The Z Fighters are Earth's mightiest warriors. They have faced intergalactic threats, genetically-engineered creatures, mystical beings, and even actual Gods and always manage to come out on top. Their fights always come with a great deal of suffering and hardship, and it's this willingness to put other people's well-being before their own that makes them the worthiest of warriors.
Each character in the franchise has their best and most memorable moment. Most take place in the heat of battle, although a few occur in day-to-day life. These scenes are now beloved among fans of the franchise, and a few even rank as some of anime's most iconic and defining moments.
Yamcha Wins The Baseball Game
Poor Yamcha doesn't get much respect. He lacks any of the super-strength, durability, or raw power of the Saiyans. Indeed, he's just an Earthling, a human in peak physical condition, but a human nonetheless. And while the Z Fighters and fans often take him for granted, he was a crucial character in the original anime.
Yamcha gets another chance to shine in Dragon Ball Super. During the baseball game between Universes 6 and 7, Beerus and Champa get into a ferocious argument. While everyone else runs to hide, Yamcha successfully braves the ki barrage storm coming off of the two Gods of Destruction and wins the game for Universe 7.
Chiaotzu Dies In Vain
Chiaotzu and his best friend and constant companion, Tien Shinhan, are prominent characters in the original anime. In Dragon Ball Z, their roles get significantly reduced, but they still get the chance to shine. During the Saiyan Saga, and after Nappa cuts off Tien's left arm, Chiaotzu resorts to extreme measures.
Latching himself to Nappa's back, the white-faced Earthling becomes a living bomb. He shares a heartfelt goodbye with Tien and detonates, killing himself. His sacrifice is ultimately all for naught, as Nappa emerges from the wreckage unfazed, further increasing the tragedy of Chiaotzu's death.
Tien Shinhan Stops Cell
Tien Shinhan begins his arc as an antagonist to Goku and even faces against the Saiyan during the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament. He has many memorable moments during this time, including battling Goku for the first time and taking down Mercenary Tao with one hit.
However, his most significant moment is also one of the most underrated in the anime. After Imperfect Cell defeats Piccolo, he absorbs Android 17 and becomes Semi-Perfect Cell. Tien then holds him off by using his Neo Tri-Beam, successfully preventing Cell from pursuing Android 18, at least for a while.
Krillin Marries Android 18
Krillin is the franchise's strongest human. He proves vital in many of the Z Fighter's battles and proves his worth numerous times, like when he fights Nappa and even manages to cut him. Krilin is also infamous for constantly dying. Indeed, some of his most famous scenes in the anime are his numerous deaths at the hands of Frieza, Cell, and Android 17.
Still, Krilin's most iconic moment has to be his marriage to Android 18. The relationship plays a significant role in the Majin Buu saga and in Super. And the fact that Krillin manages to charm his way into the heart of the notoriously cold and distant Android 18 definitely deserves high praise.
Piccolo Gives His Life For Gohan's
Piccolo is one of the franchise's most intriguing and complex characters. Like many of Goku's allies and friends, he starts as a menacing villain before redeeming himself. Piccolo then becomes a mentor figure for many members of the Z Fighters, most notably Gohan.
During the Saiyan Saga, Nappa attempts to kill Gohan with a powerful attack. However, Piccolo jumps in front of the young boy, protecting him at the expense of his own life. As he dies, Piccolo thanks Gohan for making him softer and even calls him a true friend. Piccolo and Gohan would share another heartfelt goodbye in Dragon Ball GT, but nothing beats the first one.
Future Trunks Kills The Androids
Future Trunks comes from an alternate timeline where Androids 17 and 18 killed the Z Fighters and decimated the Earth. Well-mannered, cautious, and somewhat shy, he travels to the past to warn Goku of the impending threat and deliver medication to save the Saiyan's life.
Trunks eventually returns to the past after spending considerable time with the present Z Fighters and helping them battle Cell. Back in his timeline, and more powerful than ever, he successfully kills the Androids, giving his world a much-needed break. He still has to deal with Cell, though, but three years would pass before he faced the green creature.
Gotenks Fights Majin Buu
Child Trunks is significantly different from his alternate future version. Both he and Goten are close friends who often get into trouble. They are also remarkably powerful, capable of becoming Super Saiyan despite their young ages. During the Majin Buu saga, the two successfully master the fusion technique, becoming the exceptional warrior Gotenks.
Cocky, overconfident, and immature, Gotenks has an exciting and intense battle with Super Buu. At one point, they even achieve the Super Saiyan 3 stage. Gotenks also perform various techniques, like their trademark Super Ghost Kamikaze Attack, making for a hugely entertaining fight.
Gohan Kills Cell
For a moment, it seemed that Gohan would become the franchise's new protagonist. After his considerable character development throughout the early episodes of Dragon Ball Z, Gohan finally gets his time in the spotlight during the Cell saga. He has a ferocious battle against Perfect Cell, and with some help from Goku and Vegeta, Gohan unleashes a powerful Kamehameha that obliterates the green villain.
Gohan's arc in the Majin Buu saga is also quite compelling, and his transformation into Ultimate Gohan is also very worthy and iconic. However, his defeat of Cell remains the moment that most fans best remember.
Vegeta's Atonement
Vegeta is the franchise's ultimate anti-hero, a character so layered and complicated that it's impossible to define him in terms of "good" and "evil." Indeed, Vegeta commits despicable actions throughout Dragon Ball Z, but his character arc comes full circle during the Majin Buu saga.
After he willingly allows himself to be corrupted by Babidi, Vegeta goes on a rampage, wanting to provoke Goku into a fight. The two then engage in a raging battle that ends with Vegeta knocking Goku out before heading off to face Majin Buu alone. After sharing a heartfelt goodbye with Trunks, Vegeta uses Final Explosion in an attempt to stop the pink menace. His efforts fail, but the scene of his sacrifice still brings chills down the spine of every Dragon Ball fan.
Goku Vs. Frieza
Frieza is, arguably, Goku's greatest foe. Their long-awaited and climactic conflict remains the longest battle in anime history, featuring the clash between two of the most powerful beings in the Dragon Ball universe, at the time, at least.
The battle has numerous casualties, including Vegeta and Krilin. The fight itself is brutal and non-stopping, pushing both participants to their limits. The battle reaches a boiling point when Frieza kills Krilin (again). Enraged, Goku powers up and transforms into the legendary Super Saiyan, finally fulfilling the ancient prophecy. The moment is perhaps the series' most iconic and breathtaking and one of anime's greatest achievements.