Dragon Ball Z Filler List & Which Ones Are Worth Your Time

Dragon Ball Z is one of the iterations of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball canon. The narrative of Dragon Ball Z follows adult Goku and his allies as they battle new enemies that threaten to destroy their world. The stakes are much higher and Dragon Ball Z is, by many, considered to be the best iteration of Toriyama’s franchise. In this article, we are going to talk about Dragon Ball.

Anime episodes can be classified as fillers and canon episodes. Canon episodes are taken from the manga, while filler episodes are anime-only original content that is not present in the manga. Filler episodes have a different function, depending on how and when they are broadcast, but that is not going to be the topic of this article. Instead, in this article, we are going to give you a list of the Dragon Ball Z filler episodes that you can actually watch.

Dragon Ball Z filler list

In this section, we are going to bring you a complete list of all the pure Dragon Ball Z filler episodes. We’re not going to include the mixed canon/filler episodes, just the ones that are purely filler episodes. The list is as follows:

1. “The Strangest Robot” (Episode 9)
2. “A New Friend” (Episode 10)
3. “Global Training” (Episode 12)
4. “Goz and Mez” (Episode 13)
5. “Princess Snake” (Episode 14)
6. “Dueling Piccolos” (Episode 15)
7. “Plight of the Children” (Episode 16)
8. “Friends or Foes?” (Episode 39)
9. “Held Captive” (Episode 40)
10. “Friends or Foes?” (Episode 41)
11. “The Search Continues” (Episode 42)
12. “A Friendly Surprise” (Episode 43)
13. “Gohan Returns” (Episode 100)
14. “Duel on a Vanishing Planet” (Episode 102)
15. “The Heavens Tremble” (Episode 108)
16. “Black Fog of Terror” (Episode 109)
17. “Battle in Kami’s Lookout” (Episode 110)
18. “Fight With Piccolo” (Episode 111)
19. “Call For Restoration” (Episode 112)
20. “Suicidal Course” (Episode 113)
21. “Extreme Measures” (Episode 114)
22. “The World Awakens” (Episode 115)
23. “Brief Chance for Victory” (Episode 116)
24. “Krillin’s Proposal” (Episode 117)
25. “Z Warriors Prepare” (Episode 124)
26. “Goku’s Ordeal” (Episode 125)
27. “A Girl Named Lime” (Episode 170)
28. “Memories of Gohan” (Episode 171)
29. “The Puzzle of General Tao” (Episode 174)
30. “Warriors of the Dead” (Episode 195)
31. “Tournament Begins” (Episode 196)
32. “Water Fight” (Episode 197)
33. “Final Round” (Episode 198)
34. “Goku vs. Pikkon” (Episode 199)
35. “Gohan’s First Date” (Episode 202)
36. “Rescue Videl” (Episode 203)
37. “Mind Trap” (Episode 274)
38. “He’s Always Late” (Episode 288)

As you can see, Dragon Ball Z has a total of 38 filler episodes, which is not much. With a low 13% of filler episodes, Dragon Ball Z is one of the better series in terms of fillers. In the section that follows, we are going to list the filler episodes that are definitely worth the watch.

Dragon Ball Z fillers worth watching

“Dueling Piccolos”

Release Date: August 9, 1989

Piccolo splits in half and the two forms fight each other. Piccolo uses this method to train only at a high intensity. Meanwhile, Gohan sleds down a sandy hill. After crashing, he tries to find a way out of wherever he is with his mother (he thinks her house is nearby). After arriving at the same place he was originally, he realizes that he must be on an island. Brainstorming, he builds a boat so he can quickly visit his mother, whom he misses. As he drifts out to sea at night, a huge storm heads towards Gohan and he is unable to swim.

“Friends or Foes?”

Release Date: March 7, 1990

Son Gohan, Bulma and Krillin have gone into space in search of the planet Namek. Son Gohan and Krillin take advantage of the trip to continue training. After several days, they encounter combat ships attacking them, then find themselves prisoners aboard a huge ship full of traps of all kinds. They eventually discover that this ship is occupied by a group of heavily armed children.

“Held Captive”

Release Date: March 14, 1990

The three travelers are surrounded by the children of the spaceship who are about to execute them, thinking that they are warriors sent by a certain Frieza. The ship then enters an asteroid field and the children only get out thanks to the help of Son Gohan and his companions. Given the help provided, the children decide to trust their visitors and tell them their story. The travelers end up leaving the ship in the direction of the planet Namek. A few days later, they come in sight of a planet. For his part, the space warrior on the run, Commander Vegeta, ends up finding his soldiers who quickly take him to the treatment room.

“The Search Continues”

Release Date: April 4, 1990

On Earth, Son Goku managed to escape from the hospital and resumes his training, triggering Chichi’s anger. He quickly realizes that it will take him a considerable time to regain his strength. Meanwhile, on Planet Namek, Son Gohan and his companions continue to search for the crystal balls and find two more. For his part, Commander Vegeta wakes up after an intensive care treatment.

“A Friendly Surprise”

Release Date: April 11, 1990

Son Gohan and his companions manage to find a sixth crystal ball in an ice cave. Their friend from Namek suddenly disappears and the cave collapses on top of them. Despite everything, they manage to get out of it and set off in search of the last ball. Meanwhile, on earth, Son Goku continues his training despite his weaknesses and falls, exhausted. In another corner of space, Vegeta has regained his strength and is preparing to return to Earth.

He then learns that Frieza has also started looking for crystal balls on Namek. Determined to find them before him, he then decides to leave for Namek in turn. Son Gohan and his companions are, meanwhile, close to finding the last crystal ball, before being attacked by their guides. They then realize that they are not on Namek, nor have they found any real crystal balls.

“Battle in Kami’s Lookout”

Release Date: October 2, 1991

Piccolo is surrounded by the four acolytes of Garlic Jr., as well as Yamcha, Bulma, Master Roshi, Oolong and Bulma, who are possessed by the demon. One of the 4four devils explains to Piccolo that Garlic Jr. was able to return to Earth thanks to the fact that the Devil’s Planet passed very close to Earth as is the case every 5000 years, which multiplies the evil energies.

He and his accomplices also explain that they have spread a poisonous gas in order to transform every inhabitant of the Earth into a demon: in 24 hours, all Earthlings will be under the orders of Garlic Jr. and even the Divine Water will not be able to make them look normal! Piccolo is offered to join the ranks of Garlic Jr., but he refuses and the fight begins.

“Fight with Piccolo”

Release Date: October 9, 1991

Krillin and Son Gohan face the four acolytes of Garlic Jr. and the possessed Piccolo in the Palace of the Almighty. Garlic Jr. asks Son Gohan to tell him where his father is. The tone rises between the two: Son Gohan attacks Garlic Jr. and manages to scratch him. Garlic Jr. then reminisces about their previous encounter and recalls his opponent’s fighting potential. Son Gohan is about to launch a more powerful attack but Garlic Jr. dissuades him as he holds the miniaturized and bottled Almighty hostage.

One of the four acolytes takes advantage of Son Gohan’s stupor to hit him and send him to the ground. A second sidekick hits Krillin who was heading toward Son Gohan to rescue him. Garlic Jr. causes an evil throne to appear in front of the Palace and allows his devils to thrash Krillin and Son Gohan, provided they don’t kill them as Garlic Jr. needs it to bait Son Goku.

“Call for Restoration”

Release Date: October 16, 1991

Possessed by Garlic Jr., Piccolo has become a demon again. He fights against Son Gohan, against whom he has the advantage. The two still living demons of Garlic Jr. order Piccolo to let them finish the job, but he continues his fight relentlessly. Garlic Jr. believes that it was the hatred Small-Heart had for Son Gohan originally that came to the surface. As the fight continues, Krillin discreetly approaches Garlic Jr. and tries to steal the vials in which the Almighty and Mr. Popo are imprisoned.

In vain, Krillin fails against a protective wall, after which Garlic Jr. attacks him and sends him to the mat. While Garlic Jr. throws a powerful ball of energy at Krillin, Son Gohan deploys his strength to free himself from Piccolo’s clutches. The latter is thrown backward and Garlic Jr.’s energy ball hits him instead of Krillin. Piccolo finds himself on the ground, stunned.

“Suicidal Course”

Release Date: October 23, 1991

Piccolo and Krillin explain how they pretended to be possessed by Garlic Jr. to trap him and free Kami-sama. Indeed, now that the Almighty is no longer Garlic Jr.’s hostage, Piccolo can fight without restraint. Garlic Jr. sneers: There isn’t enough time to spread the Holy Water over the world before dawn anyway, which means it will be too late to free Earth’s inhabitants from the effects of the toxic cloud.

On Earth, it is absolute chaos. According to Mr. Popo, there is still a solution to spread the Holy Water in time on the world: you have to go to the divine zone and pour the Sacred Water into the hole where the seven universal currents converge. Kami-sama and Mr. Popo embark on a magic carpet for this mission.

“Extreme Measures”

Release Date: October 30, 1991

Invigorated by the proximity of the Black Magic Star, Garlic Jr., and his two devils resume the fight. In the Divine Zone, Kami-sama and Mr. Popo face the traps set by the spirit of the Death God. Kami-sama almost falls into a hole and is saved by Popo. Having no other alternatives, Kami-sama and Popo start running, chased by the attacks of the Death God. Son Gohan and Krillin are in trouble: Krillin is knocked unconscious and thrown into the void, unconscious, outside the platform where the palace of the Almighty is nestled.

Son Gohan tries to follow him to save him but the 2 devils block his way. Deploying his anger, Son Gohan shoots out powerful tornadoes of energy that blast the two devils apart. Son Gohan can thus go and save Krillin. Meanwhile, Piccolo is knocked out by Garlic Jr. who even thinks he killed him. He then realizes that he may have made a mistake: if Piccolo is dead, Kami-sama will be with him and Garlic Jr. will no longer be able to collect the seven crystal balls to resuscitate his father.

“The World Awakens”

Release Date: November 6, 1991

On Earth, the situation is just as chaotic as ever. On the Almighty’s Palace platform, Son Gohan attacks Garlic Jr. Piccolo is still disturbed by vanishing phenomena related to the difficulties faced by Kami-sama, who is under attack from ancient deities in the Divine Zone. Kami-sama concedes that he may be a lesser deity than them, but he loves everyone on Earth and is willing to lay down his life to save them.

Son Gohan continues to dominate Garlic Jr.: he masterfully headbutts Garlic Jr. in the back who is pierced through and through, then tries to finish him off with a fireball. But Garlic Jr. is immortal: he gets up and heals the hole in his stomach. Garlic Jr. rushes at the frightened Son Gohan but Piccolo intervenes.

“Brief Chance for Victory”

Release Date: November 13, 1991

Garlic Jr. conjured up the Dead Zone to suck his enemies into darkness, but Son Gohan created an energy shield to protect himself and Krillin and Piccolo, the latter being weakened by attacks suffered at the same time by Kami-sama in the Divine Zone. To defeat Garlic Jr., Piccolo asks Son Gohan to deactivate his shield and destroy the Black Magic Star, which gives Garlic Jr. his power. But Son Gohan refuses as he doesn’t want to sentence Piccolo and Krillin to be condemned. Son Gohan even increases the intensity of his shield.

On Earth, the Holy Water spreads and frees the inhabitants of Earth from the demon. In the Divine Zone, the gods cease their attacks against Kami-sama, they revive him when we thought he was lost and send him back to his palace with Mr. Popo. Both are drawn to the Dead Zone. However, this allowed Piccolo to regain his abilities: he leaves Son Gohan’s protective shield, brings Kami-sama and Mr. Popo back to a safe place, then attacks Garlic Jr., but he holds him at bay.

“Z Warriors Prepare”

Release Date: January 29, 1992

At Bulma’s father’s estate, Vegeta trains in a space capsule equipped with a device to multiply the force of gravity by 300. While Vegeta takes a break, Yamcha also tests the machine with 300G but he is grounded. and manages with great difficulty to pull himself up to press the button that deactivates the gravity augmentation system.

Bulma’s father reveals that Vegeta always asks him for more new tools to practice with and he always ends up smashing them to a pulp. Bulma’s mother admits to having a soft spot for Vegeta over Son Goku. During a training session, Vegeta causes the space capsule to explode. Seriously injured, he is put to rest and Bulma watches over him.

“A Girl Named Lime”

Release Date: January 13, 1993

While Son Gohan goes to get groceries, he meets a little girl and her grandfather who do not want to give in to the blackmail of a dark individual who promises the villagers to protect them from Cell in an armored shelter if they let him. all their goods. Son Gohan destroys the ari with a single blow and frees the villagers from this sinister profiteer. Meanwhile, Piccolo begins his training in the special room.

“Warriors of the Dead”

Release Date: July 28, 1993

Goku and Kaiosama arrive in the Other World. Kaio-sama explains to him that the galaxy is divided into four quadrants: north, south, east and west, and that each of these quadrants has a Kaio-sama. Kaio-sama watches over the north. Above these four is the Great Kaio-sama. Goku and Kaio-sama go to the planet of the Great Kaio-sama, and upon arrival, they learn that Cell, Frieza, King Cold, and the four deceased members of the Ginyu Force are causing trouble in Hell. Goku and Paikuhan, a warrior from the western quadrant, are sent to deal with them. When they get there, Goku takes care of the Ginyu Forces, and Paikuhan shows off his impressive strength by finishing off the rest.

“Tournament Begins”

Release Date: August 11, 1993

The West Kai suggests that an Otherworld Martial Arts Tournament be held to determine which quadrant has the better fighter. The Great Kai agrees, and so the Tournament begins. After several fights, it is Goku’s turn. His opponent grabs him and starts tickling him into submission. Goku lands a punch, and this causes his opponent to cry and begins his metamorphosis into his ultimate form. But since this metamorphosis lasts 1,200 years, Goku is declared the winner by default.

“Water Fight”

Release Date: August 18, 1993

The quarterfinals of the Otherworld Tournament are underway. In his fight, Goku faces an aquatic being that fills the ring with water. Underwater, Goku is no match for him. Knowing this, he flies out of the water and aims a Kamehameha directly at the ring, blowing his opponent out of it. Goku wins, and is a semifinalist, along with Tolby, from the south, and Maraiko and Paikuhan, from the west.

“Final Round”

Release Date: August 25, 1993

The semifinals of the Other World Tournament begin. Goku faces Maraiko, from the west quadrant, and wins. Meanwhile, Paikuhan, also from the Western Quadrant, defeats Tolby, from the Southern Quadrant. In the finale, Goku and Paikuhan begin to fight. After a small skirmish, both fighters reveal that they have been hiding their true strength. Paikuhan takes off his weight training clothes and Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan.

“Goku vs. Pikkon”

Release Date: September 1, 1993

Now at full strength, the battle between Goku and Paikuhan intensifies. The stadium is shaken by his awesome power. Since they seem evenly matched, Paikuhan reveals his best technique: the Thunder attack. Goku is crushed by this powerful blast twice. But when Paikuhan decides to use it for the third time, Goku finds a weak point.

He uses the Shunkanido to appear right behind Paikuhan and launches a Kamehameha that knocks him out of the ring. It appears that Goku has won, but the Grand Kai reveals that both Goku and Paikuhan have hit the ceiling, disqualifying them both. As a consolation, he offers them both a private lesson in a couple of hundred years.