Manga Entertainment is once again allowing DBZ fans to continue their trip down memory lane with the release of Dragon Ball Z Complete Season 6, continuing where Season 5 left off. However, with this release, you will find that a large part of the series is dedicated to the build up towards the battle, pertaining to the hopeful destruction and defeat of the now Perfect Cell. And let me tell you this, he is very much like a cat with nine lives, certainly one tough cookie to crack. Offering our skilled fighters the chance to develop their own skills whilst on a mission to annihilate this calculating supervillain.

Now that Cell is in his ‘Perfect’ state, his confidence sees him offer our heroes a new challenge. At the start of this series, during a television appearance, Cell sends a message to the people of earth, announcing that he is holding a Martial Arts Tournament, which he fittingly refers to as ‘The Cell Games’. Taking place in an arena Cell designed himself, offering an open invite to the world’s best fighters. The ultimatum is this: If he is not defeated in this tournament, he will claim Earth as his own. And the Earth will be doomed, along with all of the people as well. Giving them 9 days notice before the inevitable day that will determine the future of the earth.

Enough time for our kick-ass fighters to enjoy themselves and their time together before the games begin. Each fighter passing the time in their own way. And, enough time for a tonne of fillers that will drag out for hours before the action really kicks in. Plus a few very random (yet humourous) fillers such as the decision-making of baby names that took place when Gohan was born. Imagine if Gohan was called Einstein? No, neither can I. With a few additional flashbacks to back when Einstein, sorry Gohan, was a baby, and other fillers to fill the pot while we sit back and wait for the real fun to begin.

When our warriors do finally find themselves in the battle arena (about time really), we come across some people who underestimate the abilities of our warriors. Don’t you just love that look you get when someone is proven wrong, even if it is animated. And, this look is priceless. Earth’s alleged ‘greatest’ fighter Mr. Satan underestimates Goku, namely because he considers himself so fabulous. Yet couldn’t last 5 seconds in a battle with cell, blaming it on his shoes.

The fight itself drags out, some serious dragging. Cell’s rampage just seems to keep on going. The fact that he previously acquired our heroes’ powers and uses them in battle to prolong his destruction and offers us a few more twists and turns during these games.

If you’re not a fan, you won’t appreciate this series. However the dynamic between the Super Saiyan and now blond-haired father and son duo in this season is a nice touch. It is in this series that we see Gohan continue to develop his full potential, he is a boy after all and has some serious power - not that that’s a surprise really (a nice non-surprise). Whoever thought getting rid of Cell could be such a blast, literally. With cell defeated all is well on Earth for now… or is it? There are a few unexpected losses and twists along the way. With the cost of the eventual victory coming at a price.

Dragon Ball Z Complete Season 6 is Out Now on DVD from Manga Entertainment

Review by Samantha Buttigieg