Dragon Ball Z

10 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 allies must defend the planet from an onslaught of new extraterrestrial enemies.

Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 04, 2023.

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 Z - S1E20

#15 - Goku's Ancestors (Season 1 - Episode 20)

After Goku completes the first phase of his special martial arts training King Kai instructs him to bash Gregory with a hammer. Easier said than done. After an exhaustive chase, King Kai tells the story of the Saiyan race. Inspired, Goku resumes his training and eventually manages to put the hammer to Gregory. Impressed, King Kai agrees to train Goku personally. But will it be enough to stop the incoming Saiyan invasion of Earth?

The episode was rated 7.81 from 183 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E24

#14 - The Power of Nappa (Season 1 - Episode 24)

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Enraged over the loss of his friend, Yamcha, Krillin unleashes a powerful attack that destroys the maniacal Saibamen once and for all. But the victory is only temporary. Now the Earth's defenders must battle the Saiyans themselves - and the terrifying Nappa is ready for a fight!

The episode was rated 7.83 from 183 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E5

#13 - Gohan's Rage (Season 1 - Episode 5)

As Goku takes blow after punishing blow from the evil Raditz, Gohan is able to watch no longer! The young boy's rage unlocks an awesome power sleeping within him, and he unleashes a mighty attack that not even Radtiz can resist! But as quickly as Gohan's power appears, it vanishes. And when Raditz prepares to strike back, Goku must make the ultimate sacrifice to save his son! This all only leads to the revelation that two more Saiyans are on their way to Earth.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 245 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E36

#12 - Picking Up the Pieces (Season 1 - Episode 36)

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The battle with the Saiyans finally won, Goku, Krillin, and the others mourn the loss of Yamcha, Tien, Chiatzu, and Piccolo. With Kami also gone, the Earth's Dragon Balls have disappeared. There is no hope for wishing any of the fallen heroes back to life... Or is there?

The episode was rated 7.85 from 157 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E25

#11 - Sacrifice (Season 1 - Episode 25)

In a desperate attempt to save his friends, Chiaotzu sacrifices himself to stop the evil Nappa. But when the smoke clears, Nappa is left standing. Now Tien and the others must carry on without their friend as Nappa launches another devastating attack. And though his body is broken, Tien has one trick left that could put the diabolical Saiayn down, once and for all!

The episode was rated 7.86 from 173 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E27

#10 - Nimbus Speed (Season 1 - Episode 27)

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Piccolo, Gohan, and Krillin do their best to stop the Saiyan invaders, Vegeta and Nappa, from finding the Dragon Balls and taking over the planet. Meanwhile, Goku is flying back to Earth on the Flying Nimbus with more power than he has ever had before. Will it be enough? And will he arrive in time?

The episode was rated 7.93 from 183 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E23

#9 - Saibamen Attack! (Season 1 - Episode 23)

Having completed their year-long journey to Earth, the two snister Saiyans made their presence known with explosive style! Now Krillin, Piccolo, and Gohan stand face to face with these saiyan monsters, and the diabolical henchmen they've brought with them. Can they hold out until Goku arrives?

The episode was rated 7.95 from 194 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E32

#8 - Spirit Bomb Away! (Season 1 - Episode 32)

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The battle continues between Goku and Vegeta, who is now a completely transformed Saiyan Warrior. When Gohan senses the danger his dad is facing, he convinces Krillin that they must return and fight. Goku is left with no choice except to use the Spirit Bomb. But when that fails, he is left in the clutches of Vegeta with no help in sight!

The episode was rated 7.99 from 165 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E29

#7 - Lesson Number One (Season 1 - Episode 29)

Locked in the final battle with Earth's Saiyan attackers, Goku begins to demonstrate the skills and training he received from King Kai beginning with a devastating attack on Nappa. But when Nappa concedes defeat under the command of Vegeta, he turns on Gohan and Krillin only to be stopped by Goku's Kaio-Ken attack. Broken and defeated, Nappa is finally vanquished by Vegeta leaving Goku to face him alone.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 190 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E34

#6 - Krillin's Offensive (Season 1 - Episode 34)

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While Gohan fights for his life against Vegeta, Goku passes the power of the Spirit Bomb to Krillin. With King Kai's guidance, Krillin launches the bomb at Vegeta in an attack that sends the evil Saiyan sky-high. Now that he's been sent hurtling toward the outer-reaches of the Earth's atmosphere, this is surely the last our heroes have seen of Vegeta - or is it?

The episode was rated 8.04 from 168 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E33

#5 - Hero in the Shadows (Season 1 - Episode 33)

With Goku caught in the clutches of the giant ape Vegeta, Krillin and Gohan launch a desperate attempt to save him! All is for naught, however, as Krillin's Destructo Disk fails to sever the Saiyan's tail. But a single hope remains for reversing Vegeta's monstrous transformation, when an unlikely hero steps out of the shadows - Yajirobe!

The episode was rated 8.06 from 159 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E35

#4 - Mercy (Season 1 - Episode 35)

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Gohan transforms into the giant ape, much to the dismay of the angry Vegeta. After a grueling battle, Vegeta managed to cut off Gohan's tail, taking away his ability to transform. But, the giant ape fell and crushed Vegeta, leaving him beaten and defeated. Krillin decides to finish the Saiyan, once and for all, but Goku has other plans...

The episode was rated 8.08 from 161 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E31

#3 - Saiyan Sized Secret (Season 1 - Episode 31)

Vegeta and Goku continue their one-one one battle of strength, will, and determination. Blow by blow, the two warriors seem evenly matched, until Vegeta reveals the secret power of the Saiyans...the ability to transform into a giant ape, whose rage is capable of destroying entire civilizations and planets! Can Goku find a way to stop this monstrous assault?

The episode was rated 8.13 from 182 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E30

#2 - Goku vs. Vegeta (Season 1 - Episode 30)

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After sending Gohan and Krillin away, Goku decides to take on the mighty Vegeta all by himself. As his family and friends wait and wonder, Goku and the powerful Saiyan face off in a destructive battle. Both warriors seem evenly matched, but both are hiding their true strength. Will Goku's hidden abilities be enough to put an end to this once and for all?

The episode was rated 8.15 from 199 votes.

Dragon Ball Z - S1E28

#1 - Goku's Arrival (Season 1 - Episode 28)

Piccolo makes the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to save Gohan from the Saiyan's ruthless rampage. Just when all seems hopeless, Goku finally returns to Earth with an incredible new level of power and confronts the Saiyans. But, will this new power be enough to defeat Nappa and Vegeta?

The episode was rated 8.21 from 198 votes.

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