In the vast world of anime and manga, Akira Toriyama is hailed at the top of this creative universe. The fan-favorite Shonen series has managed to create a multigenerational fan base, and the show’s popularity increases with each passing day. Although Dragon Ball was not a hit at the beginning, once it picked up the pace, it never had to look back.
Son-Goku, the protagonist of the series, returned to Dragon Ball Z, where a lot of new faces were introduced, including Vegeta, a ruthless Saiyan who wanted to take over Earth and destroy the low-level warrior called Kakarot.
However, as the plot progressed, the Prince of All Saiyans decided to change, to the extent that Toriyama-Sensei acknowledged that the second protagonist of the show was better than Goku.
Akira Toriyama Acknowledged Vegeta’s Character Over Son-Goku Due To One Key Reason
When Vegeta was first introduced in Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z, he was showcased as a cold and ruthless Saiyan Prince who wanted to continue his merciless ambition and destroy anything and everything that stood as an obstacle to achieving his goal, including Earth as well.
However, he tasted defeat for the very first time in his life when he faced Kakarot and the Z-Warriors. His Saiyan Pride took a massive blow, and it was his rivalry that propelled his growth. Despite so much training, he was always labeled as the #2 in the series, and he has yet to defeat a major antagonist in the series.
Surprisingly, there is one aspect that gives him the upper hand over his rival, and it is so profound that even Toriyama-Sensei is forced to acknowledge it. In 2014, during an exclusive interview with Saikyō Jump #3 via Kanzenshuu, the mangaka was asked how Vegeta’s change in personality is a “kinder” Saiyan than Kakarot.
Toriyama-Sensei acknowledged that and explained how his Saiyan “pride had been deeply wounded,” and he found relief in Bulma. This is different because Kakarot doesn’t have this sense and sees his family members more like his “companions.” The manga artist said,
Vegeta, whose pride had been deeply wounded, sought help from Bulma, and little by little, his ruthless personality changed. Nowadays, you certainly might be able to say that. On the other hand, Goku might not have a sense of family members like Gohan and Chi-Chi except as one of his companions.
Fans of the anime would have witnessed several instances when Vegeta has been more affectionate towards his wife than his Saiyan rival. While Vegeta spent time with his wife, Bulma, and his children, Kakarot abandoned his family for multiple years to train and become stronger.
Moreover, in DBS, when Bulma was pregnant with Bulla, the Proud Saiyan decided to abandon his training with Whis and take care of his wife.
Fans React To Goku Having No Sense of Being a Family Man
A fan shared the interview on r/dbz, and fans were surprised to learn that Kakarot’s lack of understanding of affection had resulted in a surprising revelation. In Dragon Ball Super, during the Black Goku Saga, Future Trunks saved Mai by kissing her.
The sight was quite normal for everyone, except for the protagonist of the series, because it was the first time he saw two people kissing. The fellow Saiyan was flabbergasted over this revelation, as he never knew what kissing was. This led to fans dropping their opinions about the character as they read the interview.
Comment
byu/Kampy5567 from discussion
indbz
Comment
byu/Kampy5567 from discussion
indbz
Comment
byu/Kampy5567 from discussion
indbz
Comment
byu/Kampy5567 from discussion
indbz
Comment
byu/Kampy5567 from discussion
indbz
Comment
byu/Kampy5567 from discussion
indbz
Nevertheless, this carefree attitude of Kakarot makes him so unique and different from the other protagonists in a Shonen series. Moreover, it is great to see how the Prince of all Saiyans has come a long way, where he has given up his evil ways and loves his family to the point where he felt love for Trunks during the Cell Games Saga.
Dragon Ball Super can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
