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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

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...

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  1. 8.5/10(1.5k votes)

    #1 - Goku's Arrival

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    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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  2. 8.4/10(1.5k votes)

    #2 - Saiyan Sized Secret

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    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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  3. 8.2/10(1.4k votes)

    #3 - Lesson Number One

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    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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  4. 8.2/10(1.5k votes)

    #4 - Goku vs. Vegeta

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    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
  5. 8.2/10(1.4k votes)

    #5 - Mercy

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    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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  6. 8.1/10(1.5k votes)

    #6 - Gohan's Rage

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    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
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  8. 8.1/10(1.4k votes)

    #7 - The Power of Nappa

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    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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  9. 8.0/10(1.5k votes)

    #8 - Piccolo's Plan

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    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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  10. 8.0/10(1.4k votes)

    #9 - Sacrifice

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    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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  11. 8.0/10(1.4k votes)

    #10 - Nimbus Speed

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    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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  12. 8.0/10(1.4k votes)

    #11 - Krillin's Offensive

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    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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  13. 7.9/10(1.4k votes)

    #12 - Saibamen Attack!

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    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:N/A
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  14. 7.9/10(1.4k votes)

    #13 - Spirit Bomb Away!

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    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. 7.8/10(1.4k votes)

    #14 - Hero in the Shadows

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    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. 7.6/10(1.5k votes)

    #15 - Reunions

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    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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  17. 7.6/10(1.5k votes)

    #16 - Unlikely Alliance

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    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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  18. 7.5/10(1.4k votes)

    #17 - No Time Like the Present

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    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:N/A
  19. 7.5/10(1.4k votes)

    #18 - Goku's Ancestors

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    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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  20. 7.5/10(1.4k votes)

    #19 - The Darkest Day

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    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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  21. 7.5/10(1.4k votes)

    #20 - Picking Up The Pieces

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    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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  22. 7.4/10(1.4k votes)

    #21 - The End of Snake Way

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    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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  23. 7.4/10(1.4k votes)

    #22 - Counting Down

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    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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  24. 7.4/10(1.4k votes)

    #23 - Nappa's Rampage

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    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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  25. 7.3/10(1.6k votes)

    #24 - The New Threat

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    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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  26. 7.3/10(1.4k votes)

    #25 - Defying Gravity

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    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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Goku's Arrival" is the best rated episode of "Dragon Ball Z" season 1. It scored 8.5/10 based on 1511 votes. Directed by Minoru Okazaki and written by Hiroshi Toda, it aired on 11/29/1989. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Saiyan Sized Secret".