"Dragon Ball: Episode of Bardock" is a short manga series that serves as a spin-off to the main "Dragon Ball" narrative, focusing on Bardock, the father of Goku. The story begins with Bardock, a low-class Saiyan warrior, facing Frieza's destruction of Planet Vegeta. After a fierce battle, Bardock is presumed dead, but instead of perishing, he is transported to the distant past through a temporal anomaly. He awakens on an unknown planet, later revealed to be Planet Plant, the original home of the Saiyans before they conquered it and renamed it Planet Vegeta.

In this unfamiliar era, Bardock encounters the ancestors of the Tuffles, a technologically advanced race that would later become the Saiyans' enemies. The Tuffles, led by a tyrant named Chilled, oppress the primitive Saiyans of the time. Bardock, initially disoriented, begins to regain his strength and resolve. His Saiyan instincts drive him to confront Chilled and his forces, who are exploiting the planet's resources and subjugating its inhabitants.

As Bardock fights against Chilled, he taps into the legendary Super Saiyan transformation, a state of immense power that had only been a myth among the Saiyans. This transformation is triggered by Bardock's rage and determination to protect the weak, a stark contrast to the typical Saiyan thirst for battle and conquest. The battle culminates in Bardock defeating Chilled, who, in his final moments, warns his subordinates about the existence of a "Super Saiyan," planting the seeds of fear that would later influence Frieza's actions.

The manga concludes with Bardock deciding to stay on Planet Plant, embracing his role as a protector rather than a destroyer. His actions in the past inadvertently shape the future, as the legend of the Super Saiyan begins to spread, influencing the Saiyan race and their eventual conflict with Frieza. The story provides a deeper exploration of Bardock's character, portraying him as a complex figure who transcends the typical Saiyan archetype, blending strength with a sense of justice.