For the longest time, the non-canonical nature of Dragon Ball GT has subjected the series to a lot of hate by the Dragon Ball fans. Although the series focuses on the events that took place ten years after the Dragon Ball Z narrative, some elements of Dragon Ball GT challenged the original storyline, which did not sit well at all.
While the series witnessed hatred as a whole, there were a few characters who showed decent growth, which actually felt satisfying to the OG fans. One of these characters was Vegeta, the prince of the Saiyan race. His character development portrayed in Dragon Ball GT made a few fans believe that the series might just be better than Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Super.
This character development of Vegeta was majorly focused on his obsession with surpassing Goku as a better fighter and a better Saiyan. In Dragon Ball GT, Vegeta shows some major growth as he feels like he no longer has to prove himself better than Goku, and this might have tilted Dragon Ball fans towards GT.
Vegeta’s Obsession With Surpassing Goku Might Have Dulled in Dragon Ball GT
Ever since Vegeta came to Earth and fought Goku, he has been trying to prove his worth as the Prince of the Saiyan race. His first defeat against Goku lit a fire within him that made him obsessed with surpassing Goku and regaining his claim as a better Saiyan. But it was not in the stars for the character, because no matter what he did, Goku always stayed one step ahead of him.
He fought stronger opponents, trained within gravity chambers, and even went on Beerus’ planet alone to train with Whis. But still, Goku’s love to fight stronger opponents overpowered Vegeta’s need to surpass Goku. He would always find a way to surpass Vegeta, and this would anger the Saiyan prince even more.
However, in Dragon Ball GT, Vegeta is seen remembering Goku turning into Super Saiyan 3 while fighting Buu. This memory is followed by Vegeta’s monologue about how he is no longer obsessed with proving himself or outshining Goku and just wants to test his own limits and see if he can outclass those limits.
Dragon Ball Fans Are Happy With Vegeta’s Growth
Dragon Ball GT has portrayed Vegeta as a more mature character who is more focused on himself and his family rather than fighting battles. Although it is not likely for Vegeta to do such things, it certainly speaks for his growth, and this individual growth of the Saiyan prince was recently shared by @GToverSuper on X.
This attracted a lot of attention from Dragon Ball fans, which ultimately started an online debate about Vegeta’s character development.
While some fans talked about how Dragon Ball GT did a good job of focusing on the growth that Vegeta experienced, others compared it with Vegeta’s portrayal in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super.
Another reason why I like GT more than Super, he's no longer obsessed with trying to surpass Goku.
— SilverFan06 (@SilverFanV) July 27, 2024
Another thing I like about GT is how Vegeta doesn't mind spending time with Bulma, Trunks, or Bulla that doesn't involve fighting or training. Yes, he still loves to fight but he doesn't make it his entire personality.
— Super Saiyan 4 Son Goku (@SuperG29990) July 27, 2024
Like in Super they are milking that phrase dry it's always "I will surpass you KAKAROT" almost every sentence he says
— Son Goku (@SonGoku1523551) July 27, 2024
This was the best version of vegeta 😋
— Micky Mahreenah (@MMahreenah) July 27, 2024
I also don’t mind saying GT is after Super. Then it is fine that Vegeta acts the way he does in Super. As his develop is starting to show. Now if Super is definitively separate then Super Vegeta is lacking. Still good just not the best Vegeta.
— Joel Will Smile (@JoelWillSmile) July 28, 2024
While Vegeta’s growth with his obsession was short-lived, he did show character development during the other aspects of Dragon Ball GT. This is surprising for Dragon Ball fans as the Saiyan prince was the least expected person to show signs of emotional maturity.
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