The final season ofDragon Ball Zpicks up where season 8 left off, with Trunks, Gohan, Goten, Vegeta, and Goku fighting to save the universe from the monster Majin Buu. The protracted battle lasts 33 episodes (#254 to #286). Buu has the color and texture of bubble gum:   The Saiyans punch him out, blast off limbs, and blow him into smithereens, only to see him return to his original form. Buu also mutates constantly. He fights himself--his "good" side vs. the purely evil one; he grows stronger when he absorbs Goten, Trunks, Gohan, and Piccolo, but somehow gets even stronger when he "de-absorbs" them. The resolution, involving the combined efforts of the Z-fighters, the Kais, and the Namekian Dragon Balls, leaves the filmmakers with nothing to fill the remaining episodes, so they jump the story ahead 10 years. Trunks and Goten are teenagers, Gohan and Videl have a daughter, Pan. Although he's a grandfather, Goku remains as irrepressible and irresponsible as ever.   When Mr. Satan organizes another martial arts tournament, Goku enters to take on a mysterious young fighter, then cheerfully abandons his family to train the new champion. It's a weak ending for one of the most popular series in anime history. (Rated TV PG: suitable for ages 8 and older: violence, violence against women, tobacco and alcohol use, ethnic stereotypes, brief nudity)--Charles Solomon(254. The Evil of Men, 255. Buu Against Buu, 256. Empty Planet, 257.   Time Struggle, 258. Super Moves of Gotenks, 259. Trapped in Forever, 260. Feeding Frenzy, 261. Gotenks is Awesome! 262. Unlucky Break, 263.   A Whole New Gohan, 264. Search For Survivors, 265. Majin Buu Transforms, 266. The Old Kai's Weapon, 267. Ready To Fuse? 268. Union Of Rivals, 269. Meet Vegito, 270. Rip In The Universe, 271.   Vegito . . . Downsized, 272. The Incredible Fighting Candy, 273. The Innards of Buu, 274. Mind Trap, 275. Deadly Vision, 276. Evil Kid Buu!   277. End of Earth, 278. True Saiyans Fight Alone, 279.    Battle For   The Universe Begins, 280. Vegeta's Respect, 281. Minute of Desperation, 282. Old Buu Emerges, 283. Earth Reborn, 284. Call to Action, 285. People of Earth Unite, 286. Spirit Bomb Triumphant, 287.   Celebrations With Majin Buu, 288. He's Always Late, 289. Granddaughter Pan, 290. Buu's Reincarnation, 291. Goku's Next Journey)