Of all the iconic villains of the Dragon Ball franchise, Vegeta stands out for his amazing character arc in the series. While he began as one of the most ruthless and irredeemable characters, he slowly became one of Earth’s bravest defenders. The process was slow, with many fans believing that the prince could one day return to his previous role as Goku’s greatest enemy, something that never occurred.

Yet, as revealed in an interview with the late Akira Toriyama in 1991, the original plan for Vegeta’s character was to keep him as a villainous figure. The creator of the manga did not wish to turn the prince into a heroic member of the Z Fighters, claiming that doing so would make his arc resemble Piccolo’s too much.

Vegeta Was Meant to Remain a Latent Threat

He Was Supposed to Keep Hating Goku

In 1991, as the battle against Frieza was being released to audiences, Toriyama was invited to give an interview in a manga compilation magazine known as Minna Ai No Sei. The author talked extensively about his work, revealing many secrets about his process. At some point, he was asked about his wishes for Vegeta’s role, who had recently begun working with the heroes to defeat Frieza. Toriyama immediately confessed that he had an interest in keeping the prince as a potential villain, to differentiate him from Piccolo, another redeemed villain.

The author assured that by that point in the series, Vegeta had not changed much, as he remained an arrogant, cruel, and selfish individual. Despite having worked with the heroes to fight Frieza, he still had a deep hatred for them, wishing nothing more than to kill them as revenge for the humiliation he suffered on Earth. Toriyama feared that giving Vegeta a true redemption arc would make his story feel repetitive. Nonetheless, the author seemingly had a change of mind, as the Saiyan elite ended up becoming one of the best heroes in the series.

Vegeta’s Heroic Arc Began Soon After the Interview

The Cell and Buu Saga’s Completed His Redemption Arc

Although it is undeniable that Vegeta was first introduced as a cold-hearted killer, being around Goku and his friends helped him overcome his cruel nature. The Frieza Saga and subsequent episodes did not show these changes at first, as during the beginning of the battle against the Androids, the prince remained the same. He was still motivated by vengeance and a desire to defeat Goku, finally proving that he was stronger than his nemesis. When Trunks arrived from the future, his attitude began to soften, realizing what he could miss if he allowed his anger to control him.

During the Buu Saga, he had a relapse, turning back into the battle-crazed villain he once was to get a chance to fight Goku seriously another time. Nevertheless, it was also during this saga that Vegeta gifted fans one of the most devastating sacrifices in the franchise, as he sacrificied his body and his life to try and destroy the rampaging monster. By the end of the saga, Vegeta was a completely different man, still motivated by pride and a desire to better himself, but without a hint of the hatred he carried for so many years.

Piccolo and Vegeta’s Stories Are Indeed Similar

Both Characters Began Their Redemption After Goku Beat Them

When analyzing their character arcs closely, Vegeta and Piccolo are far more similar than what fans were led to imagine. Both former villains are the only sons of cruel and powerful conquerors, who raised them to become just like them. Throughout their youth, and part of their adult lives, the Saiyan and the Namekian acted as expected, following the commands of their parents and repeating their atrocities. After fighting Goku and losing at the hands of the Z Warriors, Kakarot’s enemies trained to get their revenge, without knowing what fate had in store for them.

They were forced to work with their former nemesis to prevent an ever-bigger villain from destroying them as well. While these battles pushed them onto a heroic path, they still resented Goku for having beaten them, and would sporadically plot his demise. As time ed, and they got to know the Z Fighters better, they began adapting to their lives as heroes, accepting that they were not the same villains they began as. Piccolo and Vegeta are two of the greatest redemption stories in the series and serve as a reminder that anyone can change.

Vegeta’s time as a villain and his redemption will keep being cherished and celebrated by Dragon Ball fans all over the world. While not the original idea Toriyama had for the character, his arc ended up being one of the most beloved in the franchise. It is hard to imagine what this incredible franchise could have been without Vegeta as Goku’s close friend and ally.

Source: Minna Ai no Sai (translated by Kami Sama Explorer)