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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 adventures of Earth's martial arts defender, Son Goku, continue with a new family and the revelation of his alien origins. Now Goku and his...
Genres:AnimationSci-Fi & FantasyAction & Adventure
Network:Fuji TV

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 1525 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".

  • The New Threat
    7.3/101,525 votes

    #1 - The New Threat

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/26/1989

    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

  • Reunions
    7.6/101,473 votes

    #2 - Reunions

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 5/3/1989

    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

    Writer: Katsuyuki Sumisawa, Takao Koyama

  • Unlikely Alliance
    7.6/101,459 votes

    #3 - Unlikely Alliance

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 5/10/1989

    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

  • Piccolo's Plan
    8.0/101,473 votes

    #4 - Piccolo's Plan

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 5/17/1989

    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

  • Gohan's Rage
    8.1/101,454 votes

    #5 - Gohan's Rage

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 5/24/1989

    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: N/A

  • No Time Like the Present
    7.5/101,420 votes

    #6 - No Time Like the Present

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 6/7/1989

    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: N/A

  • Day 1
    7.2/101,447 votes

    #7 - Day 1

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 6/14/1989

    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!

    Director: Minoru Okazaki

    Writer: N/A

  • Gohan Goes Bananas!
    7.2/101,443 votes

    #8 - Gohan Goes Bananas!

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 6/21/1989

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

    Director: Yoshihiro Ueda

    Writer: Takao Koyama

  • The Strangest Robot
    7.0/101,445 votes

    #9 - The Strangest Robot

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 6/28/1989

    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!

    Director: Osamu Kasai

    Writer: Katsuyuki Sumisawa

  • A New Friend
    6.9/101,427 votes

    #10 - A New Friend

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 7/5/1989

    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!

    Director: Kazuhisa Takenouchi

    Writer: Keiji Terui

  • Terror on Arlia
    7.1/101,425 votes

    #11 - Terror on Arlia

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 7/12/1989

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Global Training
    6.8/101,405 votes

    #12 - Global Training

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 7/19/1989

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Goz and Mez
    6.9/101,406 votes

    #13 - Goz and Mez

    Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 7/26/1989

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Princess Snake
    6.8/101,412 votes

    #14 - Princess Snake

    Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 8/2/1989

    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!

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Dueling Piccolos
    6.6/101,400 votes

    #15 - Dueling Piccolos

    Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 8/9/1989

    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!

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Plight of the Children
    6.5/101,393 votes

    #16 - Plight of the Children

    Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 8/16/1989

    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!

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Pendulum Room Peril
    7.2/101,397 votes

    #17 - Pendulum Room Peril

    Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 8/30/1989

    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.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The End of Snake Way
    7.4/101,404 votes

    #18 - The End of Snake Way

    Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 9/6/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Defying Gravity
    7.3/101,400 votes

    #19 - Defying Gravity

    Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 9/13/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Goku's Ancestors
    7.5/101,394 votes

    #20 - Goku's Ancestors

    Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 9/20/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Counting Down
    7.4/101,385 votes

    #21 - Counting Down

    Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 9/27/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Darkest Day
    7.5/101,398 votes

    #22 - The Darkest Day

    Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 10/11/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Saibamen Attack!
    7.9/101,412 votes

    #23 - Saibamen Attack!

    Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 10/18/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • The Power of Nappa
    8.1/101,414 votes

    #24 - The Power of Nappa

    Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 10/25/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Sacrifice
    8.0/101,405 votes

    #25 - Sacrifice

    Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 11/1/1989

    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: N/A

    Writer: N/A