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The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Season 1

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

The Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Season 1

Long ago in the mountains, a fighting master known as Son Gohan discovered a strange boy whom he named Son Goku. Gohan raised him and...

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  1. 9.0/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Anonymous Proposal

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    S1:E137

    Goku takes on his most lovely opponent yet in the second match of the Tenkaichi Budokai. Know only as Anonymous, the beautiful warrior's identity is a mysterious as her fierce anger toward Goku, who must win the match in order to learn her real name.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  2. 8.9/10(7 votes)

    #2 - Roshi's Gambit

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    S1:E111

    Global destruction is one wish away if Piccolo Daimao succeeds in calling fourth the Eternal Dragon. The Turtle Hermit answers the call for a hero by placing himself between the creature and the remaining Dragon Balls. However, in his attempt to save the world, he may pay the ultimate price.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  3. 8.8/10(6 votes)

    #3 - Changes

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    S1:E133

    Warriors the world over are lining up to compete as the Tenkaichi Budokai prepares to get under way. Unfortunately, all of the Turtle Hermit's pupils are missing, including Goku. With the entry-deadline approaching, the competitive future of our heroes look bleak, as does Muten Roshi's patience.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  4. 8.8/10(6 votes)

    #4 - Preliminary Peril

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    S1:E134

    The Tenkaichi Budokai gets underway as Goku and the others compete in the exciting preliminary round. But the competition threatens to turn ugly when Goku gets a visit from an old adversary.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  5. 8.8/10(6 votes)

    #5 - Goku Gains Speed

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    S1:E140

    As the battle between Tenshinhan and Goku rages, Goku unloads a heavy burden, one that may shift the balance in the extraordinary showdown. All eyes turn to Tenshinhan as an embarrassing moment spurs him to make a dangerous choice.

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    Director:Osamu Kasai
  6. 8.8/10(6 votes)

    #6 - Battle for the Future

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    S1:E143

    Goku faces the ultimate test as he confronts his greatest nemesis in the final round of the Budokai. This time his fight is for more than the title. The future of the free world is at stake!

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  8. 8.8/10(6 votes)

    #7 - Super Kamehameha

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    S1:E144

    The battle to save the planet continues as Goku tries to take down Ma Junior in the final match of the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai. Goku has an ultimate weapon: The Ultimate Super Kamehameha Wave. However, if he uses it to destroy Ma Junior, God will be sacrificed, having been trapped inside Ma Junior's stomach.

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  9. 8.8/10(5 votes)

    #8 - Junior No More

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    S1:E145

    Ma Junior reveals a startling secret that shocks the tournament. Goku finds himself facing a huge dilemma, as he fights for the championship becomes the fight for survival!

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  10. 8.8/10(5 votes)

    #9 - Goku's Trap

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    S1:E146

    As the exhausting battle between Goku and Ma Junior continues, Goku avoids disaster by taking the battle within. Ma Junior surprises all when he unveils a new threat!

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  11. 8.8/10(5 votes)

    #10 - Goku Hangs On

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    S1:E147

    The Tenkaichi Budokai begins to fall to piece as Ma Junior unveils a technique that not only threatens to destroy Goku, but his friends as well. Even the mighty God believes that there is no way for Goku to survive in this winner-take-all massacre!

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  12. 8.8/10(6 votes)

    #11 - The Victor

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    S1:E148

    The end of the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai finds Goku struggling for survival as Ma Junior gets the upper hand, poised to take the Title and his life. God devises a way to rescue the young hero, but his plan calls for the ultimate sacrifice!

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    Director:Osamu Kasai
  13. 8.8/10(4 votes)

    #12 - Dress in Flames

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    S1:E149

    Eager to announce their wedding plans, Goku and Chichi return to her father's kingdom. The good news is short-lived when the Gyumao's castle goes up in flames! Goku embarks on a quest to find a sacred tool, which can save the Gyumao and his future with Chichi.

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  14. 8.8/10(3 votes)

    #13 - The Fire-Eater

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    S1:E150

    Goku and Chichi's search for the Basho-sen leads them into the heart of a fiery volcano. Once inside, they must face a mighty creature that consumes flames: the Fire-Eater!

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  15. 8.8/10(4 votes)

    #14 - The End, the Beginning

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    S1:E153

    Goku and Chichi must travel to Mt. Gogyo in a last ditch effort to save her father, the Gyumao, from the deadly magical flames, which threaten to consume his kingdom. Before Goku can complete his quest, he must fan the flames of Fate and hope he does not get burned!

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  16. 8.7/10(6 votes)

    #15 - True Colors of the Masked Man

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    S1:E76

    Grabbing onto Goku’s tail, the fox mask man knocks Goku around! But then Goku’s tail comes off!! As Goku is about to counterattack, having lost his weakness, the man quickly surrenders. His identity was Goku’s adoptive grandfather Son Gohan after all!! Goku rejoices in their reunion! Thanks to Uranai Baba, Gohan was able to return from the afterlife for a single day. After the brief reunion, Gohan returns to the afterlife once again!

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  17. 8.7/10(6 votes)

    #16 - Final Showdown

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    S1:E122

    The fierce battle between Goku and Piccolo Daimao continues, but Piccolo gains the advantage when he breaks Goku down limb by limb. To make matters worse, Tenshinhan is used as a pawn in the battle. Goku is forced to make an awful choice. Will he surrender to Piccolo Daimao and save his friend or choose to fight and risk his own life?

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  18. 8.7/10(6 votes)

    #17 - Battle of the Eight

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    S1:E135

    The preliminary round continues as Goku, Yamcha, Kuririn, and Tenshinhan battle one opponent after another in hopes of advancing to the semi-final round. Meanwhile, the Turtle Hermit is confronted by an old rival.

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  19. 8.7/10(6 votes)

    #18 - The Mysterious Hero

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    S1:E138

    The Budokai continues with a double header! First up, Kuririn battles Ma Junior, Piccolo Daimao's alter ego, and every bit as powerful. Yamcha jumps in the ring next, opposing Shen, whose meek appearance may hide a darker threat.

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  20. 8.6/10(5 votes)

    #19 - Goku's Doll

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    S1:E130

    "Be careful what you wish for. You just might get it!" Goku learns this lesson the hard way when he asks Mr. Popo for the ultimate sparring partner to aid in his training. What he gets is the battle of his life! Meanwhile, Yamcha and the others continue their long journey to reach Karin Tower, in hopes of receiving training from the wise Master.

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  21. 8.6/10(5 votes)

    #20 - Hotter than Lava

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    S1:E132

    While Goku continues his training, Tenshinhan, Yamcha, Chiaotzu and Kuririn find themselves in a very hot situation! A remote village is threatened by an erupting volcano and it is up to the good guys to put a lid on it. The time has come to put their new training to the test!

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  22. 8.5/10(6 votes)

    #21 - Confront the Red Ribbon Army

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    S1:E65

    Using the Dragon Radar that was stolen from Goku, Captain Violet returns to Red Ribbon Army Headquarters with a second Dragon Ball. Commander Red is not aware of Tao Pai-pai’s defeat, and looks on in good humor as the signal from the four Dragon Balls Goku is carrying approach on the radar. Meanwhile, Goku’s friends at Kame House use Bulma’s reconnaissance mecha to learn that Goku’s target is the Red Ribbon Army’s stronghold! In order to rescue Goku, Bulma and the others hurry to the Red Ribbon Army Headquarters in Yamcha’s plane!

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  23. 8.5/10(6 votes)

    #22 - A Real Bind

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    S1:E66

    Goku’s friends pick up Kuririn, who was out shopping, and head on after Goku. They are all prepared to die. Meanwhile, the Red Ribbon Army realizes that the approaching signal isn’t Tao Pai-pai, and begins a general offensive against Goku! Knocking around missiles and fighter planes, Goku charges into the base, and in the blink of an eye defeats nearly half the soldiers! Commander Red is horrified at Goku’s power, which far surpasses his imagination!!

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  24. 8.5/10(6 votes)

    #23 - The End of Commander Red

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    S1:E67

    The Red Ribbon Army is on the brink of annihilation because of Goku. Captain Violet steals the money in the vault and flees! The cornered Commander Red attempts to kill Goku as well as Black. It turns out that Red’s objective was merely to use the Dragon Balls to make himself taller. Having survived, Black kills Red and confronts Goku in the Battle Jacket! Goku is KO’d by the Jacket’s formidable power, and cannot move! A sure-to-kill beam aims for Goku!!

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  25. 8.5/10(6 votes)

    #24 - Temple Above the Clouds

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    S1:E124

    Goku finds his lost Nyoi-bo and uses it to climb to God's temple in the sky. The only problem is that when he arrives he must face off against God's assistant Mr. Popo in a test of strength. Does Goku have what it takes to pass this test and earn a meeting with the mysterious God?

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    Director:N/A
    Writer:N/A
  26. 8.5/10(6 votes)

    #25 - Rematch

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    S1:E139

    Yamcha scratches to stay in the ring as Shen reveals his true ability - and identity. Goku and Tenshinhan must fight one another in a friendly rematch to claim the last remaining spot for the semi-finals.

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Anonymous Proposal" is the best rated episode of "Dragon Ball" season 1. It scored 9/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 12/7/1988. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Roshi's Gambit".