Dragon Ball: Every Canon Fight Vegeta Has Lost

Key Takeaways

Vegeta often suffers decisive defeats in battles, relying on Goku to save the day and protect Earth.
Despite getting stronger with each loss, Vegeta’s victories are short-lived and followed by bigger threats.
Vegeta’s pride and ego lead to his undoing in battles, culminating in defeats against powerful foes like Frieza and Jiren.

As a long-time fan of Dragon Ball and someone who has witnessed countless battles between the Z-Warriors, I can confidently say that each confrontation between Vegeta and his opponents holds a special place in my heart.

In the series, it’s no walk in the park being the second most powerful character, given Vegeta’s immense pride as a top-tier Saiyan and son of King Vegeta. Despite his numerous battles and growth in strength, Vegeta’s triumphs are often fleeting or pave the way for an even greater danger he can’t overcome due to his lack of sufficient power.

That’s when it falls to Goku to secure the victory, ensuring Earth’s safety, in those battles where Vegeta endures a definitive defeat at the hands of his adversary. This analysis focuses solely on the fights that are recognized as canon, excluding any training skirmishes.

13 Vegeta Vs. Goku

Running With His Tail Between His Legs

Dragon Ball: Every Canon Fight Vegeta Has Lost

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Saiyan Saga

In the opening stages of Dragon Ball Z, during the Saiyan Saga, it was the first time he experienced defeat – Vegeta, rather than swiftly annihilating Earth and its inhabitants for Lord Frieza, instead opted to torment the Z-fighters, reveling in their distress and boosting his own arrogance. However, this game of torture came to an end when Goku made his entrance from King Kai’s planet.

Despite not being defeated by Goku alone, Vegeta experienced a clear-cut defeat due to the unified efforts of Earth’s warriors, such as Krillin, Gohan, and even Yajirobe. Goku weakened Vegeta significantly, particularly after the spirit bomb, and when Gohan transformed into his Ozaru form and landed on Vegeta, it marked the end for him. However, he narrowly escaped because Goku asked Krillin to let him go.

12 Vegeta Vs. Zarbon

Defeated By Ugliness

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Frieza Saga

Saiyan warriors gain strength following brush-with-death situations, and Vegeta’s loss on Earth boosted his power levels significantly. This newfound might made it simple for him to outmatch Dodoria upon their arrival at Namek in pursuit of the Dragon Balls.

Vegeta even managed to toss around Zarbon, who’s stronger than Dodoria, but after Zarbon transformed, it was over for him. Zarbon’s transformation made him ugly, but much stronger than his base form, and he almost killed Vegeta with a pile drive straight to the ground. Even though Vegeta managed to survive this battle and later killed Zarbon, he suffered a major loss against Zarbon here.

11 Vegeta Vs. Recoome

Vegeta Lacking Endurance

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Frieza Saga

The Ginyu Team was made up of Frieza’s top (and perhaps not the most intelligent) fighters from across the cosmos. One member, Recoome, engaged the Z-Warriors following an incident where Vegeta decapitated Guldo.

Although Vegeta was delivering powerful blows and seemed more potent than ever, he failed to defeat Recoome definitively. In fact, if not for Gohan’s timely intervention, Recoome would have likely destroyed Vegeta with his Eareser gun.

10 Vegeta Vs. Frieza

Open Defiance Against His Ruler

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Frieza Saga

As Goku was being nursed back to health, Vegeta found his pride tested yet again by none other than Frieza, who for decades had been the ruler over him and his people. This ruthless being was responsible for destroying Planet Vegeta and annihilating every Saiyan on it. Proudly declaring himself a Super Saiyan, Vegeta dared to confront this tyrant. However, he could only astonish Frieza with the extent of his newfound strength before Frieza revealed his own transformation.

Each time Frieza undergoes a metamorphosis, he grows stronger beyond belief. When it’s Vegeta’s turn to confront him in his ultimate form, the battle leaves him battered and broken – his Saiyan honor is shattered by Frieza’s merciless onslaught. Just as I’m witnessing Goku’s grand entrance, Frieza unleashes a devastating energy blast that pierces Vegeta’s heart, taking his life.

9 Vegeta Vs. Andoird 18

Humbled By A Machine

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Android Saga

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel an uncontainable surge of pride when I finally unlock the Super Saiyan transformation as Vegeta. The Android saga kicks off with Dr. Gero causing chaos and Android 19 wreaking havoc among the populace. While my fellow Z-fighters struggle against their strength, I effortlessly step up to face Android 19 and eliminate it from the game.

However, when Doctor Gero activates Android 17 and 18, Vegeta’s fate seems sealed. Meanwhile, Goku is recuperating from a heart virus, leaving Vegeta to battle Android 18. The fight not only shatters Vegeta’s pride, but also his arm.

8 Future Vegeta (Trunks Timeline) Vs. Android 17

Too Easy Of A Death

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Android Saga

Besides Android 18, it’s not just Android 17 who manages to knock Vegeta down; even in this case, it’s Vegeta from a different timeline belonging to Future Trunks. In simpler terms, both Android 18 and Android 17 have their moments where they defeat Vegeta in the series, but on this occasion, it’s actually Future Trunks’s Vegeta that gets defeated.

In a quick flashback, Trunks recounts that in his time, all Z-fighters met their end. Android 17, displaying immense power with energy blasts, quickly defeated Super Saiyan Vegeta and took his life. With Piccolo also deceased, there was no chance for Vegeta to be resurrected, leaving only Trunks and Gohan as the survivors in Trunks’ timeline.

7 Vegeta Vs. Perfect Cell

Vegeta’s Own Undoing

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Cell Saga

Stepping out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with a fresh, game-changing transformation, I find myself back at the pinnacle of the martial arts world. With ease, I shatter Semi-Perfect Cell, but my heart sinks as I realize the battle was not up to my expectations – the challenge simply wasn’t there. In an instant, fueled by pride, I make a fateful decision and help Cell absorb Android 18, enabling his transformation into Perfect Cell. It was that moment of arrogance that led to my downfall.

In his transformed Ascended Super Saiyan state, Vegeta struggles to keep pace with Perfect Cell. Despite managing to connect some powerful blows, Cell quickly reasserts dominance over Vegeta, ultimately delivering a heavy strike that knocks the Super Saiyan out cold.

6 Vegeta Vs. Majin Buu

An Unstoppable Force Losing To A Resilient Opponent

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Majin Buu Saga

Although he claimed he was no longer a warrior and wouldn’t fight again, Vegeta finds himself embroiled in another battle during the Majin Buu saga. Having been manipulated by Babidi, Vegeta enhances his power in his Majin form, engaging in combat with Goku. This battle, however, serves to resurrect Majin Buu, a fact that Vegeta was aware of beforehand.

According to expectation, the confrontation between the two Saiyans is abruptly ended when Majin Buu makes an appearance. Once more, Buu’s immense power and remarkable regenerative abilities leave Vegeta in a state of humility. However, this time, Vegeta decides to make a heroic sacrifice for his companions by going out with a explosive finish. Regrettably, he only manages to take his own life as Buu effortlessly recovers from the attack unharmed.

5 Vegeta Vs. Kid Buu

Fighting For Time

Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Arc: Majin Buu Saga

In different transformations, Majin Buu prevails, but it’s Kid Buu who is his ultimate and most powerful form. With the Z-fighters on the verge of losing and Goku and Vegeta nearly depleted, Goku requests Vegeta to delay Buu for a while so he can gather energy for a Spirit Bomb, which Vegeta accomplishes precisely.

Even though Vegeta was less powerful and expected to lose against Buu, he fought courageously, giving Goku the opportunity to amass the largest Spirit Bomb ever, a move that ultimately destroyed their foe for the very first time.

4 Vegeta Vs. Beerus

Vegeta Never Stood A Chance

Anime: Dragon Ball Super
Arc: God of Destruction Beerus Saga

In Dragon Ball Super, viewers meet Beerus, the Destroyer of Universe 7, who stands as the most potent character (save for Whis) at that particular stage in the Dragon Ball saga. The arrival of Beerus on Earth sends ripples of anxiety throughout, as his power is such that he could potentially obliterate the entire planet with a single “Hakai” blast.

Despite Vegeta’s efforts to keep Beerus calm, if Beerus slaps Bulma, Vegeta’s composure immediately disappears, triggering his Super Saiyan 2 transformation. He manages to land a few solid hits on Beerus, but it doesn’t last long; with just one swift gesture of a finger, Beerus knocks Vegeta unconscious.

3 Vegeta Vs. Hit

Defeated With Confusion

Anime: Dragon Ball Super
Arc: Universe 6 Saga

During the Universe 6 vs. 7 tournament, Goku and Vegeta encountered a new foe, Hit, who employed a novel technique called Time Skip. Initially, it was Vegeta who squared off against Hit, but before he could fully comprehend the mysterious ability that enabled Hit to strike Super Saiyan Blue Vegeta from afar and traverse great distances in an instant, Hit managed to defeat him.

Fortunately, this gives Goku an edge in understanding Hit better, enabling him to strategize his fight more intelligently, thus uncovering Hit’s abilities. Yet, their battle within the tournament doesn’t culminate in a decisive end.

2 Vegeta Vs. Goku Black And Zamasu

Fighting To Protect A Timeline

Anime: Dragon Ball Super
Arc: “Future” Trunks Saga

In the Dragon Ball Super series, during the Future Trunks Arc, there emerges a terrifying menace in the timeline of Future Trunks that surpasses even the Androids in destructive power. The antagonist this time is not just any ordinary adversary; it’s actually the disciple of the Supreme Kai of Universe 10, Zamasu, who has turned against his master and sworn to wipe out all mortal life. What makes this enemy particularly dangerous is that he has an ally in Goku Black, who in truth is another manifestation of Zamasu but possesses the power of a Saiyan, having taken over Goku’s body.

At first, Vegeta in his Super Saiyan Blue form is quickly overpowered by Goku Black (in Rose form). However, following intense training within the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Vegeta eventually dominates Goku Black until they merge with Zamasu. That’s when Fused Zamasu gains the upper hand against both Goku and Vegeta. Despite their attempts to defeat Zamasu while fused, their fusion doesn’t endure long enough. After separating, both Goku and Vegeta are knocked back down by Zamasu once more.

1 Vegeta Vs. Jiren

Worth A Try Going Against The Most Powerful Mortal

Anime: Dragon Ball Super
Arc: Tournament of Power Saga

In the Tournament of Power, it’s Jiren who poses the greatest danger to all contestants. His power is overwhelming to such an extent that he barely needs to move when confronted by adversaries; instead, he effortlessly repels them using his energy field.

In the competition, Vegeta encounters Jiren, but despite giving it his all, Jiren propels Vegeta out of play, ending his participation. Just before departing, however, Vegeta transfers the remaining strength within him to Goku, providing aid for his upcoming battle against unscathed Jiren.

2024-09-06 12:34