Piccolo abandons Gohan in the wilderness for six months of survival training. On Snake Way, Goku nearly falls into Hell. At home, Krillin cannot bring himself to tell Chi-Chi the terrible news about her husband and son.
Alone in the Wild
Piccolo drops Gohan in the desolate Break Wasteland and delivers a brutal ultimatum: survive on your own for six months, or you do not deserve to fight, much less live. The terrified boy is left completely alone with nothing but the clothes on his back. On the Lookout, Kami confides to Mr. Popo that he senses a change in Piccolo, something unexpected in his other half's behavior that does not align with pure evil.
Trials on Every Front
Goku attempts to save time on Snake Way by leaping across sections of the winding road, but catches his foot on a razor-sharp scale and nearly plummets into Hell below. Elsewhere, Krillin dresses up in a suit and visits Goku's home to deliver the devastating news to Chi-Chi and the Ox-King. Faced with Chi-Chi's fierce temper and the Ox-King's imposing presence, Krillin loses his nerve entirely and cannot get the words out.
First Night
Back in the wasteland, Gohan is chased up a tall rock formation by a hungry Tyrannosaurus Rex and finds himself stranded at the top with no way down. Piccolo watches from the shadows, secretly dropping two apples for the starving boy to eat while muttering that it will not happen again.
Survival Lessons
Gohan's first day alone strips away every comfort he has ever known. The boy who was sheltered by Chi-Chi's strict household must now fend for himself against dinosaurs, starvation, and the crushing weight of isolation. His survival instincts are nonexistent, but his determination to live keeps him moving.
Piccolo's Secret
The apples Piccolo leaves for Gohan reveal a crack in the Namekian's armor. Despite his harsh words and ruthless methods, he cannot let the child starve. This small act of hidden compassion marks the beginning of a bond that will reshape both of their lives.
The Hardest Day
Day one of Gohan's training is really day one of his transformation from a timid child into a fighter. Piccolo's tough-love approach, Goku's perilous journey through the afterlife, and Krillin's inability to break the news to Chi-Chi all reinforce how much has changed since Raditz arrived. Every character is being pushed far beyond their comfort zone.
Related Reading
See all
Krillin's on the Tinder: How the Ultimate Short King Survived the Height Filter
Tinder built a height filter. Dragon Ball built a five foot legend. What happened when we sent the ultimate short king into the modern dating hellscape....
Infinite Zeni Glitch: When Yamcha Never Pays and Mr. Popo Always Does
The internet found an infinite money glitch. So did Yamcha. A smooth R&B track about the easiest money in the Dragon Ball world and the one man who keeps paying for it....
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dragon Ball episode "Day 1"?
Piccolo abandons Gohan in the wilderness for six months of survival training. On Snake Way, Goku nearly falls into Hell. At home, Krillin cannot bring himself to tell Chi-Chi the terrible news about her husband and son.
Which Dragon Ball series is "Day 1" from?
"Day 1" is episode 7 of Dragon Ball Z. Piccolo abandons Gohan in the wilderness for six months of survival training.
How does "Day 1" begin?
Piccolo drops Gohan in the desolate Break Wasteland and delivers a brutal ultimatum: survive on your own for six months, or you do not deserve to fight, much less live. The terrified boy is left completely alone with nothing but the clothes on his back. On the Lookout, Kami confides to Mr. Popo that he senses a change in Piccolo, something unexpected in his other half's behavior that does not align with pure evil.
What is the middle act of "Day 1"?
Gohan's first day alone strips away every comfort he has ever known. The boy who was sheltered by Chi-Chi's strict household must now fend for himself against dinosaurs, starvation, and the crushing weight of isolation. His survival instincts are nonexistent, but his determination to live keeps him moving.
How does "Day 1" end?
Day one of Gohan's training is really day one of his transformation from a timid child into a fighter. Piccolo's tough-love approach, Goku's perilous journey through the afterlife, and Krillin's inability to break the news to Chi-Chi all reinforce how much has changed since Raditz arrived. Every character is being pushed far beyond their comfort zone.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Day 1? The Dragon Ball Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Dragon Ball anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Toei Animation and Shueisha.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Bandai Namco, Atari, and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Akira Toriyama.
Browse our episode guides:
Official resources:
Help Us Keep This Wiki Accurate
Daddy Jim Headquarters maintains this encyclopedia. If you spot an error, a translation issue, or something that doesn't look right, let us know.