Forum SettingsEpisode Information
Forums
New
May 15, 7:42 AM
#1
Offline
Jul 2023
5
Do I watch this or DBZ kai? DBZ's MAL rating is higher than Kai's so I'm just wondering what I should watch for the first time.
May 15, 7:56 AM
#2

Offline
Jan 2017
5709
Cyberslasher said:
Do I watch this or DBZ kai?


As you want.

Z is the original run of the Anime, with Kai being an edited, filler-less and HD, version of it. A lot of people have a soft spot for Z for multiple (both valid and invalid) reasons, but i'd still recommend Kai, which is closer to the Manga (and makes you avoid the awful pacing Z has).

You can read these two threads for a little bit more infos :
https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=2108935
https://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=2098142
"Genius lives only one storey above madness."
– Arthur Schopenhauer.

"Stupidity is a talent for misconception."
– Edgar Allan Poe.

"I'm tired... and hungry."
– Alexioos95.
May 15, 7:57 AM
#3
Offline
Jan 2024
16
I personally prefer dbz but I think dbzk is better overall as it has better animation, changes some weird character dialogues which didn't make sense in dbz, censors some inappropriate content like middle fingers, it also makes the show less violent ( can be a draw back depending on the person), it makes long fights shorter, it has way better pacing too and it's fillerless

if u don't have much free time then u should def watch dbzk as it's like half the length of dbz
May 15, 8:13 AM
#4

Offline
Oct 2023
326
Truthfully, read the manga. Both anime are going to have problems adapting the full material.

Watch the original Z if you have to pick one.
May 15, 8:14 AM
#5
Offline
Feb 2019
15
Someone has to say it - the correct answer is DBZ abridged
May 15, 8:19 AM
#6

Offline
Apr 2015
2290
If you have like a whole month to watch then go for Z, Otherwise Kai.
The manga is the best version, Followed by Z.
Although I've seen Kai here and there, I've never actually committed to watching all of it. I'd say Z has its own value, The dragged pace and fillers are part of the charm of the show.

For a first time watching I'd say Z.
For a rewatch I'd recommend Kai (I plan to watch it sometime soon aswell).
May 15, 8:38 AM
#7
Offline
Sep 2022
272
watch this because of the original OST and has gore
May 15, 8:40 AM
#8
Offline
Sep 2022
7
strongly recommend Kai it's way better not dragged out better quality better voice acting the only thing z has is a slightly better soundtrack
May 15, 8:43 AM
#9
Offline
Jul 2023
56
Cyberslasher said:
Do I watch this or DBZ kai? DBZ's MAL rating is higher than Kai's so I'm just wondering what I should watch for the first time.

if u want to Speedrun the dragon ball plot with better animation then watch Kai but if u want that og dragon ball vibe and want to take your time watching it even fillers then watch Z
May 15, 8:49 AM
Offline
Aug 2016
13
Cyberslasher said:
Do I watch this or DBZ kai? DBZ's MAL rating is higher than Kai's so I'm just wondering what I should watch for the first time.

Watch this, voice acting is better and it's longer.
May 15, 9:00 AM

Offline
Sep 2016
3923
I suggest skipping both and start right with the ultimate peak of the entire Dragonball saga:

https://myanimelist.net/anime/36946/Dragon_Ball_Super__Broly
This dance is the pinnacle of human achievement.
May 15, 11:18 AM

Offline
Jul 2022
87
This or nothing...dont listen to ppl who are not real Dragonball Fans

May 15, 11:44 AM

Offline
Jan 2013
5822
Kai is the easy choice if you're going to watch it dubbed, and unlike DBZ, it got a true 1080p remaster. The pacing is much better as well.
If you reply back to me and I never respond, I lost interest and don't care. Sorry about that.
May 15, 12:07 PM
Offline
Nov 2020
1
Cyberslasher said:
Do I watch this or DBZ kai? DBZ's MAL rating is higher than Kai's so I'm just wondering what I should watch for the first time.

Why not both ? It’s amazing to see DBZ more and watch the TFS one you can find it in YT
May 15, 3:19 PM
Offline
Apr 2019
127
Kai, people who say Z have nostalgia goggles on. Kai is more faithful to the manga, Z is what happens when producers who want to earn more money get involved
May 15, 3:23 PM

Offline
Dec 2021
102
If you want a more manga canon experience you can watch Kai and it saves you the time from looking at filler lists. I watched dbz because I wanted to experience more of a classic experience.
Have a wonderful day!
May 15, 4:49 PM
Offline
Jul 2021
9
I'm very clear, DBZ.
May 15, 5:24 PM
♡( •ॢ◡-ॢ)✧˖° ♡

Offline
Dec 2014
20294
If you don't mind watching fillers then watch DBZ, otherwise Kai :)



(っ◔◡◔)っ 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓱 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓪 𝔀𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓭𝓪𝔂 ♥
May 15, 6:21 PM
Offline
May 2017
239
I grew up with Z but in this day and age just watch Kai its just better because of the pacing but the OST in Z is better so its up to you what to watch i want the better pacing tho.
May 15, 9:45 PM
Offline
Feb 2021
94
This (character limit)
May 15, 10:08 PM
Offline
Mar 2024
16
Dbz fr bro but if you want a less time just choose Kai 🤔
May 15, 10:25 PM
Offline
Nov 2020
7
Cyberslasher said:
Do I watch this or DBZ kai? DBZ's MAL rating is higher than Kai's so I'm just wondering what I should watch for the first time.

i would recomend you watch the original dbz
May 15, 10:45 PM

Offline
Nov 2021
42
Watch the OG IMO the pros outweigh the cons (unless ur watching the dub)
May 16, 6:28 AM
Offline
Sep 2022
1
Original DBZ is much better than Kia. Kia took the original and scrubbed it down to be "suitable" for children in America. You will get more out of it with the original.
May 16, 6:32 AM

Offline
Apr 2022
5173
as someone who hasn't seen this adaptation yet and only seen kai like over a decade ago, go for the manga.👍
May 16, 6:33 AM

Offline
Jan 2009
93338
kai has no fillers and fast pace last time i check but i drop it for some forgotten reason now maybe i already know the story so well so i drop it
May 16, 7:02 AM
Offline
May 2020
71
DBZ Kai without Bruce Faulconers score is just dead.
May 16, 7:42 AM
Offline
Nov 2021
91
go with Kai it's better
May 16, 9:32 AM
Offline
Dec 2021
1
🔥🇹🇼🇹🇱🦈
May 16, 9:34 AM
Offline
Jul 2021
3
drew_yashisan said:
Someone has to say it - the correct answer is DBZ abridged

huzzah! A man of quality!
May 16, 9:55 AM
Offline
Jun 2023
1
You can watch either one the og has a lot of filler that is cut in Kai but some of the filler is actually fun and that's why I rate it better than Kai, but again it's up to you.
May 16, 1:59 PM
Offline
Feb 2022
6
drew_yashisan said:
Someone has to say it - the correct answer is DBZ abridged

that's if you want to not know shit about the story and make yourself believe piccolo was the father of gohan and goku is a bad father - which are both fake and terrible claims
May 16, 2:00 PM
Offline
Feb 2022
6
Zarutaku said:
I suggest skipping both and start right with the ultimate peak of the entire Dragonball saga:

https://myanimelist.net/anime/36946/Dragon_Ball_Super__Broly

this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard
May 16, 2:54 PM

Offline
Sep 2016
3923
Reply to SkepticalTG
Zarutaku said:
I suggest skipping both and start right with the ultimate peak of the entire Dragonball saga:

https://myanimelist.net/anime/36946/Dragon_Ball_Super__Broly

this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard
@SkepticalTG not dumb, just very time efficient with the best ratio of entertainment value per time investment.
This dance is the pinnacle of human achievement.
May 17, 6:13 AM
Offline
Dec 2015
134
Z in JP only (with Broadcast Audio), For English Dub, Kai. (Look for fan cut with the Yamamoto score)
May 17, 12:58 PM
Offline
Feb 2021
53
Watch whatever the fuck you wanna watch no one is controls which one you watch
May 17, 2:29 PM
Offline
Aug 2023
3
drew_yashisan said:
Someone has to say it - the correct answer is DBZ abridged

No watch DBZA after, AND ONLY, after dbz, a lot of the jokes won’t make sense unless you have
May 18, 12:22 PM
Offline
Feb 2022
172
dbz
as simple as that
ofcourse only if u have the time
but if u do, the hype ull feel for the fights is unreal
but let me warn u, if ur that guy who watches only 12 eps anime then u wont hv the patience
Yesterday, 6:24 PM

Offline
Dec 2015
248
Always Z

Extended fights, great OST and no censorship.
Yesterday, 6:33 PM

Offline
Sep 2018
10064
Og Z is better and has hilarious filler episodes. No contest
Yesterday, 10:52 PM

Offline
Jun 2020
2334
If you can handle OGDB then watch Z

More topics from this board

Poll: » Dragon Ball Z Episode 101 Discussion

KitaTsuki - Oct 24, 2011

16 by ImJkMan »»
Today, 4:08 AM

Poll: » Dragon Ball Z Episode 27 Discussion

KitaTsuki - Oct 17, 2011

25 by Dumb »»
Today, 12:23 AM

Poll: » Dragon Ball Z Episode 26 Discussion

KitaTsuki - Oct 17, 2011

19 by Dumb »»
Today, 12:02 AM

Poll: » Dragon Ball Z Episode 25 Discussion

KitaTsuki - Oct 17, 2011

18 by Dumb »»
Yesterday, 11:40 PM

Poll: » Dragon Ball Z Episode 24 Discussion

KitaTsuki - Oct 17, 2011

17 by Dumb »»
Yesterday, 11:17 PM
It’s time to ditch the text file.
Keep track of your anime easily by creating your own list.
Sign Up Login