Summary
Highlights
Piccolo arrives on Namek, significantly powered up from his training. He quickly confronts Frieza, holding his own for a time but ultimately being outmatched. Sensing Elder Guru's impending death, Nail, the strongest Namekian warrior, fuses with Piccolo, further boosting Piccolo's power. Despite this, Frieza's second and third transformations prove too powerful, and Piccolo is severely wounded.
After a grueling battle on Earth against Vegeta, Gohan, Krillin, and Bulma head to Planet Namek, the homeworld of Piccolo, hoping to use its Dragon Balls to revive their fallen friends. Upon arrival, they quickly discover that Frieza, along with his elite military force, is also on Namek, systematically terrorizing the Namekians and collecting the Dragon Balls for his own wish of immortality.
Vegeta, having survived the Earth battle and healed, arrives on Namek also seeking the Dragon Balls and immortality. He ruthlessly eliminates Frieza's subordinates. Vegeta learns from Dodoria that Frieza was responsible for the destruction of Planet Vegeta. This fuels his hatred for Frieza and his ambition to overthrow him, leading to increasing power gains after each near-death experience.
Back on Earth, Goku recovers from his injuries with Senzu Beans and learns about the dire situation on Namek. Dr. Brief repairs Goku's original Saiyan spaceship, equipping it with an artificial gravity machine. Goku uses the journey to Namek for intense training under increased gravity, aiming to significantly enhance his power to confront Frieza.
Frieza, frustrated by the difficulty of finding the remaining Dragon Balls due to the Namekians' ability to suppress their power and Vegeta's interference, summons the Ginyu Force, his most formidable mercenary team. Arriving with advanced scouters, the Ginyu Force easily locates the remaining Dragon Balls and confronts Vegeta, Gohan, and Krillin. The Earthlings and Vegeta are overwhelmed by their power.
Goku finally arrives on Namek, fully healed and significantly stronger due to his intense training. He quickly defeats Guldo, Recoome, Burter, and Jeice with astonishing ease, showcasing a power level far beyond anything the Ginyu Force or Vegeta expected. Captain Ginyu, impressed by Goku's power, uses his Body Change technique to swap bodies with Goku.
Captain Ginyu, now in Goku's body, struggles to control its immense power, weakening rapidly. Vegeta, Gohan, and Krillin capitalize on this, gaining the upper hand. During the confusion, Goku, in Captain Ginyu's weakened body, manages to revert to his original body by intercepting another Body Change attempt by Ginyu, leaving Ginyu trapped in a frog's body. Vegeta then dispatches the remaining Ginyu force members.
With the Dragon Balls gathered, Dende summons the Namekian Dragon, Porunga. Krillin wishes for Piccolo to be revived, and then for him to be transported to Namek. Before the third wish can be made, Frieza arrives, prompting a desperate attempt to heal Vegeta using Dende's Namekian healing abilities. Frieza, enraged, reveals his true, terrifying forms, vastly increasing his power with each transformation.
Goku, having recovered from the body-swap, faces Frieza. Despite Goku's immense power, Frieza's final form is overwhelming. Goku attempts a powerful Spirit Bomb, gathering energy from all living things on Namek and nearby planets. He successfully hits Frieza with it, seemingly defeating him.
Frieza, incredibly, survives the Spirit Bomb. Enraged, he fatally wounds Piccolo and then kills Krillin. Witnessing his best friend's death, Goku's grief and anger trigger a legendary transformation: he becomes a Super Saiyan. His hair turns golden, his eyes green, and his power skyrockets to an unimaginable level, far surpassing Frieza's.
The battle between Super Saiyan Goku and Frieza intensifies. Goku, now dominant, gives Frieza a chance to leave Namek and change his ways. Frieza refuses, using 100% of his power and then attempting to destroy Namek to prevent Goku's escape. Planet Namek is condemned to explode within five minutes. In a desperate move, Goku uses a wish to transport everyone to Earth except for himself and Frieza, ensuring their safety.
The battle rages on with Namek crumbling around them. Goku defeats Frieza, slicing him with his own energy disc. Frieza, broken and humiliated, begs for mercy. Goku gives him a small amount of his energy, telling him to survive and rethink his actions. Frieza, however, immediately attacks Goku from behind. Goku counter-attacks, seemingly obliterating Frieza. Goku then races to find a way off the exploding planet.