Dragon Ball Z: The Ultimate Filler Review

[@TotallyNotMark]

All aboard the Honkai: Star Rail! Download here: hoyo.link/e6ceFEAL

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

You're awesome man 😊😊😊😊

[@codenamec.a.t2480]

Please review American Dad. It deserves a review and it hurts me that you refuse to do it. Why do you hate it?

[@codenamec.a.t2480]

I know you see my comments. I know you know it deserves a review. Please review American Dad. It’s quality.

[@simeon9730]

LETS GO HAJIME NO IPPO!!!

[@TheHardys01]

Work on your bloody media analysis skills & quit being so God Damn Fake. I say this as a long time viewer. Your scripts need work. Quit being so disingenuous.

[@spikemasterb2521]

There will never ever be another filler like the driving test filler

[@justsomeguywholovesberserk6375]

This is filler done right, I think DBZ has the best filler along with Avatar The Last Airbender

[@JoaoVictor-hn8ht]

When I was younger, I actually didn't enjoyed this episode, but now I love it 😅😂

[@evankessler2762]

Say what you will, but Super’s Baseball episode is pretty good too

[@regitriotrio5656]

The goated filler. The best filler. Peak. Better than all of the dragonball series. Need I say more? It's a masterpiece.

[@spithhead]

Piccolo “LEAVE ME OUT OF THIS!”

[@MaskedHeroLucky]

The Gohan filler is fantastic, and I like to think that a major contribution to Gohan’s SSJ2 transformation was that when he saw 16, a robot, crushed to death in front of him he was reminded of his first robot friend who he also couldn’t save.

[@DLxxx]

Oh geez.. yeah, that actually makes the moment hit CONSIDERABLY different! 16 and Gohan were already sort of kindred spirits who understood eachother more than most others could, but seeing 16 die in that manner (for HIS sake) acts as an excellent callback to the very first friend Gohan failed to save because he was so powerless.

[@asimplewizard]

Great connection. When this filler was made, was the manga already finished with 16? A sneaky writer may have done it on purpose?

[@zabustifu]

@@asimplewizard No, they made fillers when the anime had caught up with the manga, to keep people waiting while the manga was being written. The manga was barely ahead of the anime. So this is just a coincidence.

[@qoyote]

oh my god that makes it SO much better!

[@herosshade2247]

Literally just commented the same thing lol

[@trailersforfun2669]

It’s truly a testament to how good some of the Z filler was to be included in Kai. It also would’ve been hilarious if they would’ve kept in the drivers license episode

[@Limit02]

There was some of it that just couldn’t be really cut around, like the Bulma-Ginyu part, but yeah I really appreciated how Kai actually chooses to keep some of the filler to help make episodes flow more naturally or extend fights in satisfying ways

[@lexecomplexe4083]

I still maintain that Kai was an absolutely unnecessary recut who's home media release STILL didn't fix the glaring issues every previous release had. The old VHS tapes I have look as good as Kai, if not more accurate. And even those have their own problems. Kai didn't fix anything, they just wanted another excuse for another shitty half assed home release. Not to mention the fact that Kai suddenly went on a break after cell and they started airing GT, which didn't get the Kai treatment anyway. That probably confused the hell out of newer young fans. Seeing SSJ4 before they even saw SSJ3 in the buu arc. Insane. It would be one thing if they were both airing concurrently, not when the core series ( DB [Z / Z Kai] GT) is off the air during that time. In the early 2000s, on Toonami, we did have all 3 shows at the time airing concurrently. But thats the thing, DB and Z had already been airing in the states for years, and it was still doing reruns, so having DB and GT airing in the same 2 hour block made more sense. But DragonBall Z wasn't rerunning during Kai, so when Kai suddenly stopped and GT took its place, it was very jarring for newer viewers. The whole release of Kai, both on screen and at home, was extremely half assed.

[@Harrysatt]

​@@lexecomplexe4083but then again, the dub voice for Frieza in Kai tho

[@keineken_3281]

​@@lexecomplexe4083I think the positive aspect of the Kai version was that it is a quicker and entertaining way to watch DBZ as far as I know.

[@darkychao]

they did put the driving test into Kakarot, and I believe it was the only required mission in the entire game that wasn't based on content from the manga.

[@thedarkknight2221]

The Other World Tournament is and always will be my all time favorite filler arc in DBZ. It was just absolute insanity and I also loved seeing a tournament with all good guys and where the world wasn’t at stake.

[@stout8807]

Agreed, I really loved the other world tournament

[@BrickFlairMMA]

I had no idea it was filler until now

[@suhhduhh8088]

Same had no idea it was filler either 😅🤣

[@richborn6700]

It was light hearted fun, and then the Goku vs Pikkon fight goes *HARD* even the animation is crisp as hell

[@disillusioned8686]

Agree. Can’t believe this guy had such a negative take on it and said he found it boring the first time watching it. I never even knew it was filler when I first saw it and Pikkon was a fan favorite when he first appeared. Every one of my friends was talking about him when the episode aired and he’s still probably one of my top favorite side characters. The guy making this video is a DB fan but seems to hate fights. Honestly he would probably hate the entire Yu Yu Hakusho series. Other World Tournament feels like a smaller version of the Dark Tournament which most Yu Yu Hakusho fans consider the best arc in that series. I watch action anime series for the fights primarily (as long as they fit with the lore). Other World Tournament is a perfect filler arc. It offers some cool unique characters and fights without taking away from the canon material whatsoever. 10/10 filler arc for DBZ

[@sofiagaliana2549]

As someone who grew up on DBZ kai, I was totally surprised to learn that vegeta blowing up the gravity chamber was filler. It always felt like a natural part of the story

[@tiablue9106]

same, I was surprised him going to space to find goku wasn't in the manga either. the manga rly only had 1 moment to build up to bulma and vegeta while it felt more believable in the anime

[@NeightrixPrime]

It's not filler, you just need to stop giving a shit about the manga and accept the complete dub in front of you.

[@gh0rochi363]

​@@NeightrixPrime filler isn't an insult. The manga is the canon source material. That's Dragonball like it or not. Filler can enhance the source material when done correctly which in the episode about Vegeta does just that.

[@sumthinorother9615]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@gh0rochi363 That’s not right either though. original content or not, it’s definitely still Dragon Ball. This is the Dragon Ball that some people know, canon or not. There’s a pretty massive audience that considers the original _Dragon Ball_ as equivalent to Star Wars EU content. Ultimately, canon is just *manga canon.* Filler is still part of the anime, and it’s worth looking at it that way. Judge it horribly, sure. But if filler isn’t an insult, it honestly has no meaning. Filler is inherently to say it’s less valuable, that it only exists (if at all) to waste time between the REAL stuff. And in a meta sense, yeah, that’s literally true, sure. But trying to write that out is almost like calling Buu non-canon because Toriyama originally wanted to write a slice of life arc. You can’t separate the “artistic intent” from the executive meddling and deadlines. You take the story for what it is. Ooh sorry this became a ramble quickly it’s 2am posting it anyway though

[@gh0rochi363]

@@sumthinorother9615 I miss the reason they make filler is to fill in stuff so that the anime doesn't catch up to the manga. Anime like DBZ and Naruto didn't have seasons they just kept airing. So yes it was there to fill up time until the real stuff. You can like it nothing wrong with that. I like plenty of filler. Imo Saiyan saga has the best filler in anime.

[@dudebladeX]

I operate on the idea that Filler should be used to help expand the world. Even if it gets retconned later, it's just a nice break from the fast-paced plot and is a good way to help develop characters. If Goku had indeed stayed dead, the Otherworld Tournament would have been one great send-off to him. A small isolated tournament arc to see Goku off, and to know that even in the afterlife, he's still doing what he does: Train harder to improve on himself. That filler arc kinda holds a special place in my heart for that.

[@ClapperDan]

One thing I didn't get about the Underworld filler is that we never see Goku learn the Fusion Dance, and yet he says he learned it from a Metamoran in Otherworld which you think Toei would have considered.

[@dudebladeX]

@@ClapperDan I'm guessing that Toriyama didn't plan that far ahead when he came up with the idea of Fusion, so it was never brought up at Toei. As for why we have yet to see them _now_ is anyone's guess.

[@falconeshield]

Training is pointless if you're dead

[@chileball9696]

@@falconeshieldwhat are you on about? You... do realize that Goku became stronger and attained SS3 in the afterlife, right? Edit: SS2 and Fusion Dance too.

[@MrTohawk]

@@ClapperDan also something like breaking through to SSJ 3

[@JaxBlade]

DragonBall Slice of life filler seeing our characters in their downtime relaxing is always entertainment for hours after seeing them just fight intergalactic threats. It feels well deserved & then training filler is just immaculate workout motivation. Vegeta training AMVs are still in my preworkout routine haha. Also Car driving ep will always be the GOAT filler ep. Also Ippo Next week HYPE

[@jaidora]

The best part about the driving episode that you can technically say it’s the episode where Chi Chi made Gohan’s dads drive. Piccolo literally says he was dragged into doing it and Chi Chi isn’t even his wife.

[@asimplewizard]

​@@jaidora(Goku was a great father)

[@devilmikey00]

Yup, still true in Super. Some of the best stuff Super has to offer is the little one off slice of life episodes. It's just a context we don't get to see those characters in very often.

[@Shaflugi]

Dragonball Super has some fantastic filler between the seasons, and some of the best is when they take the slice of life approach.

[@Shaflugi]

Krillin's filler episode has to be my favorite filler in all of Dragonball, period. It is really some great character development for him. @@devilmikey00

[@solidskullz5736]

I actually did enjoy some of this dragon ball filler. I was pretty happy to see mercenary tao come back and immediately go “fuck this” when he recognized Gohan as Goku’s son

[@DStrormer]

100% agree with you, filler with actual stories is always better than mindlessly dragging out events.

[@NeightrixPrime]

Almost as if it needs to stop being called filler.

[@zibix4562]

@@NeightrixPrime it is filler based on the manga, but it can still fit in world. filler isnt necessarily a negative word. If you wanna go the star wars route, pre disney at least, then consider it as part of the expanded universe.

[@JV-bf7cb]

Zanpaktou rebellion in bleach is beyond good enough to be it's own arc.

[@taekonjudo]

I genuinely love the Garlick Jr episodes. They have some of the most consistent animation of any battle in the whole show, and it's great to have an arc where not only does Goku not save the day, but isn't even a part of it in any way at all.

[@ColonelCorson]

I think something that was a missed opportunity was to have Grandpa Gohan present during the Other World Tournament filler, not as a competitor of course, but just seeing him and Goku spending some time together again would have been nice.

[@deniahmetaj]

A lot of time would have passed since his death by the end of the Cell saga, so maybe his mortal soul could have taken another form. At least that’s always been my head cannon.

[@calvinpayne23]

This would’ve been awesome just seeing Goku tell Grandpa Gohan about everything he had done since the last time they saw each other would’ve been cool

[@OPLOmega]

I think in this instance, they didn't want to tread on prior filler established canon, where Grandpa Gohan was last seen with the Fire Keeper as her bodyguard.

[@calvinpayne23]

@@OPLOmega this scenario could’ve been a continuation of that interaction as in the end it’s just filler just as the garlic jr arc continued on from dead zone

[@DLxxx]

​​@@OPLOmegaI mean, I don't see why they couldn't have referenced that upon meeting in this context. Gohan could even be _accompanying_ the Fire Keeper to the tournament, or just say that he found a substitute/replacement.

[@Tom-kq3ng]

One thing about episode 124 that wasn't mentioned that I really enjoy, is how it does somewhat flesh out Vegeta and Bulma's relationship a bit. We get to see Vegeta interact with Bulma and her family more in this episode that pretty much any other in DBZ. There's a whole bunch of moments where Bulma is trying to care for and help Vegeta while he trains, which are pretty sweet. Plus, I just love the moment where Bulma's mom complements Vegeta's work ethic and calls him "husband material" in front of Bulma and Bulma's dad, it's absolutely hilarious.

[@animefan77]

6:53- I think that this filler episode with the robot is truly important retroactively with the iconic 16 death. Another kind robot sacrifices himself because he was too scared and at the time unable to use his potential properly- having this reminder really makes him think "I can't hold back anymore".

[@TheFirehands150]

I thought the exact same thing 😊

[@PopeDuwang]

Yet another Kind Robot…you could have saved…

[@daevidpp445]

would make sense if it was canon, too bad its not

[@MASTEROFEVIL]

200th like like

[@KicktheSky34]

When I watched this for the first time as a child I had no concept of filler vs canon material. Watching Gohan struggle to survive in the wilderness was simply the next episode of this strange show I found on Toonami all those years ago. I'm glad you found them enjoyable, as I remember liking them as well. Gohan really is the true protagonist for much of Z, and those episodes really reeled me in back in the day.

[@wanderingfox3304]

The 9 day pre cell games filler is my absolute favorite. I feel that while it is not only interesting to see moments like Goku meeting, mercenary Tao again, but also providing more context to the inside of what the average human is experiencing in these traumatic times in the Dragonball world, and really puts the whole situation of the upcoming cell games into perspective and I really appreciate that. Also, Goku had the absolute cleanest drip in Z with that letterman.

[@yaboityler2617]

You forgot to mention that in those 9 days, three more androids show up, Broly destroyed the southern galaxy, and Cooler takes over New Namek.

[@zibix4562]

@@yaboityler2617 yeah honestly i look at movie stuff as its own universe. Like what if scenarios of certain events. Things like the first garlic junior saga happening if raditz never came to earth or came later and stuff like that.

[@souptikchakraborty2004]

​@@zibix4562 me 2

[@FatalityPWN]

I love the filler with Kid Gohan. Especially the one with the robot.

[@trailersforfun2669]

Genuinely made me tear up as a kid. Seeing how much Gohan cared for others was honestly one of my favorite things the filler would expand on

[@raffaeleparisi]

It's wild to me the amount of times I've seen DBZ, and don't remember the robot filler at all.

[@mateussilva635]

It's practically canon for me, really adds up to his development.

[@justinarzola4584]

I don't remember much of it but it's a lot of people's favorite filler episodes.

[@cristobalpinochet]

I love that robot because it’s an inside joke between me and my brother, we know the truth, when Gohan turned ssj2 after seeing 16 die he didn’t transform because of 16 death directly, he did it because it made him remember mr robot sacrifice

[@dmturtle2109]

i genuinely liked it when goku was trying to honestly solve those mind puzzles. its even crazier cause hes in SSJ form and not simply just breaking them or crushing them, showing his mastery of SSJ form.

[@Aristas-zd5vd]

Also the henchman, who's supposed to be goku's enemy trying to help him with the puzzles and even cheering when goku solves them lmao.

[@Max25670]

@@Aristas-zd5vd Right, it was fun goofy episode that served it's purpose of being fun and goofy.

[@kryptonianguest1903]

What chicken? The one with the frying pan! is my favourite joke from DBZ.

[@padarousou]

Why do you say SSJ if you write in English?

[@licota11]

​@@padarousoueasier to write than full name and it's a commonly used acronym

[@durience253]

That gohan filler arc in the sayan saga was some of the best story telling any dragon ball series period. It’s a perfect example of “the hero’s journey”.

[@thacobell4700]

Which is instantly undone when the Saiyans land and all that character development is thrown our.

[@durience253]

@@thacobell4700 I mean in long form story telling it leads up to the cell saga where gohan finally got his moment.

[@thacobell4700]

@@durience253 It really doesn't though, because that development is rolled back for the saiyan saga. It has zero bearing on Gohan's development during the android and cell arcs because it was reset before we ever got to those.

[@longforgotten4823]

I disagree, that first big battle is still part of the journey. That’s not the destinations. He was still able to help in the overall fight. He still struggled because he is a kid on the battlefield.

[@thacobell4700]

@@longforgotten4823 That's my point though. All that determination and self confidence he gained in the filler wasn't there. He had the strength from the training, sure, but all the character development was gone.

[@Rain-King]

I think my ideal version of 'Dragon Ball' would consist of accurate, well-paced manga material, a la 'Kai', interspersed with the dedicated filler episodes, most of which I really enjoy and think adds a lot to the characters. It's particularly nice to hear some praise for the Garlic Jr arc, which is not only great fun to watch, but also feels like an important bridge between Gohan from the Freeze arc to the Cell arc.

[@saltyk9869]

I legitimately loved Tao Pai giving Goku some puzzles and then ditching him all while Goku is too innocent and naive to realize that he was being tricked. The henchman trying to help him with the puzzle only for Goku to refuse to cheat. All ending with him figuring it out and using Instant Transmision to catch up to Tao Pai. There are certainly bad ways to right Goku as dumb/naive, but I think this is pretty perfect. Episodes like this and the driving test are the best way to right filler. The worst filler is when it contradicts the story, lore, and theme. Like Gohan returning to fight Frieza after Goku "dies".

[@TippedScale]

Those kinds of moments where Goku isn't necessarily outright stupid but moreso stubborn/distracted will always be funny to me

[@sokchua9963]

I remember watching the Garlic Jr. arc as a kid and feeling some genuine fear, which funnily enough I never felt in the main story because I always thought Goku would be able to resolve the issue. Him not being there along with pretty much all of the cast being subdued by the mist made me feel there were genuine stakes. Of course back then I didn’t know it was just filler but I don’t think I’ll forget that feeling even if it’s not exactly a well received arc 😊

[@Jay-fy5ob]

same

[@TheLazySage7]

I feel there are 2 forms of "Filler" Filler and padding. Filler is the story arcs and stuff. Padding is the long stares and shouting.

[@Jordie_42]

One Piece has needed more filler arcs for a good while now. After a major arc they do either a 6 episode Filler arc or a 2 episode special. The padding has hurt the show ever since Marineford. I know filler arcs arent great but you can always skip it. They don't even do cover story episodes anymore.

[@Marcelo_DBZ_Music]

Problem is, there's also a lot of filler interspersed with the canon stuff- like Bulma and the Frog

[@TheLazySage7]

Yeah Id just consider that padding. Cut away padding.@@Marcelo_DBZ_Music

[@josesosa3337]

I agree.

[@Max25670]

@@Marcelo_DBZ_Music Bulma and the frog is overhated, it's easily skipable. The worst is honestly basically everything that had to do with fat buu after Vegeta dies. The pacing gets a little better after each buu transformation.

[@justchan2443]

Part of me thinks why Gohan was a fan favorite character because how much more we got from him in the anime. Also, it somewhat adds to Gohan SSJ2 transformation, thinking in the back of our heads how far Gohan has gone.

[@JackgarPrime]

I REALLY enjoyed the Saiyan Saga filler. The core story fast-forwards stuff so much, so getting to see Gohan's adventures in particular was great, and really invests you in him as a main character.

[@BL_Lusha]

I think the hard part with the filler for me as a kid vs now, is that back then I was watching it on CN-Toonami. And You'd get like 2 episodes a day, 1 of them being an episode from the day before, so it just makes that filler drag on. It also makes quite a few of the battle extensions just too much sometimes. Nowadays, I can either skip it, or enjoy it for what it is without needing to wait 24-72 hours for the next episode XD

[@4Wilko]

I absolutely loved the henchman palling up with Goku while he was figuring out the puzzles.

[@tiablue9106]

ikr? he was so innocent, didn't even realize tao and the other goons ditched them lol

[@Nezukoscat]

I liked that one

That guy lives in my head rent free. He's there for me when I need inner support.

[@exeortegarubio]

'Shouldn't you move that piece the other way?' 'Shhh. I'm supposed to solve this on my own.'

[@jackfoxx6351]

the way he tried to help Goku with the puzzle!! lol

[@Lawrence741]

Am I the only one loving the Great Saiyaman filler? It was even a reason for me to watch the buu arc again a year ago. Like, having a powerful warrior trying to blend into the city life is just something else and makes yourself wonder how you would deal with the outer world, if you were having superpowers. Additionally having more Videl and Gohan action is always a big plus - love these two together.

[@Max25670]

Always been a fan of the great saiyaman, it was such a missed opportunity to not have Gohan bring him back in Superhero. I was shocked to see how much of the fandom hates him.

[@Lawrence741]

@@Max25670 his poses are so iconic (yet stupid, I admit), it always gives me a smile.

[@deterlanglytone]

Adore it.

[@Kyle_Posey]

I love that arc. I wasn’t a huge fan of it as a kid, but as an adult it’s honestly some of my favorite stuff in all of Z.

[@deterlanglytone]

I honestly don't get the dislike Mark seems to have for it. @@Lawrence741

[@Khipher]

Holy crap this is my first time ever interacting with the Saiyan Saga training arc and I am JUST now realizing they reused these plots in the Attack of the Saiyans video game. I remember very well being a little Gohan trapped in that cave with my robot friend. I even remember as a kid not knowing how to get out so I felt GENUINELY trapped in there too. This review brought back memories I didn’t even know would be relevant. This makes me wanna play the game again since I still have the original cartridge.

[@Rynjinivar]

It helps that that game is really damn good.

[@sodabeat689]

I loved the game too, the only thing I found weird was that the filler episode where yamcha, tien, chiautzu and krillin fight the saiyans was not part of the game. How cool would it have been to fight all sorts of saiyans on planet vegeta?

[@MJTRadio]

Thanks for giving the “Gohan in the wilderness” mini some love. Always thought those were really thematically top notch.

[@hulkamania5071]

the reason i really enjoyed the otherworld tourney was because of the variety in the characters, even the background extras, they all looked cool and unique

[@KyogresHideout_Vegito2121]

Glad to see Mark's opinions on the Garlic Jr arc perfectly match my own. That arc is so criminally underrated and I was starting to think I was the only one who loved it. :D

[@victorhernandez5013]

Garlic Jr was the first movie villain to be canon lol

[@derpmcgerp8062]

Ikr! Idc that it's not canon to the source material. The anime to me has its own canon, and the inclusion of Garlic Jr. was awesome. It was a perfect mini arc to mark the rise of Gohan and setting up Krillin as a character who's trying to find his significant other. Not to mention the only villain to successfully wish for immortality? And the heroes can't rely on Goku this time? It offers a ton for character development leading into the next arc imo Also Kaioken Chi-Chi is a certified hood classic

[@LilT2o00]

I didn't mind Garlic Jr but I live in the states, we got 5 episodes a week. If I were in Japan during the original airing, and getting 1 episode a week, I would have been more annoyed by the Garlic Jr. saga than anything else. That's over 2 straight months of filler before the next arc you have been anticipating

[@gokublack9724]

It may not be on the same level as the canon arcs of z but it's definitely underrated and I'll gladly take it over other filler arcs in other shonens any day

[@Zacman1123]

I love the Garlic Jr arc.

[@mechajay3358]

29:43 I've always enjoyed the Birthday Filler Episode. That ending alone with Goku being there with his family was pretty wholesome.

[@gillysummerss]

The entire great saiyaman arc has always been one of my fav arcs 😂 the part when Gohan is screaming to stop Angela from telling his “secret” always takes me out.

[@omsaxena116]

This might be unrelated, but how does Mark get all this high quality footage of the show? Its clearly from none of the Blu Rays.

[@J.Blazer]

who's Mark?

[@omsaxena116]

@@J.Blazer 'Totally Not Mark' The guy's actual name is Mark.

[@TheFlinchyDinosaur]

@@omsaxena116 For the buu saga it might be DBZ Kai. Kai uses the same footage for the buu saga, just cuts a lot of deadspace and pointless back and forth

[@maxizcool2867]

@@omsaxena116I think he was joking 🙃

[@KeyboardKlutz_0]

One moment I will never forget from the Garlic Jr. saga was when the previous guardians appeared before popo and kami. That was awesome.

[@Sinjuxt1]

Really happy to finally see that I'm not the only one who likes the Garlic Jr. arc! It was nice to see a serious threat being dealt with without any participation from Goku (I think it might literally be the only time that happened!). I also think it added just enough space between the Namek arc and Freeza's reappearance. Giving the audience some time to think he's gone and that the story is moving on made both his appearance and the swerve of him getting defeated so quickly much more dramatic. In contrast, I feel like having him come back almost immediately kind of makes the audience expect him to get defeated quickly. At least that was how I felt having watched the anime before reading the manga.

[@jasonone8726]

Bio Broly, Garlic Jr Saga, and Superhero are the only times Goku didn't get involved to get rid of a threat.

[@dafneecastillo7581]

Honestly, the filler for DBZ isn't as bad as most make it out to be. Like Mark said, most of it either expands on the characters/story or fills in the gap between arcs. Compared to other Shonen like Detective Conan & Naruto (anime with hundreds of episodes worth of filler), DBZ filler is, for the most part, fun to watch.

[@Rynjinivar]

DBZ filler gets a bad rap because of the in-episode filler like the Ginyu frog stuff, and the padding in episodes. The actual filler episodes/arcs themselves were always fine, but combined with the actual plot episodes feeling like they were spinning their wheels it became really hard to watch week to week.

[@PrincessQ-fj9ly]

I agree. The fillers in Dragon Ball get a bad reputation. I've always enjoyed slice of life fillers and Dragon Ball has a lot of them and most of them are actually quite fun to watch. 😊 Although there were a rare one or two that totally frustrated me, "Ahem" Gohan's sadist of a tutor Mr. Shu. 😒

[@Phinal_Flash]

I agree. Particularly most of the flashbacks involving the Saiyans. They added to the lore and showed the audience how tyrannical Freeza can be.

[@jasonone8726]

The Frieza Saga was what had bad filler.

[@trolledfordrip]

madara was that evil he made the show have filler

[@starnik]

I've gotten so much shit from DBZ fans for enjoying the Garlic Jr. Saga, it feels a vindicating to see you highlight its strengths. Love the character-driven stories. There were quite a few other good DBZ filler arcs I had forgotten, too!

[@jamesr6959]

I feel like I can finally come out and say that [as a child] the Garlic Jr. Saga was my favourite. It was mental seeing Gohan as the main character! Having not seen OG at the time it was nice to see who Kami and Popo are too - and their running animation cycle was hilarious.

[@mondrometal]

DB is at its best when is about Goku's pureness, or Gohan's growth, adventures on amazing places and cool random characters that feel alive in a world besides Goku's interventions

[@TheBluePhoenix008]

25:27 oh my God the music! I can hear the words TFS Vegeta said at this moment. "You've always lived for yourself, trained for yourself! But after you were gone, I lost my edge..."

[@RastaGamesful]

For me "Z" fillers fells special for me. Not because these episodes never had bad thing. I personally don't love the Namek and Android saga filler. But for example the whole Sayan filler feel's really fetting to the main story. The Cell games fller gave us an interesting take on the story of Goku and Vegeta. However, I also liked the memories of child Gohan. The Buu saga filler i love the consequenses of the Buu destruction of all living thing on Earth. The thing when Mr. Satan want's to drink beer but after that fails look's really terrifying. And of course the expansion of Buu arc element's. From fight on the Heaven with all earthlings to the villian's watched tense final battle with Kid Buu, that was just great filler stuff that i never forget. Thanks to anime really love it!

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

I love DBZ filler. Getting to just hang out with the characters and expand the world more is a treat.

[@CreamerOfTheDairySquad]

The inclusion of the bgm from Diddy Kong Racing during the part about the driving cars episode was just golden 😂

[@danielcubias432]

I absolutely love the party filler episode it highlights just how important Goku is to his friends and family when he doesn't show at the party there's a moment where its pointed out that something is truly missing without him there and once he shows they all surround him and hang to his every word it show that despite his many flaws, Goku is the one that brought all these people together and when he is around he brings a level of happiness that doesn't come about when he is missing in their lives.

[@ReversedShadows]

I loved the Garlic Jr. Saga as a kid! Maybe because it felt like it was not delaying the story but giving you something while you waited or because it was essentially aired on tv like another DBZ movie. Either way I never hated when it was on and I loved me some Piccolo strategic shenanigans

[@zacharymoran7596]

The episode with Gohan befriending the dinosaur, only to watch helplessly we it gets killed, was an episode that has always stuck with me over the years. Him waking up to find just a skeleton was horrifying to child me.

[@sneakyking]

S A M E

[@astrapsy]

yeah man, that one struck a chord with me when I was young, much more than the robot.

[@longforgotten4823]

That one hit me really hard as well. Out of all of the series, I wanted to see that one over and over. The lesson was made it very clear to me and still stays with me.

[@thispersonwriting1889]

That one hurt when I first saw it at 28.

[@lesterwilliamsjr649]

You know what I would like to see. A filler arc centered around Gohan right after the Cell Games. You could have a storyline where Chichi is about to give birth to Goten and Gohan has to defend the Earth from a new threat. I just think its such a waste that the show skipped what life was like for Gohan having to step up and help raise Goten.

[@Cloud-dt6xb]

Well I mean the Bojack movie exists and you can actually place that in the timeline.Hell you can even headcannon that Chichi’s already pregnant with Goten. Sure nothing says that’s the case, but nothing says it doesn’t either right hehe.

[@justinarzola4584]

I think they could of integrated that stuff into the other world tournament stuff,while Goku is fighting pikkon and the other fighters on the other world we cut back to earth with Gohan, Goten and Chi Chi.

[@trailersforfun2669]

Agreed. Teen Gohan is one of favorite versions of the character, and I would’ve loved to see a full arc led by him in the 7 years before the Buu saga. The only problem would be the established narrative that he hates fighting, so it might’ve not felt right after everything we saw him go through

[@cin2110]

that was kinda in kakarot iirc don't remember much though I just know you played as gohan and did some filler stuff between arcs most of the time

[@longforgotten4823]

No real reason they couldn’t do it, if they wanted to. It would be great.

[@KaiserMazoku]

The driving filler was the best because we got to see the Z fighters trying to act "normal" in everyday society.

[@Iruka1991]

8:36 you would think that this kind of trauma would make adult gohan, idk MAKE SURE HE IS STRONG ENOUGH TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY.

[@chadzaru]

I mean, most of the time he is, considering that most of the threats are random civillians or something that you couldnt expect (like cell max)

[@goldengamerhd4469]

Not canon

[@motaniusnex4888]

I would argue that the Garlic Jr. filler elevates the cannon material. Krillin naming his daughter Maron is now hilarious.

[@HackedYoWeather]

There's mention of the modern approach of not having shows be weekly long runners, beneficially avoiding the need for filler. However, the reverse trend of yearly, single cour shows cutting content can be almost as frustrating, and even more frustrating than that are single cour ever shows that, rather than being seen as adaptations, are purely marketing material for the already popular source material. The number of great shows that never get a season two, and instead just tease future events from further in the source manga/LN is getting quite jading.

[@shmikex]

I think if the filler has a way of enhancing canon, it's most valuable. Gohan becoming brave prior to the Saiyan fight. The development of Gohan as a potential replacement for Goku during the Garlic Jr arc. Bulma and Vegeta getting closer during the training for the androids. These are great filler. The Driving episode is a classic one in of itself, despite not having anything to do with the arc, though I love the callback later during the Cell arc. Goku's snakeway antics while funny could have been a good way for Goku to see both sides of his roots by running into his dead grandfather at one point, and his dead father or brother at another. Later on in the afterlife the second time around we also don't see either happen. I'd say that most of what you cited as Buu filler (other than the beginning and the end) are just extensions of the source material no different than other arcs. How is an extended period of Buu destroying the world any different than the Bulma/Ginyu detour? Or the attempt of the noncombatant Earthlings launching into space?

[@herosshade2247]

Gohan having a robot friend and him dying kinda gives added context to Super Saiyan 2 being brought out by 16 dying, you could interpret that as him reliving that trauma again and that being at least some part in why it affected him so much.

[@treegames19]

If that's Ippo you're hinting at I'm very excited. Wish that series would get more love and attention. Has plenty of faults and issues through it's 1300+ chapter run but the highs are very good.

[@juanferrer5924]

Gohans training filler was so reminiscent of OG dragonball

[@animefan77]

12:26- while it's interesting showing a sort of evil vs evil situation where the villains steamroll through the opposition to showcase their power, it retroactively makes Vegeta's change to good more baffling as he saves a planet from tyranny- only to destroy it, making him appear more irredeemable in hindsight.

[@DatDaDatty]

i wished we got more of pikkon. he was such a cool character

[@ShadowTheHedgehog003]

YOU.

[@DatDaDatty]

​@@ShadowTheHedgehog003ME

[@TexTheGuyFr]

@@DatDaDatty YOU 2

[@whosthisguyagain3153]

@@TexTheGuyFrME 3

[@trailersforfun2669]

Pikkon should’ve been in the TOP, I will die on this hill

[@gunslinger7513]

I really love the party filler in the end of Buu saga. That's was really sad to see all of main character's just hanging out after all Saga's event's Just to see all heroes doing the normal stuff, just dancing, chating and living their life witout fighting for Earth or universe. That's really feets to the finale of the show. And they feels like a cute and friendly family!

[@longforgotten4823]

As an eight year old, I actually really looked forward to the rerun episodes of Gohan‘s training arc. The filler episodes did wonders for his character development in for a little bit of world building. The robot, and the dinosaur friends gave Gohan so much needed character development, minor barriers to overcome adversity, and some important lessons. Lessons which I picked up on and stuck with me since I was young.

[@KairuHakubi]

i always looked forward to fake namek arc when it came out again. it just felt like a fun adventure. and the space stuff was all great too. and once they got to real namek, I assume things were stretched a bit, and had filler like Bulma searching for the lost ball... that was all amazing. Loved that part best of all.

[@FakYuhGoogel]

Kid Gohan and Robot/Dinosaur episodes were so sad :( I also found the "Saiyans on insect planet" episode to be interesting. The two good insect aliens almost had a happy end, but those who supposedly saved them, also ended their life together with the whole planet. It's a good showpiece of how ruthless Vegeta and Nappa are.

[@carlosmontero6952]

Remember the alien bug planet

[@cje499]

Best filler moment for me Kami: I taught Goku.... NOTHING, THAT'S WHAT I TAUGHT HIM!!! (Team Z fall on their faces while Kami walks away laughing) 😂😂😂😂

[@darongates5948]

He’s right though I think. Mr Popo was his master 😅

[@SuperLuigiSixty4]

I'd be very interested in seeing a hybrid of Z and Kai that cut the padding, but still kept the filler arcs.

[@Arkalidor]

I remember watching Naruto and Bleach episodes online when I was a teenager, and having a good time watching them, until at some point I took a look at the comments, and saw endless complaining about thoe boring fillers etc. Until that point, the very concept of filler episodes was unknown to me. I was just watching some episodic cartoon, with some high intensity main storylines, interspersed with more relaxing, lower stakes stories. It was all good entertainment to me. I had never considered that those "lower stakes stories" were delaying the main storyline... To me it was just more stuff that happened in this world I enjoyed. More fun to be had with the characters I loved. All this to say, I've never really had a problem with fillers. Like, I can understand people being eager to see the main storyline progress, but I always took it the same way I played video-games : There's a main quest the we should be taking care of, for sure, but look at all those side-quests waiting for us! You know damn well we're doing all of those before we continue the main quest, because it's fun that's what we're here for.

[@Bambo_waffle]

It’s funny how watching this review so manny fillers that I watched as a kid just left my memory except for snake way. Goku’s snake way journey honestly has a very special place in my heart and is a great filler and mark actually showing how little we see Goku in the manga just doing Goku things really makes me appreciate it even more. Its kinda like snake way was a return of sorts of classic dragon ball lighthearted Goku adventures.

[@SkrytySmierciozerca]

You're putting so much energy and power in yor productions! Keep it on, it's pleasure listening to You

[@berrie-nice-to-meet-you]

Wow, I actually don't remember Gohan's robot friend. Also, seeing Gohan's training filler reminds me of something from History of Trunks: Gohan was given a sword by Piccolo, it would have been fitting if Trunks got his from Gohan for his own training

[@ItsAVolcano]

Loved seeing Gohan on that island, and the robot episode also inadvertently adds emotion to Gohan watching Android 16 die way later in the story.

[@n543576]

You explaing Gohan's training arc filler genuinely reminds me why not all filler is bad, well done dude.

[@Arkalidor]

Funny thing about the Gohan training fillers : in France, most anime had a localized opening with a custom song by a French singer. Since DBZ started with Goku getting killed and Gohan undergoing Piccolo's training, the french localizers assumed Gohan would be the protagonist, and so the lyrics of the opening are focused on him...

[@Ibeatjokerwithcbs]

I personally love filler. I get the idea of a person wanting to get "back to the good part" of the main story but extending a story to make it longer despite it not adding anything to the narrative in a meaningful way is fun. In the video games the what ifs and added enemies and boss fights feels like an extension to this ( why I am kinda pissed there isn't a movie storyline in Kakarot because that could be alot of fun)

[@cond.oriano8211]

Can't wait to see you take your first step into this new series next video. It's a favorite of mine!

[@MezzoForte4]

I've always liked the filler more or less, mostly because I wanted to see more character development and world building on a smaller scale. I know DB wasn't up to that kind of thing, especially when exploring character personality in depth but stuff like the dino/robot deaths during Gohan's solo training were fantastic. I guess I'm just more into 'slice of life' kind of content. 😅

[@meganvincent5381]

I'm so glad I got into DBZ through kai cuz now I can watch the filler without feeling like it's getting in the way of what I wanna see and give me new character stuff

[@vladtheimpaler7375]

I disagree that the Nappa and Vegeta story isn’t useful. What that story established was a ruthlessness and brutality that honestly hadn’t been seen in the dragon ball series yet. The brutal conquest of the Arlian king in front of his own people, at least when I originally watched the series, was the most impactful representation of the native saiyan ethos in all of dragon ball and I don’t think that would have been clear without that episode. It also showed that Nappa and Vegeta are planetary level threats and that they destroy civilizations with ease which was unprecedented in the series at that point. I also just like villains and like to see as much of them as possible so maybe I’m biased.

[@darktigersharkmax4432]

Goku as a kid immediately going in to punch chi chi once she said a date is the funnest thing you can think of killed me lol

[@Yuoaman]

I've always been a proponent of full filler arcs and episodes, it both serves the purpose of allowing them to avoid over-extending the canon material and also allows the staff of the anime time to work on more original content, giving them an opportunity to stretch their creative muscles. Filler doesn't always work, but I always appreciate it when it does. The Gohan-centric stuff before the arrival of the Saiyans is so great at fleshing out Gohan's character and easing him into the person he needed to be that I can't imagine watching the series without it, for example.

[@ronaldeliascorderocalles]

The good news are: GT doesn't have any filler! The bad news are: All GT feels like filler...

[@ruphite9521]

Imagine a different Other World Tournament arc where it’s the story of how Goku achieved SSJ3

[@HeavenlyZanpakuto]

RIP Toriyama. To the godfather of anime who inspired all who came after him.

[@johnoliver2359]

Fun Fact: my brother recently borrowed my Blu Ray copies of Kia, he enjoyed it after not watching DBZ for 20 years, but wondered where the Driving School episode was 😂

[@Ichiyama22]

Assuming the Otherwold Tournament Arc was written during the time where Toriyama actually did plan to keep Gohan the main character, I think the purpose of that arc was to give Goku fans assurance that while their favorite orange hillbilly was no longer in the spotlight, he wasn't going to be doing nothing. Otherworld was filled with history's greatest warriors and champions, all of which could provide Goku with challenge and training for the rest of his eternal afterlife.

[@willamdafoe9300]

I love filler it gives more downtime from the intense action and more comedy and character interactions.

[@3_14pie]

and I'm just now discovering that vegeta hospitalized episode is filler... probably the best filler episode I've seen in an anime, period. maybe only tied to shikamaru grief after asuma died

[@mintycandyyumyum]

Z's filler was unskippable imo. Always fun. Also the Goku filler during Cell saga, why it is enjoyable to see Goku be written stupid in this scenario and why it's terrible in OTHER scenarios, is he's only a bit care-free and innocence-dumb. We've seen Goku fall for lies before. Meanwhile DBS made him outright selfish 24/7 which is entirely against his character. His stupidity in there comes from his lack of care for his friends, which has never once, ever, EVER been what he's about not even one time before. He's always suppose to be full of care and passion. DBS assassinated his character by making him ignorant and selfish kind of stupid.

[@PeterWDawson]

Not gonna lie, I love the Great Saiyaman filler. Probably one episode too long, but I love who Videl basically knows it's Gohan almost immediately but isn't able to get him to admit it.

[@enlongjones2394]

Looking back on it, the Otherworld tournament filler arc feels to me like it follows a lot of notes that the Destroyers’ tournament arc would eventually follow in Super. In particular, the fighters from the other universe constantly underestimating Goku and company. And the Paikuhan fight has some beats I can recognize in the Hit fight, including the use of Kaioken on top of a super Saiyan form.

[@Onebadterran]

The otherworld tournament is one of my favorite filler arcs. I thought it was cannon for a long time

[@Deprece]

The best part of the Other World Tournament Arc was the introduction to Pikkon’s Theme from Bruce Faulconer’s team. Easily my favorite DBZ track

[@sephirotgxr]

I love how the henchman starts rooting for goku solving the puzzle and claps once he gets it. Also most people forget that goku combines the kaio ken with super saiyin in the pai ku han (sp?) Filler

[@dullahan1]

Been currently doing a rewatch of DBZ myself, introducing my nephew to it for the first time (watching the JP version and he's loving it!) and currently in the Cell saga. Glad to see the review on filler as I myself am getting exposed to it again after so long, and funnily enough, some filler I found pretty meh when younger, I've oddly found myself loving a lot more, though I've also been reminded how the show can drag, especially during Freeza. But I've gained a new appreciation for Garlic Jr, awesome to see your opinions mirror mine. And oddly enough, while I didn't care for the space kids, I enjoyed Fake Namek compared to when I was younger, though probably moreso for the journey and interesting and imaginative areas which made the planet feel much more diverse and unique compared to real Namek. While not touched on here, so far I've found the filler with the whole Chi-chi and crew wanting to go to space and Vegeta vs Gohan at the end of Namek to just be unneeded and in terms of the Chi-chi part, really boring and dragged out. The only thing I did appreciate was the end result of providing Vegeta a ship in which to train, which handled a minor complaint I had with the manga! But thanks for covering the filler, I'm definitely looking forward to experiencing the rest again myself and forming my own opinions, and looking forward to experiencing original Dragon Ball again! I am eagerly awaiting the Goku and Tao Pai Pai filler though, as I've personally always considered it my favorite filler episode in DBZ.

[@mr.skateandwatch]

I remember my favorite part of the Garlic Jr saga was Kami yelling, “Run to the hills, Popo!” Since then, my head canon was that Kami was an Iron Maiden fan.

[@lucidmind9676]

I honestly think a lot of the Z filler episodes helped build the characters a lot like the filler episodes of Gohan prepping for the Saiyan invasion

[@tommyherrick8220]

The garlic junior arc is actually the part of the show that got me into dragon ball Z as a kid

[@igorporfiirio4915]

Gohan "training arc" was ne of m favorite parts of the anime as a kid. I never had watched it again, kind afraid of staining the nostalgia. Good to see even as a kid, I had some good taste

[@adhamwashere5320]

I always like the episode where Tao gives Goku puzzle rings cuz it's one of the few episodes I owned on DVD as a kid.

[@toomanydewgongs]

I don't know if this was mentioned or not, but the Garlic Jr Saga was so iconic to me as a kid, because Toonami would air it often in-between big arcs. It wasn't too long, wasn't too short, and gave screentime to Earth's biggest trio of defenders and was a great way to kill a month or two while Funimation finished dubbing the next saga.

[@mechajay3358]

The Filler with Gohan's training for the Saiyans is one of the best in Z. (Next to the Driver's License episode)

[@directorslife]

Man Dragon Ball fillers where probably the best anime fillers ever.

[@MrDegan2]

the mob episode has lived rent free in my head since I was a child, when people would ask me what I remembered about DBZ, it was always high on the list, I'm so glad to find someone else who enjoyed it