Though he’s always been one of Dragon Ball‘s fan-favorite characters, along with the many other fighters who bled Saiyan blood, Vegeta’s popularity skyrocketed during the franchise’s 2010s revival. Dragon Ball Super placed the prince alongside Goku in a leading role, and as a result, fans were entirely won over by the new and improved Vegeta.
His growth throughout the series is evident in the modern, softer Saiyan, who has retained his pride yet seems to value those who have come to mean something to him.
That gradual change is what has made Vegeta so beloved by Dragon Ball fans, but it also points to a quality that many of his supporters likely don’t want to hear much about. Throughout most of the series, in contrast to his obsession with pride and legacy, Vegeta’s a bit of a loser, and that’s what makes him great.
Vegeta’s Pretty Pathetic, But That’s What Makes Him Work
The Saiyan Prince Has His Shortcomings
Like practically any other major Dragon Ball villain, Vegeta appeared intimidating and ruthless, until his actual personality came out in battle and told a bit of a different story. Frieza is likely the strongest example of this writing quirk from Akira Toriyama. He appeared, was overly evil, spoke in an unsettling manner, and overpowered everyone.
Later on, his own pride and overconfidence drew him in a far more pathetic light, and the reveal of his insecurities regarding his size in Dragon Ball Super only made him more of a comedic presence at times. Vegeta was much the same before him, coming off cool and confident before throwing tantrums over the possibility of another Saiyan matching his strength.
By the time his failed invasion of Earth came to an end during the Saiyan Saga, Vegeta came off as little more than a sore loser with a big ego. That quality didn’t really change all that much throughout the vast majority of his remaining time in Akira Toriyama’s original series, ultimately culminating in Majin Vegeta.
His obsession with becoming stronger than Goku and the largely one-sided rivalry that has defined his character since he first appeared are undeniably silly. However, it’s the determination he showcases and the growth that’s stemmed from those obsessions that just make him work.
Vegeta Has Imperfections, Like All of Dragon Ball’s Iconic Heroes
The Saiyan Prince Might Be a Loser, But That’s Why Fans Love Him
These days, Vegeta is far more than his rivalry with Goku. He’s become a family man, and understands his role as a protector of the Earth better than anyone else in the series. However, that obsession with surpassing Goku hasn’t gone away entirely, though it’s a much more lighthearted element of his character compared to what it once was.
Even with a slight imperfection, the prince’s determination towards his somewhat silly goal, along with his work ethic, can only be called admirable, and helps to win over fans all the same. He isn’t the only imperfect Dragon Ball hero either. Each of the main cast members all have their shortcomings.
The current version of Vegeta mixes a likable personality with what’s become a silly quirk, making him one of the franchise’s most popular fighters.
Goku’s general lack of awareness or care for responsibilities has been well documented. Gohan has a terrible habit of letting his wild potential go to waste. Piccolo can’t really be called a people person in any sense. Each of the main players has some sort of defective trait, and the list doesn’t stop with only the most important ones.
Giving a character flaws is one of the simplest tactics a writer can use to ensure fans connect with a story, and is something that has become sorely missing from the countless power fantasy anime series that pop up each season. The current version of Vegeta mixes a likable personality with what’s become a silly quirk, making him one of the franchise’s most popular fighters.
Dragon Ball Is So Much Better When Vegeta Plays a Major Role
The Prince Is the Perfect Opposite to Goku
Modern Dragon Ball isn’t without controversy, especially when it comes to 2015’s Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’, which opened a can of worms by giving Frieza the ability to power-up with little to no effort. However, that film also catapulted Vegeta into his new role by placing him on equal footing with Goku, and the two have largely kept up with each other since.
Not only does this dynamic invite viewers to choose a side, it also makes their progression all the more exciting to follow. Having these two totally opposite characters, who began as bitter enemies, now fighting side-by-side against stronger and stronger foes has added endless depth to the series and their characters.
Dragon Ball is home to some of the most popular fighters in anime and manga history, and no other character has enjoyed quite as drastic a rise in popularity as Vegeta has in recent years. He might have been somewhat pathetic throughout most of the series, but Dragon Ball is so much better when he’s around.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
