Dragon Ball: 11 Best Sagas In The Anime Franchise, Ranked (2024)

Goku and his friends have been around for quite a while, considering Akira Toriyama's initial manga was written in 1984 and there are still upcoming storylines as part of the franchise. Way past the 800th episode mark across six anime series, there is so much Dragon Ball content out there, which is one of the many reasons the anime are so beloved worldwide.

Like any long-running franchise, the series has ups and downs, with some filler-worthy arcs but also unforgettable sagas that made Dragon Ball what it is. Even though every saga is filled with great episodes, there are storylines in Goku's universe that stand out and deserve to be recognized as the best.

11 The Shadow Dragon Saga - Dragon Ball GT

An Honorable Mention To Dragon Ball GT's Best

• Episodes: 48-64

Despite not being the greatest of the franchise's anime as it is filled with plot holes and poorly executed ideas, Dragon Ball GT does have its bright moments. The last arc of the series, for instance, was able to wrap it up quite well with great moments, more dragons, and an emotional finale.

Even though its execution might not be the greatest, the concept, humor, and ideas brought forward by this saga make up for some of the mistakes in the series.

10 Red Ribbon Army Saga - Dragon Ball

Original Dragon Ball Concept At Its Best

• Episodes: 29-45

Young Goku trying to get his four-star Dragon Ball back makes this saga light and fun, filled with down-to-earth combat and fighting. Having innocent Goku going against a whole army to retrieve his prized possession makes for a pleasurable and exciting adventure that was at Dragon Ball's core.

Embodying the original spirit of the franchise, this saga makes it easy to see why the world of a kid with a monkey tail on an adventure to get a magical ball is so beloved. The saga was also responsible for starting some storylines later explored in other anime, all wrapped up in a storyline that made the initial show so fun to watch.

9 The Future Trunks Saga - Dragon Ball Super

A Fan-Favorite Returns In A Saga Filled With Twists

• Episodes: 47-76

As one of Dragon Ball Super's best sagas, Future Trunks also has deep connections to another great Dragon Ball Z saga. Bringing back the fan favorite, the Trunks from a future timeline, the 29 episodes in this storyline were able to keep up the twists in a compelling story.

With great characters, unpredictable moments, and great fights, this saga keeps fans guessing until the end, making it one of the most entertaining arcs to watch in the franchise. Despite its original take with a different hero and outcome, this saga just lacks some of the magic that the highs of the first two anime series had.

8 Tournament Saga - Dragon Ball

The Start Of A True Dragon Ball Tradition

• Episodes: 14-28

Goku's first martial arts tournament was filled with down-to-earth battles that further established Goku's character, especially concerning his friends. Despite not having some of the flair that other tournaments have, this one is the reason why a lot of Dragon Ball fans stuck around, making such tournaments a cornerstone of the franchise.

Not only did this set a powerful start to the tournament trends in the anime, but it also did a great job of establishing characters and their relationships. Mixing levity with great martial arts combat, this is definitely a must-watch saga among the many episodes in the Dragon Ball franchise.

7 Majin Buu Saga - Dragon Ball Z

Highest Highs But Lowest Lows Of Dragon Ball

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• Episodes: 232-253

Although this saga has its fair share of issues, sloppy storylines, and senseless loose ends, it also contains some of the most iconic moments in the franchise. Not only does it offer fans the fusion dance and another Goku and Vegeta face-off, but it also has the two coming together like never before.

The Buu Arc is responsible for setting back Gohan's character arc and creating a repetitive storyline, yet it also provides an emotional fight as Goku collects energy for his Spirit Bomb. Overall, the Majin Buu saga is filled with unforgettable moments.

6 Piccolo Jr. Saga - Dragon Ball

Great Tournament Storyline And The End Of An Era

• Episodes: 123-153

This saga has one of the most significant time-skips of the whole franchise as it picks up after Goku's time training with Kami to prepare for Piccolo Jr. Not only did Goku change in appearance, but there was a shift in his characterization, setting him and the other Z fighters up for Dragon Ball Z.

Besides the grandiosity of Piccolo Jr. and Goku's face-off, which sets up the antagonists' arc in the franchise, this saga also puts forward one of the best tournaments in the franchise, with some epic matches —Tenshinhan against his idol Tao, Goku and Chi-Chi rekindling and Piccolo versus Krillin. The Piccolo Jr. saga was the perfect goodbye to Dragon Ball and the greatest welcome to Dragon Ball Z.

5 The Universal Survival Saga - Dragon Ball Super

The Tournament Of Power Is Filled With Classic References

• Episodes: 77-131

Even though Dragon Ball Super is not known for being the best series in the franchise, it still manages to have one of the best sagas. The Universal Survival storyline introduces new characters and brings back some fan favorites in a tournament that has several incredible fights.

As a longer saga, this one was filled with great references and fan service, featuring one of Goku's greatest achievements in the franchise. Despite the powerful villain being its main letdown, the saga has everything that makes a memorable Dragon Ball saga.

4 Saiyan Saga - Dragon Ball Z

The Start Of The Greatest Rivalry And Friendship To Set Up Dragon Ball Z

• Episodes: 1-35

Dragon Ball would not be the same without one of the best duos in all anime history. Vegeta and Goku have been enemies, rivals, allies, and friends, but regardless of their relationship status, they push each other to be better and to get stronger. Not only does the Saiyan saga introduce this relationship with incredible battles, but it also sets up the rest of Dragon Ball Z.

Moreover, this saga has moments that affect the rest of the series, including Piccolo and Goku's alliance, the introduction of other Saiyans, and, of course, a glimpse of little Gohan's power. This saga helped establish the anime series as one of the best.

3 King Piccolo Saga - Dragon Ball

Turning Point In The Franchise When The Villain Wins

• Episodes: 102-122

This saga signifies a pivotal point in the Dragon Ball universe as it heightened the stakes to levels not done before, incorporating a new seriousness to the fights. King Piccolo presents a real threat, hitting the audience close to their hearts, with Krillin's fate serving as a trigger for the saga.

This whole arc is probably the darkest part of the original Dragon Ball series as it sees Goku and his friends losing for the first time against a properly evil villain. Yet it changes the anime, opening the door to new and exciting threats that kept fans on the edges of their seats.

2 Cell Saga - Dragon Ball Z

High Stakes Mixed With A Tournament Of Surprises

• Episodes: 140-194

Goku's defeat, Gohan's rise to hero in an incredible underdog moment, and the general rivalry in the Cell games are some of the many surprises that permeate this saga. As Cell reaches his perfect body, the heroes have to prepare to fight in a tournament like no other, even unearthing a new and more powerful Super Saiyan transformation.

As with any long saga, it has its faults and prolonged and repetitive storylines that do not always come to their full potential, yet the saga features intense fights, high stakes, and unforeseen twists, reaching a height that most sagas do not.

1 Frieza Saga - Dragon Ball Z

• Episodes: 75-107

The whole Frieza arc features some of the most iconic moments in the franchise. The Z fighters go against a universal tyrant, the infamous Frieza, and his forces as they look for the Dragon Balls in Namek.

Yet, with a flick of his finger, the villain was able to do so much, making him seem terrifyingly powerful, unmatched by all. The mix of the classic Dragon Balls, with an intimidating villain and the iconic Super Saiyan transformation, means this saga has some of the best moments and fights in the franchise, managing to keep the quality despite the plethora of episodes.