The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Z Season 1

#1 Fan Favorite
8.7/10(1098 votes)
#1 - Goku's Arrival
S1:E2811/29/1989
Piccolo makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Gohan from the rampaging Saiyans. Just when all seems lost, Goku returns to Earth with an incredible new level of power and confronts the invaders.
Director:Minoru Okazaki
Writer:Hiroshi Toda
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Minoru Okazaki
Writer:Hiroshi Toda
8.6/10(1106 votes)
#2 - Saiyan Sized Secret
S1:E3112/20/1989
Vegeta and Goku continue trading brutal blows, but the action intensifies when Vegeta reveals the secret power of the Saiyans: the ability to transform into a giant, planet-destroying ape!
Director:Daisuke Nishio
Writer:Toshiki Inoue
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Daisuke Nishio
Writer:Toshiki Inoue
8.3/10(1003 votes)
#3 - Lesson Number One
S1:E2912/6/1989
Locked in battle with the Saiyans, Goku gives Nappa a brutal demonstration of the training he received from King Kai. Broken and defeated, Nappa must now face the ferocious wrath of Vegeta!
Director:Yoshihiro Ueda
Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Yoshihiro Ueda
Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
8.3/10(1068 votes)
#4 - Goku vs. Vegeta
S1:E3012/13/1989
Goku decides to take on mighty Vegeta all by himself! The two appear evenly matched, but both are hiding their true strength. The epic battle is underway - which mighty warrior will claim victory?
Director:Unknown
Writer:Keiji Terui
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Keiji Terui
8.3/10(949 votes)
#5 - Mercy
S1:E352/7/1990
Vegeta is crushed beneath the full weight of Gohan’s giant ape form! With the Saiyan battered and defeated, Krillin moves to finish the Saiyan with a final blow - but Goku has other plans.
Director:Daisuke Nishio
Writer:Hiroshi Toda
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Daisuke Nishio
Writer:Hiroshi Toda
8.2/10(1093 votes)
#6 - Gohan's Rage
S1:E55/24/1989
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!
Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Writer:Unknown

TRENDING NOW

The 20 BEST Episodes of Dragon Ball Z

READ

8.2/10(991 votes)
#7 - The Power of Nappa
S1:E2410/25/1989
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.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.2/10(975 votes)
#8 - Nimbus Speed
S1:E2711/22/1989
Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin do their best to stop the Saiyans from finding the Dragon Balls. Meanwhile, Goku rushes back to Earth on the Flying Nimbus, armed with more power than ever before!
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.2/10(966 votes)
#9 - Krillin's Offensive
S1:E341/31/1990
Goku passes the power of the Spirit Bomb to Krillin, who - with King Kai’s guidance - launches the bomb at Vegeta. The Saiyan is sent flying into the sky, but is the evil warrior really gone for good?
Director:Minoru Okazaki
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Minoru Okazaki
Writer:Unknown
8.1/10(1101 votes)
#10 - Piccolo's Plan
S1:E45/17/1989
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!
Director:Yoshihiro Ueda
Writer:Toshiki Inoue
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Yoshihiro Ueda
Writer:Toshiki Inoue
8.1/10(982 votes)
#11 - Sacrifice
S1:E2511/1/1989
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!
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.1/10(964 votes)
#12 - Spirit Bomb Away!
S1:E321/17/1990
Goku feels the brunt of Vegeta’s fully-realized Saiyan power! Earth’s greatest hero is left with no choice except to use the Spirit Bomb. If his attack fails, he may find himself completely doomed!
Director:Yoshihiro Ueda
Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Yoshihiro Ueda
Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
8.0/10(985 votes)
#13 - Saibamen Attack!
S1:E2310/18/1989
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?
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
8.0/10(952 votes)
#14 - Hero in the Shadows
S1:E331/24/1990
With Goku caught in the clutches of the giant ape Vegeta, Krillin attacks with his Destructo Disk! When his effort falls short, an unlikely hero steps out of the shadows!
Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto
Writer:Keiji Terui
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto
Writer:Keiji Terui
7.8/10(1106 votes)
#15 - Reunions
S1:E25/3/1989
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.
Director:Osamu Kasai
Writers:Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Takao Koyama
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Osamu Kasai
Writers:Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Takao Koyama
7.7/10(1077 votes)
#16 - Unlikely Alliance
S1:E35/10/1989
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!
Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Kazuhisa Takenouchi
Writer:Katsuyuki Sumisawa
7.6/10(970 votes)
#17 - Goku's Ancestors
S1:E209/20/1989
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?
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.6/10(969 votes)
#18 - The Darkest Day
S1:E2210/11/1989
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.
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.6/10(928 votes)
#19 - Picking Up the Pieces
S1:E362/14/1990
The gang mourns the loss of Yamcha, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Piccolo. With Kami gone, Earth’s Dragon Balls have disappeared. Will the surviving heroes find a way to wish their fallen friends back to life?
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(1027 votes)
#20 - No Time Like the Present
S1:E66/7/1989
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!
Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Mitsuo Hashimoto
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(982 votes)
#21 - The End of Snake Way
S1:E189/6/1989
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!
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.5/10(962 votes)
#22 - Counting Down
S1:E219/27/1989
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!
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.4/10(974 votes)
#23 - Defying Gravity
S1:E199/13/1989
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?
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.4/10(949 votes)
#24 - Nappa's Rampage
S1:E2611/8/1989
Vegeta has called a halt to the fighting, and Nappa uses the time to go on a rampage! Meanwhile, Goku reaches the end of Snake Way and races to rejoin his friends - but is he already too late?
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Unknown
Writer:Unknown
7.3/10(1181 votes)
#25 - The New Threat
S1:E14/26/1989
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.
Director:Daisuke Nishio
Writer:Takao Koyama
Be the first to start the conversation for this episode
Director:Daisuke Nishio
Writer:Takao Koyama