For over forty years, Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has captivated audiences worldwide, offering a narrative depth that only a long-running series can provide. Unlike the typical 26-episode anime, Dragon Ball allows for an expansive exploration of its characters, enabling significant growth and transformation over its hundreds of episodes.

Among these characters, Vegeta stands out for his remarkable evolution. Although he doesn’t make his entrance until Dragon Ball Z, Vegeta’s journey from a formidable antagonist to a trusted ally is nothing short of extraordinary. While the series is replete with characters undergoing redemption, Vegeta’s metamorphosis remains unparalleled, serving as a beacon of inspiration.

Interestingly, one might assume that Goku’s battle with his estranged brother, Raditz, would carry more emotional weight than his confrontation with Vegeta. However, it’s the clash with Vegeta that becomes truly unforgettable. This iconic battle is compelling because Goku and Vegeta epitomize two sides of the same coin. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, their rivalry embodies the classic debate of nature versus nurture.

The tension between them is palpable as Goku, a Low-Class Saiyan, challenges Vegeta, a Saiyan Prince, on equal footing. To Vegeta, Goku’s ability to match his strength and prowess is a personal affront—a defiance of the natural order that demands the utmost respect for the Saiyan Elite. This rivalry not only defines their relationship but also enriches the narrative, ensuring that their dynamic remains one of the series’ most engaging aspects.

Vegeta Is Humbled By a Low-Class Saiyan Reality Check That Disgraces His Lineage

One would think that there would be a greater sense of stakes and emotional connection during Goku’s fight against his estranged Saiyan sibling, Raditz, than there is against Vegeta, but this isn’t the cast at all. What makes Goku and Vegeta’s clash such an unforgettable encounter is that these Saiyans feel like two sides of the same coin. Goku and Vegeta’s backgrounds couldn’t be more different, yet this turns into the ultimate example of nature versus nurture. Goku’s ability to match Vegeta’s strength and skills comes across as a personal affront to the Saiyan Prince. A Low-Class Saiyan has no right to match the talents of Saiyan Elite royalty.

Vegeta has always been defined by his pride and ego, which puts him in rough shape when he’s not just defeated by Goku and company, but shown mercy from them. Vegeta becomes more committed than ever to acquiring immortality and proving that he’s the superior Saiyan. His time on Namek leads to some enlightening revelations that prompt temporary alliances between Vegeta and his former foes. It’s one thing for Vegeta to save Krillin and Gohan’s lives, but he’s eventually actively relying on Goku’s help to survive.

Rather than begrudge Goku during these moments, Vegeta accepts that it’s Goku who is likely the mythical Super Saiyan, rather than himself. It’d be easy for Vegeta’s final moments on Namek to be bitter and hate-filled, like his goodbye on Earth. Vegeta instead exhibits raw honesty that’s stripped of any hubris as he has a heart-to-heart with Goku. He pleads with Goku to rise to the occasion and get justice for the fallen Saiyans and destroy Frieza without restraint. Vegeta accepts that he won’t be the one to do this, but still takes comfort in another Saiyan’s success.

Vegeta’s Resurrection Solidifies His Heroic Status & Appreciation For Earth As Home

It’s not hard to picture a version of Dragon Ball Z in which Vegeta remains dead following his fatality on Namek. Vegeta’s cathartic clarity before his death goes a long way for his development, which continues to progress following his first resurrection. There’s initially some tension that surrounds Vegeta hanging out on Earth, but this change of scenery actually inspires quite a bit of growth in him.

Vegeta decides to stay on Earth, rather than fleeing to conquer other planets across the galaxy, and even begins to regard it as home. Vegeta learns to appreciate Earth’s many creature comforts, rather than plotting the planet’s destruction. A major motivator in Vegeta’s altruistic change of heart is that he starts a family with Bulma. Vegeta implicitly loves Bulma and Trunks, which opens up deeper emotions where he learns how to care for others beyond himself. This extends to a compulsion to protect Earth, no matter the cost.

Piccolo, and to a lesser extent Tien, experience similar redemptive trajectories in Dragon Ball, but neither of their story arcs are as extreme as what Vegeta undergoes. It’s not just that Vegeta becomes a hero, but he develops a whole new side of himself that’s only possible through the experience of parenthood. He’s able to abandon the pomp and circumstance of a royal lineage and monarchy in favor of a simple, loving family. It’s rather poetic that both Vegeta and Goku abandon their original directives to conquer Earth, but only Vegeta chooses this fate for himself as an adult.

Vegeta Must Hit Rock Bottom as a Majin Before He Can Truly Evolve As A Friend & Hero

A seven-year time-skip separates Dragon Ball Z’s Cell and Buu Sagas, the likes of which expose Vegeta to some serious changes. Goku dies at the end of the Cell Saga, with Gohan surpassing his father as Earth’s strongest warrior. Vegeta heads down a troubled path over the next seven years since he no longer has Goku as a sparring partner and competitive rival. Vegeta instead focuses on training his son, Trunks, who he’s determined will be stronger than Goku’s second child, Goten.

Vegeta experiences an identity crisis when Goku is allowed a 24-hour furlough to return to Earth for the 25th World Tournament. Conflicted with pressure and pride, Vegeta succumbs to Babidi’s manipulation sorcery in exchange for a considerable power boost. Majin Vegeta brings the Saiyan back to his dark roots. This is seen as a regressive moment for Vegeta, but it’s a necessary step on Vegeta’s journey. He needs to truly test himself and understand that he’s fundamentally changed and no longer craves the same things that he once did.

Majin Vegeta causes chaos, claims lives, and brutalizes Goku, but it comes across as a forced performance. Vegeta can’t help but later concede that he loves Earth and his family so much that he’s willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Vegeta’s speech before his Final Explosion sacrifice against Majin Buu is one of Dragon Ball’s most emotional moments. Vegeta is willing to swallow his pride and take himself out of the picture, even if that means his wicked soul will experience reincarnation.

Vegeta’s noble sacrifice proves to be such a selfless act that it overrides his villainous past and solidifies his status as a hero in God’s eyes, leading to him thankfully keeping his body in Other World. It’s such a beautiful full-circle moment for Vegeta that’s further developed when he admits that Goku is the best fighter, once and for all.

Vegeta watches Goku take on Kid Buu and doesn’t experience jealousy or anger over his Saiyan peer’s accomplishments. If anything, Vegeta is proud of his friend, and he finally understands that Goku fights because he’s passionate about the craft and not driven by some desire to gain bragging rights. Vegeta continues to evolve and figure himself out in Dragon Ball Super, Dragon Ball GT, and beyond, but he experiences a full arc in Dragon Ball Z that’s far too rich for any other character to possibly top.

Created by

Akira Toriyama

Latest Film

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

First TV Show

Dragon Ball