Long ago, Bardock, a Saiyan warrior died in an attempt to stop Freeza, a galactic tyrant who ruled over the vast reaches of space. But before Freeza destroys Bardock's home planet, one space pod seems to have escaped only moments beforehand. Kakarrot, Bardock's son, had escaped the planet's explosion and was sent to Earth to follow through with Freeza's orders of conquering it. Upon crash landing on Earth, however, Kakarrot is found by an elderly man, Son Gohan, who raises him as his own, naming him Son Goku. Years pass and Goku ends up serving as Earth's greatest protector, completely unaware of his Saiyan heritage. But it seems that Goku is not the only survivor of his home planet, as another Saiyan has reached Earth to remind him of his true purpose.

A stranger claiming to be Goku's older brother has kidnapped Gohan. Unable to defeat him alone, Goku is forced to team up with his enemy, Piccolo, in an attempt to rescue his son.

Unable to withstand Raditz's brute strength, Goku and Piccolo rely on Piccolo's latest technique in a last ditch effort. Will the makankosappo be enough to defeat Raditz or will a looming third fighter finally be enough to even the playing field?

With the battle against Raditz finally over, the Earth's fighters begin to train for the greater Saiyan threat to arrive within the following year.

As the year of training in preparation for the Saiyans begins, Piccolo is having more trouble than he anticipated as Gohan transforms into his Oozaru state on the full moon.

While Gohan begins to better survive in the wilderness in his training for the Saiyans, Goku finally reaches the end of Serpentine Road to meet Kaio--a rather peculiar master.

Goku continues his training under Kaio. His first challenge: catching Kaio's pet monkey Bubbles under 10 times Earth's gravity.

The year wait has finally passed, as the two Saiyans finally arrive to the planet. However, Kaio seems to have made a mistake in Goku's training which may mean either life or death for Earth!

The Saiyans have reached the planet and have encountered the fighters of Earth. However, instead of a direct confrontation, the foes unleash the Saibaimen, cultivated life-forms, on the fighters.

With Kuririn having defeated the Saibaimen, the Earth's heroes are now up against Nappa. But with another Saiyan waiting on the sidelines, will the remaining fighters be able to hold their own until Goku arrives?

Goku has finally reached the start of the Serpentine Road and continues his way towards the battle field. But will he be able to reach his comrades in time within Vegeta's three hours of allotted time?

Goku has finally reached the battle grounds, ready to fight Nappa in revenge for his fallen comrades.

It's Saiyan Peasant versus Saiyan Elite as Goku and Vegeta engage in battle.

The battle against Vegeta continues as the two Saiyajin give their all in a beam struggle.

Gohan and Kuririn arrive to the battlefield to help out the already worn out Goku. But with Vegeta having transformed into the mighty Oozaru, will their help be enough?

With our heroes in worse shape than ever, it seems that Vegeta will have his victory over the Earth. However, with Vegeta's artificial moon still active, there may be one last chance for a miracle.

Goku begs Krillin to spare Vegeta's life, allowing Vegeta to escape Earth. Bulma, Roshi then come on the scene to find Goku, Gohan, Yajirobe, and Krillin. Mourning the loss of their other friends, Krillin explains that the warriors may find Dragon Balls on Piccolo's home planet, Namek. With help from Kai-o, Goku and friends decide to go to Namek to find the Dragon Balls so they can wish their friends back to life.

Goku, Krillin, and Gohan are in the hospital recovering from the battle with Vegeta. Their friends and family come visit. When the television is turned on, they see a report about Nappa's Space-Pod. Bulma, thinking she's pressed the button that will have it fly towards them, instead self-destructs the pod. Before everyone gives up hope, Mr. Popo arrives, and tells them that he knows of another spaceship. It's the Namekian ship that Kami used to come to earth when he was a boy. Bulma reluctantly agrees to inspect it up in Yunzabit Heights with him. They realize the craft is voice-activated in the native Namekian language. Bulma converts the language to english in a few weeks with Gohan and Krillin deciding to accompany her on her journey to planet Namek in search for the Dragon Balls.

While on their journey to Namek, Gohan and Krillin practice image training. Meanwhile, Vegeta has landed on Planet Frieza No. 79, and after being revived, heads to Namek to collect the Dragon Balls once Kui tells him Lord Frieza is currently there. After 30 days aboard Kami's old space-vessel, Bulma, Krillin, and Gohan arrive on Namek. Bulma uses her scouter and notices that four of the seven dragon balls are together already. Gohan senses evil ki, but Bulma reassures them that the Namekians probably are the ones who have them. They notice Vegeta's spacepod fly overhead and land in the distance, along with a second spacepod shortly after. Vegeta isn't too thrilled to find out Zarbon and Dodoria are also accompanying Frieza.

Freiza continues to collect the Namekian dragon balls, while Vegeta deals Kui. Meanwhile, Krillian and Gohan battle more of Freiza's goons, but not before they destroy the spaceship they used to reach the planet.

Goku arrives at Capsule Corp. where Dr Briefs has prepared a spaceship for him to travel to Namek in six days, as well as train. Goku begins to train at 20G as he takes off for Namek. Meanwhile, the Namekians begin to fight back against Frieza's men, however Zarbon proves too powerful. Discovering that their people are being located via their scouters, the Namekians destroy the scouters. Dodoria filled with rage, rushes into the fray to make the locales regret the day they ever crossed Frieza.

Krillin and Gohan save a young Namekian boy from Dodoria's attack. The three fly away and manage to hide from the pursuing Dodoria, who is soon after attacked by Vegeta. The two fight briefly. Dodoria begs for his life, offering to tell Vegeta the true story of his home planet's destruction. Vegeta releases Dodoria from his grip, and Dodoria reveals that it was Frieza who destroyed Planet Vegeta out of fear for the Saiyan race's potential. Vegeta is furious at being lied to and being used by Frieza, and kills a fleeing Dodoria.

Having escaped Freeza's spaceship, Vegeta terrorizes a Namekian village for their dragon ball.

While training on his way to Namek, Goku receives news of a certain group of warriors having reached Kaio's planet for training of their own. Also, Vegeta clashes with Zarbon, a powerful henchman of Freeza who can increase his strength at the cost of his beauty.

As the dragon ball hunt on Namek continues, Dende takes Kuririn to the Saichoro, the father of every other Namekian on the planet. Elsewhere, the defeated Vegeta is taken into Freeza's spaceship.

Recovering quicker than expected, Vegeta is able to escape from Freeza's ship with all five of his dragon balls. Now, with only two more dragon balls to go, it is only a matter of time before Vegeta and the Earthlings cross paths. Matters only worsen when Zarbon arrives on the scene, eagerly awaiting a rematch with the Saiyan Prince.

Krillin surrenders his Dragon Ball to Vegeta after Zarbon was killed, knowing he wouldn't stand against him. While returning to his stashed Dragon Balls, Vegeta senses Gohan. Gohan also senses Vegeta, so he masks his ki and hides his newly found Dragon Ball. Vegeta eventually coaxes Gohan out but doesn't see the hidden Dragon Ball. Thinking he has all seven Dragon Balls, Vegeta lets Gohan live and takes off. After returning to the nearby Namek lake, Vegerta realizes Gohan had taken his hidden Dragon Ball and goes berserk. Meanwhile, Frieza is informed that the Ginyu Force will be arriving shortly and Goku continues his training at intense gravity levels.

Krillin takes Gohan to see the Eldest Namek to have his inner power released. However, Vegeta senses them while flying toward the hut, and confronts them. Nail, the Eldest Namek's chief warrior and right-hand man, informs the trio of a powerful force approaching the planet. Vegeta knows it is the Ginyu Force, Frieza's 5 most elite henchmen. Reluctantly, Gohan and Krillin agree to use the Dragon Balls to make Vegeta immortal so that he can defeat them easier. They rush to retrieve the Dragon Ball they left with Bulma, and meanwhile, the Ginyu Force lands on the planet and meets up with Frieza.

Vegeta, Krillin, and Gohan race to the remaining five Dragon Balls that Vegeta had hidden, in an attempt to grant Vegeta the wish of eternal life, in order to stand a chance against the Ginyu Force. The Ginyu Force beats them there, and with speed and a time freeze, swipe the two remaining Dragon Balls. Captain Ginyu takes the seven Dragon Balls to Frieza, and allows the other members to play Rock-Paper-Scissors to decide who gets to fight who. Recoome wins a fight with Vegeta and Guldo wins a fight with Krillin and Gohan. Krillin and Gohan fight Guldo first. After proving that they are no easy match for him, Guldo paralyzes the two with his ESP. Vegeta kills Guldo before any harm is done to the Earthlings, so Recoome decides he's next to fight. Meanwhile, Goku is ten minutes from landing on Namek.

Vegeta begins battling Recoome, the big brute of the Ginyu Force. While the Saiyan prince manages to get in a few good blows, ultimately Recoome doesn't seem to be taking any pain. Gohan and Krillin enter battle after Vegeta becomes too badly injured to continue fighting, but quickly find themselves beaten and outclassed by the hulking Ginyu Force member as well. Meanwhile, Frieza attempts to use the Dragon Balls but nothing happens, prompting him to leave Ginyu to guard the balls while he himself goes to look for Namekians to tell him how to become immortal. Just when all seems lost in Vegeta, Krillin and Gohan's fight with Recoome, Goku's Capsule Corporation ship finally touches down on Planet Namek.

Goku enters the battle after giving Senzus to Krillin, Gohan, and Vegeta, and things quickly take a turn for the better. Recoome, charging up a deadly attack, is defeated by a single blow from Goku. Jeice and Burter leap into battle trying a variety of techniques - none of which have the least bit of effect on Goku. Burter is knocked out by a few swift attacks from Goku, as Jeice stares in awe at his latest opponent - having never faced someone so powerful.

Goku tells Jeice to take the beaten Recoome and Burter and leave the planet forever. Jeice flees to Captain Ginyu and tells him what has happened. Captain Ginyu has Frieza's men bury the Dragon Balls then sets out with Jeice towards Goku. Meanwhile, Vegeta kills Burter then Recoome. Also, Krillin and Gohan realize that Frieza is heading towards Elder Guru in order to obtain the password to summon the Namekian Dragon. Shortly after this, Captain Ginyu and Jeice arrive to battle Goku. Goku tells Krillin and Gohan to leave. Vegeta tricks Goku and flies away, leaving Goku to fight alone. Goku and Captain Ginyu fight, and after a while Captain Ginyu asks Goku to release his true power. Goku abides and begins to power up.

Goku powers up to his maximum level - which is far greater than that of even Captain Ginyu! Yet, for some strange reason, Goku's current enemy doesn't seem too worried. After the Eldest Namek gives Dende a mysterious new power and sends him off to meet the Earthlings, Nail begins battling Frieza. While Frieza is clearly the stronger of the two, he is surprised at Nail's ability to regenerate lost limbs. Gohan and Krillin rescue Bulma from a dinosaur attack, and take the Dragon Radar to find where Frieza took the Dragon Balls to. As the episode ends, Ginyu makes the strange move of wounding himself, and firing a strange beam at Goku.

Having switched bodies with Goku, Ginyu races back to the dragon balls' location alongside Jeice only to cross paths with Vegeta, Kuririn and Gohan. As the three prepare for another fight, the injured Goku does his best to reach their location to get his body back.

After killing Jeice, Vegeta sets his sights on Ginyu (still in Goku's body.) Vegeta effortlessly pummels Ginyu, and an attempt by Ginyu to get Vegeta's body is thwarted by Goku who intervenes - ending up back in his own (wounded) body, and Ginyu going back to the body he had before - which he had deliberately wounded. Vegeta begins thrashing Ginyu in his native body, and once again quick thinking on Goku's part prevents Vegeta from being swapped with Ginyu's body - Goku throws a Namekian frog in the path of the beam, trapping Ginyu in the frog's body. Vegeta places Goku in a rejuvenation chamber inside Frieza's spaceship and gives armor to Krillin and Gohan - knowing an inevitable battle against Frieza is in their future. Vegeta begins sleeping to regain strength he lost while fighting Ginyu. Meanwhile, Nail continues to fight Frieza and does no damage to the tyrant. Once beaten and fallen, Nail reveals the truth - the fight was just a diversion to get the password to use the Dragon Balls to the Earthlings! Frieza begins charging back towards his spaceship, noticing his scouter no longer shows the power levels for the Ginyu Force. Krillin, Gohan, and Dende take the Dragon Balls, and Dende uses the password to summmon Porunga, the Namekian Dragon Balls' equivalent of Shenron.

Porunga, the Namekian Eternal Dragon, is summoned. However Krillin, Gohan and Dende are met with some bad news when they discover that only one dead friend can be resurrected per wish! Piccolo communicates with the Earthlings, telling them to revive him and wish him to the Planet Namek. Dende speaks the first wish and Piccolo's halo disappears - and Kami is resurrected on Earth, much to Mr. Popo's joy. The second wish is made, however, Piccolo is nowhere in sight. Dende tells them that they wished him to the Planet Namek and not their specific location, however - so the third wish can be used to transport him to that particular spot. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst. Vegeta is awakened by sensing the approaching Frieza's power, and quickly awakens and rushes to where the Earthlings are making their wishes. He threatens them for stealing his chance at immortality, though they accidentally reveal that there is one more wish left - which he would be able to use to get immortality. He tells Dende to make him immortal, and with Frieza fast approaching, Krillin reluctantly tells Dende to wish Vegeta immortal - stating that, if nothing else, he is at least better than Frieza. Before he can deliver the wish, however, the Eldest Namek dies, causing the Dragon Balls to stop working. Vegeta is outraged at the Earthlings since his chance for immortality has one again been foiled. His anger at the Earthlings doesn't last, however, since Frieza arrives at the battlefield at that very moment. The tyrant begins charging up, terrifying everyone but Vegeta who seems strangely calm. The entire planet begins to shake violently as Frieza summons his power - as Goku remains in the rejuvenation chamber, slowly still recovering from the injuries his body had taken during the earlier Ginyu conflict.

Piccolo arrives on Planet Namek following being resurrected and wished there. He begins rushing towards the battlefield, and along the way encounters an ailing Nail, on the brink of death. Piccolo reluctantly performs Namekian fusion with Nail, which increases his power substantially, and begins rushing back to the battlefield. Meanwhile, Frieza, after battling the Earthlings and Vegeta in his first form, transforms to his second form following some goading from Vegeta - and this increases the tyrant's power level to over a million! With his increased power, Frieza charges at Krillin in the air, impaling him on his horn.

With Goku still healing from the previous battle and Piccolo still on the way to their location, Gohan takes it upon himself to hold up against the might that is Freeza's transformed self.

While Goku continues to recover in the rejuvenation chamber at Frieza's ship, Piccolo begins battling Frieza himself - and surprisingly manages to hold his own! The two exchange blows pretty evenly for a good portion of the fight. Piccolo realizes Frieza slightly holds the upper hand, so he removes his weighted clothing and begins winning against the tyrant. Frieza finds himself backed into a corner, so he decides it is best to transform again to fight Piccolo. Becoming his grotesque, ugly third form, Frieza once again gains the upper hand and begins obliterating Piccolo with a rapid finger beam blast. Gohan rushes to rescue his mentor, and when Krillin tries to follow suit, Vegeta stops him - revealing to Krillin he may have a strategy that will allow him to defeat the tyrant.

Frieza dodges Gohan's attack but quickly finds himself on the receiving end once again - the young half Saiyan unleashes a massive energy blast that even the tyrant himself has difficulty deflecting! Upon seeing what he is up against in the form of these warriors who seem to be getting progressively stronger, Frieza begins transforming to his fourth form - the final and most powerful. Vegeta's plan to defeat Frieza involves having himself mortally wounded and then being healed by Dende - which the Saiyan prince achieves by having Krillin shoot an energy blast through his chest. Dende has no interest in healing Vegeta (who harmed so many of his people), however, and flies over to heal Piccolo instead. However, Nail's essence within Piccolo tells him that healing Vegeta may be the only way to win the fight - so Dende reluctantly does so. Frieza eventually reaches his final form, and immediately kills Dende with an energy blast - having witnessed his healing abilities while transforming. Krillin, Gohan, and Piccolo go on the attack but the tyrant dodges every single attack they throw his way. Vegeta watches them fight from a hill, preparing to charge up to his newfound power level as Gohan finds himself on a direct collision course with another one of Frieza's blasts.