Dragon Ball Filler List: The Complete Guide and Which Ones Are Worth Watching

Should You Watch Dragon Ball Z or Kai

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Dragon Ball is the first anime TV show from the Dragon Ball universe. It has run from February 1986 to April 1989 and had 153 episodes. Of course, as in any anime show, there were fillers, that is why in this article, we have made a complete Dragon Ball Filler List and will also let you know which of those Dragon Ball fillers are worth watching.

Unlike some other anime TV shows, Dragon Ball has a pretty low filler percentage of only 14%. From 153 episodes, there are only 21 reported filler episodes. So check out below the whole Dragon Ball filler list, including the canon episodes. After that, we will let you know which of those Dragon Ball filler episodes you can skip.

Dragon Ball episodes list (including all the fillers)

1The New ThreatMANGA CANON1989-04-26
2ReunionsMANGA CANON1989-05-09
3Unlikely AllianceMANGA CANON1989-05-10
4Piccolo’s PlanMANGA CANON1989-05-17
5Gohan’s RageMANGA CANON1989-05-24
6No Time Like the PresentMANGA CANON1989-06-07
7Day 1MANGA CANON1989-06-14
8Gohan Goes Bananas!MANGA CANON1989-06-21
9The Strangest RobotFILLER1989-06-28
10A New FriendFILLER1989-07-05
11Terror on ArliaMIXED CANON/FILLER1989-07-12
12Global TrainingFILLER1989-07-19
13Goz and MezFILLER1989-07-26
14Princess SnakeFILLER1989-08-02
15Dueling PiccolosFILLER1989-08-09
16Plight of the ChildrenFILLER1989-08-16
17Pendulum Room PerilMANGA CANON1989-08-30
18The End of Snake WayMANGA CANON1989-09-06
19Defying GravityMANGA CANON1989-09-13
20Goku’s AncestorsMANGA CANON1989-09-20
21Counting DownMANGA CANON1989-09-27
22The Darkest DayMANGA CANON1989-10-11
23Saibamen Attack!MANGA CANON1989-10-18
24The Power of NappaMANGA CANON1989-10-25
25SacrificeMANGA CANON1989-10-31
26Nappa’s RampageMANGA CANON1989-11-08
27Nimbus SpeedMANGA CANON1989-11-22
28Goku’s ArrivalMANGA CANON1989-11-29
29Lesson Number OneMANGA CANON1989-12-06
30Goku vs. VegetaMANGA CANON1989-12-13
31Saiyan Sized SecretMANGA CANON1989-12-20
32Spirit Bomb Away!MANGA CANON1990-01-17
33Hero in the ShadowsMANGA CANON1990-01-24
34Krillin’s OffensiveMANGA CANON1990-01-31
35MercyMANGA CANON1990-02-07
36Picking Up the PiecesMANGA CANON1990-02-14
37Plans for DepartureMANGA CANON1990-02-21
38Nursing WoundsMANGA CANON1990-02-28
39Friends or Foes?FILLER1990-03-07
40Held CaptiveFILLER1990-03-14
41Friends or Foes?FILLER1990-03-21
42The Search ContinuesFILLER1990-04-04
43A Friendly SurpriseFILLER1990-04-11
44Brood of EvilFILLER1990-04-18
45Frieza Strikes!MANGA CANON1990-04-25
46Defying OrdersMANGA CANON1990-05-02
47Namek’s DefenseMANGA CANON1990-05-09
48The HuntedMANGA CANON1990-05-16
49The Prince Fights BackMANGA CANON1990-05-23
50Unexpected ProblemMANGA CANON1990-05-30
51Vegeta has a BallMANGA CANON1990-06-06
52The Past and FutureMANGA CANON1990-06-20
53Zarbon’s SurpriseMANGA CANON1990-06-27
54Guru’s GiftMANGA CANON1990-07-04
55Piccolo vs. EveryoneMANGA CANON1990-07-18
56Zarbon’s MissionMANGA CANON1990-08-01
57Gohan, the HuntedMANGA CANON1990-08-08
58Unknown EnemiesMANGA CANON1990-08-22
59Destination: GuruMANGA CANON1990-08-29
60Bulma’s Big DayMANGA CANON1990-09-05
61Hidden PowerMANGA CANON1990-09-12
62New Ally, New ProblemMANGA CANON1990-09-19
63Guldo’s Mind BindsMANGA CANON1990-09-26
64Recoome UnleashedMANGA CANON1990-10-24
65Let the Battle BeginMANGA CANON1990-10-31
66Goku’s New PowerMANGA CANON1990-11-07
67A Legend RevealedMANGA CANON1990-11-14
68Ginyu AssaultMANGA CANON1990-11-21
69Incredible Force!MANGA CANON1990-11-28
70Frieza ApproachesMANGA CANON1990-12-05
71Goku is Ginyu and Ginyu is GokuMANGA CANON1990-12-12
72Calling the Eternal DragonMANGA CANON1990-12-19
73Gohan-Defeat Your Dad!MANGA CANON1991-01-16
74Captain Ginyu… The FrogMANGA CANON1991-01-23
75Password is PorungaMANGA CANON1991-01-30
76Piccolo’s ReturnMANGA CANON1991-02-06
77The FusionMANGA CANON1991-02-13
78Fighting Power: One Million??MANGA CANON1991-02-20
79Gohan AttacksMANGA CANON1991-02-27
80Piccolo the Super-NamekMANGA CANON1991-03-06
81Deja vuMANGA CANON1991-03-13
82Frieza’s Second TransformationMANGA CANON1991-03-20
83Another Transformation?MANGA CANON1991-03-27
84Dende’s DemiseMANGA CANON1991-04-03
85The Renewed GokuMANGA CANON1991-04-10
86The End of VegetaMANGA CANON1991-04-17
87The Ultimate BattleMANGA CANON1991-04-24
88Clash of the Super PowersMANGA CANON1991-05-01
89Frieza’s BoastMANGA CANON1991-05-08
90Bold and FearlessMANGA CANON1991-05-15
91Embodiment of FireMANGA CANON1991-05-22
92Trump CardMANGA CANON1991-05-29
93Keep the Chance AliveMANGA CANON1991-06-05
94Power of the SpiritMANGA CANON1991-06-12
95Transformed at LastMANGA CANON1991-06-19
96Explosion of AngerMANGA CANON1991-06-26
97Namek’s DestructionMANGA CANON1991-07-03
98A Final AttackMANGA CANON1991-07-10
99Approaching DestructionMANGA CANON1991-07-17
100Gohan ReturnsFILLER1991-07-24
101The Last WishMANGA CANON1991-07-31
102Duel on a Vanishing PlanetFILLER1991-08-07
103Pathos of FriezaMANGA CANON1991-08-14
104Frieza Defeated!!MANGA CANON1991-08-21
105Mighty Blast of RageMANGA CANON1991-08-28
106Namek’s Explosion… Goku’s End?MANGA CANON1991-09-04
107Goku’s Alive!!MANGA CANON1991-09-11
108The Heavens TrembleFILLER1991-09-18
109Black Fog of TerrorFILLER1991-09-25
110Battle in Kami’s LookoutFILLER1991-10-02
111Fight With PiccoloFILLER1991-10-09
112Call For RestorationFILLER1991-10-16
113Suicidal CourseFILLER1991-10-23
114Extreme MeasuresFILLER1991-10-30
115The World AwakensFILLER1991-11-06
116Brief Chance for VictoryFILLER1991-11-13
117Krillin’s ProposalFILLER1991-11-20
118Frieza’s CounterattackMANGA CANON1991-11-27
119The Mysterious YouthMANGA CANON1991-12-04
120Another Super Saiyan?MANGA CANON1991-12-11
121Welcome Back GokuMANGA CANON1991-12-18
122Mystery RevealedMANGA CANON1992-01-15
123Goku’s Special TechniqueMANGA CANON1992-01-22
124Z Warriors PrepareFILLER1992-01-29
125Goku’s OrdealFILLER1992-02-05
126The Androids AppearMANGA CANON1992-02-12
127A Handy TrickMANGA CANON1992-02-19
128Double Trouble for GokuMANGA CANON1992-02-26
129Upgrade to Super SaiyanMANGA CANON1992-03-04
130The Secret of Dr. GeroMANGA CANON1992-03-11
131More Androids?!MANGA CANON1992-03-18
132Follow Dr. GeroMANGA CANON1992-03-25
133Nightmare Comes TrueMANGA CANON1992-04-01
134Goku’s AssassinMANGA CANON1992-04-08
135Deadly BeautyMANGA CANON1992-04-15
136No Match for the AndroidsMANGA CANON1992-04-22
137Last Ditch EffortMANGA CANON1992-04-29
138Closing InMANGA CANON1992-05-06
139Unwelcome DiscoveryMANGA CANON1992-05-13
140Seized with FearMANGA CANON1992-05-20
141The ReunionMANGA CANON1992-05-27
142Borrowed PowersMANGA CANON1992-06-03
143His Name is CellMANGA CANON1992-06-10
144Piccolo’s FollyMANGA CANON1992-06-17
145Laboratory BasementMANGA CANON1992-06-24
146Our Hero AwakesMANGA CANON1992-07-01
147Time ChamberMANGA CANON1992-07-08
148The Monster Is ComingMANGA CANON1992-07-15
149He’s HereMANGA CANON1992-07-22
150Up to PiccoloMANGA CANON1992-07-29
151Silent WarriorMANGA CANON1992-08-05
152Say Goodbye, 17MANGA CANON1992-08-12
153SacrificeMANGA CANON1992-08-19
154Saiyans EmergeMANGA CANON1992-08-26
155Super VegetaMANGA CANON1992-09-02
156Bow to the PrinceMANGA CANON1992-09-09
157Hour of TemptationMANGA CANON1992-09-16
158Krillin’s Decision.MANGA CANON1992-09-23
159The Last DefenseMANGA CANON1992-09-30
160Cell is CompleteMANGA CANON1992-10-14
161Vegeta Must PayMANGA CANON1992-10-21
162Trunks AscendsMANGA CANON1992-10-28
163Saving ThrowMANGA CANON1992-11-04
164Ghosts from TomorrowMANGA CANON1992-11-11
165The Cell GamesMANGA CANON1992-11-18
166What is the Tournament?MANGA CANON1992-11-25
167The Doomsday BroadcastMANGA CANON1992-12-02
168Meet Me in the RingMANGA CANON1992-12-09
169No Worries HereMANGA CANON1992-12-16
170A Girl Named LimeFILLER1993-01-13
171Memories of GohanFILLER1993-01-20
172A New GuardianMANGA CANON1993-01-27
173Dende’s DragonMANGA CANON1993-02-03
174The Puzzle of General TaoFILLER1993-02-10
175The Games BeginMANGA CANON1993-02-17
176Losers Fight FirstMANGA CANON1993-03-03
177Goku vs. CellMANGA CANON1993-03-10
178Cell’s Bag of TricksMANGA CANON1993-03-17
179No More RulesMANGA CANON1993-03-31
180The Fight is OverMANGA CANON1993-04-07
181Faith in a BoyMANGA CANON1993-04-14
182Gohan’s PleaMANGA CANON1993-04-21
183Android ExplosionMANGA CANON1993-04-28
184Cell Juniors Attack!MANGA CANON1993-05-05
185AwakeningMANGA CANON1993-05-12
186The Unstoppable GohanMANGA CANON1993-05-19
187Cell’s Break DownMANGA CANON1993-05-26
188A Hero’s FarewellMANGA CANON1993-06-02
189Cell Returns!MANGA CANON1993-06-16
190The Horror Won’t EndMANGA CANON1993-06-23
191Save the WorldMANGA CANON1993-06-30
192Goku’s DecisionMANGA CANON1993-07-07
193One More WishMANGA CANON1993-07-14
194Free the FutureMANGA CANON1993-07-21
195Warriors of the DeadFILLER1993-07-28
196Tournament BeginsFILLER1993-08-11
197Water FightFILLER1993-08-18
198Final RoundFILLER1993-08-25
199Goku vs. PikkonFILLER1993-09-01
200Gohan Goes to High SchoolMANGA CANON1993-09-08
201I am Saiyaman!MANGA CANON1993-09-15
202Gohan’s First DateFILLER1993-09-29
203Rescue VidelFILLER1993-10-20
204BlackmailMIXED CANON/FILLER1993-10-27
205I’ll Fight Too!MANGA CANON1993-11-03
206The Newest Super SaiyanMANGA CANON1993-11-10
207Take Flight, VidelMANGA CANON1993-11-17
208Gather for the TournamentMANGA CANON1993-11-24
209Camera ShyMANGA CANON1993-12-08
210The World TournamentMANGA CANON1993-12-15
211Trunks vs. GotenMANGA CANON1993-12-22
212Best of the BoysMANGA CANON1994-01-12
213Big Trouble, Little TrunksMANGA CANON1994-01-19
214Who Will Fight Who?MANGA CANON1994-01-26
215Forfeit of PiccoloMANGA CANON1994-02-02
216A Dark and Secret PowerMANGA CANON1994-02-09
217Videl Is CrushedMANGA CANON1994-02-16
218Identities RevealedMANGA CANON1994-02-23
219Energy DrainMANGA CANON1994-03-02
220The Wizard’s CurseMANGA CANON1994-03-09
221King of the DemonsMANGA CANON1994-03-16
222Vegeta AttacksMANGA CANON1994-03-23
223Next Up, GokuMANGA CANON1994-04-13
224Battle SupremeMANGA CANON1994-04-20
225Eighteen UnmasksMANGA CANON1994-04-27
226Pay to WinMANGA CANON1994-05-04
227Heart of a VillainMANGA CANON1994-05-18
228The Dark Prince ReturnsMANGA CANON1994-05-25
229Vegeta’s PrideMIXED CANON/FILLER1994-06-15
230The Long Awaited FightMANGA CANON1994-06-22
231Magic Ball of BuuMANGA CANON1994-06-29
232Buu is HatchedMANGA CANON1994-07-06
233The Losses BeginMANGA CANON1994-07-13
234The Terror of Mr. BuuMANGA CANON1994-07-27
235Meal TimeMANGA CANON1994-08-03
236The Warrior’s DecisionMANGA CANON1994-08-17
237Final AtonementMANGA CANON1994-08-24
238Evil Lives OnMANGA CANON1994-08-31
239Find the Dragon BallsMANGA CANON1994-09-07
240RevivalMANGA CANON1994-09-21
241Global AnnouncementMANGA CANON1994-09-28
242Learn to Fuse!MANGA CANON1994-10-12
243The Z SwordMANGA CANON1994-10-19
244Race to Capsule Corp.MANGA CANON1994-11-02
245Super Saiyan 3?!MANGA CANON1994-11-09
246Buu’s MutinyMANGA CANON1994-11-16
247The Fusion DanceMANGA CANON1994-11-23
248Goku’s Time is UpMANGA CANON1994-11-30
249Return to Other WorldMANGA CANON1994-12-07
250Out from the Broken SwordMANGA CANON1994-12-14
251Gotenks Is BornMIXED CANON/FILLER1994-12-21
252Unlikely FriendshipMANGA CANON1995-01-11
253I Kill No MoreMANGA CANON1995-01-25
254The Evil of MenMANGA CANON1995-02-01
255Buu Against BuuMANGA CANON1995-02-08
256Empty PlanetMANGA CANON1995-02-15
257Time StruggleMANGA CANON1995-02-22
258Super Moves of GotenksMANGA CANON1995-03-01
259Trapped In ForeverMANGA CANON1995-03-08
260Feeding FrenzyMANGA CANON1995-03-15
261Gotenks Is Awesome!MANGA CANON1995-03-22
262Unlucky BreakMANGA CANON1995-04-26
263A Whole New GohanMANGA CANON1995-05-03
264Search for SurvivorsMANGA CANON1995-05-17
265Majin-Buu TransformsMANGA CANON1995-05-24
266The Old Kai’s WeaponMANGA CANON1995-05-31
267Ready to Fuse?MANGA CANON1995-06-07
268Union of RivalsMANGA CANON1995-06-28
269Meet VegitoMANGA CANON1995-07-05
270Rip in the UniverseMANGA CANON1995-07-12
271Vegito… DownsizedMANGA CANON1995-07-19
272The Incredible Fighting CandyMANGA CANON1995-07-26
273The Innards of BuuMANGA CANON1995-08-02
274Mind TrapFILLER1995-08-09
275Deadly VisionMANGA CANON1995-08-16
276Evil Kid Buu!MANGA CANON1995-08-23
277End of EarthMANGA CANON1995-09-06
278True Saiyans Fight AloneMANGA CANON1995-09-13
279Battle for the Universe BeginsMANGA CANON1995-09-20
280Vegeta’s RespectMANGA CANON1995-10-18
281Minute of DesperationMANGA CANON1995-11-01
282Old Buu EmergesMANGA CANON1995-11-08
283Earth RebornMANGA CANON1995-11-15
284Call to ActionMANGA CANON1995-11-22
285People of Earth UniteMANGA CANON1995-11-29
286Spirit Bomb TriumphantMANGA CANON1995-12-13
287Celebrations with Majin BuuMIXED CANON/FILLER1995-12-20
288He’s Always LateFILLER1996-01-10
289Granddaughter PanMANGA CANON1996-01-17
290Buu’s ReincarnationMANGA CANON1996-01-24
291Goku’s Next JourneyMANGA CANON1996-01-31

Dragon Ball Fillers Worth Watching

Dragon Ball Filler List

Now that we’ve given you a full list of filler episodes, we can continue our guide with a list of fillers worth watching. Dragon Ball doesn’t really have many fillers compared to some other anime series, and while most of them are watchable, you don’t really need to see all the filler episodes. This section is going to be a brief guide on those fillers that merit a watch. Luckily for the fans out there, there aren’t really any filler arcs (like in Bleach for example), just a small(er) series of filler or mixed episodes that add a little something to the anime. The ones that are worth watching are as follows:

1. Goku’s and Krillin’s training with Roshi

This is actually a part of the series that Toriyama spends quite some time on in the manga. By expanding the training itself, the anime might have disrupted the natural rhythm of the arc, but it was ultimately for the best in the long run. Goku’s practice leading to the 21st Tenkaichi Budokai is so unique compared to everything else was to come that it really doesn’t hurt to give more of it to the viewers.

By simply expanding the whole process, the friendship between Goku and Krillin grows a little more organically and the audience can better understand the harshness of their training. Master Roshi puts them to the test and the anime puts them in the spotlight as it allows us to see more character interactions before the tournament.

2. The 21st tournament

It is more than noteworthy that the tournament itself also got quite an interesting filling in the anime series. Namely, in the manga, the entire tournament takes place in one single day. Because of this, we notice the sun setting when Goku and Jackie Chun finish their fight – with the sun gradually setting even more as the fight progresses.

It made sense in the manga, but the anime breaks the tournament down into several days. Heavy rain at the end of the quarter-finals eventually postponed Goku and Giran’s game, but this break serves as a fresh air moment in the midst of the tournament. This allows the characters to regroup, and the mood during the break is unique to Dragon Ball.

3. Goku’s training for the 22nd tournament

The ending of the Red Ribbon Army’s narrative arc marked the first time Dragon Ball has seen a major leap in time. While the time had passed in the previous arcs, the series still carefully moved from story arc to story arc. Those first three arcs, in a way, tell a specific story that is rooted in the original context of Dragon Ball.

So, it is fitting that Toriyama actually skips directly to the 22nd Tenkaichi Budokai, but the anime decides to spend more time with this young Goku before letting go of him. Not only does Goku’s training result in him meeting Tenshinhan and Chaozu early, but these episodes actually spend time growing Goku’s tail so he can start strengthening it.

4. Goku’s training with God

This Dragon Ball filler piece is a kind of double-edged sword. Toriyama skips Goku’s training with God until the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai, but he does so on purpose. We don’t see Goku’s training because Toriyama wanted to build up some mystery before the actual tournament. We don’t know how strong Goku is, which is part of the mystery Toriyama wanted to create.

However, the anime decides to expand this part of the series. As the audience, in turn, loses the sense of mystery related to Goku’s training with God, these episodes are pretty solid conceptually – Mr. Popo teaches Goku valuable philosophy, and Goku himself actively struggles with training that is rarely or never seen in Dragon Ball.

And this is it, more or less. These four narrative arcs are really worth watching and if you decide not to skip them, you won’t actually be wrong. The thing about Dragon Ball is that the majority of the fillers are really good and you can actually watch all of them, but if you’re a die-hard manga canon fan, you’ll want to avoid all the filler episodes except the ones listed in our article. Whichever you chose, we hope you have lots of fun!

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