Kakarot side quests are called Sub Stories in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and they add optional character encounters, lore, and activities alongside the main saga. Look for the blue exclamation-mark icon on the map, which marks an area holding a side quest. Check again during intermissions, since new Sub Stories often open between saga sections. Rewards are worth the detour. Many quests pay out experience points, Soul Emblems, food, and items. Master Roshi’s Prized Possession, for example, is found in the Southeast Islands for Goku at recommended level 2 and grants 44 EXP plus a Master Roshi Soul Emblem. Early on, Nam the Peddler in East Ravine offers 86 EXP and a Nam Soul Emblem.
Timing matters, because some quests only appear for a short window, and others need a specific playable character or a finished prerequisite quest first. Missing one isn’t the end, though. After the main story, the Time Machine lets you replay story sections or finish incomplete Sub Stories, and post-game quests like Cute and Cuddly Korin, Reunion with Suno, and Porunga Part 2 add more to do. Earning the Do-Gooder trophy takes 10 completed Sub Stories, so it makes a handy goal. As new content arrived, Bandai Namco reported in January 2026 that the game had passed 10 million units sold, a sign of how much the adventure keeps growing.
Key Takeaways
- Scan the map in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot for the blue exclamation-mark icon, and check again during intermissions because new Sub Stories often open between saga sections.
- Master Roshi’s Prized Possession is available for Goku from ‘A Long Overdue Reunion’ through ‘Intergalactic Invader,’ so players should finish it within that window.
- Mysterious Power Reading can only be started after Foreboding Fear is completed, and it is only available during the Saiyan Saga’s Episode 7 Intermission, so players should finish Foreboding Fear first. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 7]
- The Time Machine unlocked after the main story in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot lets players replay story sections and finish any Sub Stories they missed.
- Completing 10 Sub Stories earns the Do-Gooder trophy in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, so players can keep a simple count as a clear goal.
Finding Sub Stories on the Map and During Intermissions
Sub Stories are spread across the world, so keep your eyes open as you travel between locations. When you open the map, look for the blue exclamation-mark icon. It marks an area with a side quest, and walking to that spot shows you what the quest asks for.
Objectives vary a lot. Some ask you to win a battle, some want you to gather items, and a few send you fishing. Finished quests reward you with experience, Soul Emblems, or useful items, and each one adds a small character story or piece of lore that sits beside the main saga.
Intermissions are the best time to check again. When one saga section ends and the next begins, new quests can open in places you have already visited, so it pays to revisit them and scan the map once more.
A good example is Hyperbolic Time Chamber Renovations. It appears at Kami’s Lookout after Dende improves the Dragon Balls during an intermission, and it asks for 1 Phantom Sand, 2 Green Crystals, and 2 Red Crystals. Once you finish it, the follow-up quest Guardian Caretaker becomes available and asks you to bring Gohan and 15 Woodchips. A single intermission can start a chain like this, and you only find the second quest if you go back to Kami’s Lookout.
Missable Side Quests and How the Time Machine Helps
Some Sub Stories only appear during a short stretch of the story, so finish them before you move on. Master Roshi’s Prized Possession, for example, is available for Goku from “A Long Overdue Reunion” through “Intergalactic Invader.” Nam the Peddler in East Ravine works the same way, running from “Follow Raditz!” through “Rumble with Raditz.”
Check which fighter you need, too. Some quests only work with a particular playable character, so a quest that calls for Goku will not be possible if you have only been playing as someone else.
Prerequisites add another layer. Some quests can’t start until a different quest is finished. The post-game list in Gamer Guides’ walkthrough points out that several listed Sub Stories depend on others being completed first, so it helps to finish the earlier quest before trying the next one.
Once the main story ends, the Time Machine becomes your safety net. Use it to replay story sections and return to any Sub Stories you skipped. Before you wrap up, scroll through your quest log and note which areas still have unfinished side content.
To track your progress, the PowerPyx trophy guide states that the Do-Gooder trophy requires completing 10 Sub Stories. Keep a simple count as you go, so you know exactly how close you are.
Familiar Face: Gohan Meets Tao and Master Shen
Familiar Face is a Saiyan Saga side quest that puts Gohan at the center. Mercenary Tao and Master Shen, two familiar faces from the original series, approach Chi-Chi with an offer to protect her from nearby monsters. Gohan decides to handle the threat himself, which means fighting a group of Saibamen.
To start the quest, finish Mysterious Power Reading first. Then speak with Tao and Master Shen at Goku’s House, and head north of the house to defeat the trio of Saibamen. The fight is a good way to see how Gohan handles himself without his father around.
The quest is available during the Saiyan Saga’s Episode 7 intermission, and it is not listed as available beyond that point, so don’t wait too long to take it on. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 7] You can find current availability details on the official Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot site.
Completing the quest pays 5,292 EXP, one D Medal, Card 010, and one Fancy Urn. It also earns the Soul Emblems of Tao and Master Shen, which lets you add both characters to your collection. Top guides often rank it highly because it turns a simple offer into a real fight and gives Gohan a moment of his own.
At a glance
- Quest Giver: Mercenary Tao
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Recommended Level: 16
- Time Window: Saiyan Saga Episode 7: Intermission, not listed beyond that intermission
- Rewards: 5,292 EXP, one D Medal, Card 010, one Fancy Urn, and the Tao and Master Shen Soul Emblems
Yamcha’s Alive!: Chasing a Ghost in West City
Yamcha’s Alive! is a Frieza Saga side quest built around a silly idea. Oolong asks Gohan to investigate reports that Yamcha’s ghost is walking around town. As Gohan, you follow each sighting and fight three robots after a jealous ex-boyfriend confronts Yamcha. The ghost mystery is light and comedic, so this feels like a character-focused detour rather than a serious battle.
Oolong hands out the quest near Capsule Corporation in the Western area. You need Gohan as your playable character to take it on.
The quest appears in the first chapter of the Frieza Saga, running from “Bulma’s Advice” through “Interplanetary Preps.” [Dragon Ball Z Frieza Saga episode 1, “Bulma’s Advice”] Because it only sits in that stretch, you should take it on before the story moves past that point. Side quest timing can change, so check the official Bandai Namco site for current details.
Rewards include 6,028 EXP, one D Medal, one Awesome Book for Grown-Ups, and one Fancy Earrings. The quest does not award a Soul Emblem.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a lighthearted story with plenty of character humor
- Quest Giver: Oolong, near Capsule Corporation in the Western area
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Time Window: Frieza Saga, first chapter, from “Bulma’s Advice” to “Interplanetary Preps”
- Rewards: 6,028 EXP, one D Medal, one Awesome Book for Grown-Ups, one Fancy Earrings
Nam the Peddler: Trading Rocks for Food and Water
Nam the Peddler is a light, early Saiyan Saga errand in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Nam’s peddling business is struggling, so Goku helps by arranging trades for supplies. It is a simple job that feels like a small break from the fighting.
Nam gives the quest in Lucca Village in the East Ravine Area, and you need Goku to complete it. A recommended level of 3 is a general figure for this quest, so it suits players who are still building their strength.
The quest is only open during a short stretch of the story, from “Follow Raditz!” through “Rumble with Raditz,” so do not wait too long. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 2, “Rumble with Raditz”] For current availability, the official Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot site is the best place to look. Finishing the errand pays out a D Medal, a Book for Grown-Ups, a Fancy Urn, and Nam’s Soul Emblem.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a lighthearted barter errand early in the game
- Quest Giver: Nam, in Lucca Village
- Playable Character: Goku
- Recommended Level: 3
- Time Window: From “Follow Raditz!” through “Rumble with Raditz”
- Rewards: 86 EXP, a D Medal, a Book for Grown-Ups, a Fancy Urn, and Nam’s Soul Emblem
Gentle Giant: Goku Reunites With Eighter
Gentle Giant is a Saiyan Saga side quest about Goku’s reunion with Eighter, also known as Android 8. Eighter is a character from the Dragon Ball story, so this quest brings him into Kakarot’s world.
Eighter gives the quest in the East Ravine Area, and Goku is the playable character you need to start it. Your job is to help Eighter by defeating abandoned Red Ribbon robots and their Assist Bits. Eighter also hands over three Carrots and three Onions after the robots are destroyed. Guides often list this quest alongside Nam the Peddler, since both are found in the same area.
The quest takes place in Episode 2, “Rumble with Raditz,” and the guides do not give a narrower deadline within that episode. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 2, “Rumble with Raditz”] The rewards include 86 EXP, one D Medal, a Silk Apron, a Fancy Urn, and Eighter’s Soul Emblem. The guides consulted do not list a recommended level, and they describe the enemies as very weak.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want to see Eighter, Android 8, return to Kakarot’s story
- Quest Giver: Eighter, in the East Ravine Area
- Playable Character: Goku
- Time Window: Episode 2, “Rumble with Raditz”
- Rewards: 86 EXP, one D Medal, a Silk Apron, a Fancy Urn, and Eighter’s Soul Emblem
Telekinesis Training: Piccolo Versus Chiaotzu and Tien
Telekinesis Training is a Saiyan Saga side quest that centers on Chiaotzu and his training with Tien. Rather than a simple errand, it turns that training into a fight you take part in. It is a useful quest for seeing how the characters around Piccolo handle their own power.
Chiaotzu gives the quest in the Central Plains Area, and you need Piccolo as your playable character to take it on. When you meet him, you fight both Chiaotzu and Tien, which makes this an early two-opponent battle. Attacking Chiaotzu first is the suggested approach, so start with him before you turn your attention to Tien.
The quest only appears during the “Survival 101” episode, which is Saiyan Saga Episode 3. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 3, “Survival 101”] Once the story moves past that episode, the quest is no longer open, so finish it while you are still in that window. The recommended level is 8, so make sure Piccolo is ready for two opponents at once.
Winning the fight pays 489 EXP, one D Medal, one Bronze Compass, and two Mega Mass Level 1 items. You also receive Chiaotzu’s Soul Emblem, which you can use to add him to your collection.
At a glance
- Quest Giver: Chiaotzu, in the Central Plains Area
- Playable Character: Piccolo
- Recommended Level: 8
- Time Window: Saiyan Saga Episode 3, “Survival 101” only
- Rewards: 489 EXP, one D Medal, one Bronze Compass, two Mega Mass Level 1 items, and Chiaotzu’s Soul Emblem
The Fifth Trainee: Piccolo’s Deer Hunt and Hide-and-Seek
The Fifth Trainee is a Saiyan Saga side quest centered on Piccolo and Yajirobe, and it makes a good change of pace from more serious errands like Telekinesis Training. Yajirobe asks Piccolo to hunt six deer for him.
Yajirobe gives the quest in the Central Plains Area, and you must play as Piccolo to complete it. The recommended level is 8. The quest is available during Saiyan Saga Episode 3, and its listed availability ends in that episode, so take it on before the story moves forward. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 3, “Survival 101”]
Once the deer are hunted, Yajirobe goes missing. You search for him by following his Ki, and you find him hiding. The ending is a playful hide-and-seek gag rather than a real fight, so it works more as a character moment than a battle.
The quest pays 376 EXP, one D Medal, one Bronze Compass, two Beast Meat, and three Chicken. No Soul Emblem is listed among its rewards, so the payout comes from experience and items.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a silly, lighthearted errand
- Quest Giver: Yajirobe, in the Central Plains Area
- Playable Character: Piccolo
- Recommended Level: 8
- Time Window: Saiyan Saga Episode 3, “Survival 101”
- Rewards: 376 EXP, one D Medal, one Bronze Compass, two Beast Meat, and three Chicken
Foggy Future: Helping Baba Against Red Ribbon Robots
Foggy Future is a brief Saiyan Saga side quest centered on Fortune Teller Baba, who is being attacked by Red Ribbon robots. Gohan steps in to help her before he rejoins Piccolo, so the quest is a short, focused fight rather than a long errand.
Baba gives the quest, and you need Gohan as your playable character. The quest takes place in the Central Plains Area. Find Baba there, defeat two Skull Robos and one Attack Robot, and then return to her to finish. The recommended level is 4, a general figure that suits players who are still building their strength.
Timing is the key detail. Foggy Future is only open during an early-story window, from Saiyan Saga Episode 4: Piccolo’s Training Regimen! through Episode 4: Gohan’s Going AWOL! [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 4, “Gohan’s Going AWOL!”] Complete it before you advance past that point, because the window closes once the story moves on.
The rewards are 141 EXP, one D Medal, one Awesome Book for Grown-Ups, and one Fancy Urn. Baba does not give a Soul Emblem, so this quest adds no Soul Emblem to your collection. Guides often list it alongside the other Gohan quests, so it makes a natural addition if you are already playing as Gohan in this stretch of the story.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a quick, early Gohan fight with a fortune teller
- Quest Giver: Fortune Teller Baba
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Recommended Level: 4
- Time Window: Saiyan Saga Episode 4: Piccolo’s Training Regimen! through Episode 4: Gohan’s Going AWOL!
- Rewards: 141 EXP, one D Medal, one Awesome Book for Grown-Ups, one Fancy Urn
Foreboding Fear: Retrieving Raditz’s Mysterious Chip
Foreboding Fear is a Saiyan Saga side quest in which Bulma asks Gohan to retrieve a mysterious chip from a crater and bring it back to her.
Bulma hands out the quest, but you must play as Gohan to complete it. Head to the crater where Raditz arrived in the East Ravine area, near Lucca Village. Retrieve the chip there, then bring it back to Bulma. The recommended level is 16.
This quest only appears during the Saiyan Saga’s Episode 7 Intermission, and it ends when that intermission does. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 7] Finish it before you move on, or you will miss it. The rewards are 4,583 EXP, one D Medal, one Brain Bread, and two Mega Mass Level 1 items. The quest does not award a Soul Emblem, so it will not add to your Soul Emblem collection.
At a glance
- Quest Giver: Bulma
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Recommended Level: 16
- Time Window: Saiyan Saga Episode 7 Intermission, ending when that intermission ends
- Rewards: 4,583 EXP, one D Medal, one Brain Bread, two Mega Mass Level 1 items
Mysterious Power Reading: Scouter Clue and Saibamen
Mysterious Power Reading is a small lore detour from the Saiyan Saga. Bulma picks up a strong power reading on her scouter and asks Gohan to find out where it came from. The trail leads to the crater where Raditz’s pod crashed, where Gohan fights Saibamen and finds a High-Quality Carrot before he reports back. The quest ties the scouter and the Saibamen to Raditz’s arrival, which adds a bit of background to that moment of the story.
Bulma is the quest giver, and you need to play as Gohan to take it on. You can only start it after you complete Foreboding Fear, so finish that one first. The recommended level is 17, which is higher than the level 4 Foggy Future asks for.
The quest is only available during Saiyan Saga Episode 7 Intermission, so it can disappear if you move ahead too quickly. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 7] If you miss it, the post-game Time Machine lets you return and finish missed substories. Completing it pays 5,292 EXP, one D Medal, one Romantic Apron, two Mega Mass Level 1 items, and the Saibaman Soul Emblem.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a short lore detour linking Raditz’s arrival to the Saibamen
- Quest Giver: Bulma
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Recommended Level: 17
- Time Window: Saiyan Saga Episode 7 Intermission, replayable later through the Time Machine
- Rewards: 5,292 EXP, one D Medal, one Romantic Apron, two Mega Mass Level 1 items, and the Saibaman Soul Emblem
The Pilaf Gang’s Plan: Rescuing Pilaf From Robots
The Pilaf Gang’s Plan is a side quest about Pilaf and his companions, Shu and Mai, who land in trouble with robots. Playing as Gohan, you find the gang at a cave in the West Area. Three robots are attacking them, and your job is to defeat all three. The suggested approach is to reach level 14 before the fight, since the three Red Ribbon robots are level 16.
Pilaf gives the quest at that cave, and Gohan is the only playable character who can start it. Unlike many side quests that close after a single episode, this one stays open across a longer stretch of the story. It becomes available at the Attack of the Saiyans Episode 7 intermission and remains open until the Evil Emperor Frieza Episode 8 intermission, so you can take it on while the story moves from the Saiyan Saga into the Frieza Saga. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 7] [Dragon Ball Z Frieza Saga episode 8]
Finishing the fight pays out 4,583 EXP, one D Medal, one Brain Bread, one Energetic Fish, and one Giant Fish Fin Muscle. The quest also awards Soul Emblems for Pilaf, Mai, and Shu, which is what makes it stand out from many other Gohan quests.
At a glance
- Quest Giver: Pilaf, at a cave in the West Area
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Recommended Level: 14
- Time Window: From the Attack of the Saiyans Episode 7 intermission until the Evil Emperor Frieza Episode 8 intermission
- Rewards: 4,583 EXP, one D Medal, one Brain Bread, one Energetic Fish, one Giant Fish Fin Muscle, and the Pilaf, Mai, and Shu Soul Emblems
Good Ol’ Goku!: Saving the Sacred Land of Korin’s Trees
Good Ol’ Goku! is a post-game substory. Bora and Upa come to Goku because the trees in the Sacred Land of Korin are sick, and Goku’s job is to help them save the trees.
Start by speaking with Bora and Upa in the Sacred Land of Korin. With help from Bulma and Fortuneteller Baba, you find medimoss, the ingredient needed to cure the trees.
You need to be playing as Goku to begin. The quest becomes available after Majin Buu Reborn Episode 8: Finale and has no time limit, so you can take your time with it. [Dragon Ball Z Majin Buu Reborn episode 8, “Finale”] Completing it rewards 238,977 EXP, three D Medals, a Golden Compass, and the Soul Emblems of both Bora and Upa.
At a glance
- Quest Giver: Bora and Upa, in the Sacred Land of Korin
- Playable Character: Goku
- Time Window: Available after Majin Buu Reborn Episode 8: Finale, with no time limit
- Rewards: 238,977 EXP, three D Medals, a Golden Compass, Bora’s Soul Emblem, and Upa’s Soul Emblem
The Parent Trap: Vegeta Versus Gotenks
The Parent Trap is a post-game Sub Story about Vegeta and his son, Kid Trunks. Kid Trunks lures Vegeta out of Capsule Corporation with a story about a strong warrior. That warrior turns out to be Gotenks, the fusion of Goten and Trunks in Super Saiyan 3 form. The father-son prank gives the quest a playful tone that stands apart from the heavier fights in the main saga.
Kid Trunks gives the quest at Capsule Corporation, and you must play as Vegeta to complete it. Goku joins as a support character, so you face Gotenks with his help.
The quest opens from Buu Saga Episode 8, “The End,” and stays available from that point onward. [Dragon Ball Z Buu Saga episode 8, “The End”] It has no time limit, so you can take it on at your own pace once you reach the post-game stretch.
The reward is 327,955 EXP, one D Medal, and one Super Brain Bread. It does not award a Soul Emblem, so the payout comes from experience and items.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a lighthearted endgame prank and a Gotenks battle
- Quest Giver: Kid Trunks, at Capsule Corporation
- Playable Character: Vegeta, with Goku as a support character
- Recommended Level: 80
- Time Window: From Buu Saga Episode 8, “The End,” onward, with no time limit
- Rewards: 327,955 EXP, one D Medal, and one Super Brain Bread
Lone Guardian: Future Trunks and the Magidemia Seeds
Lone Guardian is a post-game side quest that puts Future Trunks at the center of the story. It focuses on him and his mother, Future Bulma.
Future Bulma gives the quest inside Capsule Corporation, and you must be playing as Future Trunks to start it. Future Trunks seeks Magidemia Seeds for his mother in the future, and from there you travel to the North Mountains to find Android 17 and fight him. The battle can take a while, since he has substantial health.
The quest opens after Majin Buu Reborn Episode 8: Finale, and it has no time limit. [Dragon Ball Z Majin Buu Reborn episode 8, “Finale”] You can take your time without worrying that it will disappear, which makes it easy to fit into the post-game stretch. Gamepressure groups it with the Majin Buu Reborn side missions, so that is a good place to look for it.
Completing the quest pays 140,435 EXP, 15 D Medals, one Adventure Medal, and Android 17’s Soul Emblem. That mix makes it a strong reward for players who want experience and a new Soul Emblem for their collection.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a Future Trunks story after the main saga
- Quest Giver: Future Bulma, inside Capsule Corporation
- Playable Character: Future Trunks
- Time Window: After Majin Buu Reborn Episode 8: Finale, no time limit
- Rewards: 140,435 EXP, 15 D Medals, one Adventure Medal, and Android 17’s Soul Emblem
Like a Different Person: Gohan’s Family Dinner Errand
Like a Different Person is a Frieza Saga side quest that trades big battles for something quieter. It centers on Gohan, his mother Chi-Chi, and his grandfather, the Ox King, so it plays more like a family errand than a fight. Think of it as a short visit home between the game’s major battles.
The Ox King gives the quest, and you need to play as Gohan to take it on. He is worried about Chi-Chi, so he asks Gohan to check on her. When Gohan arrives, he learns the fridge is short on food, so he sets out to gather ingredients. The quest requires 4 carrots and 2 pieces of meat. Once Gohan brings them home, he asks Chi-Chi to make dinner, which finishes the mission. The recommended level is 17.
The quest appears in the Southeast Mountains Area and is only open for a limited story window. It becomes available in Frieza Saga Episode 1, “Bulma’s Advice,” and it closes at “Interplanetary Preps,” so take it on before the story moves past that point. [Dragon Ball Z Frieza Saga episode 1, “Bulma’s Advice”] Completing the errand pays 5,292 EXP, 1 D Medal, 2 Rose Wheat, and 2 Gelatinous Eggs.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a quiet, family-focused errand during the Frieza Saga
- Quest Giver: The Ox King
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Recommended Level: 17
- Time Window: Frieza Saga Episode 1, from “Bulma’s Advice” through “Interplanetary Preps”
- Rewards: 5,292 EXP, 1 D Medal, 2 Rose Wheat, and 2 Gelatinous Eggs
Wild Imagination: Mental Training on the Way to Namek
Wild Imagination is a Frieza Saga side quest about mental training while the heroes travel to Namek. Krillin asks Gohan to sharpen his mind, and Gohan starts picturing sparring partners in his head. He first faces an imagined Nappa, then an imagined Krillin, so a quiet stretch of the journey turns into two mock battles.
Krillin gives the quest, and you need Gohan as your playable character. The recommended level is 17, so Gohan should be fairly strong before you take it on. Because the fights exist only in Gohan’s imagination, the quest works more as a character story than a regular errand.
This is a time-limited quest. It opens at the start of the Frieza Saga and stays available only through the first episode’s preparation stretch, from “Bulma’s Advice” through “Interplanetary Preps.” [Dragon Ball Z Frieza Saga episode 1, “Bulma’s Advice”] It appears among the first Frieza Saga side quests, so take it on early.
Completing the quest pays 6,028 EXP, one D Medal, and one Super Sacred Text of Martial Arts. It does not award a Soul Emblem, so your reward comes from experience and items rather than a new character to add to your collection.
At a glance
- Best for: Players who want a mind-training detour with two sparring fights
- Quest Giver: Krillin
- Playable Character: Gohan
- Recommended Level: 17
- Time Window: Frieza Saga Episode 1, between “Bulma’s Advice” and “Interplanetary Preps”
- Rewards: 6,028 EXP, one D Medal, one Super Sacred Text of Martial Arts, no Soul Emblem
Planning Your Full Kakarot Side Quest Run
Start with a plan instead of trying every quest at once. Work through the game in three passes, one for each story stretch where quests are time-limited.
Your first pass should cover the Saiyan Saga up to the Episode 7 intermission. [Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga episode 7] Many of the quests with short windows open and close in this stretch, so play with Goku, Piccolo, and Gohan as needed. Keep a notebook open and write down each quest’s playable character and recommended level. Then check the map for the blue exclamation-mark icon in the Central Plains and East Ravine areas.
Your second pass is the start of the Frieza Saga. Wild Imagination, Like a Different Person, and Yamcha’s Alive! all share the same window, so plan one Gohan session to finish all three before the story moves past “Interplanetary Preps.” [Dragon Ball Z Frieza Saga episode 1, “Interplanetary Preps”]
Your third pass is after the main story. Lone Guardian, The Parent Trap, and Good Ol’ Goku! have no time limit, so you can take them at your own pace. Use the Time Machine to return to anything you skipped, and keep a running count of finished Sub Stories until you reach 10 for the Do-Gooder trophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it worth skipping side quests if I only want to follow the main story?
You can skip Kakarot side quests and still follow the full main saga, since they are optional extras. You will miss out on experience points, Soul Emblems, food, items, and the small character stories that sit beside the main story. If you change your mind later, the post-game Time Machine lets you return to unfinished Sub Stories.
2. Do side quests change the ending of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot?
Side quests do not change the ending of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. They add optional fights, lore, and character moments alongside the main saga. The story plays out the same way whether you finish them or not.
3. Which side quests reward Soul Emblems?
Nine side quests in this guide reward Soul Emblems: Master Roshi’s Prized Possession, Nam the Peddler, Familiar Face, Gentle Giant, Telekinesis Training, Mysterious Power Reading, The Pilaf Gang’s Plan, Good Ol’ Goku!, and Lone Guardian. Yamcha’s Alive!, The Fifth Trainee, Foggy Future, Foreboding Fear, The Parent Trap, Like a Different Person, and Wild Imagination do not give one.
4. Which side quests require Gohan as the playable character?
Familiar Face, Yamcha’s Alive!, Foggy Future, Foreboding Fear, Mysterious Power Reading, The Pilaf Gang’s Plan, Like a Different Person, and Wild Imagination all require Gohan. Several of them open during the Saiyan Saga and early Frieza Saga, so plan a Gohan session during those stretches. Playing as Goku or Piccolo will not let you start them.
5. Which side quest gives the most experience points?
The Parent Trap gives the most experience points in this guide, with 327,955 EXP plus one D Medal and one Super Brain Bread. Good Ol’ Goku! comes close behind at 238,977 EXP. Both are post-game quests with no time limit, so you can save them until after the main story.
6. Can I do Telekinesis Training and The Fifth Trainee in the same playthrough?
Yes, both are Piccolo quests in the Central Plains Area that share the same early Saiyan Saga window. Telekinesis Training is a two-opponent battle with Chiaotzu and Tien, while The Fifth Trainee asks you to hunt six deer for Yajirobe. Doing both in one Piccolo session saves you from backtracking before the window closes.
