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Episode Guide

Dragon Ball Z: Namek arc

Arc Information

Original Run: 14 February 1990 – 16 January 1991 (49 weeks; spent 9 weeks on break)
Corresponding: Dragon Ball Z Episodes 036 – 074 (39 episodes; 1 TV special)
Dragon Ball Chapters 241 – 290 (50 chapters; approx. 1.3 chapters per episode)
Filler Content: 75% Canon / 25% Filler
Rating Shares: Average: 21.7%
Maximum: 25.7% (Episodes 063 & 067)
Minimum: 17.2% (Episodes 055 & 056)

Arc Synopsis

Goku and co. barely manage to drive Vegeta from the Earth. However, many of their allies were killed, and the Dragon Balls ceased to be. Thinking that there might be Dragon Balls there, Bulma and co. journey by spaceship to God’s birthplace, Planet Namek. However, at the same time Freeza had also heard of the Dragon Balls, and headed for Planet Namek aiming to find them. Knowing this, Vegeta came following after him, and then Goku came as well. The various warriors from around the galaxy began to gather on Planet Namek, and a new battle for the Dragon Balls begins.

On Planet Namek, Freeza and his men push the limits of inhumanity, killing anyone who gets in their way. Gohan somehow manages to rescue a Namekian child, Dende. Elsewhere, arriving on Planet Namek on his own, Vegeta also begins to slaughter Namekians and gather Dragon Balls. Defeating Freeza’s underlings, he aims to recapture the Dragon Balls Freeza has. However, being no match for a transformed Zarbon, one of Freeza’s henchmen, he is captured by Freeza. Meanwhile, Goku continues training in the gravity room of his spaceship on his way to Planet Namek.

Kuririn was able to meet Planet Namek’s Eldest, but his Dragon Ball was stolen by Vegeta, who had escaped from Freeza. Because he was revived from the brink of death, Vegeta powered up even further. Though he had been beaten before, Vegeta easily defeated Zarbon in his transformed state. However, Freeza played his next hand and called on the even more frightfully powerful Ginyu Special-Squad. Before their overwhelming power, Vegeta, Gohan, and Kuririn were completely unable to put up a fight.

With the power of the Ginyu Special-Squad, Freeza was finally able to gather all seven Dragon Balls. However, not knowing the crucial method of getting one’s wish granted, he flies to the location of the surviving Namekian, the Eldest. Vegeta and co. were about to be killed by Recoom, one of the Ginyu Special-Squad, but at the last moment Goku finally arrived. Showing the results of his training in his spaceship, he defeated one Ginyu Special-Squad member after another with super power. But through Captain Ginyu’s “Body Change” technique, Goku and Ginyu switched bodies.

However, Ginyu couldn’t properly fight with Goku’s body, and was soon defeated. Goku had somehow managed to return to his own body during the battle, but was grievously injured in the process. With Vegeta’s guidance, he is put into a medical machine to heal his wounds.

Episode List (036 — 074; TV special)

Dragon Ball Z Episode 036Air Date: 14 February 1990
飛び出せ宇宙へ!希望の星はピッコロの故郷
Tabidase Uchū e! Kibō no Hoshi wa Pikkoro no Furusato
We’re Off Into Space! The Planet of Hope is Piccolo’s Homeland
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Tatsuya Orime
Dragon Ball Z Episode 037Air Date: 21 February 1990
謎のユンザビット!神様の宇宙船を探せ
Nazo no Yunzabitto! Kami-sama no Uchūsen o Sagase
The Mysterious Yunzabit! The Search for God’s Spaceship
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Tatsuo Yamamoto
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Jōhei Matsūra
Dragon Ball Z Episode 038Air Date: 28 February 1990
ナメック星行き発進!悟飯たちを待つ恐怖
Namekku-sei Iki Hasshin! Gohan-tachi o Matsu Kyōfu
Blast-off for Planet Namek! The Terror Awaiting Gohan and Company
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 039Air Date: 07 March 1990
敵か味方か?謎の巨大宇宙船の子供たち
Teki ka Mikata ka? Nazo no Kyodai Uchūsen no Kodomo-tachi
Friends or Foes? Children of the Mysterious Giant Spaceship
Scenario: Takao Koyama · Art: Tatsuo Yamamoto
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Dragon Ball Z Episode 040Air Date: 14 March 1990
ホントにホント?あれが希望のナメック星
Honto ni Honto? Are ga Kibō no Namekku-sei
Really, for Real? There Lies Namek, Planet of Hope
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Dragon Ball Z Episode 041Air Date: 21 March 1990
親切な宇宙人 いきなりあったよ五星球
Shinsetsu na Uchū-jin Ikinari Atta yo Ūshinchū
Kind-hearted Aliens — There’s the Five-Star Ball Already
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Tatsuo Yamamoto
Animation: Minoru Maeda · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Dragon Ball Z Episode 042Air Date: 04 April 1990
惑星フリーザNo.79 復活のベジータ!!
Wakusei Furīza Nanbā Sebunti Nain Fukkatsu no Bejīta!!
Planet Freeza No. 79 — Vegeta Recovers!!
Scenario: Aya Matsui & Takao Koyama · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Jōhei Matsūra
Dragon Ball Z Episode 043Air Date: 11 April 1990
そろったぞ神龍球!ピッコロさんも生き返る
Sorotta zo Doragon Bōru! Pikkoro-san mo Ikikaeru
The Dragon Balls Are All Here! Piccolo-san Comes Back to Life
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Tatsuo Yamamoto
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 044Air Date: 18 April 1990
あらたな強敵!宇宙の帝王フリーザ
Arata na Kyōteki! Uchū no Teiō Furīza
A Tough New Enemy! Emperor of the Universe, Freeza
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Hitoshi Nagasaki
Animation: Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru · Director: Tatsuya Orime
Dragon Ball Z Episode 045Air Date: 25 April 1990
野望のベジータ!宇宙一の戦士はオレだ!!
Yabō no Bejīta! Uchūichi no Senshi wa Ore da!!
Vegeta’s Ambition! I am the Greatest Warrior in the Universe!!
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Dragon Ball Z Episode 046Air Date: 02 May 1990
悟空パワー全開!!銀河の果てまで6日間
Gokū Pawā Zenkai!! Ginga no Hate made Rokkakan
Goku’s Power at Full-Force!! Six Days to the End of the Galaxy
Scenario: Hiroshi Toda · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Dragon Ball Z Episode 047Air Date: 09 May 1990
意表をついた攻撃!!長老の狙いはスカウター
Ihyō o Tsuita Kōgeki!! Chōrō no Nerai wa Sukautā
Surprise Attack!! The Elder’s Target was the Scouter
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Hitoshi Nagasaki
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 048Air Date: 16 May 1990
悟飯危うし!死を呼ぶ追跡者ドドリア
Gohan Ayaushi! Shi o Yobu Tsuisekisha Dodoria
Gohan in Peril! A Pursuing Dodoria Summons Death
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Minoru Maeda · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Dragon Ball Z Episode 049Air Date: 23 May 1990
爆死ドドリア!ベジータの恐るべき衝撃波
Bakushi Dodoria! Bejīta no Osoru Beki Shōgekiha
Dodoria Dies by Explosion! Vegeta’s Fearsome Shockwave
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Hitoshi Nagasaki
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Dragon Ball Z Episode 050Air Date: 30 May 1990
燃える惑星からの脱出!!命がけのカメハメ波
Moeru Wakusei kara no Dasshutsu!! Inochigake no Kamehameha
Escape From a Burning Planet!! A Life-or-Death Kamehameha
Scenario: Hiroshi Toda · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Dragon Ball Z Episode 051Air Date: 06 June 1990
勇気百倍!界王の下に集結する戦士たち
Yūki Hyakubai! Kaiō no Moto ni Shūketsu Suru Senshi-tachi
Courage Times One Hundred! The Warriors Gather Under Kaiō
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Hitoshi Nagasaki
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 052Air Date: 20 June 1990
聞け悟空よ!フリーザには手を出すな
Kike Gokū yo! Furīza ni wa Te o Dasu na
Listen to Me Goku! Hands Off Freeza
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Shigenori Takada
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Dragon Ball Z Episode 053Air Date: 27 June 1990
ほとんど鳥肌!美戦士ザーボンの悪魔の変身
Hotondo Torihada! Bisenshi Zābon no Akuma no Henshin
Nothing but Goosebumps! The Handsome Warrior Zarbon’s Devilish Transformation
Scenario: Hiroshi Toda · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Dragon Ball Z Episode 054Air Date: 04 July 1990
希望の星を守れ!!クリリン驚異のパワーUP
Kibō no Hoshi o Mamore!! Kuririn Kyōi no Pawā Appu
Defend the Planet of Hope!! Kuririn’s Astonishing Power-Up
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Tsutomu Fujita
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Dragon Ball Z Episode 055Air Date: 18 July 1990
死の淵からよみがえった 奇跡の男・ベジータ
Shi no Fuchi kara Yomigaetta Kiseki no Otoko · Bejīta
Back from the Brink of Death — The Miracle Man, Vegeta
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Yūko Tahara
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Tatsuya Orime
Dragon Ball Z Episode 056Air Date: 01 August 1990
どでかい戦闘力!!砕け散るフリーザの陰謀
Dodekai Sentō-ryoku!! Kudakechiru Furīza no Inbō
An Enormous Battle Power!! Freeza’s Strategy is Shattered
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Tomoko Yoshida & Tsutomu Fujita
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 057Air Date: 08 August 1990
元気が戻ったぞ!!100倍超重力の中の悟空
Genki ga Modotta zo!! Hyakubai Chō-Jūryoku no Naka no Gokū
I’m Back to My Old Self Again!! Goku Takes on 100 Times Gravity
Scenario: Takao Koyama · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Dragon Ball Z Episode 058Air Date: 22 August 1990
フリーザの秘密兵器!悪魔のギニュー特戦隊
Furīza no Himitsu Heiki! Akuma no Ginyū Tokusentai
Freeza’s Secret Weapon! The Devilish Ginyu Special-Squad
Scenario: Hiroshi Toda · Art: Tsutomu Fujita
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Dragon Ball Z Episode 059Air Date: 29 August 1990
ブルマが危ない!!四星球はフリーザの手に
Buruma ga Abunai!! Sūshinchū wa Furīza no Te ni
Bulma, Watch Out!! The Four-Star Ball Falls into Freeza’s Hands
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Shinobu Takahashi
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Jōhei Matsūra
Dragon Ball Z Episode 060Air Date: 05 September 1990
激突だ!!不屈の闘志の界王拳とカメハメ波
Gekitotsu da!! Fukutsu no Toushi no Kaiō-Ken to Kamehameha
Charge!! The Kaiō-Ken and Kamehameha of an Indomitable Spirit
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 061Air Date: 12 September 1990
迫る超決戦!ギニュー特戦隊ただ今参上!!
Semaru Chō-Kessen! Ginyū Tokusentai Tadaima Sanjō!!
The Great Battle Approaches! The Ginyu Special-Squad Takes the Stage!!
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Hitoshi Nagasaki
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Tatsuya Orime
Dragon Ball Z Episode 062Air Date: 19 September 1990
悟空が大接近!フリーザ包囲網をぶち破れ
Gokū ga Daisekkin! Furīza Hōimō o Buchiyabure
Goku on Final Approach! Smash through Freeza’s Dragnet
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Tsutomu Fujita · Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama
Storyboard: Shigeyasu Yamauchi · Director: Jun’ichi Fujise
Dragon Ball Z Episode 063Air Date: 26 September 1990
超魔術かトリックか!?Mr.グルドが怒ったぞ!
Chō-Majutsu ka Torikku ka!? Misutā Gurudo ga Okotta!
Is This Some Super-Magic or Just a Trick?! Mr. Gurd is Angry!
Scenario: Hiroshi Toda · Art: Shinobu Takahashi
Animation: Tomekichi Takeuchi · Director: Kazuhito Kikuchi
Dragon Ball Z TV SpecialAir Date: 17 October 1990
たったひとりの最終決戦 ~フリーザに挑んだZ戦士孫悟空の父~
Tatta Hitori no Saishū Kessen ~Furīza ni Idonda Zetto-senshi Kakarotto no Chichi~
A Final, Solitary Battle: The Father of Z-Warrior Kakarrot, Who Challenged Freeza
Scenario: Takao Koyama & Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Dragon Ball Z Episode 064Air Date: 24 October 1990
猛攻リクーム!悪くて強くてとんでもない奴
Mōi Rikuumu! Warukute Tsuyokute Tondemonai Yatsu
The Savage Recoom! The Bad, Strong, and Outrageous Guy
Scenario: Hiroshi Toda · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Masaki Satō · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Dragon Ball Z Episode 065Air Date: 31 October 1990
死ぬな悟飯!悟空・ついに決戦場に到着だ
Shinu na Gohan! Gokū · Tsui ni Kessenjō ni Tōchaku da
Don’t Die, Gohan! Goku Finally Touches Down on the Battlefield
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Hitoshi Nagasaki
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 066Air Date: 07 November 1990
ケタ外れの強さ!!伝説の超サイヤ人孫悟空
Ketahazure no Tsuyosa!! Densetsu no Sūpā Saiya-jin Son Gokū
Uncommon Strength!! The Legendary Super Saiyan, Son Goku
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Tsutomu Fujita
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Tatsuya Orime
Dragon Ball Z Episode 067Air Date: 14 November 1990
赤と青の光球!ジースとバータが悟空を襲う
Aka to Ao no Raitoningu Bōru! Jiisu to Baata ga Gokū o Osō
Lightning Balls of Red and Blue! Jheese and Butta Attack Goku
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Kayoko Koitabashi
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Dragon Ball Z Episode 068Air Date: 21 November 1990
ついに直接対決!!ギニュー隊長のおでましだ
Tsui ni Chokusetsu Taiketsu!! Ginyū Taichō no Odemashi da
At Last, a Direct Confrontation!! Captain Ginyu Takes the Field
Scenario: Keiji Terui · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Masahiro Shimanuki · Director: Jun’ichi Fujise
Dragon Ball Z Episode 069Air Date: 28 November 1990
凄まじい迫力!!見たか、悟空のフルパワー
Susamajī Hakuryoku!! Mita ka, Gokū no Furu Pawā
Incredible Force!! Did You See It, Goku’s Full Power?
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Kayoko Koitabashi
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Minoru Okazaki
Dragon Ball Z Episode 070Air Date: 05 December 1990
闘いの行方!?最長老に迫るフリーザの魔の手
Tatakai no Yukue!? Saichōrō ni Semaru Furīza no Ma no Te
What of the Battle’s Outcome?! Freeza’s Evil Hand Closes Around the Eldest
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Tsutomu Fujita
Animation: Minoru Maeda · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda
Dragon Ball Z Episode 071Air Date: 12 December 1990
ビックリ!!悟空がギニューでギニューが悟空
Bikkuri!! Gokū ga Ginyū de Ginyū ga Gokū
Surprise!! Goku is Ginyu and Ginyu is Goku
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Yukio Ebisawa · Director: Tatsuya Orime
Dragon Ball Z Episode 072Air Date: 19 December 1990
出でよ超神龍!!ボクの願いをかなえたまえ
Ide yo Sūpā Shenron!! Boku no Negai o Kanaetamae
Come Forth, Super Shenlong!! Grant Me My Wish
Scenario: Aya Matsui · Art: Yōko Ichihara
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Mitsuo Hashimoto
Dragon Ball Z Episode 073Air Date: 09 January 1991
奴はオラじゃネェ!悟飯びびるな父を撃て!!
Yatsu wa Ora ja Nē! Gohan Bibiru na Chichi o Ute!!
That Ain’t Me! Gohan, Don’t Lose Your Nerve, Hit Your Father!!
Scenario: Hiroshi Toda · Art: Tsutomu Fujita
Animation: Mitsuo Shindō · Director: Daisuke Nishio
Dragon Ball Z Episode 074Air Date: 16 January 1991
大誤算!!ギニューがカエルになっちゃった
Dai-Gosan!! Ginyū ga Kaeru ni Natchatta
A Huge Miscalculation!! Ginyu Has Turned into a Frog
Scenario: Katsuyuki Sumisawa · Art: Tomoko Yoshida
Animation: Masayuki Uchiyama · Director: Yoshihiro Ueda