You're sitting there, ready to tackle the massive mountain that is Akira Toriyama’s legacy, but then you see it. A list of 500-plus episodes. It’s daunting. You start wondering if you really need to see Goku and Piccolo fail a driving test or if that random garlic-themed villain actually matters to the plot. Honestly, the dragon ball filler guide conversation is a bit of a minefield because "filler" doesn't always mean "bad."
Anime-only content exists for a boring logistical reason: the manga was still being written. To avoid catching up to Toriyama’s pen, Toei Animation had to stall. They stretched out scenes, added internal monologues, or invented entire subplots. Some of it is hot garbage. Some of it is arguably better than the "canon" material. If you're a purist, you want the fast track. If you're a fan of the vibes, you might want to linger.
Let's get into the weeds of what stays and what goes.
Navigating the Original Dragon Ball (1986-1989)
The original run is weirdly efficient compared to what came later. It’s an adventure story, so "side quests" feel more natural here than they do in a high-stakes war. About 15% of the original series is technically filler.
You’ll run into a few early bumps. Episodes 30 to 33 involve some Pilaf Gang nonsense that wasn't in the manga. It’s fine, but skippable. The real "stay away" zone is often cited as the "InoShikaCho" episode (Episode 82). It’s a bit of a drag. However, people often argue about the Wedding Dress arc at the very end (Episodes 149-153). Is it filler? Yes. Should you skip it? Maybe not. It gives Chi-Chi and Goku some much-needed screen time before they jump into domestic life in Z.
If you're in a rush, just stick to the tournament arcs and the Red Ribbon Army path. But honestly, the original series filler is mostly harmless. It captures that whimsical, pervy, martial-arts-adventure spirit that the franchise eventually traded for screaming and golden hair.
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The Chaos of the Dragon Ball Z Filler Guide
This is where things get messy. Dragon Ball Z is the king of the "one minute in the show takes five episodes in real life" trope. The dragon ball filler guide for Z is basically a survival manual.
The Fake Namek and Garlic Jr. Sagas
After the Saiyan Saga, Gohan, Krillin, and Bulma head to Namek. In the anime, they stop at "Fake Namek" (Episodes 39-43). It is a colossal waste of time. It adds nothing to the lore and just delays the arrival of the actual plot. Skip it. No questions asked.
Then there’s Garlic Jr. (Episodes 108-117). This arc is a sequel to the first DBZ movie, Dead Zone. Since the movies aren't canon, this arc is a weird anomaly. Some fans like it because it gives the side characters like Krillin and Piccolo a chance to shine while Goku is busy in space. But if you want the story Toriyama actually wrote, you can jump straight from the end of the Frieza fight to Future Trunks showing up.
The Legendary Driving School Episode
We have to talk about Episode 125. "Goku's Ordeal." It is 100% filler. It is also one of the best episodes in the entire franchise. Seeing the two most powerful beings on Earth struggle with parallel parking in 90s streetwear is a rite of passage. If you skip this, you’re technically following the manga, but you’re losing your soul.
The Other World Tournament
Between the Cell Games and the Buu Saga, there’s a chunk of episodes (195-199) where Goku fights in a tournament in the afterlife. It introduces Pikkon. Pikkon is cool. He’s basically "Green Piccolo" with a different hat. While it’s filler, it’s highly entertaining and bridges the gap between the dark ending of the Cell Saga and the more lighthearted start of the Great Saiyaman era.
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Dragon Ball Kai: The Official "No-Filler" Edit
In 2009, Toei realized people were tired of the padding. They released Dragon Ball Kai. This is basically the dragon ball filler guide in video form. They cut the 291 episodes of Z down to 167.
- Pros: The pacing is lightning fast. The dialogue is closer to the manga.
- Cons: The music in the early parts of Kai had some legal issues (the Kenji Yamamoto scandal), and some people find the "bloodless" censorship of the early episodes a bit distracting.
If you have a job, a family, or a life, watch Kai. If you want the nostalgia of the 90s Bruce Faulconer score and don't mind five episodes of characters staring at each other while rocks float, watch the original Z.
Dragon Ball Super and the "Anime First" Problem
Super is a different beast. Because the anime and the manga were produced simultaneously—and the anime actually moved faster—the concept of "filler" is debated.
The "Copy-Vegeta" arc (Episodes 44-46) is generally considered the weakest point of Super and is filler in the traditional sense. It’s purple goo clones. It’s skippable. However, Super has "slice-of-life" episodes that are technically filler but are beloved. The baseball episode (Episode 70) is a masterpiece of comedy.
When looking at a dragon ball filler guide for Super, you're mostly looking for the small gaps between the big arcs: the Battle of Gods, Resurrection F, Universe 6, Goku Black, and the Tournament of Power. Unlike Z, the "filler" in Super is usually just 1 or 2 episodes of breathing room rather than a 10-episode slog.
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The GT Question
Is Dragon Ball GT filler?
Technically, the whole thing is. It wasn't based on a manga by Toriyama. It’s a "Grand Touring" side story. Most modern fans who are trying to catch up for Dragon Ball Daima or Super just skip GT entirely. It’s not part of the main continuity.
However, the character designs (like Super Saiyan 4) and the concept of the Shadow Dragons are still very popular in games like Dragon Ball Xenoverse and Dokkan Battle. If you’re a completionist, watch it after you’ve finished everything else. Just be prepared for a very slow first 15 episodes.
Actionable Insights for Your Rewatch
If you want the most efficient, high-quality experience of the Dragon Ball franchise without losing the "feeling" of the show, follow this path:
- Watch Dragon Ball (Original): Skip episodes 30-33, 45, 79-82, and 127-132. You can keep the final wedding arc if you want a bit of romance before the chaos of Z.
- Watch Dragon Ball Z Kai: This eliminates the need for a filler list for the middle chunk of the story. It saves you roughly 40 hours of viewing time.
- Watch Dragon Ball Super: Skip the Copy-Vegeta arc (44-46). Don't skip the baseball episode. It’s essential for your mental health.
- The "Must-Watch" Filler: Make sure to manually find DBZ Episode 125 (The Driving School) and the Other World Tournament arc (195-199) even if you are watching Kai, as they are iconic pieces of Dragon Ball history.
By cutting the fluff, you reduce a 600+ episode journey down to something much more manageable while still getting the full emotional weight of Goku's growth from a kid in the woods to a literal god. Stick to the manga-canon arcs for the big plot points, but don't be afraid to indulge in the weird, non-canon comedy that made the series a cultural phenomenon in the first place.