Akira Toriyama is widely considered one of the most influential manga artists and storytellers ever. His original Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z series clearly demonstrate his incredible talent. Both shows are famous for having some of the most exciting and well-animated fight scenes in shonen manga and anime, all while building characters that fans love.
Even though Akira Toriyama wasn’t directly involved in creating the story or art for most of Dragon Ball Super, the series has maintained the high quality of the Dragon Ball franchise. From the original Dragon Ball to DBZ and Dragon Ball Super, the series boasts some of the most exciting fight scenes in anime history. While Goku is often the star of these battles, Dragon Ball truly shines when it pushes him and the Z-Fighters to their limits against overwhelming challenges.
10. Goku & Piccolo vs Raditz Was the Perfect Start to Dragon Ball Z
The anime series Dragon Ball Z starts with an explosive introduction. Five years after the events of the original Dragon Ball, a strange alien arrives on Earth, introducing himself as Goku’s brother. This forces Goku to join forces with his former rival to defeat the powerful new threat, Raditz. The fight against Raditz is particularly memorable because he’s far stronger than any opponent Goku has faced before – incredibly fast, overwhelmingly powerful, and nearly defeats both Goku and Piccolo several times.
Watching Goku and Piccolo fight Raditz, it was clear they were struggling just to keep up. Toriyama really outdid himself with the action – it was a brutal, fast-paced battle that pushed both fighters to their breaking points, forcing them to use everything they had. The fight ended with a huge shock – Goku actually died! And then Raditz dropped a bombshell: two even stronger Saiyans were on their way to Earth within a year. It’s rare for a show to start so powerfully, but Dragon Ball Z definitely did.
9. Goku & Vegeta vs Moro Will Break the Internet Once It’s Animated
Even after the Dragon Ball Super anime finished with the Tournament of Power, the manga continued the story with three more arcs. It feels inevitable that when Dragon Ball Super returns as an animated series, we’ll finally see the Moro Saga adapted. I think the final battle between Goku and Moro is truly one of the best fights in Dragon Ball history. It’s a fantastic payoff to everything Goku’s been working towards with Ultra Instinct, and it really completes Vegeta’s journey as he tries to make amends for his past actions on Namek. Most of the fight centers around Goku and Moro, both pushing their own versions of Ultra Instinct to the limit.
The Moro Saga is where the fight scenes in Dragon Ball Super really come into their own, brilliantly combining the styles of Akira Toriyama and the classic Dragon Ball Z movies. Each punch and kick feels powerful, the battle is full of unexpected changes, and the character development is among the strongest in the series. Although Vegeta’s role is limited, his Forced Spirit Fission technique is unforgettable, and he plays a key part in helping Goku finish the fight. The battle between Goku and Vegeta against Moro is set to be the most epic fight in Dragon Ball since Goku’s fight against Jiren during the Tournament of Power.
8. Gohan vs Cell Could Have Been a Beautiful End to Dragon Ball Z
For years, fans speculated about how Dragon Ball Z would end. Last year, Akira Toriyama’s former editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, revealed that the original plan was to conclude the series with the Cell Saga. This means the fight between Gohan and Cell was intended to be the final battle. Given that the fight between Goku and Cell felt like a farewell to Goku’s character, this makes a lot of sense. The intended Gohan vs. Cell battle wasn’t a typical climactic fight – Gohan was consistently more powerful than Cell – but focused on Gohan’s internal struggles to create dramatic tension.
Gohan initially resists following in his father’s footsteps as a martial artist. While he enjoys fighting, his motivation differs from Goku’s. The turning point comes when Cell kills Android 16, making Gohan understand that some fights are unavoidable. Even then, he hesitates, and it’s only when Cell threatens to destroy everything that Goku sacrifices himself, prompting Gohan to act. Ultimately, Gohan needs his father’s final words of encouragement to defeat Cell, perfectly illustrating Dragon Ball‘s central idea of one generation passing strength and responsibility to the next.
7. Goku vs Jackie Chun Was Dragon Ball’s First 10/10 Fight
The tournament arcs in the original Dragon Ball are considered some of Akira Toriyama’s strongest work, both in terms of action and storytelling. While energy attacks were present from the start, the series’ early emphasis on martial arts made these battles more inventive than many of the later fights in DBZ and Dragon Ball Super. The fight between Goku and Jackie Chun is often seen as the turning point for the series, solidifying its core message: there will always be someone stronger, and each new generation will surpass the last.
The final battle between Goku and Jackie Chun is packed with unexpected turns, inventive fighting styles, and several distinct stages, all unfolding as the sun sets on Master Roshi’s clash with his top student. Goku even transforms into a Great Ape one last time, which leads Jackie Chun to destroy the moon with a powerful Kamehameha wave. Importantly, Jackie Chun wins not by being physically stronger, but by outsmarting Goku, establishing a key pattern for many of the best battles in Dragon Ball going forward.
6. Goku vs Tien Shinhan is the Most Underrated Fight in the Series
The 22nd World Tournament is unique in the Dragon Ball series because it genuinely feels like any of the fighters could come out on top. While Goku and Tien are powerful, they don’t go all-out, leaving room for competitors like Yamcha, Krillin, Jackie Chun, and even Chiaotzu to potentially win with a clever strategy. The final match between Goku and Tien isn’t just a display of skill; it’s a clash of ideologies. Goku’s training gradually challenges Tien’s ruthless Crane School teachings, ultimately showing him the true potential of a martial artist.
The fight between Goku and Tien is when Dragon Ball really starts focusing on energy attacks and special moves. Tien constantly unveils new techniques, pushing Goku to come up with equally inventive counters. Ultimately, the battle is decided by chance, with both fighters proving to be equally skilled. Tien’s victory feels right because it forces Goku to learn humility, while Tien himself acknowledges he only won through luck. This highlights a core theme of Dragon Ball: there’s always someone stronger out there.
5. Gogeta vs Broly is Nothing Short of Legendary
Many fans consider Dragon Ball Super: Broly to be the best film in the Dragon Ball series, thanks to its strong direction and story. The movie reimagines Broly from Dragon Ball Z, turning him from a somewhat silly villain into a genuinely sympathetic and tragic character. We see his emotional journey as he deals with the loss of his father and is used by Frieza to battle Goku and Vegeta. The action sequences and visual style in DBS: Broly are also a significant step up from previous installments.
Though many of the battles in the Broly movie are among the best in the entire Dragon Ball series, the fight between Gogeta and Legendary Super Saiyan Broly is the most memorable. Broly marks the first official appearance of Gogeta in Dragon Ball, and director Tatsuya Nagamine delivers a visually stunning and impactful fight that rivals the action in Akira Toriyama’s original manga. While Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is enjoyable, Broly represents the high point for Dragon Ball films.
4. Goku, Frieza, & 17 vs Jiren Ended Dragon Ball Super on an Unforgettable High
The climactic battle between Goku, Frieza, Android 17, and Jiren in the Dragon Ball Super Tournament of Power truly delivers on its promise. The animation and direction are stunning, making each blow feel incredibly powerful. What makes the fight so impactful is the extensive build-up: Universe 7 has been struggling against Jiren for many episodes, leaving everyone drained. Goku can’t maintain his Ultra Instinct form anymore, and he, Frieza, and 17 are the only fighters left.
Episode 131 of Dragon Ball Super is a thrilling mix of desperation and optimism, as Goku and Frieza push themselves to their limits trying to defeat Jiren. Their unlikely alliance feels huge and echoes Goku’s early partnership with Piccolo in Dragon Ball Z. The best part is seeing Jiren finally fall to Universe 7’s combined strength, and discovering that Android 17 had been pretending to be defeated all along, giving the Z-Fighters a satisfying victory won through smart teamwork, not just raw power.
3. Gohan, Krillin, Vegeta, Piccolo, & Goku vs Frieza is a Desperate Showdown Unlike Any Other
While Dragon Ball is famous for its individual fights, Akira Toriyama truly excelled at writing battles involving teams. The final fight against Frieza is a perfect example – it’s a drawn-out struggle where Gohan, Piccolo, Krillin, and Vegeta all work together to buy time and try to defeat Frieza before he becomes too powerful for even Goku. Each Z-Fighter gets a chance to contribute: Krillin manages to cut off Frieza’s tail, Gohan’s anger allows him to hurt Frieza in his second form, and Piccolo delivers a satisfying beating on behalf of the Namekians.
Surprisingly, Vegeta has the weakest performance in this fight, but his dramatic death is what truly motivates Goku to accept his Saiyan identity and prepare to battle Frieza. Goku then fights even better. Though clearly weaker, Goku constantly surprises with innovative techniques – cleverly using the Kamehameha, pushing his Kaioken to its maximum power of x20, and unleashing the biggest Spirit Bomb seen so far in DBZ. When Frieza kills Krillin, the tension explodes, finally causing Goku to transform into a Super Saiyan and completely turn the tide of the fight, in a moment fueled by some of Dragon Ball‘s most compelling character development.
2. Goku vs Piccolo is the Greatest Tournament Battle of All Time
The final battle in the original Dragon Ball series is widely considered its greatest. At the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku finally gets the opportunity to prove he’s the strongest fighter. Facing his rival Piccolo, the match is a true test of skill. Goku fights exceptionally well, showcasing his mastery of martial arts and expertly using all his techniques to gain the upper hand.
Akira Toriyama’s action sequences in this fight are truly outstanding. Each blow feels powerful, the comic panels move seamlessly, and the battle builds to a fantastic climax where Goku, despite being severely injured, manages to fly and overcome his strongest opponent. It’s great writing that Goku chooses to spare Piccolo, wanting a challenging rival like he lost with Tien – someone who can continually push him to improve. The fight between Goku and Piccolo is a perfect ending to the original Dragon Ball series.
1. Goku, Gohan, Krillin, & Yajirobe vs Vegeta is Akira Toriyama’s Masterpiece
Vegeta’s arrival in the Saiyan Saga was unlike anything Dragon Ball had seen before. Similar to Raditz, he completely overpowered Goku. Their fight, considered one of Akira Toriyama’s finest, pushed Goku to his absolute limit. Even Goku’s powerful Kaioken technique wasn’t enough to defeat Vegeta. The battle culminated in an exhausting energy beam struggle where Goku pushed his body to the breaking point, depleting all his energy. Vegeta, meanwhile, was horrified to realize that a seemingly weaker opponent was capable of hurting and even frightening him.
This is arguably Toriyama’s strongest writing in Dragon Ball. The fight between Goku and Vegeta isn’t just action-packed; it explores interesting ideas about whether people are defined by their upbringing or their inherent nature, and even touches on themes of social class. The battle intensifies when Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe get involved. From that point on, the remaining Z-Fighters fight with everything they have, barely managing to defeat Vegeta. This fight stands out as one of the most monumental in the entire series, and future battles rarely reached this level of intensity.
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2026-01-25 00:08