Dragon Ball's legacy was built around its Tournament arcs, which influenced many later shōnen series and houses some of the most iconic moments in anime history. The first tournament goes all the way back to the earlier episodes of the original Dragon Ball series until the very end of the anime with the Tournament of Power in the Universe Survival arc of Dragon Ball Super.
Because of this, Dragon Ball is defined by a multitude of tournaments, which, instead of becoming repetitive as Toriyama introduced enough modifications each time, continue to be refreshing to this day. However, some of Dragon Ball's tournaments stand out from the rest due to their importance in the overarching plot, incredible matchups, animation direction, and influence on the viewers.
12 Zeno Exhibition Match
Dragon Ball Super Episodes 71-82
Also known as Zeno Expo, it is a preliminary exhibition in Dragon Ball Super’s anime for Future Zeno, who had never witnessed a tournament before. Although it wasn’t an official tournament, it still followed the structure of one-on-one combat and served to decide which rules would apply to the Tournament of Power. Only the two universes with the lowest mortal level participate, Universe 7 and 9, featuring matches between Goku, Gohan, and Majin Buu against the Trio of Danger.
Though the lack of rules benefited Universe 9, like Basil using a performance-enhancing drug or the fact that contenders weren’t disqualified if they went outside the ring, Universe 7 ended up as the victors. Despite its short length, the Zeno Expo features great moments like Gohan fighting without his eyesight, Majin Buu fighting seriously after getting angry, and the additional fight between Goku and Top, which anticipates the strength of Universe 11 and generates more hype before the Tournament of Power.
11 28th World Martial Arts Tournament
Dragon Ball Z Episodes 289-291
After a 10-year skip, the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament served more as part of the epilogue of Dragon Ball Z than a proper showdown, having less action than the earlier tournaments. However, it was a nostalgic return to the martial arts essence of the series, highlighting the potential of the next generation with Pan fighting for the first time and Goku searching for Kid Buu's human reincarnation, Uub.
Goku provoking Uub to fight to his fullest after sensing his hidden strength, with the two of them going toe-to-toe, is more exciting since this meant more than just finding a powerful opponent to close the saga, but an emotional representation of ing the torch with Goku offering to become a martial arts teacher for Uub. Moreover, the decision to ditch the tournament made it an unforgettable finale for Dragon Ball Z.
10 21th World Martial Arts Tournament
Dragon Ball Episodes 19-28
A pivotal moment for the legacy of Dragon Ball, becoming a staple for tournament arcs in shōnen, the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament was the first competition in the series, becoming a before-and-after in the franchise with unpredictable one-on-one fights that keep viewers at the edge of their seats. This tournament was the stage to showcase the result of Goku and Krillin's training with Master Roshi and his participation with the identity of Jackie Chun to test his disciples.
Dragon Ball broke stereotypes of martial arts tournaments in fiction, as many of the contenders used tricks and underhanded tactics and the series never lost its comedic approach, like Krillin suring Bacterian because he was drawn without a nose. However, the final match of Goku vs. Jackie Chun with the kid transforming into Ozaru and finalizing in the destruction of the moon is still one of the most memorable moments in the franchise.
9 Fortuneteller Baba's Tournament
Dragon Ball Episodes 69-76
Even though Fortune Teller Baba's Monster Squad didn't stand out as particularly strong this tournament set a lighthearted tone after the tension of the Commander Red Saga and was an ingenious way for Goku to find out the location of the last Dragon Ball. The rules of the tournament were also different from the World Martial Arts Tournament, with teams of 5 fighting one-on-one matches consecutively until their are defeated.
Goku was the star of the tournament, only being left to fight a mysterious man wearing a fox mask. The fight was dominated by the masked man who ripped off Goku's tail and revealed himself to be his grandpa Gohan. This reunion marked one of the sweetest moments in Dragon Ball, and the last fight of Goku with his grandpa, which he engraved in his memory, proven by his reenactment of the battle before the Tournament of Power.
8 25th World Martial Arts Tournament
Dragon Ball Z Episodes 210-219
The 25th World Martial Arts Tournament promised some exciting matchups, with Goku's temporary return from the afterlife, Gohan going back to his serious training, the presence of Vegeta and Android 18, and the introduction of mysterious fighters like Kibito and Shin who make even Piccolo nervous. Sadly, it was a wasted opportunity to officially determine the strongest Z warrior, since the tournament was quite eventful and most of them couldn't stay for their matches.
After Videl was brutally beaten by Spopovich, in a moment filled with tension, it's revealed that there is a lurking threat on Earth as Babidi and his henchmen are about to bring chaos. This left only Android 18, Trunks and Goten (disguised as Mighty Mask), and the histrionic Mr. Satan in the tournament. However, Trunks and Goten's match in the junior division is an entertaining display of their powers, showcasing their potential to fight Majin Buu later.
7 Intergalactic Martial Arts Tournament
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound
Despite being considered non-canon for being featured in a film, what makes the Intergalactic Martial Arts Tournament so exciting is the participation of almost all the Z warriors except for Goku and Vegeta, with fights that would be impossible to explore in the continuity of the series otherwise, like Tien Shinhan vs. Future Trunks.
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Mr. Satan's disciples pose as warriors from other galaxies, and Krillin, Future Trunks, and Gohan were the finalists who would fight these intergalactic fighters, but the tournament was crashed by Bojack and his group, who were previously sealed by the Kais and proved to be a great threat. Moreover, Bojack was incredibly powerful, putting Gohan against the wall, who needed the assistance of Goku. Yet the fact that Gohan transformed once again into Super Saiyan 2 and beat all the opponents and Bojack resulted in one of the best battles among the Dragon Ball films.
6 Other World Tournament
Dragon Ball Z Episodes 195-199
Although not every filler in Dragon Ball has a good reputation, the Other World Tournament is an entertaining detour from the main story after the Cell Saga. Just like its name suggests, this tournament was intended to determine who the strongest deceased fighter across galaxies is and is one of the most loved by fans for introducing the character of Pikkon, a powerful warrior who becomes Goku's main competition.
Goku and Pikkon's battle in the finals has the charm of Dragon Ball in every aspect, from battle choreography to animation and sense of adrenaline, as it was written by Akira Toriyama himself. Because of this, it's not weird why Pikkon is one of the characters that fans want to become canon in Dragon Ball.
5 Tournament of Destroyers
Dragon Ball Super Episodes 32-40
Due to the rivalry between their respective Gods of Destruction, Beerus and Champa, Universe 6 and Universe 7 set up a tournament with their pride and Earths on the line, where each one will have a team of five formed by their strongest warriors. This battle between universes paves the way for the Tournament of Power, introducing Saiyans from another universe and a rival for Goku in the form of the assassin Hit and Freezer's counterpart Frost.
This tournament is one of the most enjoyable arcs in Dragon Ball Super with funny moments like Majin Buu failing to the entrance examination and Monaka's role as the strongest warrior of Universe 7. Additionally, Goku's fight against Hit was thrilling and made him use the form of Super Saiyan Blue Kaio-ken for the first time.
4 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament
Dragon Ball Episodes 85-101
The rivalry between the Crane and Turtle schools, which has a clear contrast between their teaching methods and the introduction of Tien as an antagonist who has suffered the cruel treatment of Mercenary Tao, makes the 22nd World Martial Arts Tournament one of the best in all Dragon Ball. Viewers get to see Goku fighting his friend Krillin, the funny brawl of Krillin vs. Chiaotzu, and the last appearance of Master Roshi as Jackie Chun ing the torch to his disciples.
The tournament also set Tien Shinhan's redemption arc as the fighter had a great evolution, changing his way of thinking under the influence of his encounters with the disciples of the Turtle School, becoming an honorable warrior who wanted to prove his strength against Goku. Goku vs. Tien Shinhan is an incredible fight in which the two give their all with the winner being declared in the most unusual way, which has Toriyama's signature style.
3 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament
Dragon Ball Episodes 133-148
With iconic moments like Tien Shinhan vs. Mercenary Tao, Goku and his rematch against Goku, the participation of Kami and Goku ending up committing to marry Chi Chi, the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament was full of tension and unexpected revelations. This tournament was different from the previous ones, since Goku wasn't a small and innocent child but have grown up and could control ki and due to Goku vs. Piccolo Jr. being an especially brutal fight.
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The crudeness of Piccolo piercing Goku's chest with a ki beam and ripping off his arm isn't comparable in intensity to all the other fights in a tournament in Dragon Ball, adding tension to who will win. Furthermore, this was the peak of the original Dragon Ball series, where all the efforts of Goku were rewarded when he finally won a World Martial Arts Tournament, a title that always slipped from his hands at the last minute. The 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament crowned Goku the strongest man in the world and is forever engraved in the hearts of fans.
