Best Moments From The Saiyan Saga In Dragon Ball Z

When Raditz first arrived on Earth, it quickly set the tone for the entirety of the Dragon Ball Z anime, greatly shifting its tone from an adventure-focused show to one with higher stakes, more gravity, and plenty of deaths.

The Saiyan Saga is mostly foreshadowed due to its early installment in the show, but looking back at it, we can see why the saga is a favorite in the hearts of fans. This is also where we find out that Goku is actually a Saiyan, explaining the tail.

Contains Spoilers For Dragon Ball Z Saiyan Saga Throughout

8

The Saiyans Arrive

Episode 22: The Darkest Day

The Darkest Day truly lives up to its name. When Nappa and Vegeta arrive on Earth, they wreak havoc in East City. It’s clear from the moment they step foot on Earth that these Saiyans mean business. Especially since they both consider Raditz to be the weakest of them all.

The Z Warriors soon arrive at the battleground, and Piccolo discovers his origins, learning he is from a planet called Namek. As the battle starts, the entire atmosphere changes, and you can tell there will be a lot of gruesome deaths in this arc.

7

Yamcha’s Death

Episode 23: Saibamen Attack!

After Nappa sows some seeds into the soil, the Saibamen grow like plants. At first, they do not seem like much of a threat. Yamcha fights one of these Saibamen, and from the looks of it, wins the battle. However, when his guard is down, the Saibaman grapples Yamcha and blows itself up, taking Yamcha with it.

It’s moments like these that stick with you. As the Z Warriors see the lifeless body of Yamcha lying in a crater, it significantly changes the mood of the entire arc and gives a strong reminder that the Saiyans are not to be taken lightly.

Looking back at the episode Saibamen Attack, we can see why the memes have been so hard on poor old Yamcha. But to be fair, he was stronger than the Saibaman, and if he hadn’t let his guard down, we likely wouldn’t have seen him die so early in the saga.

6

Piccolo’s Sacrifice

Episode 28: Goku’s Arrival

Possibly the most heart-wrenching death in the entire saga was when Piccolo sacrificed himself for Gohan in the episode named Goku’s Arrival. For longtime fans, watching Piccolo slowly shed his cold demeanor to become a more selfless father figure for Gohan from an old antagonist peaked in terms of character development.

After the deaths of Tien and Chiaotzu, Nappa is adamant about making sure no one is left on the battle scene and shoots a strong energy blast directly at Gohan. This is when Piccolo suddenly throws himself in front of Gohan, ready to take the full brunt of Nappa’s attack. Piccolo’s death was also tragic in the sense that the Dragon Balls went along with him.

Despite the fact that Piccolo originally kidnapped Gohan (let’s call it what it is) to simply fight the Saiyans due to the raw power Gohan had, it quickly became clear that Piccolo had started to develop a soft spot for the young boy. In later seasons, we saw the completion of this redemption, showcasing how Piccolo was possibly one of the most complex characters in Dragon Ball Z besides Vegeta.

5

It’s Over 9000

Episode 28: Goku’s Arrival

Even if you haven’t seen Dragon Ball Z, you have likely seen this line in memes. It is one of the most popular dialogues in the world of anime.

In the same episode where Piccolo dies, we finally see our long-awaited hero make his way to the battlefield on the Flying Nimbus. Krillin and Gohan try to warn Goku about Nappa’s power but soon realize that there is something different about Goku.

After the fight begins and Nappa understands that he is outmatched, Vegeta checks Goku’s power level and is shocked to see that it is over 9000. This raw intensity of Goku’s new power puts Vegeta in sheer disbelief, and it is here we see that our young protagonist is no longer the kid we once knew.

4

Vegeta Kills Nappa

Episode 29: Lesson Number One

When watching the Saiyan Saga for the first time, it is easy to mistake Vegeta as the calm type, as all he does is stand and watch, but the moment Goku arrives and puts Nappa in his place, it’s clear who the real antagonist of the saga is.

In Lesson Number One, after losing the battle against Goku, Nappa asks Vegeta to lend him a hand. Instead, Vegeta throws him in the air and casually kills his own partner without a second thought, ending 25 percent of his race right there and then.

This moment is as dark as it gets. It’s cold, and ruthless, and solidifies Vegeta’s personality in a nutshell. Rest in peace, Nappa.

3

Goku Unleashes Kaio-ken x4

Episode 30: Goku Vs Vegeta

Apart from the fact that the Kaio-ken looked incredible due to its red aura, the strain it put on Goku made it a double-edged sword and a technique that seemed extremely well-balanced. Goku could multiply its use, but with each multiplier, it would put a greater strain on Goku’s body, possibly destroying it if he was reckless.

In the episode Goku vs Vegeta, when both Saiyans have a power duel of Galick Gun versus the Kamehameha Wave, Goku starts struggling and jumps from Kaio-ken x3 to Kaio-ken x4. After overpowering Vegeta’s Galick Gun, Goku sits on his knees, barely able to move, and you can actually feel the pain that Goku is going through. This was easily one of the best Dragon Ball Z episodes.

This scene gave us goosebumps, especially with King Kai worrying that it may be too much for Goku to take.

2

The Great Ape

Episode 31: Saiyan Sized Secret

In Saiyan Sized Secret, the battle between Goku and Vegeta has gone on for far too long, and it seems evident that both Goku and Vegeta are nearly equally matched. In poetic fashion, Vegeta reveals he still has the power to transform into a giant ape, capable of destroying entire civilizations.

Apart from the transformation, in which Vegeta seemingly takes control of the battlefield, it is also an extremely sad scene as Goku finally puts the pieces together and realizes that he was the reason his grandpa Gohan died years ago. Our young protagonist must now find a way to fight the demon that stands in front of him and those from his past.

1

Gohan Goes Ape

Episode 35: Mercy

In Mercy, it appears that no one is in a position to fight against Vegeta, so Goku telepathically communicates with Gohan and tells him to look at the artificial moon created by Vegeta. Vegeta tries to stop what follows but has no luck, as Gohan’s transformation begins, and soon he becomes more dangerous than even Vegeta himself.

However, just when things seem bad, Goku tells Gohan to attack Vegeta, and surprisingly, the Oozaru listens. It seems that Vegeta’s worst nightmares just keep coming true.