A common trope that Dragon Ball has made heavy use of throughout its run is the villain’s redemption arc. While the series has featured a variety of prominent evildoers, only a select few have been afforded the time and prominence within the series’ narrative to grow as characters. Characters like Tien Shinhan, Piccolo, and Android 17 & 18 have all benefited from their own gradual redemption arcs, but none have been so thoroughly developed as Vegeta.
Vegeta was an instant hit among the fan base and proved to be a pivotal part of the narrative once introduced. Though he’s not the first character to undergo a drastic shift in personality and allegiance, Vegeta developed slower than other redeemed characters, slowly leaving the villain role behind before gradually evolving into the character fans know today.
Vegeta the Villain
Introduced alongside Nappa in the Saiyan Saga, Vegeta quickly established himself as a remorseful character with little to no redeeming qualities upon first encountering the Z Fighters. Vegeta embodies many traits fans would learn to be characteristic of most Saiyans. Brash, violent, and unattached to those close to him, Vegeta’s ruthlessness is established when he kills Nappa for having been bested by Goku in combat.
At this point in time, Vegeta was written to be fairly one-note, coming off as an overconfident power-hungry thug. Though his defeat on earth would knock him down a peg, he’d still retain this attitude on Namek. The introduction of Frieza established a common enemy for Vegeta and the heroes to band against. Though their motivations were vastly different, the saga marked the first time that Vegeta would be written as less of a straightforward villain, and become more of an anti-hero.
A Reluctant Anti-Hero
The dynamic between Frieza and Vegeta put the latter in the role of the oppressed rather than that of the oppressor. Though he had committed some terrible deeds by this time in the series, Frieza’s authority over Vegeta and his treatment of the Saiyan race Vegeta took such pride in allowed for audience’s to both see him in a sympathetic light and understand the motivations behind his actions.
By the time the Android Saga came along, Vegeta was more assimilated within the main cast, though he remained an outsider. Without Frieza, Vegeta became more of a straightforward rival to Goku. The latter’s ascension to Super Saiyan gave Vegeta a new goal to pursue, while also giving him reason to form a reluctant partnership with the rest of the heroes.
Once the Buu Saga begins, Vegeta becomes more of a family man. While this version of Vegeta is much tamer in comparison, he retains his strong competitive nature and reluctance towards abandoning his warrior spirit and lifestyle outright. Though he momentarily regresses when he willingly becomes a Majin, Vegeta comes full circle with his sacrifice against Majin Buu. For the remainder of the saga, Vegeta adapts to his role as the series number two next to Goku while remaining competitive, and this dynamic would carry on into Super.
From Arc Villain to Main Character
Though the latter half of Dragon Ball had Vegeta as a sometimes unwilling member of the Z Fighters, he is now a more active and sincere defender of the earth alongside Goku and the rest of the gang. Vegeta has matured considerably since the Android and Cell Sagas and now seems like a much more level personality, though he has retained some of his short-tempered attitude and cutthroat approach to training and battle.
When he was first introduced, Vegeta seemed like nothing more than a force that Goku would eventually overcome and defeat. His development throughout the series was gradual, with each saga revealing a little more about the Saiyan Prince and his motivations. But Vegeta ultimately benefited from some of the most meticulously well-crafted character development in the entire series.
Watching Vegeta go through his various highs and lows has made him one of the most beloved characters in the series, to the point that his popularity rivals Goku’s within the Dragon Ball fan base. Plenty of new characters, such as Broly, will likely garner some of the spotlight as the series goes on. But while other secondary and supporting characters have fallen victim to the series’ massive character logjam, Vegeta has cemented himself as an integral part of the Dragon Ball experience.