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List of filler material in Dragon Ball Z
[edit] Vegeta Saga

Main article: Vegeta Saga

* Opening scene of Dragon Ball Z up until the farmer with shotgun is shown (though a small portion of this scene does apper in Dragon Ball Kai.) (in episode "The New Threat").
* Gohan being lost in the woods with the Sabretooth tiger up until the point Raditz confronts Piccolo (in episode "The New Threat").
* The flashback scenes of Saiyans destroying planets and infant Goku being shown sent off to Earth while Raditz explained the Saiyans ways to Goku (in episode "Reunions").
* Launch's persistent chasing of Tien, (although this was Toriyama's idea).
* Goku running on Snake Way and deciding to jump instead of running; he misses his landing and almost gets dragged down to Hell by shadowy hands (one of the few filler segments that actually remains in Dragon Ball Kai).
* Baba visiting a cantina in the afterlife.
* Ox-King playing with a toy remote-control car he bought for Gohan, which transitions to the scene of Goku in the car going towards Snake Way.
* Gohan meeting his Robot friend in the wild, and later, his Dinosaur friend (most of epsiodes "The Strangest Robot" and "A New Friend").
* Yamcha playing major league baseball as a career (although this was Toriyama's idea, episode "A New Friend").
* Nappa and Vegeta's visit to Arlia (most of the episode "Terror on Arlia").
* Piccolo training in the desert by levitating pyramids, ultimately causing chaos in the desert ("Global Training").
* Goku falling off Snake Way and meeting the ogres Goz and Mez (episode "Goz and Mez").
* Princess Snake and the whole event about her capturing of Goku (most of the episode "Princess Snake").
* Gohan transforming a second time into his Great Ape form because of Goku's space pod holographic projection of the moon (part of the episode "The End of Snake Way").
* Piccolo making a clone of himself and the two sparring ("Dueling Piccolo's").
* Gohan meeting the orphans (most of the episode "Plight of the Children").
* Chi-Chi worrying about Gohan being in the wild, fantasizing about being chased by a shark.
* Tien, Chiaotzu, Krillin, and Yamcha going into the Pendulum Room and fighting the Saiyans from the past (most of the episode "Pendulum Room Peril").
* King Kai's pet Gregory does not exist in manga (but it is one of the characters invented by Toriyama for anime). The whole training phase where Goku has to hit him with a hammer is filler (most of the episode "Goku's Ancestors". However, the "hitting Gregory with a hammer" footage does remain in Dragon Ball Kai.)
* King Kai's story about Goku's Saiyan heritage with the Tuffles and the scouter/armor technology (most of the rest of the episode "Goku's Ancestors")
* Master Roshi and assorted characters watching the fight with the Saiyans on TV, and later, Baba's crystal ball (though much of this footage was retained in Dragon Ball Kai).
* Nappa attacking a news crew and a fleet of naval ships.
* Yajirobe talking to the chief of police (a dog person) when he finds that the Saiyan spaceships have arrived.
* Yajirobe holding a press conference when the Saiyans arrive.
* Footage of Yajirobe prior to cutting off Vegeta's tail, including driving away and subsequently coming back.
* Footage of the Saiyan Spaceships at their landing sites, including Vegeta's flying to him after his defeat, and the truck crew taking Nappa's away.

[edit] Namek Saga

Main article: Namek Saga

* The adventures Bulma, Gohan and Krillin have while traveling towards planet Namek are absent from the manga, including the entire invisible spaceship and fake planet Namek story arcs (episodes "Friends or Foes", "Held Captive", "Look Out Below", "The Search Continues", "A Friendly Surprise" and half the episode "Brood of Evil").
* Goku training in the desert whilst not yet fully recovered from his injuries (in episodes "The Search Continues" and "A Friendly Surprise").
* Goku's spaceship nearly being pulled into a star (in episode "Unexpected Problem").
* Bulma bathing when she receives the word from her father than Goku is on his way to Namek (though somewhat edited, most of this scene remains in Dragon Ball Kai.)
* The scene of Vegeta destroying a Namekian village is much longer and more graphic in the anime (in episode "Vegeta Has a Ball").
* Most of the footage of Tien, Yamcha, Piccolo and Chiaotzu training on King Kai's planet, including the scene where they have to make King Kai laugh and in which King Kai tells them the story of the Ginyu Force.
* Footage of a Frieza soldier finding the village Vegeta attacked, killing the last survivor, and subsequently being killed by Frieza for this. In the manga it is Appule who reports to Frieza and he is not killed.
* Frieza killing a nervous soldier who questions the decision to summon the Ginyu Force.
* Bulma's misadventures with the Dragon Ball she was protecting on Namek, including her underwater search and the trouble with Freeza's soldiers (most of episodes "Destination: Guru" and "Bulma's Big Day").
* Chi-Chi's attempt to fly to Namek to help Gohan and her call to Bulma (in episode "Let the Battle Begin").
* Gohan's battle with Recoome is longer in the anime (in episode "Let the Battle Begin").
* Vegeta's explanation of the legend of the Super Saiyan is a lot more detailed in the anime (in episode "Goku's New Power").
* Guldo pinching Gohan and Krillin's faces while using the Body Bind technique on them.
* Captain Ginyu training some of Freeza's soldiers on how to pose (in episode "A Legend Revealed").
* Goku's battle with Jeice and Burter is longer in the anime (in episode "A Legend Revealed").

[edit] Captain Ginyu Saga

Main article: Captain Ginyu Saga

* Freeza's soldiers working to become Ginyu Force members do not appear in the manga (in episode "Ginyu Assault").
* Bulma's decision to go and get the seven Dragon Balls, and her trip through Namek, are not in the manga; in the manga, she just stays where she was hiding (in episodes "Incredible Force", "Frieza Approaches", and "Goku Is Ginyu & Ginyu Is Goku").
* The three Namekians that arrive at Guru's house to protect him from Freeza do not appear in the manga (in episode "Frieza Approaches").
* Vegeta's attack to Freeza's spaceship wasn't in the manga, as there weren't any soldiers left guarding it (in episode "Calling the Eternal Dragon"). In the manga, Vegeta just entered the empty ship.
* The Ginyu battle at Frieza's ship is longer in the anime. In the anime, Ginyu is in Goku's body longer, and actually manages to get "in control" for a while and pose a threat to Krillin and Gohan. Additionally in the anime, there is extra footage of Vegeta thrashing Ginyu once Ginyu is back in his original body. In the manga, Ginyu becoming a frog happens almost instantly after he is back to his original body.
* Gohan having some thought scenes about what it would be like living with his father trapped in Ginyu's body (although this is based loosely on a drawing from a manga chapter cover.)
* All later scenes of Captain Ginyu stuck in a frog's body, and the frog stuck in Captain Ginyu's body. Presumably, the Manga wanted viewers to think that they were both killed in the chaos that resulted from Frieza's chain reaction that destroyed the planet Namek.

[edit] Frieza Saga

Main article: Frieza Saga

* King Vegeta's story, told by Frieza (in episode "Fighting Power One Million").
* Bulma running from a dinosaur stampede (in episode "Fighting Power One Million").
* Piccolo's fight with Frieza is considerably longer in the anime (episodes "Deja Vu" and "Frieza's Second Transformation").
* Frieza impaling Krillin is much shorter and to the point (no pun intended) in the manga. In the anime, the horn is through Krillin much longer, and Frieza shakes him around forcefully, making rude comments and drinking his blood before ejecting him into the waters below.
* The section when Freeza chases Krillin and Krillin hides in the cracks of an island.
* In the anime, a scene is added in which Vegeta tries to flee the battlefield while Second Form Frieza duels Piccolo - only to find himself knocked out of the air by the tyrant.
* Frieza's lava attack at the beginnig of his fight with Goku (in episode "The Ultimate Battle").
* Chi-Chi's second attempt to go to Namek (in episodes "Clash of the Super Powers", "Frieza's Boast" and "Bold and Fearless").
* Scenes in which flying Gohan and Dende (separately) fly over the dead bodies of the Ginyu Force members. The Dende scene is rather humerous is that he thinks the dead body of (the very tall) Burter is (from a distance) Krillin.
* Bulma switching bodies with Captain Ginyu (in episodes "Frieza's Boast", "Bold and Fearless" and "Embodiment of Fire").
* Goku having a flashback about dead Saiyans and hearing from Vegeta, as well as a flashback about his various friends on Earth while trapped underwater.
* The entire fight between Goku and Frieza is also packed with filler; mostly the scenes where Frieza is winning against Goku (in episodes "Embodiment of Fire", "Trump Card" and "Keep the Chance Alive") and the fight with Goku as Super Saiyan (episodes "A Final Attack", "Approaching Destruction", "Duel on a Vanishing Planet", "Pathos of Frieza").
* Goku's preparation for the Spirit Bomb has a lot of filler in it (in episodes "Trump Card", "Keep the Chance Alive", "Power of the Spirit" and "Transformed at Last").
* The Ginyu Force members Recoome, Jeice, Burter and Guldo facing Tien, Yamcha and Chiaotzu on King Kai's planet (in episodes "Trump Card", "Keep the Chance Alive" and "Power of the Spirit").
* Piccolo's fight with Frieza to gain time for the Spirit Bomb is a lot longer in the anime (in episode "Power of the Spirit").
* Goku's transformation into a Super Saiyan. In the manga, the transformation is a near instantaneous reaction to Krillin's death at the hands of Frieza (in episode "Transformed at Last").
* The scenes at a Frieza base where the soldiers are trying to see if Frieza is still alive (episode "Namek's Destruction").
* Chi-Chi and the others communicating with Gohan through the spaceship's monitor (episode "Namek's Destruction").
* Gohan returning to challenge Frieza after Goku is knocked into a lava pit. In the manga, Goku emerges immediately after getting knocked into the pit (episode "Gohan Returns").
* Scene of Vegeta, after being resurrected, flying off to the site of the Eternal Dragon and seeing Frieza and Goku in his Super Saiyan form (in episode "The Last Wish").
* Right after everyone on Namek is transported to Earth, all the scenes with Piccolo remembering his story with Goku, and Vegeta's gloats about him being the strongest one, are not in the manga (most of episode "Duel on a Vanishing Planet", and part of "Pathos of Frieza").
* The flashback with Vegeta, Nappa and Raditz reporting to Frieza (in episode "Frieza Defeated!!"). This scene creates one of the many inconsistencies of DBZ, where Vegeta says he knew that the destruction of the Saiyan home planet was courtesy of Frieza and not because of an asteroid impact, whereas he acts surprised to learn this information when he faces Dodoria earlier in the Namek saga.
* Vegeta's attitude towards Goku's death and his fight with Gohan were not in the manga (in episode "Namek's Explosion... Goku's End?"). In the anime, he was happy about Goku's death, almost killed Gohan, and flew away; in the manga, he came up right away with the idea of how to bring Goku back, so he could fight him again.
* Much of the footage of the Namekians hanging out at the Capsule Corporation.
* In the manga the wishes being made with the Namekian Dragon Balls on Earth are only referenced, we don't actually see the wishes being granted aside from seeing Porunga being summoned. The anime adds a scenes of the dead Z-Fighters coming back to life, including a rather comical scene where Yamcha falls in a fountain when revived, but then proceeds to hug Bulma and tell her how much he missed her. Additionally, a scene is added where the Namekians bid farewell to the Earthings, including a sad scene where teary-eyed Dende and Gohan say goodbye to one another.
* Mrs. Briefs flirting with Vegeta and offering him drinks
* Dr. Briefs showing Vegeta the new spaceship he made, and Vegeta subsequently cruising off into space.

[edit] Garlic Jr. Saga

Main article: Garlic Jr. Saga

* This entire saga is absent from the manga, and was made up for the anime. This includes Vegeta's trip in outer space in an attempt to track down Goku.

[edit] Trunks Saga

Main article: Trunks Saga

* The events in episode "Frieza's Counterattack", up until the last few minutes, are completely absent from the manga, including Gohan's new tutor, his dream, Krillin's training and Vegeta's return. In the manga, Vegeta never went out into space at the end of the Frieza saga. The scenes of Vegeta living at Capsule Corp. are all filler as well.
* The flashback with King Cold looking for Frieza's remains after the destruction of Planet Namek, and Frieza's reconstruction and becoming "Mecha Frieza" (in episode "The Mysterious Youth").
* A scene of Frieza going paranoid when arriving on Earth, hallucinating about seeing Goku, and squeezing his own fist so tightly that some blood comes out.
* Trunks' intro scene is slightly extented. Frieza orders his men (in the anime) to go start killing Earthlings, and they are sliced into pieces by Trunks, who then descends and gives his intro speech. In the manga, he just stands there and starts speaking his piece, no scene of him chopping up Frieza's men.
* The scenes of Frieza's men being killed by Trunks are extended in the anime. Additionally, a scene is added where Frieza executes one of his own men for cowardice by slicing his hand through the coward's chest.
* The dialogues between Future Trunks, Frieza and King Cold, as well as the fight, are slightly extended by anime filler, as well as Trunks' Super Saiyan transformation (in episode "Another Super Saiyan"). In the manga Frieza only gets in one attack against Trunks, while in the anime there are several different attempts by Frieza to kill Trunks, including using the Supernova technique he used to destroy Planet Vegeta (which Trunks catches effortlessly.)
* King Cold begging for his life after Trunks blows a hole in his chest (in episode "Welcome Back Goku").
* Chi-Chi buying study equipment for Gohan (in episode "Welcome Back Goku").
* The flashback where, after Goku defeats Frieza on Namek, he looks for a way to escape the planet, and his trip to Yardrat. This segment is mostly composed of filler (in episode "Goku's Special Technique"). Goku's visit to Yardrat is given an explanation in the Manga, but we don't actually see the Yardratians in the Manga.
* The footage of Goku training with Gohan and Piccolo in preparation for the androids' imminent arrival is filler. Same goes for Vegeta's training inside the gravity room, and the training of the rest of the Z-Fighters (in episodes "Goku's Special Technique" and "Z Warriors Prepare"). The manga only shows them training in a couple of panels.
* Episode "Goku's Ordeal", where Piccolo and Goku taking driving lessons, is absent from the manga. This episode creates a plot hole in that Chi-Chi was seen driving earlier in the series.

[edit] Androids Saga

Main article: Androids Saga

* Bulma's dad bringing a new toy to Trunks' room is absent from the manga (in episode "The Androids Appear").
* Though not filler, there are several differences in episode "The Androids Appear" from the manga. The two humans that Android 20 kills have much bloodier deaths in the manga, and end up clearly dead; in the anime, they could even be unconscious.
* When Android 20 is draining Yamcha's energy, a gas truck crashes nearby and creates a fire; there is no such truck or fire in the manga (in episode "The Androids Appear").
* The scenes with Roshi, Oolong and Chiaotzu at Kame House are filler (in episode "A Handy Trick").
* The fight between Goku and Android 19 is longer in the anime, and the Android fares a lot better against Goku than in the manga, where Goku always has the upper hand (in episode "Double Trouble for Goku").
* During Goku and Android 19's fight, Maron (Krillin's ex-girlfriend) visits Master Roshi, looking for Krillin. Roshi gives her a lecture about Goku's history with Dr. Gero and the Red Ribbon Army. This entire segment, as well as the later scenes of Maron having fun on Roshi's island, is anime filler (in episode "Double Trouble for Goku", "Deadly Beauty", "No Match for the Androids" and "Last Ditch Effort").
* Yajirobe playing with Trunks (in episode "Upgrade to Super Saiyan").
* Vegeta's description on how he became Super Saiyan is a lot longer an detailed (in episode "Upgrade to Super Saiyan").
* Most scenes of Goku laying ill in his house with Chi-Chi and Yamcha, as well as his dreams, are filler (in episodes "Follow Dr. Gero", "Nightmare Comes True", "Goku's Assassin", "No Match for the Androids" and "Unwelcome Discovery").
* Several scenes of Gohan carrying Bulma, Yajirobe and Trunks back to her house are filler (in episodes "Follow Dr. Gero", "Nightmare Comes True", "Goku's Assassin", "Deadly Beauty", "No Match for the Androids" and "Last Ditch Effort").
* Vegeta's chase of Android 18 and their fight on a truck is filler. Their fight on the road is greatly extended (in episode "Deadly Beauty").
* When the Z-Fighters are attempting to find Dr. Gero's laboratory, Krillin tracks an later runs into Dr.Gero and is subsequently beaten in a fight. This is absent from the manga (in episode "Nightmare Comes True").
* The flashback of the Nameless Namek becoming Guardian of Earth (in episode "Last Ditch Effort").
* During the androids' trip to find Goku, they have an encounter with some bikers. That scenes are filler (in episode "Closing In").
* Chiaotzu cooking for Roshi ("Unwelcome Discovery").

[edit] Imperfect Cell Saga

Main article: Imperfect Cell Saga

* The fight between Cell and Piccolo is a little longer in the anime, including a Special Beam Cannon attack by Cell (in episode "Borrowed Powers").
* The tanks that attack Cell on Ginger Town while he's holding Piccolo are filler (in episode "His Name Is Cell").
* Cell's search for organic lifeforms is also largely composed of filler. For example, the sequence of Cell showing up at an airport, attempting to drain a girl and her little brother of their bio-mass, which is thwarted by Krillin.
* Piccolo and Android 17's fight. Large portions of this fight in the anime are lengthened with anime filler.

[edit] Perfect Cell Saga

Main article: Perfect Cell Saga

* Most of the anime footage of Vegeta and Trunks' training inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. In the manga, the only thing we see is the duo entering the room, no actual footage of their training. All training footage in the anime is thus filler.

* Gohan's transformation into a Super Saiyan. In the anime, Gohan transforms when he recalls how he let his friends down in the past, additionally stimulated by Goku firing a large Kamehameha at him.

* Some of the footage of Goku and Gohan's training on the Hyperbolic Time Chamber is also filler. For example, the sequence in which Goku is seen using the Kamehameha to destroy massive walls of ice towering up in front of him is filler.

* Segments of the fight between Trunks and Cell are composed of filler, mainly the segment where Trunks is still able to keep up with Cell and hit him, before he powers up too much. In the manga, Trunks isn't able to lay a finger on Cell.

* Large portions of Goku and Gohan's preparation for the Cell Games is composed of anime filler, including the return of Tao.
* Gohan's birthday.

[edit] Cell Games Saga

Main article: Cell Games Saga

* Hercule's disciples don't appear in the manga.
* Certain segments of the fight between Goku and Perfect Cell are filler. For example, Cell attacking Goku with Frieza's homing "Kienzan" attack, as well as using Tien's multi-form technique.

* Goku's power up is also vastly extended in the anime by fillers.

* The fight between "Team Z" and the Cell Jr's is extended in the anime by fillers, for example Vegeta using the Final Flash.

* Cell using a double, massive Kienzan on Super Saiyan 2 Gohan.

* The fight between Super Saiyan 2 Gohan and Cell's Semi-Perfect Stage after Cell expelled Android 18 is filler. In the manga, Cell almost immediately decides to self destruct without fighting Gohan in that form.

* During the final beam struggle between Gohan and the rejuvenated Perfect Cell. In the anime, Piccolo, Yamcha, Tien, Krillin, and Vegeta repeatedly launch full scale attacks at Cell in an attempt to distract him. In the manga, Vegeta is the only one to attack, which led to Cell's defeat.

[edit] Great Saiyaman Saga

Main article: Great Saiyaman Saga

* All scenes with Grand Kai and Pikkon (this applies to later sagas as well.)
* The events of the Other World Tournament and much of Goku's stay in the afterlife is all filler.
* Many of Gohan's high school ordeals. (i.e. the episodes Going on a Date, Acting on a Movie Set)
* Most of Videl's quest to unmask Great Saiyaman/Gohan in the anime is filler. In the manga, Videl tricks Great Saiyaman into revealing his identity on their first meeting.

[edit] World Tournament Saga

Main article: World Tournament Saga

* A portion of the fight between 18 and Mighty Mask (Goten & Trunks in disguise) is filler. 18 realizes her opponent's identity and quickly finalizes the fight after Goten and Trunks transform into super saiyans.

[edit] Babidi Saga

Main article: Babidi Saga

* Large portions of the fight between Gohan and Dabura, such as the entire time Gohan fights in his base form, is filler.

* Large portions of the Goku vs. Majin Vegeta is also filler, for example the beam struggle.

[edit] Majin Buu Saga

Main article: Majin Buu Saga

* Goku's Super Saiyan 3 demonstration on Kami's Lookout is filler.

* The fight between Gotenks and the fat version of Majin Buu is filler. In the manga, it is referred to, but not shown.

* The fight between Goten, Trunks, and Mr. Popo is completely filler.

[edit] Fusion Saga

Main article: Fusion Saga

* The scene when Super Buu assaults the Z-team at Kami's lookout and turns them into chocolate to eat, while Piccolo and Gotenks are still traped in the Hyperbolic time chamber consists of filler. The event did occur in the manga, but was not depicted.

* Segments of the fight between Gohan and Majin Buu consist of filler. For example, right after Buu absorbs Gotenks and Piccolo, he and Gohan fight rather evenly. In the manga, Buu almost immediately gains the upperhand whilst in the anime, it takes him some time to establish his dominance.

* Super Saiyan 3 Goku's fight with Majin Buu is completely anime filler. In the manga, Buu charges at Goku but immediately reverts back to a lesser powerful state as the Gotenks fusion inside of him wears off. In the anime, Buu toys around with Goku a bit first before he reverts back.

* Goku and Vegeta's fight with Majin Buu after he just absorbed Gohan. In the anime, Vegeta first attempts to fight Buu on his own, and Goku reluctantly joins him. After they get beat around for a bit, Vegeta ultimately agrees to join bodies with Goku. In the manga, this fight does not take place.

* The fight between Vegito in his base form and Majin Buu. In the manga, Vegito immediately transforms into a Super Saiyan whilst in the anime, he first fights Buu in his normal state.

* Large portions of the fight between Super Vegito and Majin Buu is also anime filler. For example, Buu attempting to destroy Vegito's body from the inside, as well as him launching a second wave of kamikaze ghosts whilst in the manga he only uses this attack once, and also his massive barrier with which he attempts to destroy the entire timezone, is all anime filler.

* The segments that feature Dabura in the afterlife, joining Videl, Bulma and Chi-Chi on their search for Gohan, are all filler.

* Major portions of the action inside of Buu's head is also filler. Examples are Goku and Vegeta encountering the huge worms, as well as them fighting thought forms of Majin Buu in the shape of Gohan, Gotenks and Piccolo.

[edit] Kid Buu Saga

Main article: Kid Buu Saga

* The footage shown in the anime of Kid Buu fighting the Supreme Kais five million years ago is filler. In the manga it isn't shown, only referenced.

* Kid Buu showing up on the Grand Kai's planet is completely filler. This goes for the vast majority of the Other World footage in the anime too, most of this is filler.

* Goku and Vegeta powering up to lure Buu to the world of the Kai's. In the manga, no power up is performed as Buu finds the Saiyans immediately after he regenerated from Earth's explosion.

* The fight between Super Saiyan 2 Goku and Kid Buu is completely filler. In the manga, Goku goes straight to Super Saiyan 3 where in the anime, he goes Super Saiyan 2 first.

* In the anime, Vegeta realizes Goku is the only one who can fight Kid Buu after briefly fighting in his base form and being almost killed but he is saved by Goku. In the manga, Vegeta realizes this from watching the fight between the two and doesn't get to fight Buu until Goku tells him he needs a minute to charge up.

* Most of the one minute fight between Vegeta and Kid Buu is composed of filler. In the manga the one minute goes by in only a few pages while in the anime it goes on for a couple episodes.

* The episodes taking place in between the defeat of Kid Buu and the 10 years later are all filler. The manga jumps 10 years later almost immediately after the defeat of Kid Buu.