Goku and Vegeta have long served as rivals throughout Dragon Ball running, motivating each other to become stronger and reach new heights of power. In every dire situation, the Z-Fighters instinctively turn to Goku, who has always been considered the main hero and protagonist of the anime. However, it is Vegeta who embodies a much more compelling narrative.
Goku’s motivations usually result from a direct desire to fight against strong opponents and protect your family and friends. While Goku’s power and purity of heart are admirable, this singular focus limits his character development. In contrast, Vegeta’s character arc is marked by major transformations and development from the moment he was introduced to the series. Having started out as a major antagonist, Vegeta has become one of Earth’s greatest heroes.
Vegeta has evolved several times throughout the Dragon Ball franchise
Vegeta went from power-hungry villain to one of Dragon Ball’s greatest heroes
Vegeta was introduced during the Saiyan Saga as a cold and ruthless Saiyan prince whose only motivation was centered around his desire for power and immortality. He was driven to achieve an immortal form so he could finally defeat Frieza and end the tyrant’s reign once and for all. However, after his brutal defeat, he turns to Goku to seek revenge on his behalf. At the end of the Frieza Saga, Vegeta was forced to come face to face with your pride and actions.
Vegeta, who long believed his birthright made him the greatest Saiyan warrior, was left behind by a stronger opponent who he believed was beneath him. This spurred him to train to become more powerful so that he could one day defeat Goku and regain the pride he had lost during the Frieza Saga. However, as time passed, Vegeta stopped seeing his rivalry with Goku as a means to an end and gained respect for him when he settled on Earth.
All over Dragon ballDuring the run, Vegeta continually experiences profound changes in his relationships with other characters. Before the Android saga, Vegeta settled down with Bulma and had a son, however, at first, Vegeta was not at all enthusiastic about the idea of ​​having a family. Still, at the end of Dragon Ball Zin the Majin Buu saga, Vegeta decides to sacrifice himself to save his family and the Earth after having a brief heartfelt moment with Trunks. This transformation from a power-seeking warrior to a hero makes Vegeta an engaging character to examine and observe.
Goku has no real character development
Goku’s only development comes from his continuous power-ups and transformations
Although Goku may be the hero in Dragon ball, your character often remains stagnant in terms of character development and growth. From the beginning, Goku’s main motivations to protect his friends and his love for fighting strong opponents remain largely unchanged. External challenges and battles mostly mark his journey, and he barely experiences any major character development.
Although Goku’s journey is exciting and his personality is welcoming, he remains limited to development in terms of strength alone. From the beginning of his adventure to the most recent arc of Dragon ball, Goku is fundamentally the same person he has been since the beginning. His vision is unwavering and direct, which makes him a grounded fighter, but also prevents him from becoming a protagonist with true development.
Dragon Ball would be better with a protagonist like Vegeta
Vegeta is much more dynamic than Goku’s character
Although Goku is a fun hero, his straightforward heroism becomes bland and lacks depth that could do Dragon ball stand out more. If a protagonist like Vegeta were to lead the series, it would offer more complexity to the overall narrative through his growth since being introduced in the current arc. With Vegeta at the center, it opens up the potential to explore deeper themes while maintaining a battle-focused plot.
Unlike Goku, who remains unchallenged in his morals, Vegeta experiences an evolution that allows for a much more dynamic and exciting story. Having started out with nothing but his power and eventually having a family to protect, Vegeta has greater emotional stakes. Although Goku also has a family to protect, his love for training and getting stronger overshadows his emotional connections, unlike Vegeta. Ultimately, having Vegeta as the protagonist would deepen Dragon Ball impact by allowing for stronger subtext and creating a more grounded hero.