Namek Saga

The galaxy holds its breath as a new legend awakens on a dying world.

After the battle with the Saiyans, Gohan, Krillin and Bulma travel to the planet Namek to gather its Dragon Balls and revive their fallen friends while Goku recovers from his injuries; there they find Vegeta and the galactic tyrant Frieza, each seeking the Dragon Balls to obtain immortality.

Quick Facts

Key location: Planet Namek
Protagonist's transformation: Super Saiyan

Lore & Background

On Namek, Piccolo fuses with the Namekian warrior Nail, greatly increasing his power. Because the Earth's Dragon Balls vanished with Piccolo's death, the heroes turn to the original set on Namek.

Reader's Guide

The saga initiates with Gohan, Krillin, and Bulma traveling to Namek to revive their fallen comrades using its Dragon Balls. Simultaneously, Frieza's army invades the planet to seize the balls for immortality, while Vegeta pursues them seeking his own wish. Krillin and Gohan collect the seven Dragon Balls and wish Piccolo back, and Piccolo fuses with Nail on his way to the battlefield. Krillin and Gohan are forced to team up with Vegeta to fight Frieza's strongest warriors, the Ginyu Force. Goku's Capsule Corporation ship touches down on Namek during the fight with the Ginyu Force, and Frieza later goes through his transformations. The final confrontation sees Goku unlock the Super Saiyan form following a critical loss, defeating Frieza as Namek's core destabilizes. Goku survives Namek's destruction by escaping in one of the Ginyu Force's space pods.