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Alex Mitchell

Complete Dragon Ball Z Kai Filler List Guide – Skip Episodes Like a Pro

Profile Picture of Alex Mitchell

Alex Mitchell

Welcome, Dragon Ball enthusiasts! If you’ve been journeying along with me so far, then you’re no stranger to the rollercoaster ride that is Goku’s life. And now, it’s time to discuss the next iteration: Dragon Ball Z Kai.

Let me first address the Namek-sized elephant in the room – yes, Dragon Ball Z Kai is a re-telling of the much-loved Dragon Ball Z. However, it’s not just a rehash but a carefully refined and remastered version of the epic tale we all know and love.

The creators realized the rich potential of the original series but also saw the necessity to tighten the narrative. They decided to excise some of the drawn-out battles and, yes, remove quite a bit of the filler content.

Running from 2009 to 2015, the Dragon Ball Z Kai anime spans 167 episodes. Among these, the anime only has 2 filler episodes, impressively keeping the non-canon content to just over 1%. Although, it’s worth noting that 126 episodes are technically a mix of mostly canon and some filler content.

1. Quick Filler List & Streaming

Quick Filler List

Lightning-fast filler list guide for Dragon Ball Z Kai.

Dragon Ball Z Kai

Manga Canon

1-100, 102-164, 165-167

Filler Episodes

101, 165

Disclaimer: About 126 episodes in Dragon Ball Z Kai are considered “partial fillers,” but they’re mostly canon with a sprinkle of filler content.

I wouldn’t recommend skipping them at all. Nonetheless, here’s a list if you’re interested:

7-8, 10-11, 19, 22-23, 25-27, 31-34, 36-38, 41-47, 50-51, 53, 55, 57-61, 63-65, 67-74, 76-78, 81-98, 100, 102-107, 110-115, 117-123, 125-138, 140-160, 162-164, 166-167

Watch Dragon Ball Z Kai on:

2. Complete Episode List

#TitleTypeWatch?Air Date
1Prologue to Battle! The Return of Goku! Canon 04/05/2009
2The Enemy is Goku’s Brother?! The Secret of the Mighty Saiyan Warriors Canon 04/12/2009
3A Life or Death Battle! Goku and Piccolo’s Desperate Attack! Canon 04/19/2009
4Run in the Afterlife, Goku! The One Million Mile Snake Way! Canon 04/26/2009
5Wilderness Survival! A Moonlit Night Awakens Gohan! Canon 05/03/2009
6The End of Snake Way! King Kai’s Bizarre Test! Canon 05/10/2009
7The Battle with Ten-Times Gravity! Goku’s Race Against the Clock! Canon 05/17/2009
8Shenron Appears! The Saiyans Arrive Sooner than Expected! Canon 05/24/2009
9Yamcha’s Struggle! The Terrible Saibamen! Canon 05/31/2009
10Sit Tight, Chiaotzu! Tien’s Screaming Tri-Beam! Canon 06/07/2009
11Will Goku Make it in Time?! Three Hours Until the Battle Resumes! Canon 06/14/2009
12Farewell, Piccolo! Goku’s Furious Counterattack! Canon 06/21/2009
13The Power of the Kaio-Ken! Goku vs. Vegeta! Canon 06/28/2009
14An All-Out Kamehame-Ha! Vegeta’s Terrible Transformation! Canon 07/05/2009
15Goku on the Ropes! Pin Your Hopes on the Spirit Bomb! Canon 07/12/2009
16Defeat the Invincible Vegeta! Work a Miracle, Gohan! Canon 07/19/2009
17Dawn of the Fierce Battle! The Star of Hope is Piccolo’s Homeland! Canon 08/02/2009
18The Ship Resting in Yunzabit! Time to Blast Off for Planet Namek! Canon 08/09/2009
19A Powerful New Foe! Frieza, Ruler of the Universe! Canon 08/16/2009
20The Rebellion Against Frieza! Vegeta’s Burning Ambition! Canon 08/23/2009
21Protect the Dragon Balls! The Namekians’ All-Out Attack! Canon 08/30/2009
22Dodoria’s Terrifying Chase! A Truth Revealed to Vegeta! Canon 09/06/2009
23Vegeta’s Covert Maneuvers! A Tragic Assault on the Namekians! Canon 09/13/2009
24Friends Reborn! Zarbon’s Hideous Transformation! Canon 09/20/2009
25Power Up, Krillin! Frieza’s Mounting Apprehension! Canon 09/27/2009
26The Scheme Is Shattered! Vegeta Strikes Back at Zarbon! Canon 10/04/2009
27A Touch-and-Go Situation! Gohan, Protect the Four-Star Ball! Canon 10/11/2009
28The Countdown to Battle Begins! Enter, The Ginyu Force! Canon 10/18/2009
29First Up for the Ginyu Force! Guldo’s Time Freeze! Canon 10/25/2009
30The Nightmare Recoome! Come Out and Play, Vegeta! Canon 11/01/2009
31Goku Arrives At Last! Take Down the Ginyu Force! Canon 11/08/2009
32The Star Player Appears! Ginyu vs. Goku! Canon 11/15/2009
33Full Power, Goku! Captain Ginyu’s Desperate Attack! Canon 11/22/2009
34Surprise! Goku is Ginyu and Ginyu is Goku?! Canon 11/29/2009
35Goku’s Comeback! Call Forth Porunga! Canon 12/06/2009
36Frieza Closes In! Mighty Porunga, Grant Our Wish! Canon 12/13/2009
37A Nightmare Transformation! Frieza’s Power Level-One Million?! Canon 12/20/2009
38Frieza Bares His Fangs! Gohan’s Overwhelming Attack! Canon 12/27/2009
39Piccolo Reborn! Frieza’s Second Transformation! Canon 01/10/2010
40Frieza’s Final Transformation! The Ultimate Nightmare Begins! Canon 01/17/2010
41The Moment of Truth Approaches! Goku Back in Action! Canon 01/24/2010
42Defeat Frieza, Goku! The Tears of the Proud Saiyan Prince! Canon 01/31/2010
43Goku vs. Frieza! The Super Showdown Begins! Canon 02/07/2010
44A Boundary-Pushing Brawl! Goku, Frieza, and Ginyu Again?! Canon 02/14/2010
45Kaio-Ken Times Twenty! An All-Or-Nothing Kamehame-Ha! Canon 02/21/2010
46The Final Trump Card! Goku’s Ultimate Spirit Bomb! Canon 02/28/2010
47Awaken, Legendary Warrior! Goku the Super Saiyan! Canon 03/07/2010
48The Angry Super Saiyan! Goku Throws Down the Gauntlet! Canon 03/14/2010
49Avenge the Fallen, Goku! Countdown to the Planet’s Destruction! Canon 03/21/2010
50Full Power Frieza! Shenron, Grant Our Wish! Canon 03/28/2010
51Goku’s Furious Roar! A Last-Minute Wish! Canon 04/04/2010
52Duel on a Vanishing Planet! The Final Showdown! Canon 04/11/2010
53Goku’s Final Attack! Countdown to Planet Namek’s Destruction! Canon 04/18/2010
54Goku Vanishes Into Space! Welcome Home, Super Warriors! Canon 04/25/2010
55There Is Planet Earth, Father! Frieza and King Cold Strike Back! Canon 05/02/2010
56I Will Defeat Frieza! Another Super Saiyan! Canon 05/09/2010
57Welcome Back, Goku! Confessions of the Mysterious Youth, Trunks! Canon 05/16/2010
58Goku’s New Move, Instant Transmission! The Three-Year Training Session Begins! Canon 05/23/2010
59Undetectable Monsters! The Androids Appear! Canon 05/30/2010
60The Unbeatable Enemy Within! Goku vs. Android 19! Canon 06/06/2010
61No Victory for Android 19! Enter Super Vegeta! Canon 06/13/2010
62Piccolo’s Assault! Android 20 and the Twisted Future! Canon 06/20/2010
63The Hunt for Doctor Gero! Discover the Hidden Laboratory! Canon 06/27/2010
64Number 17 and Number 18! The Androids Awaken! Canon 07/11/2010
65A Sweet Face and Super Power? Android 18 vs. Vegeta! Canon 07/18/2010
66The Time for Reunification Has Come! Piccolo’s Unshakable Resolve! Canon 08/01/2010
67Another Time Machine?! Bulma Uncovers a Mystery! Canon 08/08/2010
68The Monster Goes into Motion… Strike of the Super Namekian! Canon 08/15/2010
69I Am Your Brother! The Monster With Goku’s Energy! Canon 08/22/2010
70The Dizzying Deception and the Daring Escape! Defeat the Android Cell! Canon 08/29/2010
71The Hunt for Cell Is On! Goku, Back in Action! Canon 09/05/2010
72Break the Super Saiyan Barrier! Into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber! Canon 09/12/2010
73The Super Namekian Powers Up! Piccolo vs. Android 17! Canon 09/19/2010
74Run Android 17! Piccolo’s All-or-Nothing Struggle! Canon 09/26/2010
75Power Unknown! Android 16 Breaks His Silence! Canon 10/03/2010
76Tien’s Desperate Attack! Save Your Friends, Goku! Canon 10/10/2010
77Beyond Super Saiyan! Vegeta Confronts the Monster Cell! Canon 10/17/2010
78Cell on the Verge of Defeat! Krillin, Destroy Android 18! Canon 10/24/2010
79The Battle Turns for the Worst… Cell Attacks Android 18! Canon 10/31/2010
80The Tables Are Turned! Witness the Power of Perfection! Canon 11/07/2010
81Vegeta’s Final Push! Defeat the Invincible Cell! Canon 11/14/2010
82The Strongest Super Saiyan! Trunks’ Power Unleashed! Canon 11/21/2010
83Cell Invades the Airwaves! Announcing,”The Cell Games!”. Canon 11/28/2010
84Training Complete! Goku Sizes Up the Competition! Canon 12/05/2010
85The Truce is Broken! The Defense Force Strikes Back at Cell! Canon 12/12/2010
86A New Guardian! The Return of the Dragon Balls! Canon 12/19/2010
87Mr. Satan Takes the Stage! The Curtain Rises on the Cell Games! Canon 12/26/2010
88Showdown! Cell vs. Goku! Canon 01/09/2011
89Battle at the Highest Level! Goku Goes All Out! Canon 01/16/2011
90The Opening Round Is Concluded! Goku’s Moment of Decision! Canon 01/23/2011
91Get Angry, Gohan! Release Your Hidden Power! Canon 01/30/2011
92Tears For An Android! Gohan’s Inner Rage Bursts Forth! Canon 02/06/2011
93Unleash the Warrior Within! Gohan Takes the Offensive! Canon 02/13/2011
94Perfection’s End! A Fury Beyond Super Saiyan! Canon 02/20/2011
95A Hero’s Sacrifice! Last Chance to Save the World! Canon 03/06/2011
96Combine Your Strength! The Final Kamehame-Ha! Canon 03/20/2011
97A Bittersweet Victory! Until We Meet Again! Canon 03/27/2011
98Peace For the Future! The Spirit of Goku is Forever! Canon 08/02/2011
99Seven Years Later! Starting Today, Gohan Is a High School Student Canon 04/06/2014
100A New Hero, Great Saiyaman, Is Born! Canon 04/13/2014
101Videl’s Crisis? Gohan’s Urgent Call-out! Filler 01/21/2017
102A Monster is Taken Away! The Culprit is Great Saiyaman? Canon 01/28/2017
103Entering the World Martial Arts Tournament! Goten Shows Off His Explosive Power During Training! Canon 02/04/2017
104Gohan the Teacher! Videl’s Flying Technique Tutorial Canon 04/20/2014
105The Dragon Team Fully Assembled! Goku Has Come Back! Canon 04/27/2014
106Who Is the World’s Greatest? The Tournament Preliminaries Begin! Canon 02/25/2017
107Everyone is Surprised! Goten and Trunks’ Super Battle! Canon 05/04/2014
108The Junior Champ Is Finally Decided! Who Will Fight Against Mr. Satan? Canon 03/11/2017
109Restless Foreboding; A Mysterious Warrior Appears! Canon 05/11/2014
110What Happened, Piccolo? An Unexpected Outcome in the First Round Canon 05/18/2014
111An Eerie Entity; Who Exactly Is Spopovich? Canon 04/01/2017
112Videl Battered! Gohan’s Fury Reaches Its Limit! Canon 05/25/2014
113A Creeping Conspiracy! The Target is Gohan Canon 04/15/2017
114Terrifying Secret of the Majin; The Mastermind Revealed! Canon 06/01/2014
115The Nefarious Wizard Babidi And Demon King Dabura’s Trap Canon 06/08/2014
116Don’t Sell Super Saiyans Short! Vegeta and Goku’s Full-Bore Power! Canon 06/15/2014
117Whither Victory? A Battle Royal Championship Match! Canon 06/22/2014
118Stunning Youngsters! No. 18’s Uphill Battle Canon 06/29/2014
119Enter the Headliner! The Looming Demon King! Canon 06/06/2014
120A Heart of Evil Awakened; Vegeta, Prince of Destruction Canon 07/13/2014
121I am the Strongest! The Clash of Goku vs. Vegeta Canon 07/20/2014
122Countdown to Revival: Crush Babidi’s Ambitions! Canon 08/03/2014
123The Seal is Released? Gohan’s Kamehame-Ha of Resistance Canon 08/10/2014
124Straightaway Into Despair? The Terror of Majin Buu Canon 08/17/2014
125Turn Into Candy! A Hungry Majin’s Bizarre Power! Canon 08/24/2014
126I Will Deal With the Majin! Vegeta’s Final Mortal Combat! Canon 08/31/2014
127For His Beloved Ones… The End of the Proud Warrior! Canon 09/07/2014
128Who Will Defeat Majin Buu? The Mightiest of Men Moves Out! Canon 11/30/2014
128A Nightmare Revisited: The Immortal Monster Majin Buu! Canon 09/14/2014
129A Secret Plan to Defeat Buu! Its Name is Fusion Canon 09/21/2014
130Found! A Faint Ray of Hope – Awaken, Warriors! Canon 09/28/2014
131Find the Nuisances: Babidi’s Retaliation Begins! Canon 10/05/2014
132A Time of Trials! Lay Hold of Legendary Powers! Canon 10/12/2014
133Hold Majin Buu in Check! Limit — Super Saiyan 3! Canon 10/19/2014
134True Worth Beginning to Show – The Treacherous Buu! Canon 10/26/2014
135Silly Looking? Drilling the Fusion Pose! Canon 11/02/2014
136Bye-bye, Everyone! Goku Returns to the Next World Canon 11/09/2014
137Gohan Located! Intensive Training in the World of the Kais! Canon 11/16/2014
138Birth of a Merged Superwarrior His Name is Gotenks! Canon 11/23/2014
140The Powering Up Continues? Super Gotenks is Achieved! Canon 12/07/2014
141What Anger Gives Rise To Another Majin! Canon 12/14/2014
142Buu Gobbles Up Buu! Onslaught of a New Majin! Canon 12/21/2014
143Headlong Rush Into Catastrophe! A One-Hour Time Limit! Canon 12/28/2014
144Training Complete! You’re Finished Now, Majin Buu! Canon 01/11/2015
145Eliminating Buu with Ghosts: A Knockout Kamikaze Attack! Canon 01/18/2015
146Gotenks’ Ace in the Hole! Transformation! Super Gotenks 3! Canon 01/25/2015
147On a Roll! Buu-Buu-Volleyball! Canon 02/01/2015
148Thanks for Waiting, Everyone! A Reborn Gohan Heads for Earth! Canon 02/08/2015
149Buu Overwhelmed! Ultimate Gohan’s Super Power! Canon 02/15/2015
150Buu’s Sinister Scheme: Gotenks is Absorbed Canon 03/01/2015
151The Elder Kai’s Brainstorm! Return to Life, Goku! Canon 03/15/2015
152Miracles Happen Once… Will Goku and He Make the Ultimate Combination? Canon 03/22/2015
153Invincible! The Ultimate Warrior Vegito! Canon 03/29/2015
154Buu’s Ace in the Hole! The Warriors Are Absorbed! Canon 04/05/2015
155Rescue Gohan and the Others! Goku and Vegeta’s Infiltration Mission! Canon 04/12/2015
156Emergency Escape from the Body! Buu’s Retrogression Into Evil! Canon 04/19/2015
157Earth Destroyed! The Initial Buu’s Nefarious Strike Canon 04/26/2015
158A Final Showdown at the Summit! Face-Off in the World of the Kais! Canon 05/03/2015
159Hang In There, Kakarot! You Are No. 1! Canon 05/10/2015
160A One-Minute Match-Up! Vegeta’s Life-Threatening Stall for Time! Canon 05/17/2015
161An Inspired Strategy – Make Two Wishes Come True! Canon 05/24/2015
162Share Your Spirit Energy with Me! I’m Making a Huge Spirit Bomb! Canon 05/31/2015
163You Are the Savior of the World! Everybody’s Spirit Bomb Completed! Canon 06/07/2015
164You Really Are the Greatest, Goku!! The Demise of Majin Buu Canon 06/14/2015
165Peace Returns! A Time of Rest for the Warriors! Filler 06/09/2018
166And So, Ten Years Later… A Long-Awaited World Martial Arts Tournament! Canon 06/21/2015
167Even Stronger! Goku’s Dream is Never-Ending! Canon 06/28/2015

3. Can you skip Dragon Ball Z Kai fillers?

The partial filler episodes are as crucial as the canon ones, even though some scenes are not adapted from the manga. They are equally important in understanding the main story of this anime.

The two filler episodes listed can be skipped as they have no connection to the main plot:

  • Videl’s Crisis? Gohan’s Urgent Call-out! (episode 101)
  • Peace Returns! A Time of Rest for the Warriors! (episode 165)

However, if you like good animation and need a bit of laughter after all the super roaring battles. These two filler episodes can give you that much-needed dose of laughter.

4. Is it OK to skip Dragon Ball Kai?

Generally speaking, you can skip Dragon Ball Z Kai if you’ve already seen Dragon Ball Z. Kai’s remastered version of the original, and its primary purpose is to offer a more streamlined and faithful adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s popular manga, cutting down on filler episodes and providing a more concise and impactful storytelling experience.

However, if you have never watched the original Dragon Ball Z series. Then Dragon Ball Kai is the ultimate faster-paced viewing experience that stays true to the manga. It offers improved voice acting, better pacing, and updated graphics, providing a fresh take on the beloved DBZ series without the added fluff.

That said, some viewers prefer the original’s art style and music, feeling that it adds charm to the series that was not fully captured in the Kai adaptation.

In summary, whether or not you should skip Dragon Ball Kai is a subjective decision based on your tastes, so don’t think too much about it.

5. Is Dragon Ball Z Kai censored?

When discussing Dragon Ball Z Kai, a common question is whether or not it is censored.

To answer the question directly: Yes, Dragon Ball Z Kai does have some degree of censorship, but it varies based on the version and broadcasting network.

Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Z Kai does have some degree of censorship, but it generally varies based on the version broadcasting network. The original Japanese version keeps much of the violence and intensity. However, the English adaptations by Funimation and other networks made changes to make the content more suitable for younger audiences.

These changes ranged from minor visual alterations to reduce the depiction of blood and gore to more significant changes like editing the dialogue to remove explicit language and innuendos. For example, scenes with intense physical violence were toned down, and scenes that originally had blood were edited to either remove the blood or change its color.

In some instances, there were changes to controversial themes or culturally specific jokes that might not translate well to a Western audience. However, it is essential to note that the primary storyline and character development remain mostly intact despite these changes.

Nevertheless, for hardcore fans and purists, these alterations can make a difference in their viewing experience. Yet, for others, particularly younger viewers or those who prefer less graphic content, these changes can make Dragon Ball Z Kai more accessible and enjoyable.

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Community QnA

Anime Enthusiast

Q. Should I skip Dragon Ball Z and watch Kai?

Technically, Kai portrays the same story as Dragon Ball Z, with better effects, faster pacing, and a more cohesive storyline. So, if you’re interested in something like that, you can skip Dragon Ball Z and watch Kai instead.

Emily Dubois The Manager
Anime Enthusiast

Q. Is Dragon Ball Z Kai more kid-friendly?

One of the biggest pros of Dragon Ball Z Kai is that some of its iterations are much more kid-friendly than the original Dragon Ball Z anime. While the Japanese version is mostly the same, English dub versions such as Funimation’s and Nickelodeon’s have censored or cut down on violence and other acts.

Emily Dubois The Manager
Anime Enthusiast

Q. How far does DBZ Kai go?

In terms of the story arc, “Dragon Ball Z Kai” covers the entirety of the “Dragon Ball Z” saga, from the Saiyan Saga to the Majin Buu Saga. It takes the viewer from Goku’s first encounter with his Saiyan brother Raditz to the final, epic battle against Majin Buu.

Emily Dubois The Manager
Anime Enthusiast

Q. 5. Was Dragon Ball Z Kai canceled?

Dragon Ball Z Kai wasn’t canceled. Rather, it was completed. Kai’s purpose was to retell the story of Goku and his peers during the events of Dragon Ball Z, and it did so perfectly. But once that was done, Toei moved to sequel projects such as Dragon Ball Super and Heroes.

Emily Dubois The Manager