Dragon Ball (1986–1989)
- Grandpa Gohan — Accidentally killed by Goku (in Great Ape form). Though off-screen, it’s a foundational death. (Referenced early in the series)
- Bora — killed by Mercenary Tao’s Dodon Ray while protecting Upa at Korin’s Tower (Episode 59, “The Notorious Mercenary”). (See the official episode list entry summarizing the event and aftermath in the very next episode.)
- Krillin — murdered off-screen by Tambourine after the 22nd Tenkaichi Budōkai; discovered at the arena (Episode 102, “Enter King Piccolo” / post-tournament aftermath is logged for 101–103).
- Master Roshi — dies attempting the Mafūba (Evil Containment Wave) on King Piccolo (Episode 111, “The Turtle Hermit’s Last Mafūba!!”).
- Chiaotzu — shot through the heart by King Piccolo while trying to stop his wish (Episode 112, “King Piccolo’s Wish”).
- Shenron — obliterated by King Piccolo immediately after granting his wish (Episode 112).
- King Piccolo (Piccolo Daimaō) — killed when Goku’s one-armed strike pierces his torso, moments before birthing his reincarnation (Episode 122, “The Last Dragon Ball”/“The Fate of the Strongest” arc climax is detailed in 120–122).
Why these matter: the King Piccolo arc establishes that Dragon Ball’s stakes include irreversible loss (Roshi/Chiaotzu/Shenron) and that even “gods” can die—setting the template for later sagas.
Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996)
Saiyan Saga
- Goku & Raditz — both die when Piccolo’s Special Beam Cannon impales them during the fight with Raditz (Episode 5, “Goku Dies! There’s Only One Last Chance”).
- Yamcha — killed by a Saibaman’s self-destruct (Episode 23, “Saibamen Attack!” ).
- Chiaotzu — self-destructs on Nappa and dies (Episode 25, “Sacrifice”).
- Tien — dies after exhausting his life with the Shin Kikōhō against Nappa (Episode 26, “Nappa’s Rampage”).
- Piccolo — dies shielding Gohan from Nappa, which also kills Kami and turns Earth’s Dragon Balls to stone (Episode 28, “Ferocity of the Saiyans! Kami-sama and Piccolo Both Die” entry on the official episode list).
- Nappa — executed by Vegeta after failing (Episode 29, “Goku Strikes Back” — listed in the season’s episode guide).
Namek/Frieza Saga
- Dende — killed by Frieza (second form) to cut off the heroes’ healing (Episode 84, “Dende’s Demise”).
- Vegeta — killed by Frieza after confessing the truth about the Saiyans (Episode 86, “The End of Vegeta”).
- Krillin — exploded by Frieza’s telekinesis, triggering Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation (Episode 95, “Transformed at Last”).
Cell Games
- Android 16 — destroyed by Cell (after the failed self-destruct; his final words spark Gohan’s rage). This occurs across the climax of the games, anchored by Episode 184, “Cell Juniors Attack!” and the immediate aftermath (Episode 183, “Android Explosion”), both available on official platforms.
- Goku — teleports Cell as he self-destructs to save Earth, dying with King Kai on his planet (Episode 188, “A Hero’s Farewell”).
- Future Trunks — shot through the chest by Super Perfect Cell moments after Cell’s return (set into motion at the end of Episode 188, resolved at the start of Episode 189; the official series synopsis confirms Cell “promptly murders Trunks”).
Majin Buu Saga (highlights)
- Vegeta (Majin Vegeta) — self-destructs to destroy Majin Buu (“Final Atonement” — Buu arc midpoint; catalogued in official episode lists).
- Mass casualties/Earth — Buu annihilates vast populations (and, later, the planet itself) before the final restoration (tracked in late-saga episode synopses).
Why these matter: Z’s deaths are catalytic—Krillin → Super Saiyan; Android 16 → SSJ2; Goku’s sacrifice → Gohan’s leadership; Vegeta’s death → his atonement arc.
Dragon Ball GT (1996–1997)
- Piccolo — chooses to remain on the exploding Earth to permanently neutralize the Black Star Dragon Balls (Episode 40, “Piccolo’s Decision”).
- Krillin — murdered by the original Android 17 during the Super 17 conflict (Super 17 Saga; documented in the series summary).
Dragon Ball Super (2015–2018)
- Future Bulma — killed by Goku Black in Trunks’ timeline, the murder that kicks off the arc (Episode 47, “An SOS from the Future! A Dark New Enemy Appears!”).
- Merged Zamasu / Future Timeline — after Fused Zamasu’s body is cleaved, Future Zeno erases the abomination—and the ruined future timeline itself (Episode 67, “With New Hope!! In Our Hearts—Farewell, Trunks”).
Why these matter: Super reframes death at a cosmic scale—erasures by a supreme god and time-line resets—while still grounding stakes in intimate losses (Bulma in the future).
