Dragon Ball Z: Season 7 (Great Saiyaman & World Tournament Sagas)

Seven years of peace have passed since the defeat of the monstrous Cell, and the Z-Fighters have enjoyed a return to normal life. Goku has eagerly continued his training in Other World, Krillin has gotten married, and Gohan has renewed his scholarly pursuits while attempting to navigate the pitfalls of high school. Two fresh new Saiyan faces have also appeared on the scene—Goku’s son Goten, and Vegeta’s son Trunks!

Now, the time has come for the Z-Fighters to reunite, as the new World Martial Arts Tournament is set to begin. The greatest warriors on Earth have come together for their chance to capture the title of the reigning champion, Mr. Satan—but behind the scenes, sinister forces are at work. An evil eye watches the competitors’ every move, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The action grows fierce on the tournament floor, but for the Z-Fighters, the real fight is only just beginning!

Stills from Dragon Ball Z: Season Seven (Click for larger image)

Seven years have passed since the tournament in which Gohan defeated Cell. Goku remains in the Next World, rather than risk attracting more evil beings to Earth, but he cheerfully trains under the watchful eye of King Kai (and the other Kais). After years of studying under his mother's tutelage, Gohan enters high school. Although he's awkward around his fellow students, he uses his incredible powers to fight crime in the nearby city as "Great Saiyaman." His feats of daring-do bring him into conflict with martial arts champion, crime fighter, and classmate Videl, the daughter of the obnoxious Mr. Satan. Their rivalry quickly turns into a maladroit mutual attraction. When a new tournament is announced, Gohan begins training himself and his seven-year-old brother Goten. Most of the season is devoted to the preparations for the tournament and its first rounds: Goku returns to Earth for one day to participate; Vegeta, Piccolo, Krillin, Android 18, Gohan, Videl, Goten, and Trunks all enter, with Mr. Satan ranked as the defending champion. Most of the story is silly, even by the undemanding standards of Dragon Ball Z, and fans generally regard this season as an interlude between the "Cell" and "Majin Buu" sagas. The latter begins in the final episodes, as two over-muscled thugs in the service of the evil wizard Babidi steal energy from Gohan's Super-Saiyan form. They hope to release the horrible monster Buu, the creation of Babidi's father Bibidi. Ranked against them are the Z Fighters, the Supreme Kai and his attendant Kibit. (Rated TV PG. suitable for ages 8 and older: violence, violence against women, tobacco and alcohol use, ethnic stereotypes) --Charles Solomon

(180. Warriors of the Dead, 181. Tournament Begins, 182. Water Fight, 183. Final Round, 184 Goku vs. Pikkon, 185. Gohan Goes to High School, 186. I Am Saiyaman, 187. Gohan's First Date, 188 Rescue Videl, 189. Blackmail, 190. I'll Fight Too! 191. The Newest Super Saiyan, 192. Take Flight, Videl, 193. Gather for the Tournament, 194. Camera Shy, 195. The World Tournament, 196. Trunks .vs. Goten, 197. Best of the Boys, 198. Big Trouble, Little Trunks, 199. Who Will Fight Who? 200. Forfeit of Piccolo, 201. A Dark and Secret Power, 202. Videl is Crushed, 203. Identities Revealed, 204. Energy Drain)