10 Dragon Ball Sagas That Don't Hold Up On A Rewatch
Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball has crafted an unforgettable story over the course of four decades and more than 600 episodes. The Dragon Ball franchise is divided into dozens of sagas, the likes of which are typically identified by shifting major villains or plot points. It's easy to get caught in the flashy milestones that highlight a saga's climax and the flashy transformations that make up its conclusion.
However, some of Dragon Ball 's sagas get a little too much leeway, and they don't hold up when they're put under greater scrutiny. Some of these sagas may create suspense and feel satisfying on their initial watch, only for the pacing, storytelling, and character development to fall short on repeated viewings. That's not to say that these are outright bad Dragon Ball sagas that fail. They're just stretches of story where one watch may be enough.
Dragon Ball's Red Ribbon Army Saga Gets Dragged Down By Frustrating Filler
Dragon Ball: Episodes 29-45
The original Dragon Ball 's Red Ribbon Army Saga is not a bad or even unsuccessful collection of episodes. In fact, Goku's infiltration of Muscle Tower is dense in creative battles against enemies like Major Metallitron, Buyon, and Ninja Murasaki. Goku grows as a fighter during these episodes, but he also repeatedly shows his innocence and kind-hearted nature to everyone that he encounters.
As great as the Red Ribbon Army Saga's core episodes are, many fans forget that the saga is bookended with some regrettable filler episodes. This includes "The Roaming Lake," which might be Dragon Ball 's worst episode. It's easy to just remember and celebrate the Red Ribbon Army Saga's highlights, but a rewatch reflects how much dead weight there is across these episodes.
The Commander Red Saga Has The Least Compelling Red Ribbon Material
Dragon Ball: Episodes 58-67
Dragon Ball 's Commander Red Saga brings the epic Red Ribbon Army storyline to a close as the series prepares for even greater challenges. Goku neutralizes most of Red Ribbon's top talent in the Red Ribbon Army and General Blue Sagas, which turns Mercenary Tao into the Commander Red Saga's greatest challenge. To the saga's credit, Mercenary Tao is one of the few Dragon Ball characters who is genuinely frightening and Goku has to experience extreme trials in order to become strong enough to overpower the assassin.
Goku's eventual defeat of Commander Red and Staff Officer Black is a disappointment after the heights of Mercenary Tao. That's the point, to some extent, but these ten episodes aren't the most memorable way to conclude a story. Fortunately, everything in the original Dragon Bal l that follows is high-quality content that's some of the franchise's best work.
Dragon Ball Z's Other World Saga Loses Its Impact The Second Time Around
Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 195-199
Filler is a mixed bag in any long-running shonen series and Dragon Ball Z is particularly indulgent in this regard. There are even a few anime-original sagas that are purely filler, such as the Garlic Jr. and Other World Sagas. The Other World Saga has many defenders, largely because it introduces one of Dragon Ball 's most beloved non-canon characters, the West Galaxy's Pikkon. The Other World Tournament's concept and the final fight between Goku and Pikkon are satisfying.
However, there's no real sense of stakes or gravitas to any of the other fights. The Other World Saga, at only five episodes, doesn't overstay its welcome. It also doesn't have enough time to create any real meaningful battles. Pikkon's initial allure wears off on rewatches and it's easier to look at these five episodes objectively.
The World Tournament Saga Is A Cathartic Comeback That Lacks Grander Conflict
Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 210-219
Dragon Ball Z 's Buu Saga technically begins with the Other World and Great Saiyaman Sagas, but the following World Tournament Saga is when it feels like the story really begins. Goku is back on Earth for 24 hours to celebrate the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament with his friends and family, yet this ends up being the hotbed for a malevolent attack that puts the entire planet at risk. The World Tournament Saga is only ten episodes, and it ends when things finally start to get interesting.
A grounded martial arts tournament is a successful calm before the storm, but this material just doesn't work as well on a rewatch. Even Goten and Trunks' battle , which is arguably the saga's centerpiece, is rather lackluster. The World Tournament Saga just feels like it's biding its time until the real Majin mayhem can begin.
Dragon Ball Z's Fusion Saga Has Stronger Ideas Than It Does Execution
Dragon Ball Z,: Episodes 254-275
Fusion has irrevocably changed Dragon Ball's power system, which makes it a little surprising that the concept often feels like gratuitous padding when it's introduced in Dragon Ball Z 's Fusion Saga. Sandwiched between the more satisfying and eventful Majin Buu and Kid Buu Sagas, the Fusion Saga gets a lot of mileage out of Gotenks and Vegito's battles against Super Buu.
Unfortunately, fusion doesn't lead to Buu's defeat and, if anything, it just gives him more power. The grander Buu Saga is often criticized for its pacing, and the Fusion Saga is where the battles and storytelling feel the most haphazard. The giant roundworm filler once Goku and Vegeta are inside Buu's body is especially questionable.
The Peaceful World Saga Pushes Dragon Ball Z Into A Corner
Dragon Ball Z: Episodes 288-291
Endings aren't easy and a concluding saga's resolution often needs to double as satisfying closure for the entire series. Curiously, Dragon Ball Z gives its characters a little breathing room with a ten-year time-skip that follows Kid Buu's defeat. The three-episode Peaceful World Saga is a fun epilogue that has everyone reunite at the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament. These festivities are cut short when Goku is mystified by the young Uub's latent potential.
Goku and Uub's abrupt exit is perhaps fitting of Dragon Ball 's grander themes, but it leaves the Peaceful World Saga feeling half-baked. The same ending would play better if it followed a proper martial arts tournament arc. The Peaceful World Saga is also harder to enjoy on rewatches because Dragon Ball continues to avoid this point in its timeline. Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball DAIMA feel afraid to dip their toes in Peaceful World Saga material, which makes this material feel less important as a result.
Dragon Ball GT's Black Star Dragon Ball Saga Loses Its Magic On Repeated Viewings
Dragon Ball GT: Episodes 1-16
It sometimes takes some time for a new anime to find its footing, and Dragon Ball GT initially experiences an identity crisis as it struggles to figure out the type of series that it wants to be. This leads to an opening saga that's tonally at odds with the rest of Dragon Ball GT and features several ideas and storylines that are never followed up on or resolved. This makes the Black Star Dragon Ball Saga feel incredibly disposable, especially on a rewatch, which is never how a series should begin. Goku, Pan, and Trunks arguably don't really gel as a team by the saga's end.
The Black Star Dragon Ball Saga was met with such poor reception in Japan that Dragon Ball GT 's English dub made the incredibly bold decision to skip this opening arc, reduce it to a clip show premiere, and then begin with the superior Baby Saga. The Black Star Dragon Ball Saga was later released as "The Lost Episodes." The decision to skip over these episodes, rather than run the risk of losing fans early on who may never return, speaks to this saga's poor reputation.
The Super 17 Saga Wastes Good Ideas On A Formulaic Final Villain
Dragon Ball GT: Episodes 41-47
Dragon Ball GT explores some creative ideas, but at 64 episodes, it's not a particularly long series. Out of its four story arcs, the Super 17 Saga is the shortest at only seven episodes. One would think that these episodes would be a satisfying return to form, considering that they mark the returns of Frieza, Cell, Dr. Gero, and Android 17 in major capacities , not to mention a cavalcade of other defeated villains.
Unfortunately, the Super 17 Saga squanders its potential. The beginning of the saga is tied up with the mismanaged 31st World Martial Arts Tournament and other developments, such as Krillin's death and Piccolo's resignation to an eternity in Hell, feel hollow. The Super 17 Saga is an important reminder that empty fan service can only go so far, and it's never a substitute for good writing.
Dragon Ball Super's Golden Frieza Saga Becomes The Least Memorable Frieza Content
Dragon Ball Super: Episodes 16-27
The Golden Frieza Saga, Dragon Ball Super 's second story arc, expands Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' into a dozen episodes. While this approach follows in the footsteps of the God of Destruction Beerus Saga, it's less graceful with its adaptation, and the material is just less engrossing. The Golden Frieza Saga does get credit for its focus on Dragon Ball 's supporting players, while Goku and Vegeta train with Whis. However, these fights seriously belittle Gohan and Piccolo's strength.
Frieza's return was momentous the first time around, but this saga just doesn't hit as hard now that Frieza has been revived — yet again — and is even stronger than before. Golden Frieza's clash against Super Saiyan Blue Goku and Vegeta is definitely the least interesting of his big battles. It's impressive that Frieza successfully blows up the Earth, but this dramatic moment falls flat on subsequent viewings since the audience knows that it's not a big deal.
The Universe 6 Saga Features Too Many Throwaway Fighters
Dragon Ball Super: Episodes 28-41
Dragon Ball Super 's Universe 6 Saga was celebrated upon its release because it's the first Dragon Ball Super saga that's not just an expanded version of a canonical movie. The Universe 6 Saga is given a lot of leeway because it expands upon the series' multiverse concept and it introduces the Super Dragon Balls. The Tournament of Destroyers does great work with how it introduces some of Universe 6's strongest warriors , not to mention the petty relationship that exists between Beerus and Universe 6's Champa.
There's a lot to love in the Universe 6 Saga, whether it's Vegeta sweeping the tournament until he reaches Hit or Goku's Blue Kaio-Ken gambit. However, many of the saga's twists, like Frost's true nature or Monaka's background, are less successful in subsequent rewatches. Many of these fights have deflated conclusions, and it feels like Dragon Ball Super 's equivalent to Fortuneteller Baba's Tournament, in many respects.
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