Vegeta
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| Vegeta | |
|---|---|
| Dragon Ball character | |
| File:Vegeta edited.jpg Vegeta by Akira Toriyama | |
| First appearance | Dragon Ball chapter 204 (Dragon Ball Z chapter 10) Dragon Ball Z episode 4 |
| Last appearance | Manga Vol. 42 Dragon Ball GT episode 63 |
| In-universe information | |
| Relatives | King Vegeta (father) Bulma (wife) Dr. Briefs (father in law) Trunks (son) Future Trunks (son, alternate timeline) Bra (daughter) Mrs. Briefs (mother in law) Vegeta Jr. (descendant) |
Vegeta (ベジータ, Bejīta, or Prince Vegeta) is a fictional character in the Dragon Ball franchise created by manga artist Akira Toriyama. Vegeta first appeared in the manga series in volume 17, or Dragon Ball Z, episode 6 of the anime adaptation as the series' primary antagonist. In the series, Vegeta was born on the fictional planet also called Vegeta, and is the prince to a nearly extinct extraterrestrial warrior race called the Saiyans. Being evil at his introduction, Vegeta soon finds refuge on Earth and reluctantly assists the series' protagonists in saving the Earth from threats. Vegeta's role for most of the series is primarily to be a rival of the series' main protagonist Son Goku, however later becomes one of Goku's allies and friends.
Appearance
Not intending Vegeta to be a major character, Toriyama introduced Vegeta in the series as very short and slightly stocky, with upright standing hair and a defined widow's peak. Upon his introduction, Vegeta is seen to be arrogant and sadistic, which was intended to contrast Goku's selflessness and kindness. Due to the manga's success after introducing Vegeta, Toriyama continued with Vegeta as a primary character, and changed his appearance; gradually making him more lean like a hero as opposed to a villain.
Development and origin
Following a common name trend that Toriyama developed in Dragon Ball, Vegeta's name is derived from the word for vegetable, being that he is the prince of the Saiyans, who are all named after vegetables. When he first appears in the series, Vegeta is arrogant and selfish; having a fierce desire for immortality and galactic rule. He is also vicious and cares for none other than himself, shown when he dispatched of his comrade Nappa when he failed to defeat Goku. Vegeta's plans are quickly thwarted by Goku. Because of Vegeta's overwhelming pride and ego, being defeated by someone who he considered inferior, transforms his character into a jealous and vengeful anti-hero. By the end of the series, Vegeta's bitter rivalry with Goku softens when he comes to respect Goku as an ally and even a friend.
One of Vegeta's distinguishable characteristics was the fact that he was the only living Saiyan whom still wore the traditional Saiyan armor on a regular basis. Over the course of the Dragon Ball Z series, he's worn different incarnations of the suit, though later on in the series (and subsequently the Dragon Ball GT series) he abandons the Saiyan armor completely for "Earth-like" clothing. He once memorably wore a pink shirt after he took a shower at Bulma's house, much to his dismay.
Vegeta's priorities can be seen to gradually change as the series progresses, and his rivalry with Goku is fueled by Goku's ability to stay ahead of Vegeta in power. Because of this, Vegeta is seen to pursue an insane desire to surpass Goku in strength, but whenever he seems to train harder than Goku ever does, he can never close the difference between him and Goku. As the series continues, Vegeta develops into a hero instead of a villain.
When Vegeta finds a home on Earth, he is pursued romantically by the character Bulma, where they are suggested to be married later at some time[2]. They have two children together, a son Trunks and a daughter Bra. Vegeta prioritizes his rivalry with Goku over any relationships with his family.
Character overview
Manga
Vegeta is introduced in the manga as the proud prince of the nearly extinct Saiyan race. The manga never really elaborates on Vegeta's childhood other then him mentioning before his death in volume 26 of his tormented childhood after being taken from his father, King Vegeta, by the galactic overlord named Freeza. In the manga, Vegeta is implied to have had a close relationship with his father, however had allowed himself to be used by Freeza so that no harm would come to his father. Freeza later killed King Vegeta and destroyed the Saiyan's home world out of fear of their growing power[3], however stated that the planet had collided with an asteriod. Later in the seires, Vegeta discovered Freeza's fear of the Saiyans, and also learned the truth about Freeza destroying the Saiyans and killing his father. However, Freeza's influences of Vegeta were suggested to have changed him so much that he did not fight Freeza to avenge his father or the Saiyans, but to present him with a rival for ruler of the Universe.
As the manga continues and Vegeta is revived from his sudden death, he is influenced by Goku; slowly changing from a villain to a protagonist. Vegeta had been defeated by Goku earlier in the series and sought a rematch, however the rematch was short lived. Vegeta had gotten married and had a child with his wife, however was revealed to resent them when he desired to be like his former self. As a result, Vegeta allowed himself to fall under the control of the evil wizard Bobbidi and have himself be evil again in order to fight Goku, thus becoming Majin Vegeta. In order to redeem himself, Vegeta sacrificed himself against the current threat, Majin Buu. Vegeta's sacrifice was in vain, as Majin Buu later resurfaced.
Vegeta was brought back to Earth in order to fight beside Goku, and the two managed to topple the seemingly invincible Majin Buu. Fighting together, Vegeta begins to forgive Goku and even starts to think of him as a friend. At the end of the series, Vegeta is seen to have settled down with his wife and son, and even had a second child, a daughter. He is not revealed to want to fight Goku again; however, in the alternate ending of the special edition manga called the Kienzaban, Vegeta vows to someday fight Goku again.
Anime
Vegeta's personality and history in the anime is not substantially different then his manga counterpart, even though his history and childhood is put further into detail as presented in the anime and in certain movies. In the anime, several details are added to Vegeta's character in filler episodes and scenes such as his fear of never becoming a Super Saiyan[4], and even his odd dislike of "squirmy things"[5].
Abilities
As a member of the Saiyan race, Vegeta has the ability to easily manipulate his ki energy to create and enhance attacks. Like most other primary characters in Dragon Ball, Vegeta has the ability to use the Bukujutsu (lit. "lighter than air skill"), which enables him to levitate and fly. Constant training and his Saiyan heritage have given him superhuman strength and he can move at superhuman speeds.
Unlike most of the characters in the series, Vegeta is known to often give names to his attacks. In his early appearance, Vegeta is seen to use attacks that mimick several of the protagonists of the series, such as a ki disk, a two fingered lazer-like blast, and a ki wave similar to Dragon Ball's most commonly referenced attack: the Kamehameha. The name of this commonly referenced attack is the Garlic Cannon or in the English dubs, the Galick Gun, which he's only seen to use once in the manga in his attempt to destroy the planet and defeat Goku when he first arrived on Earth. Even though Vegeta only uses his Garlic Cannon once in the series, it is the main attack that his character uses in most Dragon Ball Z video games. Vegeta later developes the Big Bang Attack and the Final Flash, which are more powerful and more efficient then his earlier techniques. For unknown reasons, in the original Japanese audio of the anime, Vegeta can be heard naming these two attacks in English. In spite of their popularity, Vegeta's most commonly used attack in the series is when he bombards an opponent with and array of small ki blasts. Vegeta is not known to have a name for this attack, but it is officially called "Energy Dan" or "Rapid Fire".
Vegeta also possesses several transformations that enhance his abilities to varying degrees. Early in the series, he has the ability to become an Oozaru, so long as he still has his tail,[6] which increases his strength tenfold.[7] He eventually gains the ability to transform into a Super Saiyan and, through training, can further transform into advanced states of Super Saiyan such as Super Saiyan 2; in Dragon Ball GT, he reaches Super Saiyan 4 when Bulma enables him to with a machine. Also in Dragon Ball GT he displays a new attack entitling it the Final Shine.
Appearances in other media
Video games
Vegeta has appeared in many Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT-related video games as both a playable character and boss. Often, he is playable in several different forms, such as his Super Saiyan transformations, Super Saiyan 2 and even Majin Vegeta and Oozaru. Baby Vegeta (not to be confused with a child form of Vegeta) is also often a playable character and boss in GT-related games.
In Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout, Vegeta was voiced by Milton James.
Crossovers
Vegeta has been a representative of the series in various crossover pieces of media. These include video games, such as Battle Stadium D.O.N and Jump Super Stars; Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball self parody Neko Majin; and Cross Epoch, a Dragon Ball and One Piece crossover manga.
References
- ^ http://www.thegrandline.com/dbzinfo/timeline.html
- ^ DBZ vol 26, chap 315: "Battle for the Universe" page 5
- ^ Dragon Ball Z manga, vol. 1, chapter ?
- ^ Android arc, Episode ?, "Z Warriors Prepare"
- ^ Fusion arc, Episode ?, "Mind Trap"
- ^ Daizenshuu EX Saiyan transformation guide
- ^ Daizenshuu EX Saiyan Transformation guide
Bibliography
- Dragon Ball Z manga, Volume 12 — ISBN 1-56931-985-5
- Dragon Ball Z manga, Volume 13 — ISBN 1-56931-986-3
- Dragon Ball Z manga, Volume 16 — ISBN 978-1-59116-328-2
- Dragon Ball Z manga, Volume 22 — ISBN 978-1-4215-0051-5
- Dragon Ball Z manga, Volume 23 — ISBN 978-1-4215-0148-2
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