Goku and Vegetahave long served as rivals throughoutDragon Ball’srun, motivating each other to become stronger and reach new heights of power. In every dire situation, the Z-Fighters instinctively turn to Goku, who has always been framed as the anime’s top hero and protagonist. Yet, it’s Vegeta who embodies a far more compelling narrative.
Goku’s motivations often stem from a straightforward desireto fight strong opponents and protect his family and friends. While Goku’s power and purity of heart are admirable, this singular focus limits his character development. In contrast,Vegeta’s character arc is marked by massive transformationsand development from the moment he was introduced to the series. Having started as a major antagonist,Vegeta became one of Earth’s greatest heroes.
Vegeta Evolved Multiple Times Throughout Dragon Ball’s Franchise
Vegeta Went From Power Hungry Villain To One Of Dragon Ball’s Greatest Heroes
Vegeta was introduced during the Saiyan Saga as a cold and ruthless Saiyan prince whose only motivation was centered around his desire for power and immortality. He was driven to achieve an immortal form so he could finally best Frieza and end the tyrant’s reign once and for all. However, after his brutal defeat, he turns to Goku to seek revenge on his behalf. By the end of the Frieza Saga, Vegeta had been forced tocome face to face with his pride and actions.
Vegeta, who long believed his birthright set him up to be the greatest Saiyan warrior, had been left behind by a stronger opponent whom he believed was beneath him. This spurred him on to train himself to become more powerful so he could one day defeat Goku and reclaim the ounce of pride that he had lost during the Frieza Saga. However, as time went on, Vegetastopped viewing his rivalry with Goku as a means to an endand gained respect for him as he settled on Earth.
Only One Dragon Ball Character Has Potential That Rivals Gohan
While Gohan is usually touted as the Dragon Ball character with the most potential, a fellow Saiyan has showed he can actually rival him.
ThroughoutDragon Ball’s run, Vegeta continuously experiences deep changes through his relationships with other characters. Before the Android saga, Vegeta settled down with Bulma and had a son, however, at first, Vegeta was less than thrilled at the idea of having a family. Yet, by the end ofDragon Ball Z, in the Majin Buu saga,Vegeta decides to sacrifice himself to save his family and the Earthafter having a shortheartfelt moment with Trunks. This transformation into a warrior seeking power into a hero makes Vegeta a gripping character to examine and watch.
Goku Has No Real Character Development
Goku’s Only Development Comes From His Continuous Power Ups And Transformations
While Goku may be the hero inDragon Ball,his character often remains stagnantin terms of character development and growth. Since the beginning, Goku’s core motivations to protect his friends and his love for fighting strong opponents remain largely unchanged. External challenges and battles primarily mark his journey, and he hardly experienced any major character development.
While Goku’s journey is exciting and his personality welcoming,he remains limited to development in terms of strengthalone. From the beginning of his adventure to the most recent arc ofDragon Ball,Goku fundamentally is the same person he has been since the beginning. His outlook is both unwavering and straightforward, making him a grounded fighter, but also prevents him from becoming a protagonist with true development.
Dragon Ball Would Be Better With A Protagonist Like Vegeta
Vegeta Is Far More Dynamic Than Goku’s Character
While Goku is an enjoyable hero,his straightforward heroism becomes bland and lacks depththat could makeDragon Ballstand out greater. If a protagonist like Vegeta led the series, it would offer more complexity to the overall narrative through his growth since being introduced in the current arc. With Vegeta at the center, it opens up the potential to explore deeper themes while also maintaining a battle-focused storyline.
Unlike Goku who remains unchallenged in his morals, Vegeta experiences evolution thatallows for a far more dynamic and gripping story. Having started with nothing except his power and going on to eventuallyhave a family to protect, Vegeta has greater emotional stakes. While Goku also has a family to protect, his love for training and growing stronger overshadows his emotional connections, unlike Vegeta. Ultimately, having Vegeta as the protagonist would deepenDragon Ball’simpact by allowing a stronger subtext and creating a more grounded hero.
Dragon Ball
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.
