runs out. It’s a mad dash to the finish as Goku closes the distance between him and Kefla, whose power goes berserk as she tries to stop Goku. She feels that she has Goku in her crosshairs as she unleashes a beam attack, only for Goku to slide across this beam using his charged Kamehameha in one of the coolest visuals in Dragon Ball history as he unleashes a point-black Kamehameha to take out Kefla for good.
5 Goku VS Beerus
The Final Fight Of Dragon Ball Z Ends With A Bang
- Takes Place In:Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
After Goku achieves the Super Saiyan God form in Battle of Gods, Beerus decides to test this form out in battle. What follows is an explosion of effects and stellar animation as the duo engage in a battle for the ages, fighting at a level that no one had ever seen before.
Ironically enough, the battle becomes more cinematic when Beerus threatens to destroy the world. Enraged by Beerus’ comments, Goku unleashes an earth-shattering scream as the fight kicks it into high gear. The Saiyan charges at Beerus as they land punch after punch until they reach the stratosphere, where the fight ends on a bombastic note.
4 Goku, Frieza, & Android 17 VS Jiren
The Surviving Members Of Universe 7 Go All Out To Defeat The Tournament’s Biggest Threat
- Takes Place In: Tournament of Power, Dragon Ball Super
The final fight in the Tournament of Power is a powerful way to end Dragon Ball Super‘s run. The Universe 7 trio is out of juice but they must team up to take out Jiren, with the fate of their world hanging in the balance.
This leads to an iconic moment where Android 17 provides support as Goku and Frieza form an unlikely tag team to take out Jiren. The Pride Trooper doesn’t give up until the very end when Goku pushes past his limits and struggles to become a Super Saiyan before summoning the last of his strength and eliminating Jiren with Frieza’s help.
3 Gohan VS Cell
Gohan Pulls Out All The Stops To End The Fight With One Of The Most Iconic Kamehamehas Of All Time
- Takes Place In: Cell Games Saga, Dragon Ball Z
For the longest time, Gohan had been built up as one of the strongest characters in Dragon Ball Z who could reach unheard heights of power if he received a push. After seeing his friends struggle and Android 16 die at the hands of Cell, Gohan snaps and unlocks the perfected Ascended Super Saiyan form.
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He lets his rage take over as he kills the Cell Juniors and humiliates their parent with a single punch, only for Cell to pull out a Hail Mary move as he starts self-destructing. His father makes the ultimate sacrifice, only for Cell to come back stronger than ever. He kills Trunks and breaks Gohan’s arm, who must fire a one-handed Kamehameha to engage in an epic beam clash. Gohan doubts himself and is about to lose, only for his father’s spirit to will him on as he unleashes a Father-Son Kamehameha for the ages that eliminate Cell for good.
2 Goku VS Vegeta
The First Clash Between The Saiyan Duo Is A Battle For The Ages With Numerous Iconic Moments
- Takes Place In: Saiyan Saga, Dragon Ball Z
The first battle between Goku and Vegeta makes for one of the greatest visuals in a battle shonen series. Everything from the framing of each shot to the poses made by the two Saiyans is iconic in every way. When the fight starts, fans can’t help but cheer Goku on, especially when he uses his Kamehameha to counter Vegeta’s Galick Gun in one of the most iconic beam clashes in the series.
However, the fight doesn’t stop here, with Vegeta using the Great Ape transformation to emerge victorious. The moment that follows as Goku is backed up by his friends is pretty great too, but it’s the initial phase of this battle where Dragon Ball Z turned into pure cinema and enraptured fans from all over the globe.
1 Goku VS Frieza
The Battle To Defeat Frieza Takes Place On A Planet That’s Minutes Away From Destruction
- Takes Place In: Frieza Saga, Dragon Ball Z
To see Goku become a Super Saiyan after this legend was built up time and time again is a cathartic moment that fans love. From the moment this transformed warrior takes on Frieza, fans are treated to a series of iconic and cinematic moments. Things start with Goku’s Super Saiyan speech that sets the tone for an epic battle.
After realizing just how powerful Goku had become, Frieza decides to blow Namek up and doom the Saiyan to death. However, the fight doesn’t stop, with everyone but Goku and Frieza escaping this doomed planet. Watching the two smash each other to a pulp with the backdrop of an exploding Namek is an incredible moment that proves why this clash between Goku and Frieza is the most cinematic battle in Dragon Ball Z.
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Dragon Ball Z
- Release Date
- April 26, 1989
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
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Dragon Ball Super
- Release Date
- July 5, 2015
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
