Goku is typically front and center when it comes to Dragon Ball’s storytelling. That being said, he’s hardly a lone wolf who operates on his own. Vegeta is frequently by Goku’s side and his own Super Saiyan milestones often match – and sometimes even surpass – what Goku brings to the table. Vegeta experiences a remarkable arc throughout Dragon Ball Z where he begins as a vicious villain who is indifferent to Earth and ends the series as one of the planet’s greatest heroes.
The satisfying catharsis that Vegeta experiences at the end of Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga can give off the impression that he’s more of a stagnant character when Dragon Ball Super comes around. Vegeta’s role in Dragon Ball Super is arguably even more important to the story than his purpose in Dragon Ball Z. Vegeta really gets a chance to blossom in Dragon Ball Super, which prompts productive change and a deeper character than many people give credit.
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Vegeta’s Relationship With Goku Continues To Deepen
Vegeta’s admission that Goku is superior to him during the Saiyan’s clash against Kid Buu is one of Vegeta’s greatest moments in Dragon Ball Z. It’s a deep moment of reflection that also indicates that Vegeta is finally able to get out of his own way and not be blinded by his ego and pride. Many fans dismiss Vegeta’s characterization in Dragon Ball Super as being regressive, almost as if he’s forgotten this moment of clarity from the Buu Saga. Vegeta remains competitive with Goku, but it’s only because this is the dynamic that works best for them and allows them to both surpass their limits. Vegeta has actually made headway when it comes to his complicated relationship with Goku. He continues to grow and learn on this front.
Vegeta is willing to swallow his pride and head to Yardrat in order to master essential skills that Goku has already learned. There’s a time when Vegeta would have rejected the same techniques as Goku. Vegeta’s refusal to donate energy to Goku’s Universe 7 Spirit Bomb is also frequently brought up as a petty moment of regression, especially when Frieza helps contribute to the attack. Vegeta maintains his energy so he’s able to protect Goku and keep him safe while he conjures energy for this attack. He still helps out Goku, just in a different manner. Vegeta even exhibits fewer reservations regarding fusion and the prospect of sharing a body with Goku when they’re forced to become Gogeta during their fight against Broly.
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Vegeta Continues To Reckon With His Past Sins
Vegeta saves a Namekian from Moro in Dragon Ball Super manga.Image via Shueisha
Vegeta’s growth in Dragon Ball Z is undeniable. He begins the series as someone who is committed to killing Goku and destroying the Earth, only to become one of Goku’s best friends and someone who is willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. These flashy moments in Dragon Ball Z stand out the most, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of his continued evolution in Dragon Ball Super. At this point in Dragon Ball, everyone has forgiven Vegeta and he’s properly recognized as a hero. He doesn’t need to prove anything to anyone.
Nevertheless, Vegeta reveals that he still harbors incredible guilt over his ruthless massacres on Namek. He goes above and beyond to protect innocent Namekians during the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga and feels a personal sense of responsibility to rebalance these karmic scales. It’s some of Vegeta’s most emotionally rewarding material and a level of insight that’s sometimes lacking in Dragon Ball Z. Even Vegeta’s decision to once again resort to his Final Explosion gambit during the Tournament of Power speaks to his commitment to the greater good and how he’d do anything to eliminate evil.
5
Vegeta’s Contributions Are Still Important To The Defeat Of Major Villains
Vegeta gets ready to fight Auta Magetta and Frost in Dragon Ball Super.Image via Toei Animation
One of the grander complaints about modern Dragon Ball as a whole is that Goku is the only one who gets to defeat any of the central villains. Not only is Goku put in the perpetual role of heroic victor, but Vegeta also seems to be demoted to “jobber” status. Vegeta makes waves against a villain, but it’s more about setting Goku up for success than his own win. This is a popular misconception, and Vegeta still gets many opportunities to prove his power.
Vegeta takes out Tagoma before he has the chance to really become a problem. He’s also the most productive Universe 7 fighter during the Tournament of Destroyers. Vegeta may not defeat Jiren in the Tournament of Power, but he does take out Universe 11’s Top – a juggernaut with God of Destruction-level power. This isn’t insignificant considering that Goku himself isn’t even the last one standing when the Tournament of Power ends. Vegeta’s Forced Spirit Fission is a new technique that often goes ignored. However, it’s as important as Goku’s Perfected Ultra Instinct when it comes to Moro’s defeat. Finally, it’s Vegeta’s Ultra Ego breakthrough transformation that effectively overpowers Granolah and ushers in the endgame of their fight, where Gas emerges as the true threat.
4
Vegeta’s Transformations Aren’t Just Reductive Of Goku’s New Forms
A new transformation’s introduction is always a cause for celebration, and in Dragon Ball Super’s case, it’s typically Goku who is the first to experience a new form. In fact, in the case of Super Saiyan God, every Saiyan – including Vegeta – works together to give Goku power and celebrate him. It may be disheartening for Vegeta fans to watch him reach milestones like Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue after Goku. However, Vegeta arguably does more with these transformations and pushes them to more impressive places. Vegeta reaches Super Saiyan God on his own, without a ritual, for instance. He also pioneers Super Saiyan God-to-Blue Switching, which maximizes both forms to their true potential.
Vegeta’s Super Saiyan Blue Evolved also taps into greater power than what Goku possesses without needing to put his body in jeopardy through boosted Kaio-Ken abilities. Vegeta’s big Ultra Ego transformation is sometimes being dismissed as a reductive response to Ultra Instinct because Vegeta’s unable to achieve Goku’s new power-up. Vegeta’s development of Ultra Ego and giving it this name is to mock Ultra Instinct, if anything. It’s his way of highlighting that he’s perfected a superior form that plays better to his strengths. It’s incredibly appropriate that Vegeta would use his strongest form as a way to get a dig in against Angels.
3
Vegeta’s Relationship With His Saiyan Roots Evolves
Vegeta remembers his oath to Cabba in Dragon Ball Super.Image via Toei Animation
Vegeta has a fascinating relationship with his Saiyan roots that’s far different from Goku’s understanding of his people’s lineage. Vegeta hasn’t just been aware of his Saiyan heritage for his entire life, but he’s come from royalty and an entitled perspective that it’s his birthright to lead the Saiyans to success. However, Vegeta experiences a revelatory reckoning upon learning that Universe 6 still has a thriving Saiyan population.
Vegeta quickly bonds with Cabba and helps him master the basics of Super Saiyan strength, but he’s also interested in the prospect of traveling to Universe 6 to help train the Saiyans over there. Vegeta is able to get a glimpse of a different life through Universe 6. Other Dragon Ball Super villains, such as Broly, Granolah, and the Heeter Force all attempt to hold Vegeta accountable for the Saiyans’ wicked past. Vegeta takes on the weight of this burden as he works hard to further rehabilitate the Saiyans’ image and his connection to them and what they represent.
2
Vegeta Reaches New Heights As A Family Member & Friend
Vegeta, Bulma And Trunks Riding A Train In Dragon Ball Super “To the Promised Resort! Vegeta Takes a Family Trip.”Image via Toei Animation
The presumption that Vegeta is a cold, stoic individual who doesn’t know how to properly express his emotions is such a wild simplification of the Saiyan. Vegeta certainly comes from a withholding past; however, Dragon Ball Super actually spends a lot of time fleshing out this side of Vegeta’s character and shows that he’s more than just constant training and combat. Dragon Ball Super depicts Vegeta at his most frantic and human, whether it’s family vacations with Bulma and Trunks or his radical cooking and dance efforts to keep Beerus appeased.
Vegeta’s love for Bulma is never in doubt, but Dragon Ball Super strengthens their bond when Vegeta refuses to leave his pregnant wife’s side for the Tournament of Power until she’s given birth. It’s such a stunning reversal of priorities that reflects Vegeta’s growth. It doesn’t even feel like Goku would do something this selfless and loving. Outside his family, Vegeta also shows growth as a friend and ally. The battle royale aspect of the Tournament of Power helps Vegeta better appreciate and celebrate supporting characters like Cabba, Krillin, and Master Roshi.
1
Vegeta Is Strong Enough To Be A God Of Destruction
A running theme throughout Dragon Ball Super is whether Vegeta or Goku will take Beerus up on his offer to become a God of Destruction. Goku and Vegeta both rebuke Beerus’ offer, but Vegeta’s refusal of this position has nothing to do with his power not being up to par with God of Destruction standard. In fact, Vegeta gets further in Beerus’ God of Destruction training than Goku does and he actually masters their signature Hakai technique. This earns Vegeta a God of Destruction earring, which is an extremely rare privilege.
It’s no coincidence that this is all followed with Vegeta’s Ultra Ego debut, which is very much treated like his Destroyer Form, right down to his use of Beerus Ball/Sphere of Destruction. Vegeta is more than powerful enough to be a God of Destruction. He just turns down Beerus’ offer because he isn’t interested in the responsibility that comes along with it. It’s not a case of Vegeta failing on this front, proving to be unworthy of the title, or still working to become stronger so he can reach this title.