History TearJerker / DragonballZ

* When Buu is screaming at Mr. Satan to take the dog and leave, he knows what's happening, he knows he can't stop it, and he's desperately trying to keep his friends from getting hurt, It's just heartbreaking.

--->'''Majin Buu: GOOOOOOO!!!!'''

* Everything leading up to Vegeta's death against Fat Buu in the anime episode, "Final Atonement". EVERYTHING

-->(''Steam explodes out of Buu's head'') '''Majin Buu: GO NOOOOOOW!'''

--->'''Majin Buu: GO-OOOOOO!'''

* In the manga and ''Kai'', during the break from the Saiyan battle, Piccolo's grief to Gohan only lasted for one moment, too short to be tear-jerking but in the original anime where this is expanded, Piccolo berates Gohan for panicking behind a rock when a good opportunity to attack Nappa while he was defenseless presented itself. While Krillin defends him by saying he's only six years old at that point, and the fact he's even on the battlefield is remarkable enough. Piccolo at that point denounces Gohan as a coward, declares he's wasted all that time training him, refuses Gohan's request to train him in a three-hour break, and finally dismisses him. Krillin tries to call Gohan back as he walks off, and Piccolo won't even face him. However, Piccolo sadly contemplates that he already taught Gohan everything he knows, and maybe as cruel and harsh he was being, that was his way of deciding that Gohan was probably better off going home. Granted, the scene was ruined by MoodWhiplash and Nappa's comically [[{{Jerkass}} dickish]] behavior, but apparently in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, it's shown that Gohan's guilt for coming up short back then still affected him.

--> ''Trunks... Papa has not hugged you once... not since you were born. [[FinalFirstHug Please let Papa hug you.]]"

* While it's not given much focus, Bulma's reaction to Vegeta's death is heartbreaking. First, while she doesn't actually "see" him die. Bulma feels what she describes as a kind of "stabbing pain" in her heart as he explodes. Bulma is noticeably subdued until she and the others arrive at Kami's place. Wherein Goku informs her and the others that her husband is in fact dead, causing the poor woman to scream Vegeta's name in despair as she falls into a full HeroicBSOD BSOD-ing]].

* Goku leaving during the Buu saga. He's managed to pass on the fusion technique and now his time on earth is up and he has to go back to Other World. So we see Goten speechless, and giving him one last hug, and trying ''so hard'' not to cry, and it's all set to ridiculously relaxing music.

*** It also has [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything the aspect of Vegeta being a someone trying to stand up to his father figure]], [[AbusiveParents only to put down verbally and physically]] [[AdultFear for even attempting it in the first place.]]

--> '''Vegeta''': Trunks... Bulma... I do this for you. And yes, even for ''you'', Kakarot.

* Goku leaving during the Buu saga. He's managed to pass on the fusion technique and now his time on earth is up and he has to go back to Other World. So we see Goten speechless, and giving him one last hug, and trying ''so hard'' not to cry, and it's all set to ridiculously relaxing music. GOD JUST RIP MY HEART OUT WHY DON'T YOU.

* The scene where Goku first transforms into a Super Saiyan in ''Dragon Ball Kai'': It's not enough that Krillin gets launched up into the air and then blown up - worse if you notice the blink-and-you-miss-it frame of Krillin's chest heaving as the energy ball expands to blow him up from the inside. Poor [[BreakTheCutie Gohan]], who just lost an HonoraryUncle, is standing over the unconscious body of his mentor looking like a deer in headlights while Frieza threatens ''his'' life next. Goku is off to the side with his back turned, shaking with rage, and the only words he can get out of his mouth are "[[YouBastard You ruthless... heartless...]] [[PrecisionFStrike bastard...]] [[UnstoppableRage I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER!]]" As if the impact of hearing those words coming from ''Goku'' of all people didn't do it, as soon as he transforms, he turns to address not Frieza, but Gohan, telling him to leave. Previously, it had seemed to mean, "get out of here, kid, the fight's about to get really ugly." But the Dragon Ball Kai version drops this line:

* Despite Vegeta, allowing himself to be turned evil again being extremely selfish. Selling his soul to bridge the gap between himself and Goku, killing a stadium full of innocent people, thus allowing Buu to be revived by his actions. It's still easy to feel sorry for him. As he explains in episode 231 of the anime, even after years of living on Earth with the Z fighters. He's still confused why people would be kind to each other, calling the heroes weak for being [[LoveIsAWeakness sentimental]]. He's still behaving much like the man who kidnapped him and murdered his father all those years ago. It's easy to forget underneath all that badassary that there was a little boy stolen from his father and forced to live a life chosen for him by someone else, and it's sad to see Vegeta just can't fully escape Frieza's influence.

** In at least one version of the anime, King Kai can only watch sadly and declare that Vegeta is feeling what it is to be helpless. A somber, painful example of Main/BreakTheHaughty Break the Haughty.

* In episode 104, Vegeta has a flashback of back when he still worked for Frieza. After being insulted and ridiculed by Freiza, Zarbon and Dodoria instead of praised for their work on a recent assignment. He Nappa and Raditz later talk and Nappa demands to know why Vegeta insists on idly taking such insults, considering they've come to suspect Freiza was responsible for his father's death and the destruction of their home planet. While Vegeta explains that he already knew that. He turns his back on the pair, [[BlatantLies claiming he doesn't care about his past]], only wishing to become strong enough to overthrow Frieza and rule the universe. However, the pained look on his face seems to suggest otherwise.

* Vegeta's outright massacring of the Namekian's who possessed the four star Dragon Ball. Expanded on in the anime, wherein the villagers try to put up a fight.

---->'''Krillin''': (''Teary-eved'') Poor Tien, he used up his life and that attack didn't even ''faze'' him! Goku!! Please hurry!!

** Goku finally finished charging up the Spirit Bomb, calling for Vegeta to flee the area. Only for Vegeta to explain that he'd been too badly injured while distracting Buu to move. Vegeta even goes so far as too tell Goku to just fire the bomb, willing to die ''again'' in order to stop Buu.

--> '''Super Buu''': (''chuckles'') You'r letting them down ''again''.

*** Another subtle one. When Piccolo makes the charge to help Gohan by himself, Krillin's initial response is to run after him, shouting "No, Wait!" and scream Piccolo's name. It's clear that he's worried the effort will just be a futile one that ends with Piccolo's death.

--> '''Super Buu''': (''chuckles'') Your letting them down ''again''.

* When Goku is fighting Kid Buu in the last few episodes. Throughout all of Dragon Ball Goku never ever stopped fighting, never gave up, and wouldn't stop. This was the one time it was too much. Goku could NOT win. Pretty much the strongest anime character of all time is getting his ass handed to him by a LITTLE PINK BUBBLEGUM KID. Goku stomped a planet destroying tyrant into the floor. Avenged his entire race, done pretty much everything, and he finally is bested by Buu... I cried harder than ever.

* In the Majin Buu Saga episode 237, after Vegeta knocks Trunks unconscious so he can fight Buu alone Goten, understandably confused, freaks out and demands why he did it. This might just be mostly due to the voice acting, but as soon as he gets to "Why did you hit him? Why did you hurt him?" is really gutwrenching. Just how innocent he is and how confused he is really comes out there.