Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Season 1 – Dragon Ball Z

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Dragon Ball Z Apr 1989 Kids & Family Fantasy Action Anime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 0 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
The adventures of a powerful warrior named Goku, his son, Gohan, and their allies, who all push themselves to the limit to defend Earth from threats, occasionally aided by a dragon who grants the wishes of whoever gathers the seven Dragon Balls.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Dragon Ball Z — Season 1

Audience Reviews

View More
Izzy 2 @Izzy215 Jul 21 Never watched the first season as a kid so this was interesting to see. Great introduction of Vegeta but would have liked to see more background of the saiyans. See more Abdulmohsen A May 24 Best show ever ever must see See more Fajer A May 23 Best show ever must see See more Jay W 12/01/2024 My introduction to "Dragon Ball Z" was similar to most people who grew up in the 90's. It was on Toonami, it looked strange at first, but it hooked me with the story, characters, music and just being the most hype thing ever. Soon I started recording episode of the show on VHS. I had the VHS set of SLP so I could fit about 18 episodes on one VHS tape. It began with the "Ocean Dub" then evolved to the "Funimation Dub" we know today. I watched this show religiously. And with recording it, I would watch each episode a second time once my brother got back from gymnastics. Then I would watch the episode a third time with my friend from school. When I say in the title that this show is the "most influential" I mean it in two ways. First is the impact it had on a worldwide scale. Anime finally got its foothold in the American market. It had tried previously as far back as Astro Boy, stuff like Speed Racer and the great Miyazaki films. But those were all seen as niche markets that didn't show much promise. Dragon Ball Z changed that. Teamed up with Cartoon Network's prime time Toonami block, those commercials and TV Spots are some of the coolest advertisements you're going to see. Look back at the most searched things on Yahoo through 1998-2004 and you'll find that Dragon Ball Z was always in the top 10. Dragon Ball Z started an anime revolution that is still being felt to this day. It effected TV, movies and even video games. Even film makers like the Wachowski's and Michael B. Jordan can credit their inspiration back to this show. The second way this show is the most influential, is on a personal level. In my life I have sunk more hours into watching this show than any other. I have seen 3 different English dubs of show. Watched all the various movies and other TV shows that come with it. I have played most of the video games and read the manga. Through their focus on fighting and training, it motivated me to lose weight and get into shape. The way the characters are able to rise up through any challenges that come their way motivated me to do hard things. OK, I have rambled. I bring all this up to demonstrate the impact the show has made both worldwide and personally. It is impossible for me to do a completely objective review of the show. Outside of its impact, how is the show itself? Really really good. One of the best. Admittedly there are some animation errors, recycled animation, pace breaking filler, and the Buu Saga, (the last 6 seasons) really drags on. But, I don't care. To me, this show is a 10 out of 10, everything I could have wished for. See more Eric G @Eric_Griffin 03/16/2024 An anime that brought anime to America and changed the lives of millions. Toriyama's classic teaches us that with patience and focus we can achieve things that no one thought possible, and that peace is worth fighting for. See more Read all reviews
Dragon Ball Z — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 26, 1989 Mini-Goku Is an Overprotected Boy! I Am Gohan A powerful alien arrives on Earth searching for someone named Kakarot; Goku searches for his son, Gohan, who gets into trouble while exploring the wilderness. Details Episode 2 Aired May 3, 1989 The Mightiest Warrior in All of History Is Goku's Older Brother! Goku, Bulma, Krillin and Master Roshi gather at Kame House, where Goku introduces his son to everyone; Raditz crashes the party and confronts Goku with a shocking revelation. Details Episode 3 Aired May 10, 1989 All Right! This Is the Strongest Combo in the World! Goku agrees to team up with his rival, Piccolo, to challenge Raditz and rescue Gohan. Details Episode 4 Aired May 17, 1989 Piccolo's Trump Card! Gohan, the Crybaby-kun Goku agrees to draw Raditz's attention as a one-armed Piccolo readies a new attack. Details Episode 5 Aired May 24, 1989 Goku Dies! There's Only One Last Chance! Unable to contain his outrage at watching Raditz pummel his father, Gohan breaks out of the pod and lands a blow on Raditz; Goku makes the ultimate sacrifice to ensure Raditz's destruction. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 7, 1989 Even Yama-sama Is Surprised: The Fight Continues in the Next World Kami takes Goku to Other World to train with King Kai, however, he must travel the long and winding Snake Way first; Piccolo abducts Gohan to train him and force out his untapped power. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 14, 1989 Survival With Dinosaurs! Gohan's Harsh Training Piccolo trains Gohan to exploit his powers; Goku falls off Snake Way and fights off ghostly hands that try to drag him down to hell; Krillin frets about telling Chi-Chi that Piccolo has her son. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 21, 1989 Gohan Goes Bananas! Yajirobe arrives at Kame House with an invitation from Kami, who wants to train fighters to face the Saiyan threat; Chi-Chi becomes devastated when she learns about Goku and Gohan; Gohan sees the full moon and transforms into a giant ape. Details Episode 9 Aired Jun 28, 1989 Sorry, Robot-san: The Desert of Vanishing Tears Gohan finds a robot buried underground and bonds with it as he tries to dig it up. Details Episode 10 Aired Jul 5, 1989 Don't Cry, Gohan! His First Fight Yamcha reunites with Krillin and Bulma and learns about Goku's death, the Saiyan threat, and Kami's training offer; Gohan, still living on his own in the wild, befriends a wounded dinosaur. Details Episode 11 Aired Jul 12, 1989 The Saiyans, Mightiest Warriors in the Universe, Awaken! Gohan's training continues and he becomes more self-sufficient; on the planet Arlia, Vegeta and Nappa allow themselves to be taken captive so they can challenge the world's best fighters. Details Episode 12 Aired Jul 19, 1989 Global Training Piccolo's training routine goes overboard, causing a massive fissure to open beneath Gohan; Launch tries to flirt with Tien; Goku falls asleep on a Snake Way street sweeper. Details Episode 13 Aired Jul 26, 1989 Goz and Mez Goku falls off Snake Way into hell, where two demons named Goz and Mez agree to help him find his way back if he can best them at two challenges. Details Episode 14 Aired Aug 2, 1989 Such Sweet Temptation! The Snake Princess-sama's Hospitality Gohan dodges a tiger as Piccolo moves the earth as part of their training; Kami gathers fighters at the Lookout to form a team to defend the planet from the approaching Saiyans; Goku meets a princess who tries to seduce him into staying with her. Details Episode 15 Aired Aug 9, 1989 Dueling Piccolos Piccolo splits in two to spar with himself; a homesick Gohan builds a ship to sail across the desert, hoping to find a way back to his mother, but a giant eagle attacks during his journey. Details Episode 16 Aired Aug 16, 1989 Run, Gohan! Longing for Mount Paozu, Where Chichi Is Waiting As his journey takes him closer to home, Gohan meets a group of orphaned children and helps them escape from adults who intend to force them into servitude. Details Episode 17 Aired Aug 30, 1989 City of No Tomorrow! The Long Road to Victory Gohan begins his intensive training with Piccolo to prepare him for his mission; at the Lookout, the other warriors insist upon tougher training, so Mr. Popo introduces them to a simulation where they must fight two Saiyans. Details Episode 18 Aired Sep 6, 1989 The End of Snake Way Goku reaches the end of Snake Way and finds a small planet with incredibly powerful gravity; Gohan transforms again and lashes out at Piccolo. Details Episode 19 Aired Sep 13, 1989 The Battle With Gravity! Catch Bubbles-kun Goku begins training under King Kai, which involves catching the monkey, Bubbles, while enduring the planet's strong gravity. Details Episode 20 Aired Sep 20, 1989 Goku's Ancestors Goku's next training assignment involves hitting a fast-moving insect with a hammer; King Kai tells Goku more about the Saiyans. Details Episode 21 Aired Sep 27, 1989 Counting Down Goku learns the Spirit Bomb technique from King Kai; when the heroes realize the Saiyans will arrive on Earth in one day, Goku must rush back to face them. Details Episode 22 Aired Oct 11, 1989 Unbelievable! Saibaimen, Born of the Soil The two Saiyans, Vegeta and Nappa, destroy an entire city; when Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin engage them, the Saiyans reveal a startling secret about Piccolo's origins; Yajirobe's selfishness gets the better of him during an interview with a news crew. Details Episode 23 Aired Oct 18, 1989 Yamucha Dies! The Terror of the Saibaimen Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin fight the Saiyan's gang of Saibamen and Tien, Chiaotzu and Yamcha show up to assist, but when a Saibaman gets the drop on one fighter, the tide of battle changes. Details Episode 24 Aired Oct 25, 1989 Farewell Ten-san! Chaozu's Suicide Strategy After the Saibamen perish, Nappa goes on the warpath as he fights one warrior after another. Details Episode 25 Aired Nov 1, 1989 Tenshinhan Cries Out! This Is My Final Kikoho Goku continues to rush back to Earth while Piccolo and Krillin go after Nappa. Details Episode 26 Aired Nov 8, 1989 An Intense Three-Hour Delay! The Kinto Un Bullet-Express An impatient Nappa inflicts violence on civilians while waiting for Goku to arrive. Details Episode 27 Aired Nov 22, 1989 Leave It to Me! Gohan's Great Burst of Anger Piccolo attempts to exploit the Saiyans' weak spot; the fighters sense Goku's impending arrival. Details Episode 28 Aired Nov 29, 1989 Ferocity of the Saiyans! Kami-sama and Piccolo Both Die A mortally wounded Piccolo bids farewell to Gohan; Kami, linked to Piccolo, vanishes from Earth along with the Dragon Balls; Goku arrives at the battlefield and astounds the Saiyans with his unexpected power. Details Episode 29 Aired Dec 6, 1989 Father Is Awesome! Kaio-ken, the Ultimate Finishing Technique Goku uses his newly developed power to take on Nappa. Details Episode 30 Aired Dec 13, 1989 Goku vs. Vegeta Krillin and Gohan retreat; Goku and Vegeta move to another battlefield and begin their showdown. Details Episode 31 Aired Dec 20, 1989 Now, Goku! A Final Technique With Everything on the Line Refusing to admit defeat, Vegeta decides to transform into a great ape to crush Goku. Details Episode 32 Aired Jan 17, 1990 Spirit Bomb Away! Sensing Vegeta's powerful transformation, Gohan's concern for his father's life compels him to return to the battlefield; Goku tries to use a Spirit Bomb against Vegeta. Details Episode 33 Aired Jan 24, 1990 Hero in the Shadows Krillin and Gohan run into Yajirobe and they form a strategy to cut off Vegeta's tail, forcing the Saiyan to turn back to normal; Goku gives Gohan and Krillin words of encouragement. Details Episode 34 Aired Jan 31, 1990 Shoot, Kuririn! The Genki Dama, Packed With Hope The spectators at Kame House struggle to watch the battle with Vegeta unfold; Krillin desperately looks for an opportunity to throw Goku's Spirit Bomb. Details Episode 35 Aired Feb 7, 1990 Mercy When Gohan transforms into a Great Ape, Goku and the others direct his focus to Vegeta; Vegeta attempts to retreat by summoning his space pod, but Krillin stands in his way. Details Episode 36 Aired Feb 14, 1990 Picking Up the Pieces As the heroes lick their wounds from the fight against the Saiyans, Krillin tells everyone about the existence of another set of Dragon Balls on the planet Namek capable of bringing their fallen warriors back to life. Details Episode 37 Aired Feb 21, 1990 Plans for Departure Goku, Gohan and Krillin recuperate in the hospital; Mr. Popo takes Bulma to Kami's old spaceship and they try to learn how to activate it. Details Episode 38 Aired Feb 28, 1990 Blast-off for Planet Namek! The Terror Awaiting Gohan and Co. Bulma, her father and Mr. Popo begin restoring Kami's spaceship for its journey to Namek; Chi-Chi cares for Goku and Gohan in the hospital and scolds Gohan when he sneaks out of his room. Details Episode 39 Aired Mar 7, 1990 Friends or Foes? One week into their journey, as Bulma, Krillin and Gohan begin to go stir-crazy, they encounter a giant spaceship that captures them and presents many deadly traps as the trio explores its corridors. Details
Dragon Ball Z % 92% Dragon Ball Z Watchlist Battle of the Planets 80% % Battle of the Planets Watchlist Sailor Moon SuperS % 96% Sailor Moon SuperS Watchlist Dragon Ball Super 87% 78% Dragon Ball Super Watchlist InuYasha % 94% InuYasha Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Screenwriter
Akira Toriyama
Network
MULTI
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy, Action, Anime
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date
Apr 26, 1989