Vegeta

Not intending Vegeta to be a major character, Toriyama introduced Vegeta in the series as very short and slightly stocky, with upright standing hair and a defined widow’s peak. Upon his introduction, Vegeta is seen to be arrogant and sadistic, which was intended to contrast the series’ main protagonist, Son Goku’s selflessness and kindness. Due to the manga’s success after introducing Vegeta, Toriyama continued with Vegeta as a primary character, and changed his appearance; gradually making him more lean like a hero as opposed to a villain.

Following a common name trend that Toriyama developed in Dragon Ball, Vegeta’s name is derived from the word for vegetable, being that he is the prince of the Saiyans, who are all named after vegetables. When he first appears in the series, Vegeta is arrogant and selfish; having a fierce desire for immortality and galactic rule. Vegeta’s plans are quickly thwarted by Son Goku, the series main protagonist. Because of Vegeta’s overwhelming pride and ego, being defeated by someone who he considered inferior, transforms his character into a jealous and vengeful anti-hero. By the end of the series, Vegeta’s bitter rivalry with Son Goku softens when he comes to respect Goku as an ally and even a friend.

Vegeta’s priorities can be seen to gradually change as the series progresses, and his rivalry with Goku is fueled by Goku’s ability to stay ahead of Vegeta in power. As the series continues, Vegeta develops into a hero instead of a villain.

When Vegeta finds a home on Earth, he is pursued romantically by the character Bulma, and starts a family with her. Even though he doesn’t show it often, Vegeta is proud of his son, Future Trunks, when he points Future Trunks out to Cell during their fight, saying that he is (almost) as powerful as Vegeta. However, Vegeta sometimes prioritizes his rivalry with Goku over his relationship with his new family.

As a member of the Saiyan race, Vegeta has the ability to manipulate his ki energy to create and enhance attacks. Like most other primary characters in Dragon Ball, Vegeta has the ability to use the Bukujutsu (lit. “lighter than air skill”), which enables him to levitate and fly. Constant training and his Saiyan heritage have given him superhuman strength and he can move at superhuman speeds. Vegeta is one of the few characters in the series that shouts the name of his attack when using it. His most referenced technique is the Garlic Cannon or in the English dubs, the Galick Gun, which he’s only seen to use once in the manga in his attempt to destroy the planet and defeat Goku when he first arrived on Earth. Though he only uses it one more time in the series during his battle with Freeza (without calling it by name however), it is usually one of his most common techniques in the Dragon Ball Z video games. Other powerful techniques that he develops later in the series are the Big Bang Attack and the Final Flash. For unknown reasons, in the original Japanese dialogue, Vegeta can be heard using English for the names of some of his attacks. Vegeta also uses an ability called the Final Explosion against Buu. This move involves Vegeta sacrificing his own life.