Dragon Ball Kai

10 Best Episodes of Dragon Ball Kai - Season 1

Rejoin Goku and his friends in a series of cosmic battles! Toei has redubbed, recut, and cleaned up the animation of the original 1989 animated series. The show's story arc has been refined to better follow the comic book series on which it is based. The show also features a new opening and ending.In the series, martial artist Goku, and his various friends, battle increasingly powerful enemies to defend the world against evil. Can Earth's defender defeat demons, aliens, and other villains?

Written by Sophie and last updated on jul 22, 2022.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Dragon Ball Kai - S1E48

#15 - The Super Saiyan Who Can Get Angry! Announce Your Name Son Goku! (Season 1 - Episode 48)

The transformed Goku renews his battle with Frieza and proves to now be far superior to Frieza's power. Frieza launches several counter-attacks at Goku, but they have no effect at all. As the tyrant stares in awe at his more-powerful opponent, he realizes that his worst nightmare has finally come true - the legendary Super Saiyan has been born! In a desperate attempt to defeat Goku, Frieza hurls an attack down upon Namek itself, in an effort to destroy the planet and everyone on it.

The episode was rated 8.23 from 84 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E79

#14 - And So the Situation Takes a Turn for the Worst... Cell Attacks #18! (Season 1 - Episode 79)

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Cell convinces Vegeta to allow him to absorb Android 18 leaving Trunks to try to stop Cell. While fighting Trunks Cell finally finds Android 18 and results in asking for Vegeta's help. Vegeta attacks Trunks so that Cell may get to Android 18, this leaves Krillin and Android 16 helplessly trying to stop Cell. Will Cell get to Android 18?

The episode was rated 8.23 from 53 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E88

#13 - The Decisive Battle! Cell vs Son Goku (Season 1 - Episode 88)

Goku and Cell begin to fight and, despite putting on an impressive performance, Gohan and Vegeta both realise that neither is using his full power yet. Both fighters then raise their ki to their maximum. After a brief battle, Cell begins to attack using techniques 'inherited' from other characters--first Tien's Multi-Form technique, then Piccolo's Makankosappo, and finally Frieza's homing Destructo Disc. When Goku overcomes each of these techniques, Cell prepares a full-power Kamehameha capable of destroying the Earth. Goku diverts the attack away from the planet by taking to the sky, and then uses Instant Transmission to return to escape back to the ring.

The episode was rated 8.23 from 64 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E82

#12 - Super Power Awakening! Trunks Surpasses his Father (Season 1 - Episode 82)

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Trunks unleashes his awesome power and proves stronger than Cell, but it is still not enough to beat Cell. The increased strength is slowing trunks down. Meanwhile Goku and Gohan start training to truely surpass Super Saiyan.

The episode was rated 8.27 from 60 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E51

#11 - Furious Battle Cry of Goku! Make it in Time... The Resurrection Wish! (Season 1 - Episode 51)

Shenron succeeds in resurrecting everyone killed by Frieza and his henchmen on Namek, including Vegeta and Dende, and Guru and the Namekian Dragon Balls are also brought back. Frieza seems to have defeated Goku, but Gohan returns to the battlefield to avenge his father. Frieza nearly kills Gohan, however, Goku re-emerges and orders Gohan to leave once again. Meanwhile, Guru sends Dende to Porunga and use the final wish to teleport everyone on Namek to Earth except Frieza. However, Goku requests that he remain on Namek as well, so he can finish Frieza off. Porunga fulfills this wish and teleports everyone to Earth execpt Goku and Frieza. The two combatants then prepare themselves for the final round before Namek's explosion.

The episode was rated 8.30 from 76 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E47

#10 - Awaken, Legendary Warrior... Son Goku, the Super Saiyan! (Season 1 - Episode 47)

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The death of a long-time comrade triggers a mysterious transformation in Goku.

The episode was rated 8.32 from 87 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E56

#9 - I will defeat Freeza! Another Super Saiyan appears (Season 1 - Episode 56)

The mysterious teenager easily takes out Frieza's foot soldiers, then surprises Frieza by transforming into a Super Saiyan. The evil tyrant attempts to destroy this second Super Saiyan, but has no success. Eventually, the teenager slices Frieza into pieces with his sword, before blasting him away. King Cold tries to defeat the Super Saiyan himself, but is also easily destroyed. After reverting to his normal state, the teenager spots the Z Fighters and claims that Goku will be arriving nearby soon. He then invites them to join him in awaiting Goku's arrival.

The episode was rated 8.34 from 79 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E98

#8 - Peace in the Future! Goku's Soul in Eternity (Season 1 - Episode 98)

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Trunks returns to the future and is reunited with Bulma. As tranquility seems to return, the androids are attacking again. Trunks saves an elderly man from being killed by Androids #17 and #18. Thanks to his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Trunks easily destroys the two androids. Three years later, Trunks prepares to head back into the past to tell everyone of his victory. However, there is still one more android to stop: Cell, in his Imperfect Form. After a brief fight, Trunks launches Cell into the air and destroys him with ease as well. Peace is finally restored to the future timeline. Back in the present, Goku begins his "life" in the Other World.

The episode was rated 8.38 from 21 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E95

#7 - Bye-Bye Everyone! This is the Only Way to Save the Earth (Season 1 - Episode 95)

Powered down and out of other options, Cell actives his self destruct mechanism causing him expand to balloon like proportions. With mere seconds left, Goku see the threat and heads out to the field. Goku says goodbye to his son and teleports himself and Cell to King Kai's planet, the only safe place he could think of, and Cell explodes destroying the planet and killing everyone there. While back on Earth Gohan is left to grieve, but his sorrow is short lived. As Cell is revealed to still be alive and beyond perfect.

The episode was rated 8.51 from 72 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E89

#6 - A Battle of the Highest Level! Defeat Cell, Son Goku (Season 1 - Episode 89)

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The battle between Goku and Cell continues, with the two fighters reaching a pace that is barely visible to most of the onlookers. Cell then decides to destroy the tournament ring, ensuring that their battle isn't ended by a ring out and can continue until one of them either dies or surrenders. The battle becomes even more intense, culminating with Goku flying high into the sky building up a powerful Kamehameha. Cell and everyone else states that Goku is bluffing, since from his position in the sky, such an attack would easily destroy the Earth. Goku then unexpectedly uses Instant Transmission to teleport in front of Cell and executes the attack point-blank. While the rest of the world celebrates what they believe to be Cell's ultimate defeat, Goku and company watch as Cell's remaining lower half rises and regenerates his missing parts. While the ki of both fighters has depleted considerably, the battle continues on.

The episode was rated 8.52 from 61 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E94

#5 - The Perfect Form Breaks Down! Explosion, the Super Iron Fist of Rage (Season 1 - Episode 94)

Cell finally unleashes his full power against Gohan, but even at maximum strength his attacks have no effect on the Super Saiyan 2. After being easily bested in battle, Cell attempts to destroy Gohan and the Earth with a giant Kamehameha, but Gohan produces an even larger wave and deflects the attack with ease. As the rest of the fighters predict an easy victory, Goku recalls that even in the Room of Spirit and Time, Gohan displayed strength far beyond that of a normal Super Saiyan. He then tells Gohan to deliver the finishing blow to Cell, but Gohan insists that Cell must suffer first. Cell then utilises his bulked-up transformation, but the increase in muscle mass lowers his speed greatly and as a result none of his attacks connect with Gohan - who counters with a single blow to the stomach, causing Cell to regurgitate Android 18 and revert back to his semi-perfect form. As the fighters assume that this means victory for Gohan, Cell's body begins to expand to a gigantic size.

The episode was rated 8.58 from 81 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E90

#4 - Conclusion to the Death Match! Time for Goku's Decision (Season 1 - Episode 90)

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With the battle going nowhere, Goku willfully conceeds. In his place he selects his son - Gohan. However Gohan does not seem too willing to participate.

The episode was rated 8.62 from 55 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E96

#3 - Combine Our Power! The Mightiest Final Kamehameha (Season 1 - Episode 96)

Cell continues to charge his Kamehameha, and reveals that not only has he gathered enough energy to destroy the Earth, but he also now has the potential to destroy the entire solar system with this blast. Meanwhile, Vegeta apologises to Gohan for his recklessness. As Gohan and the others watch on in hopelessness, Goku contacts his son from the afterlife and tells him that even in his injured state he has the potential to defeat Cell. Reinvigorated, Gohan prepares a final, one-handed Kamehameha to repel Cell's blast. As the two warriors struggle to overpower each other, Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha and Krillin bombard Cell with ki blasts in a knowingly futile attempt to help, but are easily repelled. As Goku coaxes Gohan to release his full power against Cell, Vegeta returns to the battlefield and launches one final Big Bang Attack, which temporarily distracts Cell. Seeing the opportunity, Gohan finally releases his full strength and overpowers Cell's wave, obliterating Cell's body and and saving the Earth from destruction. Gohan has won and the Cell Games are finally over.

The episode was rated 8.65 from 80 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E92

#2 - The Tears that Disappeared into the Sky! The Angry Super Awakening of Gohan (Season 1 - Episode 92)

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Gohan's reluctance reaches it's limit, and #16 asks Mr Satan to carry him over to Gohan to talk to him. #16 explains to Gohan what to fight for, and that it is okay to unleash his anger to save those that he loves. After hearing his words of encouragement, Cell takes his foot and crushes #16's head. Seeing this is ultimately the last straw for Gohan, who finally releases his rage and ascends to the Super Saiyan 2 level. Gohan then turns his attention to the Cell Jr.s, taking them out one-by-one.

The episode was rated 8.69 from 72 votes.

Dragon Ball Kai - S1E93

#1 - Fighting Spirit Free from Hesitation! Gohan, Pulverizes the Cell Juniors (Season 1 - Episode 93)

After witnessing the death of Android 16 at the hands of Cell, Gohan's anger is ignited and causes him ascend to the level of Super Saiyan 2. Cell is excited that the fight will be more interesting, but Gohan is unamused and snatches the stolen Senzu beans from Cell. Gohan then proceeds to take on all of the Cell Juniors, proving himself impervious to their attacks and effortlessly destroying them. He then throws the Senzu beans to Trunks, who distributes them to his injured comrades. Gohan now focuses his attention on Cell, and from the onset of the battle, it is clear that Gohan holds the advantage.

The episode was rated 8.80 from 65 votes.

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