Dragon Ball 10 Things You Forgot Since The First Episode

Dragon Ball has changed radically since its very first episode, to the point where the modern franchise would look unrecognizable to the uninitiated.

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has become such an iconic contribution to the medium that even those with zero anime knowledge likely have some level of awareness of the property. Dragon Ball has been popular since its debut back in the 1980s, but it’s impressively maintained that level of acclaim and grown even more massive in scope. There have been some important changes to Dragon Ball over the years, but its core principles about Goku’s efforts to fight evil and spread good are still front and center.

So much has happened in the series that it can sometimes be easy to forget everything that happened back in the very first episode. Even as it launches Dragon Ball, the first episode contains some very surprising details that can be easy to overlook.

10 It's Set On Mount Paozu And Covers Months Of Time

Time can sometimes seem nebulous in a series like Dragon Ball where mere minutes can play out across dozens of episodes, while other episodes will flippantly skip through multiple years in the blink of an eye. The very first episode of Dragon Ball, “The Secret of the Dragon Balls,” actually covers multiple months in its condensed runtime. The episode begins with a brief introduction to Goku’s solitary lifestyle at Mount Paozu, only for it to depict multiple months of survival until Bulma arrives at his home and his adventure truly begins.

9 Goku Is 12 When The Series Begins

The ongoing Dragon Ball saga now features Goku as an adult with a full family, which makes his juvenile start at the beginning of the series much more quaint in retrospect. Audiences remember that the original Dragon Ball chronicles Goku’s childhood exploits, but it can be easy to forget that he’s actually 12 in the first episode. Goku’s closeted life makes Goku seem a lot more innocent and younger than he really is. Ironically, Goku believes that he’s 14 in the first episode, but it’s later revealed that this is incorrect and a result of his poor counting skills.

8 Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Creatures Run Rampant

One of the most fascinating elements of Dragon Ball is the exaggerated version of the world that it presents. Dragon Ball’s depiction of Earth can often seem incredibly grounded, but then anthropomorphic animals and other atypical elements present themselves. Dinosaurs appear to be a periodic obstacle in the world and they get introduced as early as Dragon Ball’s first episode.

Prehistoric beasts are surprisingly important in early Dragon Ball and function as a good challenge for Goku’s burgeoning strength. Goku wards off a sabertooth tiger and then later saves Bulma from a renegade pterodactyl.

7 Goku's Never Met Another Human Before

Leading up to Dragon Ball’s first episode, Goku has grown accustomed to an isolated life by himself, following the passing of his adoptive Grandpa Gohan. Goku develops a very insular view of the world as a result, so it’s quite the culture shock when he meets Bulma. Goku initially believes that both Bulma, as well as her car, are monsters. Goku is so used to creatures that exist for him to fight against that he has no other context for real life. He doesn’t even understand that Bulma is a human until she explains it to him.

6 The Dragon Balls Glow When They're In Contact With Each Other

The various Dragon Ball series have grown larger in scope, but they always return to a point where it’s necessary to assemble the Dragon Balls. The Dragon Balls themselves have been slightly revised over the years, but an element that’s present in the first episode that often gets overlooked is that the Dragon Balls will illuminate when they’re in proximity with each other. This perplexes Goku at first and he believes it’s his grandfather trying to communicate with him. It's worth keeping in mind this is a detail exclusive to the anime and not present at all in the manga.

5 Even As A Child, Goku Is Resistant To Bullets

Goku and Bulma quickly become allies in the first episode of Dragon Ball, but their initial meeting is a little tense and full of confusion. Goku is alarmed by Bulma’s invasion into his quiet world and she responds to his aggression by shooting at Goku.

These bullets ricochet off of Goku and have zero effect on him. This is played for comedic effect at the time, but it’s one of the first signs of Goku’s superior Saiyan strength. He’s able to withstand gunfire as early as episode one.

4 Bulma Already Has Two Dragon Balls

A lot of ground gets covered throughout the original Dragon Ball’s 153 episodes, but the initial mission revolves around collecting all seven Dragon Balls. For a quest of this nature, it makes sense to start with one Dragon Ball, but the series immediately expedites its journey. Bulma already has two Dragon Balls when she meets Goku, who has one of his own. This means that in the first episode, they’ve already found three Dragon Balls, which is nearly half of them. It’s easy to forget that the series begins with Goku and Bulma having a head start.

3 Goku's Power Pole Was His Signature Weapon

Goku develops some incredible skills to stay afloat in battle. Certain trademarks of the series, like his Kamehameha attack or the Flying Nimbus, come into play very early on yet they’re not present in the first episode. What Goku does have as a means of defense is his adjustable Power Pole. Goku’s natural strength is still impressive, but he largely depends on the Power Pole to help take out obstacles and also better maneuver around his surroundings. The Power Pole is an important part of Dragon Ball, even if Goku largely moves past it during his adult years.

2 Emperor Pilaf And His Team Acquire One Dragon Ball

Some seriously dangerous threats appear in the original Dragon Ball, but Goku’s first major antagonist, Emperor Pilaf, has a bark that’s worse than his bite. In Dragon Ball’s manga, Pilaf doesn’t make his appearance until Goku and company reach his castle, but the anime makes sure to tease him and let his presence be known in the introductory installment. Pilaf doesn’t just show up in the first episode, he also acquires a Dragon Ball of his own. This means that in the first episode of Dragon Ball, there are already four Dragon Balls that have been found.

1 Bulma Wants The Dragon Balls To Wish For The Perfect Boyfriend

In Dragon Ball’s first episode, Goku still views his Dragon Ball as a memento of his passed grandfather rather than a wish-granting treasure. It’s Bulma who informs Goku of the true power of what he possesses, which means that she’s also the one who comes into the series with a wish that she wants granted.

The Dragon Balls can gift an individual with practically anything, yet Bulma’s desire is to use them to gain the perfect boyfriend. It’s a reflection of just how much the original series is steeped in adolescence, especially during its earliest episodes.