Emperor Pilaf first shows up in Dragon Ball as its first villain for Goku to face. He is seen in the very first saga. He wants nothing more then to rule the world, and tries to collect the dragon balls to wish for it. With Shao and Mai at his side following his every order, and leaving them to do most of the dirty work, Pilaf manages to get only one of the dragon balls before Yamcha, Puar, Oolong, Bulma, and Goku break into his palace to get it.