Summary
- Tournaments bring intense fights and iconic moments to Dragon Ball, showcasing the characters' growth and potential early on.
- Emotional encounters like Goku fighting his grandfather and intense confrontations like Goku vs. Tien add depth to the series.
- Epic transformations, team-ups, and high-stakes battles in tournaments create unforgettable moments that define Dragon Ball's legacy.
Dragon Ball is filled with epic fights, having some amazing characters, villains, and storylines that bring so many iconic moments to audiences all over the world. One of the aspects that have become intrinsic to the franchise is the many tournaments throughout the different anime series. These fighting competitions make their way back every once in a while, starting from the World Martial Arts Tournament in Dragon Ball to the out-of-this-universe competition at the end of Dragon Ball Super.
Dragon Ball: Goku's 12 Best Battles, Ranked
Goku has encountered plenty of powerful opponents throughout the history of Dragon Ball, but some of the resulting fights are far better than others.
While there has been a variety of great winners in each tournament, these competitions are very much about the many intense fights that make or break an event. Although the tournaments all have their captivating fights, some fights stand out in their tournaments. Be it because of the stakes, the opponents, or even the significance, some fights become the face of their respective tournaments, developing into iconic moments of the franchise.
10 21st World Martial Arts - Goku VS Jackie Chun
An Important Defeat For Goku
Dragon Ball
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Release Date
- February 26, 1986
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 153
- Dragon Ball
- Episodes: 26-28
As the tournament that started it all, Goku's first World Martial Arts tournament was nothing but fun, with a fight that gave a glimpse of the protagonist's potential early on in Dragon Ball. Not only that, his defeat by his undercover master was crucial to Goku's character development, marking this as one of the most important fights for Goku.
Showing Goku how much there is to learn, this fight brought some great down-to-earth martial arts moments and an intense transformation that showed how goofy of a mentor Master Roshi can be, pushing Goku to want to keep learning.
9 Uranais Baba's Tournament - Goku VS Masked Man
An Emotional And Entertaining Encounter
- Dragon Ball
- Episodes: 74-76
This tournament was filled with unique fights, yet it is not every day that Goku can fight against his dead grandfather who raised him. The fight itself had great moments, especially because the protagonist did not know who he was fighting since his grandfather wore a mask the entire time.
Exploring Goku's biggest weakness at the time, his tail, and bringing a big revelation, this fight marks one of the most emotional moments in Dragon Ball, as Goku and his grandfather briefly reunite.
8 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament - Goku VS Tien
An Intense Confrontation With Great Martial Arts
- Dragon Ball
- Episodes: 97-101
The 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament was a pivotal point in Dragon Ball, bringing a different, darker tone to the series, with the introduction of many important characters. While King Piccolo was subtly being presented by his minions' appearances, the fight that really stands out in the tournament is Goku and Tien's fight.
Tien ends up becoming part of the Z fighters, yet when he is first introduced, he is not the nicest to Goku and his friends, with his master being a rival of Master Roshi's. The fight between the two had it all, showcasing new possibilities in an entertaining and intense confrontation, being recognized as one of the best fights in all the tournaments.
7 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament - Goku VS Piccolo Jr.
A Fight To End Dragon Ball And Set Up Dragon Ball Z
- Dragon Ball
- Episodes: 143-148
The 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament was the perfect setting to finish Goku's journey in Dragon Ball, featuring Piccolo Jr. In a confrontation with the protagonist. This fight is not only responsible for introducing Piccolo's role in the franchise, but it is also one of the best sagas.
This is mostly due to the high stakes and the long-awaited fight between Goku and Piccolo Jr. That served to showcase Goku's transition to the hero he is supposed to become in Dragon Ball Z. With a swift shift in style and tone, this fight is the perfect combination between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, serving as a bridge between the anime.
6 Cell Games - Gohan VS Cell
An Epic Transformation In A Fight To Remember
Dragon Ball Z
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Release Date
- April 26, 1989
- Number of Episodes
- 291
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Dragon Ball Z
- Episodes: 181-191
Probably one of the most iconic moments in Dragon Ball Z is Gohan stepping into his father's shoes as Earth's mightiest hero and the last hope in defeating Cell. Overall, the Cell Games is one of the best tournaments in the franchise, as it is filled with captivating fights, interactions, and high stakes.
Yet, Gohan unlocking the transformation to defeat Cell is filled with adrenaline, making this fight one to remember. Not only does it have an incredible start, but it also finishes with Goku helping Gohan from beyond as he gives a Kamehameha wave to finish off the villain, in one of the best moments in the franchise.
5 25th World Martial Arts Tournament - Trunks VS Goten
A True Dragon Ball Z Fight With A Touch Of Dragon Ball Nostalgia
- Dragon Ball Z
- Episodes: 211-213
While future Trunks had been a fan-favorite way before this fight, young Trunks is still making a name for himself, with this fight being the moment where he can finally show a glimpse of his power. Currently, Goten and Tunks' futures are still very open, but this fight shows the potential both these young characters have.
Dragon Ball: Future Trunks Vs. Present Trunks: Which is Better?
While many fans enjoyed Present Trunks as a character, does he hold up compared to Future Trunks, and which of the two is better?
Already Super Saiyans and incredibly strong, the boys represent the Goku and Vegeta rivalry that has been going on since the start of Dragon Ball Z. Moreover, this fight in the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament has a mix of levity and seriousness that makes it an all-around entertaining watch that represents Dragon Ball Z while giving a nod to Dragon Ball.
4 Other World Tournament - Goku VS Pikkon
A Short Filler Packed With Memorable Moments
- Dragon Ball Z
- Episodes: 198-199
The Other World Tournament is a filler arc, yet it still manages to bring some entertaining moments through the fights and characters presented in the arc. Pikkon was a highlight of the arc, showcasing quite a bit of depth considering he appears in a short filler, quickly becoming beloved by the fans.
However, what stands out is the fight between the protagonist and Pikkon, which comes with interesting moments and fight moves. While Goku ends up getting the best of Pikkon, the fight ends in a draw as the judge decides that Goku went out of bounds.
3 28th World Martial Arts Tournament - Goku VS Uub
A Fight With A Happy Ending To Dragon Ball Z
- Dragon Ball Z
- Episodes: 290-291
After the intense Majin Buu saga, there was still a short tournament to finish off Dragon Ball Z with the classic World Martial Arts Tournament. Although the fights might not have been the primary focus of this tournament, it still managed to have important moments.
To finish off the saga, the last fight between Goku and Uub serves as a way for the protagonist to pass on the torch to another warrior and protector of Earth. As the reincarnation of Majin Buu, this fight shows the untested potential that Uub can bring to the table in the future.
2 Tournament Of Destroyers - Goku VS Hit
A Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-Ken Loss For Goku
Dragon Ball Super
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget Display card main info widget end Display card media widget start Display card media widget end- Release Date
- July 5, 2015
- Number of Episodes
- 131
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Dragon Ball Super
- Episodes: 37-40
The Tournament of Destroyers may not have contained as many amazing fights as the Tournament of Power, but it still manages to bring some unique battles. In particular, Goku VS Hit comes with some great moments, as Goku struggles to overpower Hit's Time-Skip.
Using his Super Sayin Blue form to overpower Hit, Goku quickly realizes that Hit is improving throughout the fight, forcing Goku to reveal his Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken. Yet what makes this fight even more memorable is the fact Goku forfeits, seeing that Hit cannot fight to his fullest without killing, making him one of the few enemies Goku never actually defeated.
1 Tournament Of Power - Goku, Android 17 & Frieza VS Jiren
Goku, Frieza, And Android 17 Join Forces Against Jiren
- Dragon Ball Super
- Episodes: 77-131
While the Tournament of Power is a definite highlight of Dragon Ball Super, its ending also ranks among the best in the franchise due to one of the most epic fights. With a team-up never imagined during Dragon Ball Z, Frieza, Android 17 and Goku fight side by side against Jiren.
Best Anime Team Battles, Ranked
Duels are all well and good, but sometimes nothing hits the spot like an anime team battle.
With Goku no longer in Ultra Instinct form, the combination of the three warriors ending the tournament against a formidable enemy might rank this as one of the best fights in the franchise. Although the tournament has some great fights, the fluidity of enemies joining forces makes this an unforgettable moment for Dragon Ball fans.
Dragon Ball: 7 Fights With Great Thematic Importance
Dragon Ball's biggest strength is the manner in which complex and interesting themes are woven into the very fabric of the series' many battles.