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The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z Season 1

Every episode of Dragon Ball Z Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z Season 1!

The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z Season 1

After years of peace since the defeat of Piccolo Daimaoh, Goku now lives peacefully with his wife, Chi-Chi, and their son, Gohan. But everything changes...

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  1. Background image for The New Threat
    7.3/10(1.6k votes)

    #1 - The New Threat

    S1:E1

    Goku’s quiet life with his family and friends is about to be interrupted. A new threat - a powerful and sinister alien - is on its way to Earth.

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  2. Background image for Reunions
    7.6/10(1.5k votes)

    #2 - Reunions

    S1:E2

    Goku and Gohan attend a reunion on Roshi’s island, where Goku introduces his son to all of his old friends. The smiles quickly fade, however, as an unexpected visitor - Raditz - lands on the island.

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  3. Background image for Unlikely Alliance
    7.6/10(1.5k votes)

    #3 - Unlikely Alliance

    S1:E3

    Raditz has kidnapped Gohan, and unless Goku agrees to join the sinister Saiyan, he may never see his son again! All hope is not lost, however, as a second visitor arrives, and Goku forges an unlikely alliance!

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  4. Background image for Piccolo's Plan
    8.0/10(1.5k votes)

    #4 - Piccolo's Plan

    S1:E4

    Piccolo may have a way to stop Raditz - the Makankosappo! There’s only one problem. He needs time to gather energy for the blast, which means Goku must fight Raditz alone!

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  5. Background image for Gohan's Rage
    8.1/10(1.5k votes)

    #5 - Gohan's Rage

    S1:E5

    Gohan unleashes a mighty attack that not even Radtiz can resist! But as quickly as his power appears, it vanishes. When Raditz prepares to strike back, Goku must make the ultimate sacrifice to save his son!

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  6. Background image for No Time Like the Present
    7.5/10(1.5k votes)

    #6 - No Time Like the Present

    S1:E6

    Piccolo takes Gohan into the wild for a harsh training program. Meanwhile, Goku embarks on a new adventure in the next world, as he travels the endless Snake Way to reach the legendary King Kai!

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    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for Day 1
    7.2/10(1.5k votes)

    #7 - Day 1

    S1:E7

    Gohan begins his first day of Piccolo’s training. Alone in the wilderness, he must quickly learn to take care of himself. But that isn’t easy when he’s tired, hungry - and being chased by bloodthirsty dinosaurs!

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    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Gohan Goes Bananas!
    7.2/10(1.5k votes)

    #8 - Gohan Goes Bananas!

    S1:E8

    Korin wants Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu to report for special training! Meanwhile, Gohan’s grueling training causes him to undergo a shocking transformation!

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  10. Background image for The Strangest Robot
    6.9/10(1.5k votes)

    #9 - The Strangest Robot

    S1:E9

    To escape a pack of wild animals, Gohan ventures into an ancient cave, where he meets an old Capsule Corp robot. The robot has lived alone in the cave for over 30 years, and he’s not happy to have visitors!

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  11. Background image for A New Friend
    6.9/10(1.5k votes)

    #10 - A New Friend

    S1:E10

    Gohan’s wilderness adventure continues, as he makes a new dinosaur friend! He’s happy to finally have some company until he’s harshly reminded that not all dinosaurs are friendly!

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  12. Background image for Terror on Arlia
    7.1/10(1.5k votes)

    #11 - Terror on Arlia

    S1:E11

    On planet Arlia, Vegeta and Nappa become prisoners of the tyrant king who rules the planet. After a brief scuffle with the monster Yeddy, the Arlians realize that the two Saiyans are more than they can handle.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Global Training
    6.8/10(1.4k votes)

    #12 - Global Training

    S1:E12

    Gohan spends his day tormenting a T-Rex. Across the planet, Tien and Chiaotzu find their training interrupted by Launch. Meanwhile, Goku tries to find King Kai on Snake Way.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Goz and Mez
    6.9/10(1.4k votes)

    #13 - Goz and Mez

    S1:E13

    Goku encounters two giant ogres who want nothing more than to use the hero as a play toy! If he can defeat their challenges, the ogres vow to show him the way back to Snake Way.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Princess Snake
    6.8/10(1.4k votes)

    #14 - Princess Snake

    S1:E14

    Back on Snake Way, Goku comes across a house he believes might belong to King Kai! Unfortunately, the dwelling is inhabited by Princess Snake, and she’ll do anything to keep Goku as her prisoner forever!

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    Director:Unknown
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  16. Background image for Dueling Piccolos
    6.6/10(1.4k votes)

    #15 - Dueling Piccolos

    S1:E15

    Piccolo flies off the handle during his fight with Raditz and splits in two! Meanwhile, Gohan decides to take a raft across the sea to visit his mother, gets caught in a storm, and suddenly remembers that he can’t swim!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Plight of the Children
    6.5/10(1.4k votes)

    #16 - Plight of the Children

    S1:E16

    Gohan finds shelter with a gang of orphans living on the run from meddling adults. The group’s leader hatches a plan to take the kids to a safer hiding place, but when the police show up everything goes wrong!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Pendulum Room Peril
    7.2/10(1.4k votes)

    #17 - Pendulum Room Peril

    S1:E17

    Earth’s top warriors visit Kami’s Pendulum Room where the past, present, and future co-exist. After a trip back in time, they realize they’ll need to train harder to stand a chance against the approaching Saiyans.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for The End of Snake Way
    7.4/10(1.4k votes)

    #18 - The End of Snake Way

    S1:E18

    Gohan continues training, but a full moon causes the young Saiyan to rampage out of control! Meanwhile, Goku makes it to the end of Snake Way only to mistake a friendly ape named Bubbles for King Kai!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Defying Gravity
    7.3/10(1.4k votes)

    #19 - Defying Gravity

    S1:E19

    The intense gravity of King Kai’s planet makes Goku’s training difficult, but when he learns that the Saiyans are used to extreme fighting conditions, Goku is inspired to give it his all. Will it be enough?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Goku's Ancestors
    7.5/10(1.4k votes)

    #20 - Goku's Ancestors

    S1:E20

    After Goku struggles to bash Gregory with a hammer, King Kai inspires him with the story of the Saiyan race - and offers to train him personally! Will it be enough to stop the looming Saiyan invasion?

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    Director:Unknown
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  22. Background image for Counting Down
    7.4/10(1.4k votes)

    #21 - Counting Down

    S1:E21

    Goku’s training is complete, so the gang summons the Eternal Dragon to wish him back to life. There’s only one day left before the Saiyans arrive. Unfortunately, it will take Goku two days to return!

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for The Darkest Day
    7.5/10(1.4k votes)

    #22 - The Darkest Day

    S1:E22

    Vegeta and Nappa mark their arrival with the destruction of an entire city! When the Z-Fighters confront them, the heroes must face an onslaught of Saibamen under the command of the Saiyans.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Saibamen Attack!
    7.9/10(1.4k votes)

    #23 - Saibamen Attack!

    S1:E23

    Krillin, Piccolo, and Gohan stand face to face with the sinister Saiyans and their diabolical henchmen. The villains have already proven terrifyingly powerful. Can Earth’s heroes hold out until Goku arrives?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for The Power of Nappa
    8.1/10(1.4k votes)

    #24 - The Power of Nappa

    S1:E24

    Enraged over the loss of Yamcha, Krillin unleashes a powerful attack that destroys the maniacal Saibamen once and for all. Now Earth’s defenders must battle the Saiyans themselves - starting with Nappa.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Sacrifice
    8.0/10(1.4k votes)

    #25 - Sacrifice

    S1:E25

    Chiaotzu sacrifices himself to save his friends from Nappa, but when the smoke clears, the villain still stands! Luckily, Tien has one trick left that could forever silence the Saiyan warrior!

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    Director:Unknown
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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The New Threat" is the best rated episode of "Dragon Ball Z" season 1. It scored 7.3/10 based on 1562 votes. Directed by Daisuke Nishio and written by Takao Koyama, it aired on 4/26/1989. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "Reunions".