Dragon Ball's Greatest Episode Aired 33 Years Ago, And Nothing Has Topped It Since

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Dragon Ball Z Gohan Super Saiyan 2 Featured Image

Published Jul 5, 2026, 11:58 PM EDT

Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny.

Dragon Ball is arguably the greatest anime ever created, with millions of global fans who loyally support the series and all its releases. From its original series, first released in 1986, to the franchise’s upcoming remake, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, the anime has introduced numerous new challenges and transformations that push the story and the Z Fighters to greater heights.

However, a Dragon Ball Z episode that aired just over 33 years ago stands out as one of the greatest turning points in the franchise’s history, and nothing else comes close. This singular episode delivered one of the most unforgettable moments in the series and changed the course of the story going forward. Taking place during the Cell Saga, Dragon Ball’s greatest episode yet remains just as thrilling as it was 33 years ago and marks one of the anime’s best achievements yet.

Dragon Ball Z Aired Its Greatest Episode 33 Years Ago

Goku and Gohan firing off the Father-Son Kamehameha during the fight with Cell in Dragon Ball Z.

Dragon Ball Z Episode 191, titled “Save the World,” originally aired in Japan on June 30, 1993, and marked the conclusion of the Cell Games. The episode’s climax centered around Gohan’s final confrontation with Perfect Cell after Goku’s sacrifice failed to permanently down the villain. Using whatever energy he had left, Gohan unleashed the Father-Son Kamehameha in a prolonged exchange that held the fate of the world in the balance.

Prior to this episode, Gohan’s ascension to Super Saiyan 2 and acceptance of the latent power he holds added to the saga’s stakes while completely tilting the balance of power. When he reached Super Saiyan 2, it was beyond clear that he had only reached that state due to immense pressure and loss, resulting in the transformation that shocked the characters as well as viewers at home.

By the end of the saga, even while injured, Gohan pushed himself to his limits to overwhelm Perfect Cell’s power, marking a moment that represented the culmination of his character arc. Paired with support from the other Z Fighters, including Piccolo, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, Krillin, and Vegeta, the episode delivered the greatest victories in the series that offered teamwork, perseverance, growth, and power that defied all expectation.

Gohan’s Victory Over Cell Was a Long-Awaited Payoff in the Series

DBZ's Gohan punching Cell in the stomach.

Gohan’s victory over Cell was by all accounts the biggest turning point in the series at the time of its release. It completely reshaped the direction of the series by positioning Gohan as Earth’s greatest defender and most powerful warrior. While Goku would later return during the Buu Saga, the end of the Cell Saga offered fans the payoff they were waiting for since Gohan’s introduction in the first arc of Dragon Ball Z.

Dragon Ball Super’s Comeback Is Going to Finally Give Us What Z Couldn’t

Dragon Ball Super can fulfill Gohan's unmet potential, offering new forms and challenges that may finally give him a central role in the next arc.

Even though the series did eventually shift its direction back to Goku, Gohan’s win over Cell was an exciting development that proved the series was prepared to focus more heavily on the next generation of warriors. Alongside Goku’s active support for Gohan while he persevered against Cell’s attack, the atmosphere the series created perfectly captured the full might of Gohan’s power and dedication to protect and live up to those he most cared about, kicking off the end of the arc with a perfect shift in power.

Beyond signaling a shift in the balance of power, the final exchange between Cell and the Z Fighters stood out for how the defenders of Earth banded together against a seemingly unstoppable enemy. While Gohan pushed himself to become the warrior his father and mentors always expected from him, the series allowed other major characters to take part in the battle, proving that the series will always honor its roots by centering on teamwork and dedication and rewarding viewers with a satisfying payoff.

Dragon Ball Z Delivered the Perfect Culmination of Gohan’s Arc

Part of the payoff was just how well Gohan’s victory served as a culmination of his character arc. At the start of Dragon Ball Z, Gohan was an unsure, rather shy child who was forced to grow into a warrior after Raditz’s arrival and Goku’s death. He was initially unwilling to engage in any violence, despite repeatedly showing evidence of his latent power whenever he was placed under pressure.

Even after the Saiyan Saga, Gohan’s power was unpredictable, often revealing itself in bursts that shocked his opponents and comrades alike. Due to this history, Gohan’s confrontation against Cell was a major step in his character development, as it was the first time he was fully entrusted to defeat a world-ending villain on his own, as well as the first time he consciously tapped into the power that had been hinted at since the start of the series.

One of the most unforgettable aspects of his transformation is that even after he achieves Super Saiyan 2, his gentle nature remains and he is reluctant to unleash his full power against Cell. However, as Cell continues to push, Gohan proves that his gentleness isn’t to be mistaken for weakness and that he holds the power to annihilate his enemy if he chooses to use it.

By Episode 191, as Gohan uses every bit of power he can muster, he’s given one of the greatest payoffs in all of Dragon Ball. That final confrontation resolved years of growth and untapped potential by placing full control of the battle’s outcome in his hands. Despite starting out as a hesitant child, Gohan proved himself to be a warrior capable of carrying immense responsibility without losing sight of who he is.

Dragon Ball Will Never Be Able To Top Gohan’s Greatest Moment

Gohan unlocking Super Saiyan 2 in Dragon Ball Z.

With the culmination of Gohan’s character arc and the satisfying conclusion to one of the franchise’s largest sagas, Dragon Ball delivered an episode that is difficult to surpass. Even as the franchise expanded across multiple series such as Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima as well as multiple films, Gohan’s victory over Perfect Cell remains a high point of the story.

Dragon Ball · Character Profile Which Dragon Ball Character Are You? “Power comes in response to a need, not a desire.”

👊 Goku The Fighter

👑 Vegeta The Prince

🧘 Piccolo The Mentor

POWER UP →

A powerful new enemy appears. What’s your first reaction?

AThis is amazing! I can’t wait to fight them and see how strong they are! BI’ll defeat them myself. No one else is worthy of the challenge. CWe need a plan. Rushing in blindly is how people get killed.

How do you train for an upcoming battle?

AFind the strongest sparring partner I can and push myself past my limits every day BTrain alone in isolation — I don’t need anyone holding me back CMeditate, study the enemy’s weaknesses, and train the younger fighters so they’re ready too

Your team is losing a fight. What do you do?

AJump in front of everyone — I’ll take the hits so my friends can regroup BGet angry. I refuse to lose — my pride won’t allow it. I’ll surpass my limits right here. CFall back and coordinate — someone needs to think clearly while everyone else is panicking

A rival challenges you to a one-on-one fight. How do you respond?

AAbsolutely! Let’s go right now — no holding back! BFinally, a chance to prove I am the strongest. I accept — and I will crush you. CIf it serves a purpose, fine. But pointless fighting is a waste of energy.

An old enemy offers to join your side. What do you do?

AI don’t trust them — once an enemy, always an enemy. They’ll betray us. BSure! Everyone deserves a second chance. The more friends the better! CI’ll allow it, but I’m watching them closely. Trust is earned, not given.

What’s your biggest weakness?

AI’m too trusting and sometimes let enemies power up just for the thrill of the fight BMy pride — I’d rather die than accept help from someone else CI keep everyone at arm’s length — caring about people is a liability I struggle with

You sense a massive power level approaching Earth. What’s your move?

AFly straight toward it — I want to meet them first and see what they’re made of BPrepare myself — if this threat is real, I’ll be the one to destroy it CGather the fighters, assess the threat, and make sure the people I protect are safe first

What drives you more than anything?

AProtecting those who can’t protect themselves — someone has to be the responsible one BThe thrill of getting stronger — there’s always a new level to reach, a new challenge to find CProving my worth — I am the Prince of all Saiyans, and I will surpass everyone

REVEAL MY CHARACTER →

Power Level Scanned Your Dragon Ball Identity

👊

Goku

“I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace.” You’re a pure-hearted warrior who lives for the thrill of the fight. Every challenge is an opportunity, every enemy a potential friend, and every defeat just fuel to come back stronger. People are drawn to your infectious optimism and unbreakable spirit, even when your naivety drives them crazy. You’d give your last Senzu Bean to a stranger and charge headfirst into a battle you can’t win — not because you’re reckless, but because you genuinely believe that pushing past your limits is the only way to grow. Like Goku, your greatest power isn’t your ki — it’s your ability to inspire everyone around you to be better.

Pure-Hearted Fearless Limitless Inspiring

👑

Vegeta

“I do not fear this new challenge. Rather like a true warrior, I will rise to meet it.” You carry yourself with the pride of royalty and the ferocity of a born warrior. Second place is not in your vocabulary, and you’d rather break your body than your spirit. People might call you arrogant, but beneath that iron exterior lies someone who has learned to fight not just for themselves, but for the people they’ve quietly grown to love. Your journey is one of evolution — from cold-blooded conqueror to Earth’s fiercest protector — and every scar you carry is proof that pride and love can coexist. Like Vegeta, you don’t just want to be the strongest — you need to earn it on your own terms.

Proud Relentless Fierce Evolving

🧘

Piccolo

“Sometimes, we have to look beyond what we want and do what’s best.” You’re the one everyone depends on when things fall apart — the calm center in the middle of chaos. While others charge in recklessly or let their ego do the talking, you see the bigger picture and make the hard calls that need making. You didn’t choose to care about people, but somewhere along the way it happened, and now you’d sacrifice everything for those you’ve taken under your wing. Stoic on the surface, deeply loyal underneath, you’re the mentor, the strategist, and the last line of defense all in one. Like Piccolo, your true strength is wisdom — and the courage to do what’s right even when no one is watching.

Wise Tactical Protective Stoic

↻ PLAY AGAIN

The climax of the Cell Saga was both emotional and thrilling, not to mention long-awaited. The resolution of this episode delivered a powerful and unforgettable moment of catharsis that the series has replicated only a handful of times, but never quite reaching the same tension and atmosphere as Gohan versus Cell.

Even more than three decades later, “Save the World” continues to stand out as a major moment in Dragon Ball that reshaped the power dynamics while delivering on Gohan’s true potential. The emotional weight and intensity all came together as the characters took a final stand against Perfect Cell, creating a truly momentous and unforgettable moment that fans still continue to talk about today.