Dragon Ball (All Series)

[Spark Of Spirit]

Mine's gonna seem weird in comparison.

1. Goku Vs. King Piccolo - I love this one simply because of how it feels like the culmination of everything Goku learned in the series up to that point, and the fight was pretty epic. To me, it really signals the end of the (first) series in a lot of ways.

2. Goku Vs. Vegeta - This is pretty much the stock fight everyone talks about. And that's because it's just that good.

3. Gohan, Vegeta and Krillin (and eventually Goku) Vs. The Ginyu Force - This is a pretty epic battle royale for the climax of the Namek saga featuring a lot of unexpected moments. And it's one of the few long running battles that doesn't wear out its welcome.

4. Vegito Vs. Super Buu - This is pretty much the final super powered battle of the series (IMO most everything after this is based on luck and coincidence) featuring the two strongest characters. Also a character with Vegeta's cockiness and Goku's playfullness is hilariously weird. It's also nice to see Vegeta's cunning side show up again in contrast to Goku's straightforwardness. He didn't even have to go SS to win. It also doesn't help that not a single character to ever appear in the series (or movies, filler or follow up series) still manages to come up to his level.

5. Goku Vs. The Red Ribbon Army - Goku storms the base Rambo style and takes out everyone who comes his way. I love this part.

6. Goku Vs. Tien - Great finale for the tournament, and easily one of the highlights of the original series.

7. Mystic Gohan Vs. Super Buu - IMO, there's only two fights I like a lot in the Buu saga and this is one of them. It's nice to see someone without golden hair kick the crap out of a bad guy for the first time in forever. And Gohan officially becomes the strongest (non-fused) character in the series like he was meant to be at the end of the Cell saga.

8. Future Trunks Vs. Androids 17 and 18 - One thing I always liked about Future Trunks was that he didn't waste any time in his fights. After everything he went through, it's nice to see him finally get what he finally deserved. A happy ending.

9. Goku and Piccolo Vs Raditz - The very first fight of DBZ pretty much changed everything to me. Everything was brought to whole other level of intensity. If I had seen this show chronologically from DB through DBZ when I first watched it, I would undoubtedly be floored.

10. Gohan, Vegeta, Krillin and Piccolo Vs. Freeza - Taking powerups to the next level. Literally. How they managed to last so long until Goku came along is a testament to their tenacity.

I'd also throw in an honorable mention for pretty much anything Vegeta did on Namek and probably any fight Krillin or Gohan were a part of, but that would be a bit too broad for me.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

Good list. I like all of those fights as well, though my list has some variations on the same general battles you listed, but overall the DB series is stuffed full of good fights. I know it makes me sound like some nerdy shonen-fanboy to actually list out why I enjoy fights in a series like this, but really they aren't as brainless and half-assed as people make them out to be. As far as the manga goes, Toriyama was labeled a genius because he could make these big epic battles that actually kept the reader interesting rather than bored from long drawn-out fight scenes.

Speaking of the fights, I guess I should explain my choices as well:

1. Goku vs Vegeta (Saiyan Saga)- To me, this is when the series was at its pinnacle. While I like the 1st half of the series better in general, I will say that my absolute favorite part of the series is the Saiyan Saga, and this fight is a big reason for why. Goku going up against Vegeta for the first time ever feels epic not because of how powerful they are or how many energy blasts they spew out, it feels epic because for the most part they are pretty much on the same level, and that's just brilliant! Think about it, in most cases in DBZ fights Goku or other end up getting some advantage that puts them above the level of the villain to allow them to win the day, otherwise the good guy will win by luck or coincidence. In this fight, Goku and Vegeta both have their strengths and weanesses and in the end are pretty on par with one another after the sum of all of those things. Vegeta has more raw power at his disposal than Goku but Goku has an abundance of martial arts experience (whereas in comparison Vegeta is just really strong, and isn't established to know any specific fighting styles), and his training with Kaio allows him to use the Kaio Ken technique in order to amplify his power to even it out with Vegeta's. From there we get a battle that is above all else, really intense. It keeps swaying back and forth with one opponent getting the upper hand over the other and you have a hard time predicting how its going to follow through. To me, this is Dragon Ball action and its absolute best.

2. Goku vs Tien (2nd Budokai tournament in Dragon Ball)- Much like his fight with Vegeta, this is also great because both fighters are roughly at the same level, and this one has a ton of strategy going on between them to boot, as well as a nice touch of classic Dragon Ball style humor. The only reason its not number 1 is because since its a tournament fight, its bound by rules and since it just comes down to both fighters merely trying to knock each other out of the ring, it doesn't feel as intense or threatening as the fight with Vegeta, but even so for fight that has rule restrictiosn to it, its still top of the line entertainment.

3. Goku vs Frieza- OK, I fully admit that its long and dragged out, but the thing is it doesn't feel that dragged out to me, if only because going by the fight itself and not the other stuff happening that interupts the pacing, its actually not as terribly long as people make it out to be. I just like the fight so much because it honestly has a lot of emotional weight to it from Goku's side of things. I like how early on in the fight after Frieza kills Vegeta and Goku learns a bit more about what Frieza did to the Saiyans, he actually sympathizes with his old enemy and even fights to defend his honor. And of course having Krillin killed triggers him to transform into a Super Saiyan, and while I generally hated how over-used the SS form got for all of the Saiyan characters once the Cell Saga came into play, it was handled brilliantly in this fight, as Goku didn't completely overpower Frieza but still got to give him the proper ass-kicking that he deserved.

4. Goku vs King Piccolo (2nd/final fight)- As Desensitized said, this is basically the perfect ending to the more youthful portion of Dragon Ball (as in when Goku was a child). In many ways its really the final fight in the series to contain pretty much all of the classic Dragon Ball style elements within its formula, which the series kind of grew out of later on, so naturally this one has a truly classic feeling to it that can't be matched by anything else.

5. Goku vs Jacki-Chun/Master Roshi (1st Budokai)- A classic battle between student and master, what else is there to say? Its also nice that its the first fight that Goku lost, since it would have been ridiculous if he was able to beat everyone he fought throughout the series (it would have become boring in no time, then).

6. Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo vs Nappa- I just love how outmatched these 3 are and how they have to use brilliant teamwork to stay together. I also love the scene in which Piccolo gives up his live to protect Gohan, which is really touching to see how much Gohan caused him to change as a person from his former evil ways. Also, that feeling of desperation just gives this fight such an intense feeling.

7. Vegeta vs Frieza and Various Minions of His (a tie between Frieza as well as Kiwi, Zarbon, Jeice, etc.)- All of these fights are great. All of the fights with Frieza's minions show you just how much of a bad-ass Vegeta is, and even though he gets his ass kicked a couple of times, you really get engaged in the fights because you find that you really get into Vegeta's character in this arc and actually want to see him win.

8. Goku vs. Tao (2nd + 3rd round)- This gets major props for being the first time in the series that Goku has to fight an opponent that had clearly outmatched him in every way. After getting his ass-kicked and being unable to protect the father of his new friend, he trains hard and comes back to teach Tao a lesson, and for that this fight has a truly rewarding feeling to it.

9. Future Trunks vs Alternate Future Android 17 + 18 (the fight from the manga and TV anime, not from the movie)- Once again, Desensitized pretty much nailed the reason for why this fight is so good. It just feels so satisfying to see Trunks finally get the ending that he deserves, and you just have to smile when he gives those Alternate Future Androids just what they deserve.

10. Goku vs Red Ribbon Army (final battle with the entire headquarters/base)- And yup, this is yet a third time where I agree with exactly what Desensitized said. No need for any additional explanations on my point over here.

[Spark Of Spirit]

Dragonball is still one of the best when it comes to battles even so long after it ended. There are few fights I outright dislike in the series (and I think pretty much every fight up to Freeza is pretty great) like even if I'm not all that big on the Cell or Buu arcs, they do contain some pretty cool fights that are still fun to watch.

I like Dragonball more than Z because it has great fights as well as great adventure and funny comedy, but the whole series really works great when it comes to action scenes.

[gunswordfist]

So it looks like the two Cooler movies are the last in line for Nicktoons "DBZ movie" month; I don't see the first couple (Dead Zone, Tree of Might, etc.) scheduled anywhere in the lineup. Kinda sucks that they aren't airing all of them, but oh well.

I'd say this was a successful endeavor on their part, either way. A good number of these movies have never aired anywhere on TV in the US (not even on Toonami), so it was pretty cool to see them over the air for the first time ever, edited or otherwise.

Which ones haven't aired on TV? Super Android 13? (That's right, I watched that on youtube with a buddy at my old job) Bojack? (watched that on DVD?) I'm sure they showed everything else.

Anyway, it was good to finally watch all of Return of Cooler. I missed the part before Vegeta came when Cartoon Network aired it. Funny, I had a dream about that movie last night.

Anyway, my favorites that they showed (in no order) are the 1st Broly, Cooler's Revenge and Fusion Reborn. Such well directed fights in Fusion Reborn and I loved the music. I had to add that. I wonder how the first 3 films stack up. I remember them being so good.

Them airing Bojack made me get to appreciate it a bit more. I used to think it wasn't that good but I think it's alright now. Nothing special of course. And I got to get around to actually watching Broly's Second Coming. I think I watched all of it years ago but I barely remember it, probably because I didn't pay attention.

Here's a good topic to steer the thread into- What are your top 10 favorite fights from the entire franchise? They can be anime, manga, filler, movies... Whatever. Just list 'em out!

I still have to think it over before I post, but what do you guys think?

1. Future Trunks vs Frieza (now that's how you make handsigns, you Naruto bitches)
(the rest in no order)

Vegeta vs Goku (I love the best Kamehameha ever and Great Ape Vegeta is the only good giant villain fight in the franchise.)

Majin Vegeta vs Goku (All the kids love Goku's infamous rock punch. A pure fuck yeah moment and the height of the sorry ass, punk ass Buu saga) EDIT:

Piccolo vs Kami (The best DB fight I've seen so far. Them speaking Namekian made it even cooler.)

Tien vs Semi-Perfect Cell (Dumbasses need to learn Tribeam. It's been said that's it better than Kamehameha forever.)

Perfect Cell vs Goku

Super Perfect Cell vs Gohan

Goku vs Frieza

Goku vs both Janemba forms (the music alone would put it here.)

Broly vs Z Warriors (One of the only villains the team has and had to team up on. Broly unique to DBZ prowrestling style fighting also adds to this.)

1. Goku vs Vegeta (Saiyan Saga)

2. Goku vs Tien (2nd Budokai tournament in Dragon Ball)

3. Goku vs Frieza

4. Goku vs King Piccolo (2nd/final fight)

5. Goku vs Jacki-Chun/Master Roshi (1st Budokai)

6. Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo vs Nappa

7. Vegeta vs Frieza and Various Minions of His (a tie between Frieza as well as Kiwi, Zarbon, Jeice, etc.)

8. Goku vs. Tao (2nd + 3rd round)

9. Future Trunks vs Alternate Future Android 17 + 18 (the fight from the manga and TV anime, not from the movie)

10. Goku vs Red Ribbon Army (final battle with the entire headquarters/base)

Honorable Mentions: Goku vs Murasaki (because its fucking hilarious, that's why), Goku vs General Blue (mostly for the same reasons as Murasaki), Gohan vs Cell (because it was when Gohan was in his prime as a character; as in he fully developed out of being the whiney wimp that he was at earlier parts in the series, and wasn't as cocky as he was when he was a teenager), Future Trunks vs. Frieza and his father (because I just love seeing me a good old fashioned ass-kicking)

I didn't list any fights from the movies because while some of them are entertaining, most of them lack any real substance or even a sense of serious threat to them, and feel much more like mindless beat-downs.

Oh yeah, Goku vs Master Roshi. I was recently thinking about that. I like how Roshi's goal was to beat Goku so he'd stay interested in martial arts and how he beat him because Goku's smaller body couldn't take the punishment. Also, blowing up the fucking moon was cool too.

Mine's gonna seem weird in comparison.

1. Goku Vs. King Piccolo - I love this one simply because of how it feels like the culmination of everything Goku learned in the series up to that point, and the fight was pretty epic. To me, it really signals the end of the (first) series in a lot of ways.

2. Goku Vs. Vegeta - This is pretty much the stock fight everyone talks about. And that's because it's just that good.

3. Gohan, Vegeta and Krillin (and eventually Goku) Vs. The Ginyu Force - This is a pretty epic battle royale for the climax of the Namek saga featuring a lot of unexpected moments. And it's one of the few long running battles that doesn't wear out its welcome.

4. Vegito Vs. Super Buu - This is pretty much the final super powered battle of the series (IMO most everything after this is based on luck and coincidence) featuring the two strongest characters. Also a character with Vegeta's cockiness and Goku's playfullness is hilariously weird. It's also nice to see Vegeta's cunning side show up again in contrast to Goku's straightforwardness. He didn't even have to go SS to win. It also doesn't help that not a single character to ever appear in the series (or movies, filler or follow up series) still manages to come up to his level.

5. Goku Vs. The Red Ribbon Army - Goku storms the base Rambo style and takes out everyone who comes his way. I love this part.

6. Goku Vs. Tien - Great finale for the tournament, and easily one of the highlights of the original series.

7. Mystic Gohan Vs. Super Buu - IMO, there's only two fights I like a lot in the Buu saga and this is one of them. It's nice to see someone without golden hair kick the crap out of a bad guy for the first time in forever. And Gohan officially becomes the strongest (non-fused) character in the series like he was meant to be at the end of the Cell saga.

8. Future Trunks Vs. Androids 17 and 18 - One thing I always liked about Future Trunks was that he didn't waste any time in his fights. After everything he went through, it's nice to see him finally get what he finally deserved. A happy ending.

9. Goku and Piccolo Vs Raditz - The very first fight of DBZ pretty much changed everything to me. Everything was brought to whole other level of intensity. If I had seen this show chronologically from DB through DBZ when I first watched it, I would undoubtedly be floored.

10. Gohan, Vegeta, Krillin and Piccolo Vs. Freeza - Taking powerups to the next level. Literally. How they managed to last so long until Goku came along is a testament to their tenacity.

I'd also throw in an honorable mention for pretty much anything Vegeta did on Namek and probably any fight Krillin or Gohan were a part of, but that would be a bit too broad for me.

+1 I vaguely remember that fight though....assuming I don't have it mixed up with all the other damn times Trunks fought the Androids. I'll watch it when Kai shows it.

[Dr. Insomniac]

So Cell's dialogue doesn't sound like something from gay porn anymore.

[Kiddington]

Yeah, they've definitely fixed a lot of things that were wrong with the original dub. I've been enjoying the Cell saga so much more, now that the voice acting doesn't suck. Even the most staunch of weeaboos (you know who I'm talking about) should be able to acknowledge how much better this is.

...anyway, as far as my top 10 fights go, still thinking that over. I'm almost inclined to make the majority of my list from Dragon Ball, and not DBZ; the fights from the original are just so much more fun, IMO, and I love how there's always a touch of comedy involved (even in the most serious situations). I'll probably have something in a day or so here, but I don't think it'll be that much different from anyone else's anyway.

[gunswordfist]

Since I'm not on a PSP right now, I fixed my quadruple post.

So Cell's dialogue doesn't sound like something from gay porn anymore.

"That fool should feel honored to be the first to sample my new power."
I think that line was pretty cheesy. I'm glad I couldn't watch that on my PSP. It was kind of cool waiting to hear Cell's new voice for the first time. I liked how they didn't show it on any of the commercials.

It's good to see that now they've shown 3 for 3 of my favorite DBZ character and in the next episode, 2 for 3 will be fighting each other.

Future Trunks vs Cell irked me. Trunks getting slower from growing his muscles was the very first thing I didn't like about DBZ (2nd would be the Buu saga, of course) It's just so freaking stupid. Trunks has enough energy to move a planet around at light speed. It makes no sense whatsoever. I'll try to enjoy the actual fight though. I missed pieces or whatever and I forgot it happens right after the Vegeta fight. I think I remembered it as Trunks meeting up to fight Vegeta later on.

[Dr. Insomniac]

So Cell's dialogue doesn't sound like something from gay porn anymore.

"That fool should feel honored to be the first to sample my new power."
I think that line was pretty cheesy. I'm glad I couldn't watch that on my PSP. It was kind of cool waiting to hear Cell's new voice for the first time. I liked how they didn't show it on any of the commercials.

Compare and contrast.

[gunswordfist]

So Cell's dialogue doesn't sound like something from gay porn anymore.

"That fool should feel honored to be the first to sample my new power."
I think that line was pretty cheesy. I'm glad I couldn't watch that on my PSP. It was kind of cool waiting to hear Cell's new voice for the first time. I liked how they didn't show it on any of the commercials.

Compare and contrast.

Now I see what you meant.

[gunswordfist]

I can't wait for today's "new episode".

Last week, I like how Cell actually panicked and got severely hurt. It's just good to not have to wait for a villain's last episode for something like that to happen. Also, how he let Krillin take Vegeta away because he had no more interest in fighting him instead of just killing him for no reason reminds me why I like Cell so much.

[Daxdiv]

You thought that our censorship of the DBZ was weird, wait till you see Thailand's dub and how they handle the scene where Gero impales Yamcha.

[Dr. Insomniac]

You thought that our censorship of the DBZ was weird, wait till you see Thailand's dub and how they handle the scene where Gero impales Yamcha.

Thai Gero genetically alters Thai Yamcha so he can grow a penis out of his back? What a nice doctor!

[Rosalinas Spare Wand]

Anybody here have the Blu-Ray remastering of DBZ?

I saw it at Wal-Mart today, kinda wanted it but it was only the first 17 episodes, and after the last infamous remastering, I don't know if I'd be willing to take that risk.

[gunswordfist]

You thought that our censorship of the DBZ was weird, wait till you see Thailand's dub and how they handle the scene where Gero impales Yamcha.

Now THAT'S a penetration attack.

[Dr. Insomniac]

Okay, scratch that about Kai Cell not sounding gay. And he apparently really enjoyed his fight with Gohan.