Summary
Dragon Ball is a long-running anime franchise created by Akira Toriyama in the 1980s, expanding to Dragon Ball Z and Super. The original Dragon Ball series introduced key characters, iconic battles, and important storylines that shaped the entire series. Dragon Ball episodes showcase key moments like Master Roshi’s mentorship, Goku’s marriage proposal to Chi Chi, and iconic battles like Goku vs. Piccolo.
The Dragon ball The franchise is one of the most popular anime franchises of all time. Although the original Dragon Ball series has largely been overshadowed by Dragon Ball Z, the highly influential original series was a very important milestone in anime history. The The best Dragon Ball episodes prove that the original string remains the same.
Although the tone of the series changed as it progressed, many of Dragon Ball’s familiar and beloved characters, iconic fighting techniques, and major plot elements were first introduced in Dragon Original Ball. These familiar aspects of the franchise have largely remained consistent since the early days of the franchise. There’s no denying that the franchise has come a long way since the early days of the original Dragon Ball, but it has never forgotten its roots.
10 Master Roshi’s introduction gave Goku his most important mentor
Episode 3: “Roshi’s Nimbus Cloud”
As Goku’s main advisor, Master Roshi is one of the most important characters in the Dragon Ball franchise, embodying the central theme of Dragon Ball. From his first appearance, key aspects of his personality were quickly established.. He is eccentric and lustful. However, beneath the surface, he quickly proves himself to be capable, cunning, and resolutely on the side of good. Despite his appearance as a bizarre old man, Master Roshi has had many opportunities to prove that he is worthy of his reputation as one of the world’s greatest martial arts masters.
9 Krillin’s Introduction Made Goku His First Real Rival (And Best Friend)
Episode 14: “Goku’s Rival”
With Krillin’s reputation as a joke in Dragon Ball Z and Super, it can be easy to forget that he was one of the most important characters in the original Dragon Ball. Initially introduced as Goku’s training partner and rival in the turtle school, Krillin becomes Goku’s best friend and most loyal ally in the original series.
Although Krillin is best known as Goku’s friend and ally, he and Goku began with a much more antagonistic relationship.
Because of his later fame, Krillin actually had amazing abilities in the original Dragon Ball. Many of the main characters from the original Dragon Ball were eventually overshadowed by the characters introduced in Z and Super. While this includes Krillin, his status as Goku’s best friend allows him to remain one of the series’ emotional core.
8 The climax of the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament saw Goku Face Roshi
Episode 28: “The Final Blow”
The annual World Martial Arts Tournament is a major recurring element in the original Dragon Ball’s storyline, with three Tournaments depicted on-screen in the series. Tournaments continued to be a major aspect of the later Dragon Ball series.
As the first Tournament depicted in the series, the 21st World Martial Arts Tournament makes a strong first impression, culminating in a fight between Goku and Master Roshi disguised under the alias Jackie Chan. The Tournament final provides important insight into the two characters. Despite his young age, Goku is a strong and determined enough fighter to make it to the finals with minimal preparation, barely losing. For his part, Master Roshi not only proves that he is still a peerless fighter despite his old age and foolish personality.
7. Goku proposed to Chi-Chi in a rare sweet moment
Episode 137: “Anonymous proposal”
Dragon Ball/Toei Animation.
Goku’s happy marriage to Chi-Chi is one of the main aspects of their characters. The moment Goku decides to fulfill his promise from years ago to marry Chi-Chi is so memorable to Dragon Ball fans that it was voted by fans as one of Goku’s ten most memorable quotes . It’s an especially sincere and heartfelt moment for a series that leans toward martial arts action and humor, though it’s still filtered through the series’ humor. Goku’s trademark forgetfulness adds a lot of lightness and even humor to this heartwarming moment.
6 Goku’s first encounter with the Red Ribbon Army is a pivotal moment
Episode 34: “The Evil Red General”
Although Goku’s first encounter with a member of the Red Ribbon Army during his battle with Colonel Silver was a fairly minor battle, The birth of the Red Ribbon Army has lasting significance for the Dragon Ball franchise.
The Red Ribbon Army continues to pose a threat to heroes as recently as Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, decades later both in real life and in the chronology of the Dragon Ball franchise. Colonel Silver doesn’t pose much of a challenge to Goku. As a member of the Red Ribbon Army, he represents the birth of one of the franchise’s most important villain factions.
5 Piccolo Junior’s introduction was the series’ biggest turning point
Episode 123: “Lost and Found”
Even in its darkest storylines, the Dragon Ball series has never completely abandoned its comedic tone. However, the introduction of King Piccolo and Piccolo Junior represents the original Dragon Ball’s most notable turn toward darkness and drama. Befitting the literal offspring of a demon, even in his first child-like form, Piccolo Junior is ruthless and focused only on revenge for Goku defeating his father. Piccolo Junior’s introduction tells the audience everything they need to know about the character Who will be Goku’s biggest challenge in the original Dragon Ball?.
4 The first episode sets the bar high
Episode 1: “The Secret of the Dragon Balls”
Dragon Ball couldn’t ask for a better first impression. This episode itself is the perfect introduction to the tone, plot, and characters of the series. Goku and Bulma’s personalities are succinctly established, and the foundation for a friendship that spans decades and dictates the entire direction of the series is quickly made clear.
Goku is a naive but kind guy. Bulma is a technological genius and she is undeniably selfish and arrogant but ultimately she has a kind heart. Similarly, Emperor Pilaf is introduced as a cartoon villain who is also searching for the Dragon Balls. The show’s comedic and often surprisingly vulgar tone is on full display from the first episode. Based on such a strong first episode, it’s not hard to see why Dragon Ball has become one of the most popular anime franchises of all time.
3 Shenron are summoned for the first time
Episode 12: “Wish with the eternal dragon”
The appearance of Shenron is what Dragon Ball’s first plot is aiming for. Summoned by Emperor Pilaf after stealing the seven Dragon Balls from the heroes, the divine Shenron makes an impressive and grand debut, ready to fulfill Pilaf’s desire for world domination.
Of course, Dragon Ball is still primarily a comedy at this point, the charm of which is immediately ruined by Oolong’s desire to have comfortable underwear, effectively stopping Emperor Pilaf. hilarious and save the world in the process. The climax of the series’ first story arc perfectly embodies Dragon Ball’s narrative tone.
The first 2 Kamehameha left an impression
Episode 8: “The Kamehameha Wave”
The Kamehameha is possibly the most famous special technique in anime. The use of the Kamehameha has become common in the Dragon Ball series, so its first appearance is one of the most important episodes in the entire series.
While creative variations and uses of the Kamehameha have appeared throughout the series, Master Roshi’s first on-screen performance is especially notable. Master Roshi used the power of the explosion to extinguish the volcano’s flames, allowing the Ox King to return to his castle. Notably, after this performance, Goku proves his abilities by instantly mastering this technique, something that took Master Roshi himself 50 years of practice.
1 Goku vs Piccolo was instantly iconic
Episode 148: “The Winner”
The original Dragon Ball saves its best enemies for the last minute. Allowing for some closure after Goku’s battle with Piccolo, Piccolo himself is the last major enemy Goku faces. Piccolo is Goku’s most powerful and dangerous enemy in the original Dragon Ball and dominated much of their fight. Thanks to such a strong performance, it’s not hard to see why Piccolo became one of the most important characters in the series going forward.
Despite Piccolo’s villainous origins, he would go on to become one of the most beloved characters in the series and even a favorite of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama. In fact, Piccolo’s transition to being Goku’s ally and one of the main heroes of the cast would mark one of the earliest and most important tonal shifts from the original Dragon Ball to Dragon Ball Z. All of these things contribute Winner Best episode from the original Dragon ball.
All episodes of Dragon ball is streaming on Crunchyroll