Trying to get someone caught up before BoG.

[White Oni]

I'm going to see BoG with my Fiancee in 3 days and she wants to be somewhat caught up before then. (Just DBZ, not DB)

Obviously watching 200+ episodes isn't possible so I'm wondering if you guys could maybe suggest 5-10 episodes per saga, to give her a basic understanding of how things transpired and who each character is.

I suggested reading the manga but she said she really rather watch.

Any help is much appreciated.

[El Diabeetus]

If she is more of a dub person, I'd recommend Kai 13-17 for Saiyan arc, 40-ish - 53 (for the Freeza battle), part of Gohan/Cell and go to Z for Buu. Wouldn't be 100% sure which part of Buu to recommend.

[Gonstead]

For Buu, I would maybe think the Kid Buu fight with Vegeta and Goku. Maybe a few such as Gohan vs Super Buu and SSJ3 Goku vs Buu as well.

[Kid Buu]

Cell Saga:
-Trunks debut.
-Everyone VS 17/18
-Cell exposition dump
-Cell Games announcement
-Gohan kills Cell

Does that work?

[Fizzer]

Just watching the fights doesn't seem like the best idea. For those I'd say you need the lead-up including the reason for the fight and then the conclusion and aftermath.

I'd say, in Kai:
Saiyan arc up to Saiyans landing
Piccolo death
Defeat of Vegeta - arriving on Namek
Ginyu Force arrive?
Battle with Ginyu through the wishes bring granted?
Goku arrives to the fight with Freeza, Vegeta dying
SSJ transformation
Last two Freeza episodes, Freeza defeated + Namek explodes
First few episodes of Cell saga where trunks sets everything up
17 and 18 kick everyone's asses
The few episodes where Cell is built up and revealed
Krillin's dilemma with #18 and then the absorption
Cell games announcement
Gohan SSJ2 - end

The Buu arc is a tough one.

[Dbzfan94]

Saiyan Saga
Goku dies
Nappa vs the Z Fighters
Vegeta kills Nappa
Kamehameha vs Galick Gun clash
Vegeta turns Great Ape
Spirit Bomb
Vegeta leaves

Freeza Saga
Gohan and Krillin arrive on Namek
Vegeta vs Zarbon and Dodoria
The Ginyu Force arrives
Goku vs Ginyu
Wishes to Porunga
Goku vs Freeza
SSJ Transformation
Namek explodes

Cell Saga
Trunks arrives
17 and 18 awaken
Cell explaination
Cell becomes Perfect
Gohan goes SSJ2
Gohan vs Cell Kamehameha Clash

Buu Saga
Goku comes back from Other World
Supreme Kai's introduction
Arrival at Babidis ship, Dabura kills Kibito
Vegeta turns Majin, Final Explosion
Fat Buu vs Evil Buu
Buu absorbing Gotenks, Piccolo, Gohan, and Vegito
Spirit Bomb against Kid Buu


Yeah I know it looks like a lot, but instead of full episodes, just show her clips of these moments on YouTube, or certain episode recaps which explain a lot of the episodes

[sangofe]

I'm going to see BoG with my Fiancee in 3 days and she wants to be somewhat caught up before then. (Just DBZ, not DB)

Obviously watching 200+ episodes isn't possible so I'm wondering if you guys could maybe suggest 5-10 episodes per saga, to give her a basic understanding of how things transpired and who each character is.

I suggested reading the manga but she said she really rather watch.

Any help is much appreciated.

Read the manga day in, day out!

[thomas1up]

I'm going to see BoG with my Fiancee in 3 days and she wants to be somewhat caught up before then. (Just DBZ, not DB)

Obviously watching 200+ episodes isn't possible so I'm wondering if you guys could maybe suggest 5-10 episodes per saga, to give her a basic understanding of how things transpired and who each character is.

I suggested reading the manga but she said she really rather watch.

Any help is much appreciated.

Read the manga day in, day out!

Seconded, I read volumes 1-11 in the course of a day.

[Fizzer]

The manga does make most sense since BoG is part of the manga continuity.

[White Oni]

Wow, thanks you guys, you've all been so responsive and helpful.

Much appreciated.

Atm we're planning to view the kai episodes suggested for the saiyan saga to the cell saga, listed by you guys.

Still wondering what we're going to do for the buu saga though.

[MCDaveG]

If it is about story, read the manga!

[Freeza Soldier #156]

If it is about story, read the manga!

This is what I was just about to say. I know she said that she would rather watch but getting through the manga in time is doable; getting through the anime...not so much. Not without it being a mess anyway.

[Fionordequester]

Hmm....honestly? I'd just let them walk into the movie blind. That way...

1) You can give them an exposure to DBZ, and let them decide whether or not they actually like it before making them watch a ton of episodes...

2) You won't be ruining the impact of certain scenes by skipping ahead several chapters at a time.

At least, that's what I think.

[Daimakku]

Not sure about the Cell and Buu sagas, but I know of a way to watch all the important parts of the Saiyan and Freeza sagas in under 9 minutes. Watch these videos:

Dragon Ball Z Kai Abridged Episode 1
Dragon Ball Z Kai Abridged Episode 2

You can't get faster and more condensed than those.

[Tatakae!!Ramenman]

I remember an extra on one of the DBZ VHS tapes by Funimation called "world of Dragon Ball Z", and it was a quick, probably 30 minute, overview of everything from the saiyan saga through to the end of the frieza saga, so that's a pretty good way to understand that part of the series.

[NeverRamza]

My girlfriend actually read the entire manga inside of 2 weeks and she enjoyed the heck out of the movie. I was pretty jealous of how she was able to experience the series completely in order with no idea what of what would happen in the future. Watching Battle of the Gods in the theater, she said it was like the characters finally coming alive.