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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...

Seasons9

  1. Background image for Piccolo's Plan
    9.1/10(7 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Background image for Gohan's Rage
    9.1/10(7 votes)

    #2 - 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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    Writer:N/A
  3. Background image for The Power of Nappa
    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #3 - 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:N/A
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  4. Background image for Goku's Arrival
    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #4 - Goku's Arrival

    S1:E28

    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.

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  5. Background image for Lesson Number One
    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #5 - Lesson Number One

    S1:E29

    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!

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  6. Background image for Goku vs. Vegeta
    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #6 - Goku vs. Vegeta

    S1:E30

    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?

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    Director:N/A
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  8. Background image for Saiyan Sized Secret
    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #7 - Saiyan Sized Secret

    S1:E31

    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!

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  9. Background image for Mercy
    9.0/10(5 votes)

    #8 - Mercy

    S1:E35

    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.

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  10. Background image for Gohan Goes Bananas!
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #9 - 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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  11. Background image for The End of Snake Way
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #10 - 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:N/A
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  12. Background image for Sacrifice
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #11 - 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:N/A
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  13. Background image for Nimbus Speed
    8.8/10(6 votes)

    #12 - Nimbus Speed

    S1:E27

    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!

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  14. Background image for Spirit Bomb Away!
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Spirit Bomb Away!

    S1:E32

    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!

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  15. Background image for Hero in the Shadows
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #14 - Hero in the Shadows

    S1:E33

    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!

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  16. Background image for Krillin's Offensive
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #15 - Krillin's Offensive

    S1:E34

    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?

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    Writer:N/A
  17. Background image for Picking Up The Pieces
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #16 - Picking Up The Pieces

    S1:E36

    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?

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    Director:N/A
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  18. Background image for Plans for Departure
    8.8/10(5 votes)

    #17 - Plans for Departure

    S1:E37

    Bulma accidentally destroys the Saiyan spaceship! Luckily, Mr. Popo reveals the existence of another ship that may be able to reach Namek. Can they find it in time, and will the old ship still work if they do?

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    Director:N/A
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  19. Background image for No Time Like the Present
    8.7/10(7 votes)

    #18 - 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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  20. Background image for Day 1
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #19 - 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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  21. Background image for Defying Gravity
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #20 - 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:N/A
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  22. Background image for Goku's Ancestors
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #21 - 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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  23. Background image for Counting Down
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #22 - 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:N/A
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  24. Background image for The Darkest Day
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #23 - 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:N/A
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  25. Background image for Nappa's Rampage
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #24 - Nappa's Rampage

    S1:E26

    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?

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  26. Background image for Reunions
    8.6/10(7 votes)

    #25 - 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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Piccolo's Plan" is the best rated episode of "Dragon Ball Z" season 1. It scored 9.1/10 based on 7 votes. Directed by Yoshihiro Ueda and written by Toshiki Inoue, it aired on 5/17/1989. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Gohan's Rage".