Dragon Ball Z Filler Guide: Skip or Watch? The Ultimate Decision

Skip the Boring Bits! Your Guide to Dragon Ball Z filler Episodes

Dragon Ball Z: The Ultimate Filler Guide – What to Skip, What to Watch!

Dragon Ball Z is a legendary anime; following the epic adventures of Goku and his friends. Yet it has that infamous filler problem— those non-canon episodes that don’t advance the main plot. So, this guide's got you covered! This will cover all you need to decide what filler you can just totally skip, versus which ones are awesome. Some filler really expands those characters or the setting; and while not totally needed, those added plot points can increase your enjoyment by several degrees. However, many episodes don’t provide any additional benefit, they’re purely time-fillers.

DBZ was initially released weekly alongside the manga— filler was used to allow the manga creators extra time. Some of that filler created awesome scenes like Goku's Namek training, or Gotenks' first Majin Buu fight! However, a lot is truly just boring, dull or a bit nonsensical filler and shouldn’t even be remotely considered. If you don’t need additional filler plotpoints, many can safely be skipped. Some surprisingly are awesome! We'll explain.

Also Read: Goku Insults Vegeta in Dragon Ball Z: Why Did He Do That?

The Dragon Ball Z Filler Episode List: A Complete Rundown

Dragon Ball Super: Gohan's Beast form with a massive swell of energy around him. Image

Here is a complete, chronological list of all Dragon Ball Z filler arcs.

Episodes 9-16: Gohan's training, Goku's Snake Way trip.
Episodes 39-43: The Fake Namek Arc.
Episodes 100, 102: Extended Frieza fight with Gohan.
Episodes 108-117: The Garlic Jr. Arc.
Episode 124: Vegeta's Super Saiyan training.
Episode 125: Goku and Piccolo get their driver’s licenses.
Episodes 170-171, 174: Preparation for the Cell Games.
Episodes 195-199: The Other World Tournament.
Episodes 202-203: The Great Saiyaman (Gohan's secret identity).
Episode 274: Inside Super Buu's body.
Episode 288: Celebration after Kid Buu's defeat.

Also Read: Dragon Ball Z: Krillin's Hidden Revenge - A Pivotal Moment You Missed!

The Good Stuff: Filler Episodes Actually Worth Watching

Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta to the left of a centered base-form Vegeta next to Vegeta with a scouter an armor of the right Image

Some filler's really excellent! Those first filler episodes (9-16)? They are pretty awesome! The humor in Goku's Snake Way journey is great! It also gives some serious character development. The training arc showcases Gohan’s early development (Piccolo’s mentorship), laying groundwork for Piccolo's later sacrifice against Nappa— that emotional payoff only becomes significant after viewing this particular filler content! It also enhances and develops their profound friendship which adds to many emotional moments later on.

Other noteworthy examples are the extended Frieza fight (100 and 102): The manga made it seem too easy. The anime however stretches things; showing Goku's amazing combat skills at peak power and demonstrating just how incredibly impressive the new Super Saiyan ability really is. This becomes critical for later context and adding more intensity that was never replicated, with additional filler scenes where Gohan (in his rage!) fights the increasingly dangerous Frieza— resulting in a stronger arc!

The Garlic Jr. arc (108-117)? Surprisingly creative and innovative – a uniquely developed, originally created plot that remains interesting. The Other World Tournament arc (195-199) brings the same element and a super enjoyable fight with Pikkon.

Don’t miss Vegeta’s Super Saiyan training arc (Episode 124) showing him develop and adding some surprisingly good comedic relief. The driving lesson arc with Goku and Piccolo (Episode 125) was great! And before the Cell Games (Episodes 170-171, 174) those chill moments, showing Gohan as a teenager make great moments before that all-important final showdown! This includes humorous battles against those old villains. Finally, that post-Kid Buu party (Episode 288) was well deserved and relaxing before that final leap towards that intense ending and transition.

Also Read: How Old Is Goku in Dragon Ball? A Complete Age Guide

Skip This Filler! The Truly Unnecessary Episodes

Dragon Ball Super Buu before manga panels of Evil Buu and Grand Supreme Kai Image

Most of DBZ filler drags existing content out; it isn't always entirely dull but is mostly used only as a time filler! That Fake Namek arc? Utter waste of time! Other stuff? Pretty irrelevant— stuff like that Gohan Great Saiyaman arc (Episodes 202-204), and parts within the extended Super Buu fight (Episode 274), the pointless detour on the journey to Namek. Many moments were just made for adding additional filler but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Also Read: Piccolo's Redemption: From Dragon Ball Villain to Hero

Conclusion: Pick Your Path Through Dragon Ball Z!

Goku in Dragon Ball, Luffy in One Piece, Naruto and Ichigo in Bleach Image

There’s tons of DBZ filler. Most? Utter skippable nonsense, however; it would benefit from careful selection based on the recommendations presented. The awesome filler elevates the existing story while adding additional character moments. And for those who just need those key elements; a better selection might also save some of your precious viewing time, especially for first-time viewers who would benefit enormously. Those few, awesome arcs will be particularly helpful and can even lead to more profound moments of connection and enhanced storytelling enjoyment.