
The team-up is considered the true birth of the Z Fighters. Goku formed an alliance with his arch rival Piccolo in order to fight for a common cause. The first actual formation of the Z Fighters was out of necessity, brought on when Goku was faced with Raditz, who had kidnapped his young son Gohan and wanted to destroy the Earth. Its members consisted of Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, Yajirobe and their supporters. The team that could be considered an early rendition of the Z Fighters was formed mainly in response to the threat posed by King Piccolo and later his son in the ultimate story arc of Dragon Ball. This included evils such as Emperor Pilaf and the Red Ribbon Army. Typically, this brought the group into conflict with a host of villainous characters who sought to use the Dragon Balls for power, whereas the Dragon Ball Gang desired the balls for good.


Their original purpose for coming together was not to protect the Dragon Balls, but to use them themselves. Goku and Piccolo form the first "Z Fighter" alliance to battle Raditz and to save Gohanĭuring the Dragon Ball anime, a similar team existed, but it was called the Dragon Ball Gang.
