Few franchises worldwide enjoy the same level of popularity and admiration as Dragon Ball. Since its debut in the late 1980s, Goku’s journey has been celebrated as a landmark achievement in anime, captivating audiences globally. Widely considered one of the greatest Shonen series ever created, it boasts a fantastic cast of characters, a uniquely compelling power system, and consistently engaging storylines.
Most fans have fond memories of watching a lot of Dragon Ball episodes and enjoying them, but like any long-running show, not every episode was great. Occasionally, the anime included episodes – often part of its filler content – that frustrated viewers.
Krillin’s Proposal – Dragon Ball Z Season 4, Episode 10
Before Krillin met and married Android 18 during the Cell Saga in Dragon Ball Z, he was interested in a girl named Maron. Their relationship was explored in a filler storyline that many fans consider a waste of time. The arc ended with Krillin’s awkward and unmemorable proposal, bringing their story to a close.
The story spends a lot of time creating drama between Chichi, Bulma, and Maron, portraying them negatively and leading to an argument when Krillin’s girlfriend flirts with Yamcha. Then, Krillin unexpectedly breaks up with his girlfriend, even though he had been talking about marriage just hours before, because he lets his insecurities get the best of him. Ultimately, this storyline feels hurried, leaves the viewer feeling unfulfilled, and doesn’t contribute anything meaningful to the larger series.
Super Kamehameha – Dragon Ball Episode 144
The fight between Goku and Piccolo Jr. – the son of the villainous Demon King who later becomes a key ally – is widely considered a highlight of the original Dragon Ball anime. It was a gripping and exciting battle for the world’s survival, with every blow and energy attack carefully crafted and animated to maximize suspense. However, one particular element almost caused some viewers to stop watching the storyline altogether.
Seeing Piccolo’s power firsthand, I heard Goku confidently declare he’d win, which instantly made Piccolo furious. Knowing the crowd was in danger at the World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku tried to quickly unleash a Super Kamehameha – a really powerful version of his signature move. But instead of being an amazing, climactic moment, it dragged on and on. Goku spent what felt like forever charging up the attack, and honestly, it became repetitive and frustrating to watch.
Bulma’s Big Day – Dragon Ball Z Season 2, Episode 21
As a long-time Dragon Ball fan, I truly believe Frieza is the ultimate villain – he’s just so powerful and impactful to the whole story! The Namek saga is legendary, honestly. The fights were incredible, we got to see so much character growth, and of course, the first Super Saiyan transformation! It’s a shame that arc happened when the anime was starting to rush to catch up with the manga, because it meant we got a lot of filler episodes that, let’s be real, don’t hold up very well today.
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Perhaps the most well-known example is episode 21 of Dragon Ball Z’s second season, titled “Bulma’s Big Day.” Right when the heroes were getting ready to face Frieza after defeating the Ginyu Force, the show unexpectedly shifted focus to Goku’s first friend. The episode centers on Bulma undertaking a dangerous underwater mission to evade Frieza’s soldiers, where she battles massive sea creatures. Fans widely considered it an unwelcome detour, feeling it was unnecessary and disrupted a crucial, exciting part of the series.
Terror and Plague – Dragon Ball Episode 79
Following his defeat by Jackie Chun at the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku sets off on a journey around the world, hoping to gain more fighting experience as his master suggested. Soon after leaving home, he comes across a village terrorized by two criminals named Terror and Plague. These villains are using a magical item called the Gourd of Mist to control the villagers, trapping anyone who resists in a terrifying alternate dimension.
I watched as Goku finally managed to beat those villains, handing over the treasure to the grateful villagers before heading off on his next adventure. Honestly, the story felt pretty standard for Dragon Ball, but a lot of fans – and I agree – felt something was off with the overall mood and the fights themselves. It seemed like they were aiming for a more serious vibe than usual for a filler episode, and it just didn’t quite mesh with the fun, comedic spirit of the original series. To top it off, the villains, Terror and Plague, weren’t very memorable. They really didn’t measure up to most of the other bad guys we’ve seen, and they’ve pretty much faded into obscurity.
Change! An Unexpected Return! His Name is Ginyu! – Dragon Ball Super Episode 22
Captain Ginyu, a key villain in the Frieza Saga of Dragon Ball Z, is a particularly memorable character. What makes him stand out is his unique ability to swap bodies with anyone he chooses. This power led to a fun and exciting storyline on Namek, where Krillin, Gohan, and Vegeta had to battle against Goku while he was trapped in Ginyu’s body.
Unfortunately, the return of this well-known villain wasn’t very satisfying, especially in the anime adaptation of the Super series’ Resurrection F arc. Many viewers found Ginyu’s flashback as a frog dull and pointless, as it didn’t contribute to his return and only offered a brief, lighthearted moment. Additionally, fans were disappointed by how much weaker Gohan and Gotenks appeared compared to their previous performances, which negatively impacted their overall enjoyment of the episode.
Rehearsing For the Martial Arts Match – Dragon Ball Super Episode 30
While fans now appreciate the story arcs, many were initially disappointed when Dragon Ball Super started by revisiting the events of Battle of the Gods and Resurrection F. These movies are fan favorites and considered highlights of the Dragon Ball series, so many viewers felt it was a mistake to rehash them before the anime could begin its own, new story. Ultimately, fans had to watch these retellings before the original storyline could finally begin.
Unfortunately, after completing two story arcs, the anime didn’t move forward to the Universe 6 Tournament. Instead, it showed a recap of what had already happened. Episode 30 of Dragon Ball Super essentially retold the Beerus and Frieza arcs for a second time. This was frustrating for fans, especially since it happened right before a really exciting part of the story.
Brood of Evil – Dragon Ball Z Season 2, Episode 5
As a long-time Dragon Ball fan, I have to say the Fake Namek arc is pretty notorious – and for good reason. It just felt…off, like it didn’t really fit with the rest of the story. The arc followed the heroes as they explored a planet that looked like Namek, searching for these special treasures and encountering various characters. But the final episode, “Brood of Evil,” really highlighted the problem. It turned out the entire thing was a fake, an illusion created by a couple of weak villains who just wanted to steal their spaceship. It was a frustrating end to a storyline that never felt quite right.
The big reveal leads to a drawn-out and uninteresting fight with a tentacle monster, where Gohan and Krillin spend most of the time stuck. The conflict ends abruptly, leaving the strange aliens stranded on the artificial Namek. Skipping this entire story arc would have been just as effective, and it would have allowed the anime more time to develop the next major plotline: Frieza and his forces also arriving on Namek to hunt for the Dragon Balls.
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2026-03-31 17:35