Dragon Ball invented the anime power-up fight. Across Z, Super, and movies, certain battles transcended the formula to become legendary. Here are the greatest Dragon Ball fights ever.
10. Goku vs. Frieza (Namek)
The original twenty-episode marathon. First Super Saiyan transformation. “You fool!” The fight that defined DBZ’s format and introduced Frieza as anime’s most quotable villain.
9. Vegeta vs. Goku (Saiyan Saga)
The first clash between rivals. Vegeta’s Galick Gun vs. Kamehameha. Goku breaking his body using Kaioken x4. This fight established the Vegeta rivalry that would define the series.
8. Gohan vs. Cell
Father-son Kamehameha. Super Saiyan 2 awakening through grief. Goku’s sacrifice. This fight was supposed to pass the torch to Gohan—even if that didn’t stick, the moment remains peak DBZ.
7. Goku vs. Majin Vegeta
The rematch fans waited years for. Vegeta’s deliberate fall to Majin. Equal combat that got interrupted by Buu. Even incomplete, this fight delivered the rivalry’s catharsis.
6. Goku vs. Beerus
Battle of Gods introduced the God tier. Super Saiyan God red hair. Universe-threatening clashes. It revitalized Dragon Ball after years of dormancy and set up Super’s scale.
5. Goku vs. Jiren
Tournament of Power’s climax. Ultra Instinct awakening. Jiren’s overwhelming power requiring multiple eliminations. The battle pushed animation quality and power scaling simultaneously.
4. Vegito vs. Buuhan
Fusion at its most stylish. Vegito toying with absorbed Buu demonstrated fusion’s potential perfectly. The candy beam escape is legendary comedy amid serious stakes.
3. Broly vs. Gogeta
The Super: Broly movie delivered cinema-quality action. Gogeta Blue vs. Legendary Super Saiyan Broly showcased what Dragon Ball could look like with theatrical budget.
2. Goku vs. Kid Buu
Spirit Bomb finale. Vegeta’s acknowledgment of Goku as superior. The pure evil Buu required everyone’s energy to defeat. It’s the definitive DBZ ending.
1. Ultra Instinct Goku vs. Jiren (Final)
Mastered Ultra Instinct’s first appearance. The animation quality, the emotional stakes, the 17 surprise—this Tournament of Power conclusion represents Dragon Ball at its modern best.