Emperor Pilaf Saga
The Emperor Pilaf Saga also known as "The Saga of Goku" is the first fictional saga in the anime and manga. It is in this saga that Goku and Bulma meet, and where they also meet allies Yamcha, Puar, Oolong, Kame-sennin, Turtle, Chi-Chi, Gyuumao, and others. The principal villain of the saga is Emperor Pilaf and his underlings, Shu and Mai, though technically most of the allies-to-be started out as villains.
Unlike later sagas, the first adventures are very episodic. Characters and situations are introduced and resolved in single issue/episode and they are connected only via the attempt to locate the Dragon Balls. The anime edition of this saga introduced Emperor Pilaf (and his underlings) much earlier and provided a more cohesive arc over the initial episodes.
Some of the characters and situations in this first part of the Dragon Ball plot are rehashed from Akira Toriyama's earlier pilot, Dragon Boy. In addition, the influence of the Chinese folk-novel Journey to the West is at its peak at this early stage. This saga has also been retold in the movies Curse of the Blood Rubies, The Path to Power, Dragon Ball: The Magic Begins and Dragon Ball Evolution but all feature different villains and some are merged with other sagas.
This saga is adapted from Tankonbon #1 of the Dragon Ball manga, the anime arc aired in 1986. In North America, this was aired in 1995, later 2001. This is part of US Season 1.
Episode 001 - Feburary 26, 1986 / August 20, 2001
ブルマと孫悟空, Buruma to Son Gokuu, Bulma and Son Goku
THE SECRET OF THE DRAGON BALLS
Bulma's search for six more Dragon Balls leads her to a remote valley and to Goku, who is in possession of one of the balls. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start, but after Goku saves Bulma's life, the two join forces in search of the remaining five Dragon Balls. They had better take care, for an evil force also seeks the Dragon Balls - Emperor Pilaf!
Episode 002 - March 5, 1986 / August 21, 2001
あらららー！タマがない！, Arararaa! Tama ga Nai!, Alalala–! No Balls!
THE EMPEROR'S QUEST
Without realizing where they are, Bulma and Goku camp near Skull Valley, a foreboding land where one of the Dragon Balls lies hidden. Emperor Pilaf dispatches his henchmen to recover the ball, but they and Goku run into each other and a pack of ravenous wolves. Who will emerge the winner?
Episode 003 - March 12, 1986 / August 22, 2001
亀仙人のキント雲, Kamesennin no Kintoun, Kame-sennin's Kinto-Un
THE NIMBUS CLOUD OF ROSHI
As a token of appreciation, Master Roshi presents Goku with the Flying Nimbus Cloud a magical flying cloud that can be ridden only by someone pure of heart. He gives Bulma an orange bauble that he wears around his neck, a seemingly worthless stone that had watched up on the beach. It turns out that this "bauble" is in fact a Dragon Ball. Unfortunately for our friends, Emperor Pilaf and his aids Mai and Shao are also after this same Dragon Ball. and now they know that Bulma has it.
Episode 004 - March 19, 1986 / August 23, 2001
人さらい妖怪ウーロン, Hitosarai Youkai Uuron, The Kidnapping Demon, Oolong
OOLONG THE TERRIBLE
Bulma and Goku's search for the Dragon Balls takes them to the remote valley where they encounter Oolong, a shape-changing monster who is terrorizing Aru Village. They are promised a Dragon Ball by the local townspeople if they can defeat the fierce monster. Can our heroes possibly defeat this wily creature?
Episode 005 - March 26, 1986 / August 24, 2001
つよくて悪い砂漠のヤムチャ, Tsuyokute Warui Sabaku no Yamucha, The Strong Villain of the Desert, Yamcha
YAMCHA THE DESERT BANDIT
Bulma and Goku continue their quest for the Dragon Balls with Oolong (Bulma brought him along thinking his shape-shifting abilities might come in handy). But the next Dragon Ball lies beyond the Diablo Desert. Oolong is terrified, for he knows that the Diablo Desert is home to Yamcha, a fearsome bandit who possesses the awesome power of the Wolf's Fang Fist. Can our friends make it through the desert to their destination?
Episode 006 - April 2, 1986 / August 27, 2001
真夜中の訪問者たち, Mayonaka no Houmonshatachi, The Midnight Visitors
KEEP AN EYE ON THE DRAGON BALLS
While Bulma, Goku and Oolong recover from the ordeal of acquiring five Dragon Balls, Yamcha and Puar try to steal them out from under their noses so that Yamcha can obtain his own grandiose goal. But they're not the only ones after the Dragon Balls! Oolong wouldn't mind having the Dragon Balls. And Emperor Pilaf's henchmen are closing in as well.
Episode 007 - April 9, 1986 / August 28, 2001
フライパン山の牛魔王, Furaipan Yama no Gyuumaou, Gyuumao of Mount Frypan
THE OX-KING ON THE FIRE MOUNTAIN
The search for the sixth Dragon Ball leads the Dragon Ball Team to Fire Mountain, home of the dreaded Ox-King. They arrive at the base of the mountain, but the scorching Eternal Flames prevent them from reaching the castle at the summit and the Dragon Ball within. To make matters worse, Ox-King appears to ward off the intruders. Will our heroes be able to capture the sixth Dragon Ball?
Episode 008 - April 16, 1986 / August 29, 2001
亀仙人のカメハメ波, Kamesennin no Kamehameha, Kame-sennin's Kamehameha
THE KAMEHAMEHA WAVE
Master Roshi, who appears to be a wise but feeble old man, reveals that he is a master of the "Kamehameha" an ancient and formidable force. The power, which he channels through his hands, creates a wave of tremendous destruction that can topple mountains.
Episode 009 - April 23, 1986 / August 30, 2001
うさぎオヤブンの得意技, Usagi Oyabun no Tokui Waza, Boss Rabbit's Special Skill
BOSS RABBIT'S MAGIC TOUCH
Bulma and Goku's search for the Dragon Balls takes them to a remote village that is being terrorized by a villainous gang - the Rabbits. Before long, Goku and the Dragon Ball Team come face to face with two of the Rabbits, and Goku must fight to protect his friends. Can he protect them from the surprises Monster Carrot has in store for them?
Episode 010 - April 30, 1986 / August 31, 2001
Ｄ．Ｂ．うばわれる！！Doragon Booru Ubawareru!!, The Dragonballs Are Stolen!!
THE DRAGON BALLS ARE STOLEN!
The Dragon Ball Team races toward the seventh Dragon Ball. Little do they know their enemies await them. Can Emperor Pilaf be stopped from gathering the last of the Dragon Balls and making his evil wish?
Episode 011 - May 7, 1986 / September 3, 2001
ついに龍あらわる！, Tsui ni Doragon Arawaru!, The Dragon Finally Appears!
THE PENALTY IS PINBALL
The Dragon Ball Team escapes their prison to search for Pilaf and the Dragon Balls. Their freedom is short-lived, however, for the Dragon Ball Team stumbles into another one of Pilaf's treacherous traps - a giant pinball machine! The Team runs a desperate race through the maze of corridors. What hope can be left for the Dragon Ball Team as they try to stop Pilaf from gaining his evil wish to rule the Earth?
Episode 012 - May 8, 1986 / September 4, 2001
神龍への願い, Shenron e no Negai, The Wish to Shenron
A WISH TO THE ETERNAL DRAGON
Just as Emperor Pilaf is about to make his wish, Goku leads the others in a successful escape attempt. Are they in time to prevent the Emperor from seizing control of the world? And just what does happen when Goku sees the full moon?
Episode 013 - May 9, 1986 / September 5, 2001
悟空の大変身, Gokuu no Daihenshin, Goku's Great Transformation
THE LEGEND OF GOKU
Goku is exposed to a full moon. Transforming into a huge, alien gorilla, Goku goes on a rampage, attacking friends and foes alike. Can Bulma, Yamcha and Puar return Goku to his normal self without hurting Goku and while also avoiding Emperor Pilaf's army?