In this introductory episode of DragonBall Z's "The Cell Games Saga," futuristic super-android Cell has stopped short of killing Z-Fighter Trunks, offering instead to square off against his opponent in a winner-take-all tournament. In fight, Cell challenges all of the Z-Fighters to take them on -- a challenge that they must accept, lest disaster befall everyone on earth and elsewhere. While the antagonistic Android 16 tries to convince Krillin that he too would like to do battle against his former master Cell, Chi-Chi announces that the best of the warriors, Gohan, cannot join the fray -- because it isn't part of the game plan for the future. Originally telecast in Japan in 1993, "What Is the Tournament" made its first American TV appearance on November 9, 2000.

Taking over the Ginger Town television station, Cell announces that he will take on all challengers in a martial arts tournament, to be held in nine days. Cell also finds time to taunt the Z-Fighters into participating. Taking up the cudgel, Gohan and Goku prepare for battle by undergoing an accelerated training session in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Meanwhile, several other characters experience horrible nightmares -- in which Cell kills practically everyone. "The Doomsday Broadcast" was first telecast in Japan in 1993, then in the United States on November 13, 2000.

Krillin wants to participate in the martial arts tournament against super android Cell, but is stopped by Master Roshi, who declares that the villain can be bested only by Gohan or Goku. Meanwhile, Z-Fighters Vegeta, Trunks, Tien, and the revivified Piccolo anxiously await their turn to train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. And just to make sure that the Z-Team doesn't back out of the tournament, Cell begins wreaking havoc on innocent civilians. First shown in Japan in 1993, "Meet Me in the Ring" was seen in America on November 14, 2000.

Surprisingly, Goku chuckles that he will probably be no match for super-android Cell in the upcoming tournament. Krillin wonders why Goku can be simultaneously self-deprecating and supremely confident, not yet suspecting that Goku knows more than he's letting on. And the rest of the Z-Fighters map out their training schedule in preparation for the inevitable showdown with Cell. "No Worries Here" first aired in Japan in 1993, then in the U.S. on November 15, 2000.

Traveling incognito while on an emergency secret mission, Gohan rescues a girl named Lime, whose parents have died as the result of an imperfect cell. As perfect Cell prepares to destroy Lime's village, the girl likewise formulates a plan that may or may not save the day. Meanwhile, Gohan makes a blunder that may tip the scales in Cell's favor -- but only if the villain finds out. First shown in Japan in 1993, "A Girl Named Lime" subsequently aired in America on November 16, 2000.

While training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan managed to miss his 12th birthday. As a consolation, Chi-Chi holds a belated party for the brave young Z-Fighter. This leads to a flashback to an incident which occurred while Gohan was a baby. A comparatively "calm" episode in the midst of DragonBall Z's Cell Game Saga, "Memories of Gohan" debuted in Japan in 1993, long before its American TV bow on November 20, 2000.

Goku continues to be infuriatingly cool, calm, and collected as the Tournament draws closer. Hoping to force Goku to lose his temper, his future opponent Cell kidnaps the entire Royal Military. At last, Goku's gorge rises, and he angrily prepares for battle. But can he beat Cell with the meager supply of Dragon Balls at his disposal? First telecast in Japan in 1993, "A New Guardian" was seen in the United States on November 21, 2000.

In addition to the need for more Dragon Balls to defeat Cell, Goku realizes that he will also need some outside assistance. With the aid of King Kai, Goku tries to enlist a new Guardian for the Earth from the ranks of the Nameks. Worried about their own well-being, most of the Nameks refuse to help -- but a familiar voice from the crowd assures Goku that at least he can count on his old ally Dende, who is poised to create a much-needed new Dragon. Originally seen in Japan in 1993, "Dende's Dragon" was shown in America on November 22, 2000.

No sooner has he come into possession of two new Dragon Balls than Goku runs up against an old enemy: The mercurial General Tao. The ancient warrior offers to let bygones be bygones -- but only on condition that Goku solve three perplexing puzzles. All three must be figured out by dawn -- or else. "The Puzzle of General Tao" first aired in Japan in 1993; it was finally seen in the United States on November 23, 2000.