EPISODE CONTEXT

Following the Saibamen skirmish in the previous episodes, this is where the Saiyan invasion arc turns genuinely dire as Nappa steps onto the battlefield and the Z Fighters face a power gap they cannot close through skill alone. It's episode 10 of 97, still early in Kai's run, and the series is establishing its emotional vocabulary — sacrifice, outmatched courage, and the cost of defending Earth. Critically, this episode builds mounting tension around Goku's absence, setting the stage for his highly anticipated arrival as the team's last hope.