Summary
Almost every single Shonen anime series has a trope regarding the main character and the darker character that typically acts as their right hand or second in command. Since this is a common theme in many Shonen series,Dragon Ballis no exception, as Goku’s lively and positive character is perfectly contrasted by his rival, Vegeta, who wears a much more serious countenance.
Their relationship isone of the most intriguing and engagingin the entire anime industry, as they’re rivals who not only compete with one another but also seek to make each other stronger. Vegeta’s role inDragon Ballhas made both him and Goku better for it, also being one of the biggest contributors to the brooding anti-hero trope that is popular among many Shonen anime, so let’s see how Vegeta has influenced them!
A More Serious Personality
Perhaps the defining feature betweenGoku and Vegeta’s relationshipand how it has influenced other anime series is their difference in personality. Goku is someone who is defined by his goofy and aloof nature, always looking for adventure with a smile on his face. Vegeta, however, is the exact opposite, wearing a stern expression on his face with a stoic personality to boot.
This is one of the biggest draws of Vegeta as a character and also the thing that has inspired so many other characters that fit a similar role as him in their own stories; coolness. Vegeta’s overall design and personality make for an edgy yet incredibly cool character that many have fallen in love with since they started watching the series. Owing to his strength and ruthless attitude compared to Goku, Vegeta has inspired many side-heroes with a trope of being a darker, brooding hero.
You say I’m arrogant, I say damn right!
The easiest examples of characters that have quite clearly been influenced by Vegeta areOne Piece’sRoronoa Zoro andNaruto’sSasuke Uchiha. Both of these characters act as the ‘second’ to the main characters of their series, and their unapologetically cool attitude has made them fan-favorite characters. While perhaps not explicitly stated, both characters have some very obvious nods to Vegeta, who embodied these characteristics before these characters were even created.
Vegeta is also a man who is driven by the pride he has as a Saiyan as well as his desire to get stronger. Though obviously not the same, Zoro is also a man driven by his ideals to get stronger and Sasuke is also motivated by his desire for revenge. There are many more examples of similar characters with similar motivations across various series, but Zoro and Sasuke are typically easy and fairly common ones to think of.
His Relationship To The Main Character
One of the biggest parts of Vegeta’s redemption arc was how he came to view Goku and the world around him. Starting his journey as a cruel man who used to destroy entire planets with the hopes of achieving immortality, Vegeta has almost completely changed since then, into someone who calls Earth his home and will do anything to protect it. One of the biggest reasons for this washis relationship with Goku.
Vegeta used to be a Saiyan elitist who believed in the supremacy of his race and even howthe different classes of Saiyan warriorssomehow showed dominance over others. However, his fight with Goku proved to him that no matter the circumstances of one’s birth, anyone can reach a high level by putting in a sufficient amount of hard work.
Since then, Goku and Vegeta have had a rivalry that has proven to be one of the most iconic in all of anime. Though there remains competition between them, they push each other to get stronger, and their nature as some of the last pureblooded Saiyans in the universe makes them understand each other in a way that no one else can. Goku pushes Vegeta to be better than he can ever be and gives the Prince an ideal to chase, which makes them closer than either will ever admit.
This sort of rivalry and relationship between these two character tropes has been seen time and time again in many different Shonen anime series. However,Dragon Ballwas one of the first seriesever to include this at all, which is why it has become so popular in other anime series as well.
Darker Moments
Perhaps the biggest reason why Vegeta and other characters like him stand out is because they are good guys but with the attitude of villains. This ruthless attitude that they have toward those who seek to harm them and their loved ones is something thatpeople just find incredibly cooland can relate to, which is why characters such as these have such a loyal fanbase.
Does a machine like yourself experience fear?
These characters are also often far more layered and complex than the main characters of their series, which makes them far more relatable in the eyes of fans. Vegeta’s importance to the Z-Fighters has only increased over time and his unique character traits have paved the way for the common anti-hero trope to be as popular as it is in anime!
Dragon Ballcan be streamed onCrunchyroll.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while also paralleling the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku typically defends the Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.
