The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   8.9/10(7 votes)

   #1 - Goku Hangs On

   S1:E1473/1/1989

   The Tenkaichi Budokai begins to fall to piece as Ma Junior unveils a technique that not only threatens to destroy Goku, but his friends as well. Even the mighty God believes that there is no way for Goku to survive in this winner-take-all massacre!

   Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi

   Writer:Toshiki Inoue

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   Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi

   Writer:Toshiki Inoue
2. 

   8.8/10(10 votes)

   #2 - Roshi's Gambit

   S1:E1115/11/1988

   Global destruction is one wish away if Piccolo Daimao succeeds in calling fourth the Eternal Dragon. The Turtle Hermit answers the call for a hero by placing himself between the creature and the remaining Dragon Balls. However, in his attempt to save the world, he may pay the ultimate price.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   8.8/10(9 votes)

   #3 - Anonymous Proposal

   S1:E13712/7/1988

   Goku takes on his most lovely opponent yet in the second match of the Tenkaichi Budokai. Know only as Anonymous, the beautiful warrior's identity is a mysterious as her fierce anger toward Goku, who must win the match in order to learn her real name.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   8.7/10(9 votes)

   #4 - Preliminary Peril

   S1:E13411/16/1988

   The Tenkaichi Budokai gets underway as Goku and the others compete in the exciting preliminary round. But the competition threatens to turn ugly when Goku gets a visit from an old adversary.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
5. 

   8.7/10(9 votes)

   #5 - Goku Gains Speed

   S1:E1401/11/1989

   As the battle between Tenshinhan and Goku rages, Goku unloads a heavy burden, one that may shift the balance in the extraordinary showdown. All eyes turn to Tenshinhan as an embarrassing moment spurs him to make a dangerous choice.

   Director:Osamu Kasai

   Writer:Keiji Terui

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   Director:Osamu Kasai

   Writer:Keiji Terui
6. 

   8.7/10(9 votes)

   #6 - Battle for the Future

   S1:E1432/1/1989

   Goku faces the ultimate test as he confronts his greatest nemesis in the final round of the Budokai. This time his fight is for more than the title. The future of the free world is at stake!

   Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

   Writer:Takao Koyama

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   Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

   Writer:Takao Koyama
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7. 

   8.7/10(9 votes)

   #7 - The Victor

   S1:E1483/8/1989

   The end of the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai finds Goku struggling for survival as Ma Junior gets the upper hand, poised to take the Title and his life. God devises a way to rescue the young hero, but his plan calls for the ultimate sacrifice!

   Director:Osamu Kasai

   Writer:Takao Koyama

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   Director:Osamu Kasai

   Writer:Takao Koyama
8. 

   8.6/10(9 votes)

   #8 - True Colors of the Masked Man

   S1:E768/26/1987

   Grabbing onto Goku’s tail, the fox mask man knocks Goku around! But then Goku’s tail comes off!! As Goku is about to counterattack, having lost his weakness, the man quickly surrenders. His identity was Goku’s adoptive grandfather Son Gohan after all!! Goku rejoices in their reunion! Thanks to Uranai Baba, Gohan was able to return from the afterlife for a single day. After the brief reunion, Gohan returns to the afterlife once again!

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
9. 

   8.6/10(9 votes)

   #9 - Final Showdown

   S1:E1228/10/1988

   The fierce battle between Goku and Piccolo Daimao continues, but Piccolo gains the advantage when he breaks Goku down limb by limb. To make matters worse, Tenshinhan is used as a pawn in the battle. Goku is forced to make an awful choice. Will he surrender to Piccolo Daimao and save his friend or choose to fight and risk his own life?

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
10. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #10 - Changes

    S1:E13311/9/1988

    Warriors the world over are lining up to compete as the Tenkaichi Budokai prepares to get under way. Unfortunately, all of the Turtle Hermit's pupils are missing, including Goku. With the entry-deadline approaching, the competitive future of our heroes look bleak, as does Muten Roshi's patience.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
11. 

    8.6/10(9 votes)

    #11 - Super Kamehameha

    S1:E1442/8/1989

    The battle to save the planet continues as Goku tries to take down Ma Junior in the final match of the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai. Goku has an ultimate weapon: The Ultimate Super Kamehameha Wave. However, if he uses it to destroy Ma Junior, God will be sacrificed, having been trapped inside Ma Junior's stomach.

    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue

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    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue
12. 

    8.6/10(8 votes)

    #12 - Goku's Trap

    S1:E1462/22/1989

    As the exhausting battle between Goku and Ma Junior continues, Goku avoids disaster by taking the battle within. Ma Junior surprises all when he unveils a new threat!

    Director:Minoru Okazaki

    Writer:Keiji Terui

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    Director:Minoru Okazaki

    Writer:Keiji Terui
13. 

    8.5/10(10 votes)

    #13 - Tao Attacks!

    S1:E604/29/1987

    Goku is completely helpless before the might of Tao Pai-pai, who is unaffected by even the Kamehameha. Goku is felled after taking a direct hit from Tao Pai-pai’s sure-to-kill Dodonpa! Tao Pai-pai steals the Dragon Balls, and heads to a town to get new clothes to replace his tattered ones. However, Goku survived!! The Four-Star Ball that he had on his breast protected him!! After resolving to use the Dragon Balls to restore Bora to life, Goku climbs Karin Tower in order to become stronger than Tao Pai-pai. However, no matter how far he climbs, he is still unable to see the top.

    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Keiji Terui

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    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Keiji Terui
14. 

    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #14 - The Fallen

    S1:E1012/17/1988

    The Kikouhou has left both fighters weary and exhausted. With all of their energy gone and the stage destroyed by the Kikouhou, Tenshinhan and Goku plummet towards the Earth, with the first to touch down losing the match! A new Champion is crowned today!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
15. 

    8.5/10(8 votes)

    #15 - Enter King Piccolo

    S1:E1022/24/1988

    Kuririn is dead! As Goku sets out on a quest for revenge, his friends attempt to learn the identity of Kuririn's killer. All clues lead to the Turtle Hermit's past and an evil that could destroy the world!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
16. 

    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #16 - The Last of Mercenary Tao

    S1:E645/27/1987

    Having climbed Karin Tower, Tao Pai-pai tries to get the Super Sacred Water by threatening Karin-sama. However, Karin-sama successfully tricks Tao Pai-pai, and sends him back to the surface! After descending back to the holy land, Tao Pai-pai unleashes a violent attack, but Goku is unharmed!! Tao Pai-pai turns pale and uses a bomb, but Goku kicks it back and Tao Pai-pai ends up blowing himself away. After gathering the four Dragon Balls, Goku flies off to the Red Ribbon Army Headquarters to gather the remaining ones!!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
17. 

    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #17 - The Biggest Crisis

    S1:E1218/3/1988

    Piccolo Daimao puts all of Metro West on edge when he invades the King's Castle, but Goku is not about to let him take over without a fight. While Tenshinhan watches from the sidelines, the young warrior takes it on the chin and refuses to go down. It's a fierce battle but even Goku has his limits. How much can he take?

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
18. 

    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #18 - Goku's Doll

    S1:E13010/19/1988

    "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it!" Goku learns this lesson the hard way when he asks Mr. Popo for the ultimate sparring partner to aid in his training. What he gets is the battle of his life! Meanwhile, Yamcha and the others continue their long journey to reach Karin Tower, in hopes of receiving training from the wise Master.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
19. 

    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #19 - Hotter than Lava

    S1:E13211/2/1988

    While Goku continues his training, Tenshinhan, Yamcha, Chiaotzu and Kuririn find themselves in a very hot situation! A remote village is threatened by an erupting volcano and it is up to the good guys to put a lid on it. The time has come to put their new training to the test!

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown
20. 

    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #20 - Battle of the Eight

    S1:E13511/23/1988

    The preliminary round continues as Goku, Yamcha, Kuririn, and Tenshinhan battle one opponent after another in hopes of advancing to the semi-final round. Meanwhile, the Turtle Hermit is confronted by an old rival.

    Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

    Writer:Keiji Terui

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    Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto

    Writer:Keiji Terui
21. 

    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #21 - The Mysterious Hero

    S1:E13812/14/1988

    The Budokai continues with a double header! First up, Kuririn battles Ma Junior, Piccolo Daimao's alter ego, and every bit as powerful. Yamcha jumps in the ring next, opposing Shen, whose meek appearance may hide a darker threat.

    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue

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    Director:Daisuke Nishio

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue
22. 

    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #22 - Rematch

    S1:E13912/21/1988

    Yamcha scratches to stay in the ring as Shen reveals his true ability - and identity. Goku and Tenshinhan must fight one another in a friendly rematch to claim the last remaining spot for the semi-finals.

    Director:Minoru Okazaki

    Writer:Yuichiro Oguro

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    Director:Minoru Okazaki

    Writer:Yuichiro Oguro
23. 

    8.4/10(9 votes)

    #23 - The Four Faces of Tien

    S1:E1411/18/1989

    Goku has always been able to handle himself in the ring, but when his fight with Tenshinhan turns into a war against an army, he finds himself in serious jeopardy. Tenshinhan's new technique may spell the end for our hero!

    Director:Osamu Kasai

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue

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    Director:Osamu Kasai

    Writer:Toshiki Inoue
24. 

    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #24 - Junior No More

    S1:E1452/15/1989

    Ma Junior reveals a startling secret that shocks the tournament. Goku finds himself facing a huge dilemma, as he fights for the championship becomes the fight for survival!

    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Keiji Terui

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    Director:Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer:Keiji Terui
25. 

    8.3/10(10 votes)

    #25 - Sacred Water

    S1:E625/13/1987

    After going to retrieve the Four-Star Ball that Karin-sama dropped, Goku makes the round trip up Karin Tower in three hours, even though it took him an entire day when he first climbed up! Furthermore, Goku copies the sleeping Karin-sama‘s breathing and movement during the night, and is then able to read Karin-sama‘s movements and finally obtain the jar of Super Sacred Water. But it contains ordinary water?! It turns out that the act of obtaining the jar was itself training that increased his power many times over!! At that time, having obtained brand new clothes, Tao Pai-pai sets out for the holy land once again.

    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Unknown

    Writer:Unknown