Vegeta’s become one of Dragon Ball’s strongest characters over the years, but he’s not exactly a social butterfly. The Prince of All Saiyans is most comfortable on the battlefield and prides himself on how powerful he’s become. That said, Vegeta’s extended time on Earth has softened his aggressive nature, so much so, he settled down with Bulma, got maried, and even started a family with two children he adores to death.
Becoming a family man has opened Vegeta’s heart more than he thought was possible – he’s even managed to make a few friends. Vegeta has had Saiyan battle partners in the past, but was never one of his priorities and he had no issue killing Nappa once he’d outlived his usefulness. It’s really a miracle Vegeta has friends at all, but it’s a testament to how much Goku’s greatest rival has grown since Dragon Ball Z.
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Broly & Vegeta Have Become Reliable Training Partners
There are many ways in which Dragon Ball Super’s reinterpretation of Broly differs from his Dragon Ball Z counterpart. One of the biggest differences between the two characters is that Dragon Ball Super’s Broly actually survives his battle against Goku and Vegeta, only to become a reliable, powerful training partner for the Saiyans. It would have been very easy for Dragon Ball Super: Broly to just clean house at the end of the film or even limit Broly’s appearances to the anime, rather than the manga.
Instead, Broly proceeds to ask deeper questions about his Saiyan lineage, the power he possesses and how to best control it. It’s refreshing that Broly doesn’t harbor any resentment towards Vegeta, considering his father was the one responsible for Broly’s banishment to Vampa. Broly and Vegeta are both willing not to let the other’s past define them and they’re able to turn this guilt and pride into a healthy, competitive bond.
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Vegeta & Broly Share The Same Killer Instinct & Saiyan Pride
Broly’s role following Dragon Ball Super: Broly has largely been restricted to extended training sessions on Beerus’ Planet. This may seem limiting to some extent, but they’ve become satisfying opportunities for Broly and Vegeta to bond. There’s a clear respect between the two of them when the manga’s Super Hero Saga comes to a close.
Vegeta respects that Broly will go all-out and that he’s someone who can actually challenge him. There are some very exciting opportunities in Dragon Ball Super’s future whenever Black Frieza strikes. Ultra Ego Vegeta and Legendary Super Saiyan Broly will definitely fight together to make their Saiyan people proud and wreak havoc on one of the Saiyans’ greatest enemies.
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Beerus Has Become An Unlikely Mentor & Friend For Vegeta
Lord Beerus, Universe 7’s God of Destruction, is a pivotal character emblematic of the big changes Dragon Ball Super brings to the table. Beerus and Whis’ arrival ushers in a new pantheon of divine beings who are spread across a whole multiverse. Beerus is introduced as a volatile wild card who is eager to destroy the Earth if he’s not satisfied with a fight against a Super Saiyan God.
Despite this intense introduction, Beerus becomes a surprising friend to Vegeta and Goku. Both Saiyans spend a lot of time with Beerus and Whis, but Vegeta is drawn more to Beerus, while Goku trains under Whis. This pairing is quite effective and Vegeta is able to feed upon Beerus’ brutal training tactics & words of advice. Vegeta takes to Beerus’ training more naturally than Goku and even masters the destructive Hakai technique.
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Vegeta’s Skills Leave Beerus Impressed
Beerus is genuinely impressed with Vegeta’s progress and he leaves him with a standing offer to become a God of Destruction if he’s ever interested in the position. Vegeta doesn’t become a God of Destruction, but his Ultra Ego transformation feels like a manifestation of his training under Beerus. He even fires off the Gods of Destruction’s Sphere of Destruction attack, but he calls it the Beerus Ball. Vegeta doesn’t create an original name for the attack or attempt to make it his own.
Vegeta doesn’t just casually use other people’s attacks and this display reflects a real bond with Beerus. There’s fondness and understanding between Vegeta and Beerus, which is saying something considering Beerus’ abusive treatment to King Vegeta in the past and Bulma in the present. Now it wouldn’t be difficult to picture Beerus sacrificing himself to save Vegeta under the right circumstances.
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Piccolo & Vegeta Have Developed A Deep, Honorable Respect For One Another
Vegeta and Piccolo may not advertise one another as being close friends, but their bond is undeniable. Piccolo, like Vegeta, has gone down a long path of redemption and the two characters have more in common than many other Z-Fighters. Vegeta and Piccolo both fell in love with Earth, despite their initial directives to conquer the planet. Piccolo and Vegeta are initially at odds with each other, but a friendship is crystalized during their brutal clash against Frieza on Namek.
Vegeta dies while Piccolo barely makes it out alive. These characters have had each other’s backs and helped each other survive since – they’re even the first two Z-Fighters to die fighting the Androids in Future Trunks’ timeline. There aren’t nearly enough tag-team efforts and interactions between Vegeta & Piccolo during the Tournament of Power, but it makes the moments that do occur between them standout even more. There’s clear respect between the characters, their commitment to martial arts and growing stronger, and how far they’re willing to go for the greater good.
Vegeta & Piccolo Have Overcome Impossible Odds Together
Piccolo and Vegeta haven’t sacrificed themselves for each other, but they both have for others. In fact, Piccolo shares a really sweet heart-to-heart with Vegeta before his decision to sacrifice himself against Buu with his Final Explosion attack. Piccolo explains the dangers of reincarnation to Vegeta and makes sure that he understands the full extent of what’s at stake. Vegeta also later demonstrates guilt and shame over his own Namekian atrocities and attempts to atone for these past sins, partly because he’s become friends with such a selfless Namekian.
Additionally, Vegeta and Piccolo do some playful bonding during their trip to the Demon Realm in Dragon Ball DAIMA. Vegeta travels to the Demon Realm alongside Bulma, Piccolo, and Hybis. Dragon Ball DAIMA doesn’t highlight the full extent of their journey before they meet up with Goku, but it seems as if Vegeta and Piccolo got along just fine. There are no complaints from Vegeta about being stuck with a Namekian. They valiantly fight together against the Demon Realm’s grander threats.
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Vegeta Admires Cabba’s Desire To Grow As A Saiyan
Dragon Ball Super introduces a multiverse that’s full of exciting individuals, challenging opponents, and limitless possibilities. One of the most appealing elements to come out of Dragon Ball Super’s multiverse is that Universe 6 still has a robust Saiyan population. Cabba, Kale, and Caulifla become the central Saiyan trio who go on to represent Universe 6. Vegeta first faces Cabba in the Tournament of Destroyers and their battle quickly turns into more of a training session.
Cabba is impressed with Vegeta’s raw Saiyan power and he yearns to reach the same heights. Universe 6’s Saiyans don’t have any Super Saiyan experience, but Vegeta teaches Cabba how to channel this power and turn it into something special. Vegeta also inspires Cabba to unlock Super Saiyan 2 during the Tournament of Power. Less is evidently more when it comes to Cabba and Vegeta, but their warm energy definitely leaves an impression.
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Cabba Looks Up To Vegeta As A Saiyan Role Model
Vegeta pledges to travel to Universe 6 to help Cabba train, which speaks to how taken he is with this young Saiyan. This extended training session is never seen, but it’s not impossible to consider that it happened offscreen or will still take place. Vegeta seems to really relish being in the role of mentor and teacher, especially when it comes to Saiyan excellence. He experiences a level of fun with Cabba that’s extremely rare for Vegeta.
It’s likely the dynamic that he would have had with his younger brother, Tarble, if he wasn’t averse to fighting. There’s a clear bond between Vegeta and Cabba. Vegeta even helps save the Universe 6 Saiyan’s life during the Tournament of Power, but the extent of their friendship becomes clear when Vegeta prepares for the worst during his Final Explosion sacrifice against Universe 11’s Toppo. Vegeta thinks about the people in his life who are important to him and Cabba makes the cut.
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Vegeta & Goku Grow From Bitter Rivals Into Best Friends
It’s not easy for someone to work their way into Vegeta’s heart, especially when that person has repeatedly proven to be their superior. Goku and Vegeta’s contentious rivalry has always been one of Dragon Ball’s most best relationships. Vegeta will frequently trail behind Goku’s accomplishments, but the mere knowledge the other is out there and training to get stronger is enough to motivate the other to work harder. Vegeta has begrudgingly acknowledged Goku’s excellence over the years and his resentment has slowly evolved into pride.
He’s genuinely impressed by what Goku manages to achieve and he’s learned to view this as a collective win for the Saiyans, rather than an area in which he’s failed. Vegeta considers Goku to be the ultimate training partner and they’ve spent the equivalent of years together in isolation during their Hyperbolic Time Chamber training. That becomes a whole lot harder if there’s not a genuine friendship between the involved parties.
Goku & Vegeta Bring Out The Best In Each Other
Goku and Vegeta are always quick to support the other in battle. However, their friendship and comfort with the other is truly put to the test when fusion is added to the equation. Vegeta is willing to temporarily share a body with Goku, which is the ultimate sign of trust and something that needs to be done with a true friend.
Many Dragon Ball series conclude with a cathartic exchange between Vegeta and Goku, whether it’s as a goodbye or the start of an intense training session. Dragon Ball understands that Vegeta and Goku are at their happiest when they’re locked in combat with each other. A happy ending for these two is a never-ending battle.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First Film
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Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest Film
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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Summary
Dragon Ball is the labor of writer/illustrator Akira Toriyama, beginning with Dragon Ball back in 1984. The series originally started as a serialized manga back in Weekly Shonen Jump for nearly a decade until it expanded into the anime franchises it is most known for today. Dragon Ball was later adapted into two animes, with one being Dragon Ball Z, the most universally known series in the entire Dragon Ball canon. The franchise has continued to expand lore via films, video games, and additional sequel TV series, such as the more recent Dragon Ball Super and Super Dragon Ball Heroes. Dragon Ball centers mostly around Son Goku, a being known as a Saiyan, and his friends as they face off against intergalactic threats and seek out the titular dragon balls. When all seven of these balls are collected, they can be used to summon a legendary dragon that can grant the wishes of whoever so gathers them. The Dragon Ball franchise continues to be one of the most well-known and beloved animes of all time, with over forty different countries airing it, and has had a tremendous impact on Western culture as a whole.
