He was a genocidal maniac. He really was. People forget that when Vegeta first touched down in that desert wasteland on Earth, he wasn't looking for a rivalry or a training partner; he was looking to liquidate a planet for profit. Fast forward through the decades and the Vegeta Dragon Ball Super era has completely flipped the script on what we expect from a Shonen anti-hero. While Goku stays relatively static—a pure-hearted battle junkie who just wants to hit things harder—Vegeta has actually grown up.
It's weird.
Watching a guy go from murdering his own partner, Nappa, to babysitting a daughter and refusing to enter a multiversal tournament because his wife is pregnant is the kind of character arc you don't usually see in a series about screaming until your hair turns blue.
The Pride Problem and the Ultra Ego Shift
For the longest time, Vegeta was just "Goku Lite." If Goku got Super Saiyan, Vegeta got it a few episodes later. If Goku hit Super Saiyan Blue, Vegeta was right there next to him. It felt like he was perpetually chasing a shadow, trapped in a cycle of "anything you can do, I can do slightly worse."
Then came the Granolah the Survivor arc in the manga.
Finally, Toyotarou and Akira Toriyama gave him something unique: Ultra Ego. Unlike Ultra Instinct, which requires a calm heart and a mind that moves on its own, Ultra Ego is fueled by the heat of battle and the sheer will of the user. It’s a Destroyer’s technique. It’s messy. It’s violent. Honestly, it fits him way better than the serene glow of Instinct ever could.
The interesting thing about Ultra Ego isn't just the power boost, though. It’s the philosophy behind it. Vegeta had to reckon with his past sins—specifically the history of the Saiyan race and their role under Frieza—to master it. He’s not trying to be a "good guy" in the traditional sense; he’s trying to be a better version of a warrior.
- He stopped mimicking Goku’s path entirely.
- He traveled to Planet Yardrat, not to learn Instant Transmission (though he did it once), but to master Spirit Control.
- This led to Forced Spirit Fission, a move that actually punishes fusion and energy absorption.
Basically, he became the ultimate counter-meta character. In a world where every villain survives by sucking up energy or merging with others, Vegeta became the guy who could literally tear them apart.
💡 You might also like: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the Moro Arc Changed Everything
If you haven't read the manga and only watched the Dragon Ball Super: Broly or Super Hero movies, you're missing the soul of modern Vegeta. The Moro arc is where the Vegeta Dragon Ball Super growth hits its peak.
He goes to New Namek. Think about that for a second. The last time he was on Namek, he was slaughtering villages to find Dragon Balls. This time? He’s there to protect them. He explicitly mentions his past crimes against the Namekians. It’s not a "forgive and forget" moment; it’s a "I owe these people a debt I can never fully repay" moment.
He loses. Often.
That’s the thing about being a Vegeta fan. You have to get used to the "Vegeta Thumb Pose" of doom, where he points at himself and then immediately gets bodied by the main villain. But in the Moro arc, his victory wasn't about the final blow. It was about his Spirit Fission technique allowing Goku to finish the job. He’s finally okay with being the support. His ego is still massive, don't get me wrong, but it’s no longer fragile.
The Fatherhood Factor
The Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie gave us a glimpse of a much more disciplined Vegeta. He’s training on Beerus's planet, sure, but the way he interacts with Bulma and Trunks throughout the series is worlds apart from the guy who let Cell reach his perfect form just for a challenge.
He cares.
He actually cares about his family in a way that makes Goku look like a bit of a deadbeat. Remember the "My Bulma!" moment from the Battle of Gods arc? That wasn't just a meme. It was the first time we saw that his power isn't just derived from spite anymore. It’s derived from a need to protect his home.
📖 Related: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
The Misconception of the "Jobber"
People love to call Vegeta a "jobber." For those not in the wrestling loop, a jobber is someone who exists solely to lose to make the other guy look strong. And yeah, Vegeta takes a lot of Ls. But looking at the Vegeta Dragon Ball Super run, those losses are usually the catalyst for the next big philosophical shift.
He doesn't just lose and get mad. He loses and evolves.
- After the Tournament of Power, he realized he couldn't follow Goku's path to Ultra Instinct.
- After failing to stop Moro initially, he sought out specialized training on Yardrat.
- After seeing the power of the Gods of Destruction, he apprenticed himself to Beerus.
It’s a proactive approach to failure. Most characters in the Dragon Ball universe just train "harder." Vegeta trains smarter. He looks for the gaps in his game. He’s the first Saiyan to really acknowledge that their "innate" power has limits and that technique matters just as much as raw output.
Dealing With the Shadow of the Prince
The title "Prince of all Saiyans" used to be a point of arrogance. Now, it feels more like a burden of leadership. In the manga's recent chapters, especially during the conflict with Gas and the Heeters, Vegeta's role is that of a veteran. He’s the one explaining the stakes, the one pushing Goku to find his own version of Ultra Instinct, and the one willing to take the hits so the plan can work.
He’s the tactical heart of the team.
Goku is the weapon. Vegeta is the strategist.
This dynamic makes the Vegeta Dragon Ball Super version the most "human" character in a cast of aliens and gods. He struggles with his temper. He struggles with his past. He struggles with the fact that he might never actually be #1 in terms of power levels. But he keeps showing up anyway. That’s the definition of a compelling character.
👉 See also: The Reality of Sex Movies From Africa: Censorship, Nollywood, and the Digital Underground
Moving Forward With Vegeta
If you’re trying to keep up with where the character is going, you have to look beyond the anime. The anime stopped right after the Tournament of Power and the Broly movie, but the manga has gone miles further.
To really understand the current state of Vegeta, you should:
- Read the Moro Arc (Volume 9-15) to see his redemption on Namek and his Yardrat training.
- Study the Granolah Arc (Volume 15-20) for the debut of Ultra Ego and the deep dive into Saiyan history.
- Watch the Super Hero movie specifically for his sparring match with Goku—it’s a rare moment of pure technical martial arts without the energy blasts.
Vegeta isn't just a sidekick anymore. He’s the emotional anchor of the series. While we all love Goku for his simplicity, we respect Vegeta for his complexity. He’s the guy who proved that you can start as a villain, fail a thousand times, and still end up as the most respected person in the room.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're following the trajectory of the series, keep an eye on the "Ultra Ego" merchandise. Unlike Super Saiyan Blue, which was everywhere immediately, Ultra Ego has stayed mostly in the manga and high-end collectibles. This suggests a more curated, "prestige" feel for his new form. Also, pay attention to the shift in his fighting style; he is moving away from the "rushdown" style and toward a "tank" style that absorbs damage to deal it back tenfold. It’s a complete 180 from his fighting style in Dragon Ball Z, and it’s a blast to watch.
Check out the latest manga chapters on the Shonen Jump app to see how he’s currently handling the aftermath of the Black Frieza reveal. It’s setting up for a massive shift in the power hierarchy.