VEGETA...CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Written: Date Unknown
Author: Stele

From an insolent, callous child, to a power-craving megalomaniac, and eventually accepting himself as one of which he detested so greatly years before. Vegeta, as one of the most important characters of DBZ and DBGT, has grown greatly since he first arrived on Earth as a shrewd runt. Mainly to cease my wallowing of my pitiful existence, I will examine the different periods of his growth.

Vegeta's childhood is mainly shrouded in obscurity, though what is revealed certainly depicts him as a...shall we say...insensible kid. His single motive in his life at that point was a single barbaric goal: conquering planets and defeating worthy foes. His incompassionateness extends to such a great degree, he barely acknowledged the death of his father and his race. Indeed, he is very self-centered, and puts his own well being and goals at first priority.

Vegeta changed little from his childhood to his first arrival of Earth. Still wearing the self-assured lop-sided grin, and encompassing an unhealthy amount of ego and overconfidence. Ruthless as always, he killed his childhood mentor without a trace of pity. So Nappa was not deemed as a loving tutor, though doing so simply to make a statement is rather harsh. Seeking personal power was Vegeta motive behind journeying to Earth, though by making that decision, Vegeta took a single step into changing his entire future.

Kakarotto...Suddenly, Vegeta's life had an entirely different purpose, to surpass the son of a low-class warrior. The thought had never occurred to him that another Saiya-jin might be equal to his might, let alone eclipse him in power. This newfound cause drove Vegeta beyond his limits. It became an obsession, a fascination so clear yet so hard to reach. He trained ferociously in Dr. Briefs' gravity chambers prior to the activation of the Artificial Humans. He began literally to eat, sleep, and drink Karkarotto (and Trunks as well after his transformation). The neurotic training quickly propelled him to his limit once again. Unable to believe in failure, his anger allowed him to disintegrate the barrier suppressing his internal power. He finally achieved the status of the Super Saiya-jin.

"There's always someone stronger..."

Though achieving Super Saiya-jin was comparable to a godsend before, Vegeta realized it was merely the beginning. Once again, he desired to become more powerful, and to surpass Kakarotto as well. However, with the death of Son Gokou, this motivation stagnated, but always nearby.

With the birth of his son, Chibi Trunks, Vegeta's spitefulness began gradually deteriorating. He began to realize love for his son and wife, though he rarely expresses it. However, though, his overwhelming need to surpass Kakarotto remained constant. When Gokou was permitted to return to Earth for single day after his death during the Cell Game, Vegeta leapt to measure his power with Gokou after the 7-year separation. Vegeta displayed his goal was as strong as ever by intentionally being "charmed" by Babi Dee when he began to realize he may lose his only opportunity to fight Kakarotto. With the aide of Babi Dee's magic, Vegeta unleashes his viciousness upon Gokou.

During the aftermath of this battle, a series of surprising happenings occurred. Vegeta, not only completely defies Babi Dee's authority, but also sacrifices his own life to preserve not only his son's life but also his opponent Kakarotto's as well. The bitter Vegeta has succumbed to death in guardianship of others. Surely, this would produce a few chuckles from Vegeta's defeated enemies in hell.

Maybe it was merely an encouragement to Gokou to defeat Majin Buu, or perhaps it was truly a genuine, sincere praise, his remark relinquished his long-standing antipathy toward Kakarotto when he expressed Gokou was truly greater than him.

How did Vegeta suddenly have this great change? Perchance Vegeta realized spite and bitterness hurt and stunted one's growth. Or perhaps Vegeta simply realized the truth, and embraced it with open arms instead of rejecting and denying it. Nevertheless, Vegeta certainly deserves recongnition as one of the most innovative in the Dragonball series, as well as one to admire.