The Z-Fighters originally had five fighters, Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chout-zu. They first fought together against Daimoa. Later after Daimoa was killed, by Goku, Piccolo joined the group to help fight Nappa and Vegeta. Piccolo sacrificed his own life to save Gohan. This proved his friendship to Gohan and the team. When the group found themselves going to Namek, Vegeta joined the group. With the help of Vegeta the group was able to kill Frieza and safely make it back to Earth. Future Trunks joined the Z-Fighters for a short period when Bulma, his mother, designed a time machine that sent him to the time line that we know of as DBZ. There he helped fight the Androids and the most powerful Android of that time, Cell. Goten and young Trunks were destined to join the group because both their fathers were the strongest in the group. They learned the fusion dance from Goku and merged to form a new fighter, Gotenks. Later Goku and Vegeta merged via Potora Earings to form Vegetto. Fat Buu was the next to join the group when he was released from evil (kid) Buu's body. He allowed evil Buu to beat on him long enough for Goku to make the spirit bomb.

During the GT series Uub, Buu's reincarnation, joined the group along with Pan. After Fat Buu died and his spirit energy fused with Uub, they formed Uubu. He was still uub but with more power and he wore Fat Buu's clothes. The last but not least character to help fight evil was Gogeta. Gogeta was the fusion of Goku and Vegeta. Gogeta fought Ii-Shenron and looked as if he would kill him but the fusion wore off. Goku eventually used the spirit bomb to kill Ii-Shenron.

The Z-Fighters fought many villains. They main goal was to keep piece throughout the universe. They've mastered the skill of energy waves and still managed to have fun in their spare time. Goku lead the bunch most of the way but he left the responsibility to the others when he found out that the dragonballs were a threat to earth.