Whether or not you're a fan of Dragon Ball, you will have likely come across Vegeta. This character started off as an antagonist without a huge role, but he soon became extremely popular with viewers, at times referred to as the main character. His arc is quite impressive, since he goes from villainous to anti-hero, and by the end, he's firmly rooted in the good side. But, since the iconic character is not exactly human, who is he and where does he come from?
When talking about iconic shonen anime, it's hard not to mention Dragon Ball and its sequels. The franchise first appears on tv back in the 80s and it does look the part; given the infinite possibilities of contemporary works, with anime going increasingly mainstreams, some might claim Dragon Ball hasn't aged particularly well.
This, of course, doesn't mean that the show is without its charm. Besides, the factor of nostalgia shouldn't be underestimated; those who loved the anime back then will most likely still enjoy it now, and many new fans might be up for a vintage ride. Besides, the show never quite stopped being relevant. The manga-inspired installment Dragon Ball Heroes is currently ongoing.
Whether or not you're a fan of Dragon Ball, you will have likely come across Vegeta. This is a character who started off as an antagonist without a huge role, but he soon became extremely popular with viewers, at times favored over to the main character. His arc is quite impressive, since he goes from villainous to anti-hero, and by the end, he's firmly rooted in the good side. But, since the iconic character is not exactly human, who is he and where does he come from?
First, a short overview of Dragon Ball. For the uninitiated, the show starts off following a boy called Gokuu who possesses a Dragon Ball. These artifacts are said to grant a person's wish if they possess all seven, so Gokuu is soon approached by a Bulma, a girl who wants to collect them all. But she's not the only one looking for them. Others would have them for less than noble purposes, so Goku must train to become a strong fighter and keep the Dragon Balls safe.
Vegeta, referred to on TV Tropes as "THE Shonen Rival," is one such character. His motivations and overall behavior are linked with his background. Vegeta is an extraterrestrial warrior and one of the last Saiyans – a proud, advanced race. His planet is called Vegeta, and he was a prince there, hence his name.
Vegeta, who was one of the very few surviving Saiyans, wanted the Dragon Balls in order to become an invincible warrior. For a long, long time, Vegeta genuinely believes he's the strongest being in the universe due to his status as a Sayian Prince of Vegeta, so he keeps antagonizing Goku and refusing to acknowledge the latter's superiority.
Eventually, Vegeta comes a long way. It's not by chance that he's so popular with shonen fans, after all. His legacy and origins are not everything there is to know about him, and even if Dragon Ball isn't your cup of tea, he makes watching a few episodes worthwhile, for anime history purposes if nothing else.
Related:Dragon Ball Super Shows Off Granolah's Incredible Powers as His Battle vs. Goku and Vegeta Kicks Off
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
Dragon Ball