Dragon Ball Filler List: What to Skip and Why
The Dragon Ball franchise has no single filler list, because its anime adaptations differ in how much material they add beyond the manga. For a straightforward watch, original Dragon Ball has a substantial anime-only stretch near the end, Dragon Ball Z has several filler arcs and episodes, and Dragon Ball Kai removes much—but not all—of Z’s padding.
What “filler” means in Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball began as a manga by Akira Toriyama, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1984 to 1995. The anime adaptations had to keep airing while the manga was still being written. To avoid catching up with the source, the television productions expanded scenes, inserted side stories, or created material that was not adapted from the manga. Fans commonly call this “filler.”
The word is not always a judgment of quality. Some anime-only episodes are light comic adventures or character moments; others interrupt a tense storyline. Also, an episode can mix manga-derived scenes with added material, so a strict episode number does not always tell you exactly what is safe to skip. “Filler” here means content not adapted from the original manga, not every scene that feels slow.
Original Dragon Ball filler list
The original Dragon Ball series has 153 episodes. The clearest full filler block is near its ending, after the manga’s main story has concluded:
- Episodes 独? 29–33: Anime-only material associated with the “Wedding Dress” or “Fire-Eater” storyline, following Goku and Chi-Chi as they seek a way to save the Ox-King’s home.
- Episodes 149–153: A largely anime-original closing adventure involving Goku and Chi-Chi after the final tournament. It provides a gentle transition toward the next stage of their story, but is not manga material.
Episode guides sometimes label nearby episodes differently because the series includes manga-based plot alongside anime additions. If you want to follow only the manga’s core story, the late 140s are the point to check a detailed episode-by-episode guide rather than assuming every episode in a broad range is wholly filler. Viewers who enjoy the original show’s comedy and travel episodes may prefer to watch the ending instead of skipping it.
Dragon Ball Z filler list
Dragon Ball Z runs for 291 episodes in its original Japanese broadcast. The commonly cited filler episodes and arcs include the following. Episode numbering can vary by streaming service, so use the story or arc name as a cross-check.
- 9–17: Gohan’s early survival and training adventures, often grouped as the “Garlic Jr.” or wilderness filler material in episode guides, though labels and boundaries vary.
- 39–43: Anime-only events during the journey to Namek.
- 100: A largely anime-original episode during the Namek conflict.
- 102: A side episode during the Namek events.
- 108–117: The Garlic Jr. saga, an anime-original storyline set after the Namek events.
- 124–125: Added training and driving-test episodes, including the well-known “Goku’s Ordeal.”
- 170–171: Short anime-only stories between major battles.
- 174: A side story focused on Goku before the Cell Games.
- 195–199: The Other World Tournament, a post-Cell anime-original arc.
- 202–203: Great Saiyaman-era side adventures.
- 274: An added episode during the Buu storyline.
- 288: A mostly anime-original slice-of-life episode near the ending.
This is a practical guide to prominent full filler, not a claim that every listed episode contains no manga material or that every added scene is captured. Some databases count mixed episodes as “mixed canon/filler”; others classify them by their main plot. For a first viewing, skipping only full anime-original arcs is often less confusing than trying to remove every added minute.
Dragon Ball Z Kai and later series
Dragon Ball Z Kai was edited to follow the manga’s story more closely, with much of Z’s padding removed. It is therefore a common choice for viewers seeking a shorter version of the Saiyan, Frieza, Androids/Cell, and Majin Buu stories. Kai still contains some anime additions, and episode counts differ between its original broadcast and later versions, so it should not be described as entirely filler-free.
Dragon Ball GT is not an adaptation of Toriyama’s original manga storyline; it is an anime sequel. Calling all of GT “filler” can be misleading: it is better described as a separate anime-original series. Dragon Ball Super likewise has anime and manga versions that do not match scene for scene. The anime’s storylines are not simply “filler” in the same sense as padding inserted into an ongoing manga adaptation. Check which version you are following before applying a list.
How to choose what to skip
Your best viewing order depends on what you want from the franchise:
- For the main manga-adapted plot: Watch the core Dragon Ball and Z story, and use an episode-by-episode guide for mixed episodes. Kai is a convenient option for Z.
- For character moments and comedy: Keep side episodes such as Goku’s driving lesson or the quieter post-battle stories. They are not required to understand the central plot, but can be part of the anime’s charm.
- For a complete anime experience: Watch everything, including GT, while treating it as its own anime-original continuation rather than a list of Z filler episodes.
Avoid relying on a bare number list if your platform uses a different cut, season numbering, or language release. Confirm the episode title and arc, and remember that skipping a whole episode may remove a small canon scene along with the added material.
Common misconceptions
One frequent mistake is treating “not in the manga” as synonymous with “does not matter.” Filler rarely changes the manga’s central plot, but it can introduce characters or events that the anime later references. Another is assuming every Dragon Ball series shares one continuous canon and one filler classification. The original manga, its adaptations, GT, and Super’s separate versions have different relationships to one another.
Finally, online lists are not perfectly uniform. Episode boundaries, dubbed titles, and classifications of mixed episodes vary. Use filler lists as viewing aids rather than official continuity rules; if an episode’s story sounds interesting, there is no harm in watching it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many filler episodes are in Dragon Ball Z?
There is no universally agreed count. Guides differ on whether they count mixed canon-and-filler episodes, and whether short additions qualify as full filler. The episode ranges above identify prominent anime-original material rather than claiming an exact total.
Can I skip the Garlic Jr. saga?
Yes, if your aim is to follow the manga’s main plot. It is anime-original and not needed to understand the central events that follow. Watch it if you want an extra adventure between major arcs.
Is Dragon Ball Kai completely filler-free?
No. Kai removes much of Z’s padding and is more manga-focused, but it retains some additions. Its edits and episode counts also vary by release.
Is Dragon Ball GT filler?
GT is an anime-original sequel rather than an arc inserted into an adaptation of the original manga. Whether to watch it is a separate choice from skipping Z filler.
Should I skip filler on a first watch?
Not necessarily. Skip it for a faster route through the main plot; watch it if you enjoy extra comedy, training, and character scenes. Mixed episodes are best checked individually.
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