The series initially concluded with the finale of the Cell arc , as opposed to including the Majin Buu arc . It was originally planned to run 98 episodes , however , due to the Tōhoku offshore earthquake and tsunami , the final episode of '' Dragon Ball Kai '' was not aired and the series ended on its 97th episode in Japan on March 27 , 2011 . The 98th episode was later released direct-to-video in Japan on August 2 , 2011
Tōhoku offshore earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Dragon Ball Z