Emperor Pilaf Saga

The first chapter of an anime series that ran from February 26, 1986 to April 19, 1989, covering 153 episodes and the initial chapters of a 519-chapter manga.

The Emperor Pilaf Saga marks the beginning of the Dragon Ball anime adaptation by Toei Animation, premiering on Fuji Television on February 26, 1986. Spanning the first portion of Akira Toriyama's manga series, this arc covers chapters that establish the foundational journey of Son Goku and Bulma. As the opening season of the 153-episode series, it introduces the quest for the Dragon Balls before the story continues into the Tournament Saga.

Lore & Background

This saga represents the starting point of the Dragon Ball anime, which adapts the first 194 chapters of Akira Toriyama's original 519-chapter manga series. Produced by Toei Animation, this specific arc sets the stage for the entire franchise that would eventually run until April 19, 1989.

Reader's Guide

Viewers of the Dragon Ball anime will find the Emperor Pilaf Saga as the opening segment released on February 26, 1986. In the saga, Emperor Pilaf gathers the Dragon Balls to wish for world domination, but Oolong interrupts the wish with one of his own. The entire series produced by Toei Animation consists of 153 episodes in total, with this saga serving as the entry point before moving into later arcs. The anime adaptation concludes its run on April 19, 1989, having covered only a fraction of the full 519-chapter source material.