Dragon Ball: Would Vegeta Have Been A Better Main Character?

Dragon Ball: Would Vegeta Have Been A Better Main Character?

Key Takeaways

  • Vegeta’s character development throughout Dragon Ball makes him a fan favorite for many viewers.
  • While better written, Vegeta wouldn’t necessarily be a better main character than Goku due to the latter’s representation of the series’ main themes.
  • Both Goku and Vegeta serve unique purposes in Dragon Ball, with Vegeta representing change and growth thanks to Goku’s influence.

As a die-hard Dragon Ball fan, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of some truly iconic characters over the years. Among them all, Vegeta stands out as one of the most captivating and well-written personas in the series. His journey from a ruthless Saiyan warrior to a hero willing to sacrifice himself for Earth is nothing short of spectacular.


The Dragon Ball series is renowned for its memorable characters, despite being primarily action-focused. These characters have become iconic figures within the anime industry and are frequently associated with significant milestones in the evolution of the medium as a whole. Among these characters, many fans argue that Vegeta stands out as the best.

Within the Dragon Ball community, there’s been an intriguing debate: Some fans believe that due to Vegeta’s character evolution and development across the series, he might make a more suitable main character than Goku. Although this is a contentious perspective, it’s one that resonates with numerous Dragon Ball enthusiasts. So, let’s explore Vegeta’s pivotal role in the narrative and assess if he could potentially outshine his long-standing adversary as the protagonist.

Vegeta’s Character Development

Why Vegeta Is Such A Loved Character

First AppearanceDragon Ball Z, Episode 5, “Gohan’s Rage”
Debut DateMay 24, 1989
Story ArcSaiyan Saga

Generally speaking, Vegeta, the Prince of Saiyans, is often considered to be either the best-written character or the one with the most impressive character development within the entire franchise. At his debut in the Saga of the Saiyans, Vegeta was a cold and ruthless warrior who would indiscriminately destroy planets and showed no mercy, even killing his own comrade after losing a fight.

After losing against Goku, Vegeta later reunites with the principal characters on Namek. Here, it’s disclosed that the Saiyan species was annihilated by Frieza, and those who survived were compelled to serve under Frieza’s command as part of his army. Although this didn’t excuse Vegeta’s cruel actions, it offered a deeper understanding of his character. Intriguingly, despite Goku achieving the Super Saiyan status before he did, Goku appreciated and acknowledged Goku for it, acknowledging him as the last beacon of hope for the Saiyan race.

Kakarot, you dog! You did it, you actually did! You’re a Super Saiyan, I can see it!

In time, Vegeta came to accept the Z-Fighters as allies and considered Earth as a second home. Despite maintaining his Saiyan honor and skepticism, he evolved into a more compassionate individual, eventually forming a family with Bulma. Over the years, Vegeta grew increasingly open towards his companions, reaching a point where he set aside his rivalry and envy of Goku to selflessly give up his life to protect the planet.

In the thrilling world of Super, I, Vegeta, find myself serving as a loyal companion to Goku, standing by his side through thick and thin. Admittedly, there are moments when it seems I lag behind my longstanding rival, but I’ve experienced an incredible surge in both popularity and power, enabling me to give Goku a run for his money like never before!

Would Vegeta Make A Better Main Character?

An In-depth Look At This Claim

It can be argued that Vegeta might be a more compelling character than Goku, but he wouldn’t make a better main character. This is because Goku embodies the essence of the story in unique ways that wouldn’t be replicated by Vegeta, even though Vegeta’s development and growth are significantly influenced by his role within the Dragon Ball series.

In simpler terms, Goku embodies the core values and themes of “Dragon Ball,” particularly the idea that with dedication and effort, anything is achievable. Interestingly, he’s an outcast among Saiyans, being a humble, lower-class warrior who, despite his supposed weakness, strives to become the strongest in the universe through self-training.

One significant aspect that has shaped Vegeta’s character development is his upbringing as a Saiyan prince and an elite warrior, which instilled in him a desire for greatness. This dynamic between Goku and Vegeta, who are both deuteragonists in the series, works exceptionally well because they embody contrasting lifestyles and methods of achieving power, yet share a unique bond as among the last pure-blooded Saiyans in Universe 7.

The topic of whom the better-written character is has a clear answer; Vegeta. However, Goku’s role in the story is one of being a comparatively simple character who stands out as a beacon of hope for everyone else and as a standard for how one should be. Besides, if it wasn’t for Goku and his kindness, Vegeta would never have changed and undergone this incredible character arc in the first place, so both characters are perfect for what they represent.

Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll.

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2024-11-28 23:33