Vegeta has long occupied a leading role in Dragon Ball, becoming nearly as iconic as the series' main Saiyan in the years since the franchise's revival in the early 2010s. Being one of anime and manga's greatest ever villains turned heroes, the prince of Saiyans is arguably the franchise's most interesting character. And now, Dragon Ball Daima has finally given Vegeta an incredibly overdue, well-earned, and exciting victory over a major villain.

Dragon Ball's protagonist has and always will be Goku, and as a result, Vegeta is often left to watch on the sidelines as the main Saiyan stands victorious over villain after villain. For years, fans have waited for Vegeta to score a major victory, and not only has Dragon Ball Daima given it to him, but it did so with style, revealing his all-new Super Saiyan 3 transformation in the process.

Daima has been a love letter to Dragon Ball, and a celebration of what made Akira Toriyama's masterwork such a special story. However, its early focus on Goku and select friends was worrisome to fans of Vegeta like myself, and the series' underutilization of him, Piccolo, and Bulma even after they touched down in the Demon Realm was alarming. Fortunately, it seems Daima plans on taking full advantage of having several characters on-screen at once, and Vegeta's latest victory is only the beginning of great things to come.

Vegeta Takes Home a Rare But Deserved Win

Revealing His Own Super Saiyan 3 Transformation, Vegeta Scores a Victory

Dragon Ball has spent the majority of its long runtime adding to its main cast of heroes, and over time each has become iconic in their own right. When all is said and done, however, Dragon Ball is Goku's story, and the series' protagonist will always enjoy the bulk of victories in battle. But for as major a role as Vegeta has found himself in throughout the series' recent history, the prince is deserving of an occasional win, and Dragon Ball Daima has finally given it to him.

Taking the spotlight, Vegeta challenged the fearsome guardian of the Second Demon World's Dragon Ball, Tamigami #2. The battle began in the previous episode #11, and it did not go very well for the Saiyan in the early stages of the fight. Being pushed back with ease, Vegeta was swallowed by the monstrous Kraken which lurked below in the sea. Episode #12, titled "True Strength", continued the battle, and shocked everyone by introducing Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta, who dismantled the Tamigami with ease after transforming.

There's something incredibly cathartic about watching Vegeta secure a definitive victory in battle. So often have we seen the prince clobber an enemy, only to then snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Throughout the fight with Tamigami #2, I could only envision the events of Resurrection 'F', which saw a dominant Vegeta lose out on securing the win over Frieza for little reason than to make sure Goku won.

Instead, Vegeta quickly finished the battle, and even solved the riddle to secure the Dragon Ball. The episode felt like a love letter to the series' brash yet endearing prince, not only allowing him to flaunt his stuff, but giving him access to a form that has always been exclusive to Goku.

Daima Benefits From Having Vegeta Around

The Dynamic Between Goku and Vegeta Elevates Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball Daima was defined by its adventurous spirit in its early episodes, exploring an all-new environment that could only have come from Akira Toriyama. And though the nostalgia-fueled journey was undeniably exciting, few dynamics between anime characters are as enjoyable as the one between the franchise's leading Saiyans. Since Vegeta's very first appearance in the Saiyan Saga, the two warriors have brought the best out of each other, breaking through their limits and reaching all-new heights of power.

Dragon Ball Super has benefited immensely by keeping both Goku and Vegeta in the spotlight, and now Daima is too, turning the focus towards action ever since the latter touched down in the Demon Realm. Both Goku's and Vegeta's respective battles with the Tamigamis are two of the best fight sequences in Dragon Ball TV anime history, and have brought increased attention to the series following a somewhat lukewarm community response to its early sections.

Many fans enjoy the slower-paced exploration aspects of the series, but Dragon Ball will always be known for its fighting. And if Vegeta is going to be the catalyst for that action moving forward, then Daima is better for having him around. And with Vegeta's new access to the Super Saiyan 3 transformation, there's a very real possibility that we may get a duo Super Saiyan 3 battle featuring Goku and Vegeta in the historically underutilized form.

Vegeta's New Transformation Opens Doors for Daima Moving Forward

Daima May Introduce Other New Transformations Despite Its Placement in the Timeline

Dragon Ball Daima takes place in the time period between the Majin Buu Saga and Dragon Ball Super, making use of plot elements relevant to the Buu arc like Super Saiyan 3. Fans believed that because of its placement in the timeline, there wouldn't be any surprising new power-ups or weighty introductions of elements that would be absent later on in Super. However, Vegeta's new Super Saiyan form might just be a sign that Daima is willing to incorporate new transformations despite them not appearing later in the timeline.

It has been hinted earlier in the series that fusion is on the way, as Daima has consistently reminded the audience of the Bugs in Goku's possession. Whether that fused fighter will be Vegito, Gogeta, or someone entirely new remains to be seen, but given Vegeta's new form, that fighter will likely be using Super Saiyan 3 at some point down the line.

Dragon Ball Daima has been an absolute joy to watch week to week, breathing new life into a franchise that has largely been stagnant aside from film releases every few years. And if fans were hesitant to check it out before, Vegeta's latest rare victory and new transformation might convince them to tune in. episodes are sure to include more incredibly animated fight sequences that both new and longtime Dragon Ball fans won't want to miss.