There’s a certain comfort that can be found in shonen anime series like Dragon Ball that stick to a basic structure, even if the series’ direction continues to evolve. For more than three decades, Dragon Ball has been a standout action series that showcases staggering displays of power between determined warriors. Goku and the other heroic fighters in Dragon Ball continue to grow stronger as they face more intimidating opponents.
Vegeta is a prideful Saiyan who seems to be perpetually obsessed with greater strength and power. Vegeta’s development throughout the course of the Dragon Ball franchise is full of satisfying surprises, but he’s also a figure who’s hit some especially impressive milestones over the years.
10 He Successfully Performs The Fusion Dance
Fusion remains a controversial practice in the Dragon Ball franchise, and while it offers great opportunities for newly powerful and combined fighters, it’s also a concept that can be abused and be taken too far, like in some Dragon Ball video games.
Canonically, Vegeta’s only fusions are with Goku, with the synchronized fusion dance acting as one of their primary means of union. The conditions around the fusion dance are that both parties need to be completely in sync, even when it comes to their power levels. It takes some failed attempts, but Vegeta eventually nails the movements and rhythm.
9 He's The Prince Of The Saiyan Race
One of the major pieces of history that surround the Saiyans is that they were an aggressive race of conquerors, led by Vegeta’s father, King Vegeta. This makes Vegeta the Prince of the Saiyan race, which is a title that he proudly wears, particularly during the start of Dragon Ball Z.
Granted, Vegeta doesn’t have to do anything to earn this regal title, but it’s still an important point of pride that he doesn’t take for granted. Even when on Earth, Vegeta attempts to carry on his father’s legacy and carry an air of authority.
8 He Gets Married & Starts A Family
So much of Dragon Ball is focused on battle and attaining new strength that it can sometimes be easy to forget that these characters also have personal lives. Vegeta surprisingly starts a family with Bulma and they have two children, Trunks and Bulla.
Some individuals in Dragon Ball might not view a family as anything significant, but Vegeta truly cherishes the bond that he builds and this boost of humanity that he experiences. Vegeta has great pride in his offspring and has high expectations for their futures.
7 His Energy Is Enough To Awaken Majin Buu
It’s not uncommon for Dragon Ball’s villains to need to acquire or absorb energy from others until they’re at full strength and a true threat. Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga begins with Babidi and his Majin minions on the hunt to sap energy from others with the goal of using this power to awaken Majin Buu.
No amount of energy seems to be enough, that is until Vegeta donates his strength when he’s turned into a Majin. This contribution from Vegeta finally activates Buu’s awakening and speaks to just how much power Vegeta possesses.
6 He Trains With The Yardratians & Learns Forced Spirit Fission
It’s always appreciated when Dragon Ball can tie up loose ends and connect its dots. Goku spends some time on Planet Yardrat and learns Instant Transmission from the friendly inhabitants of the planet. Much later, in Dragon Ball Super, Vegeta also makes a visit to Yardrat to improve his own skills.
Rather than follow in Goku’s footsteps, Vegeta refuses Instant Transmission and instead focuses on the technique of Forced Spirit Fission. Forced Spirit Fission has many helpful uses and Vegeta has already used it to his advantage against Moro and Granolah.
5 He Becomes A Super Saiyan & Beyond
There are many ways to mark one’s strength in Dragon Ball, but everyone soon begins to chase the achievement of transforming into a Super Saiyan after the form makes its debut. Vegeta isn’t the first Super Saiyan in the series, but it’s a milestone that he reaches not long after Goku.
Vegeta doesn’t stop his progress here and he continues to conquer new Super Saiyan transformations, even some of the more contentious ones like Ultra Super Saiyan. It’s always a big deal when Vegeta reaches a new transformation and there’s no end in sight for the Saiyan’s growth.
4 He Becomes An Official Member Of The Galactic Patrol
Dragon Ball begins on the Earth, but it progressively widens its scope to a whole galaxy of planets and eventually entirely new universes and timelines. Vegeta and Goku get tied up with Earth’s safety, which inevitably introduces them to the prestigious institution of the Galactic Patrol.
Characters like Jaco come across as comic relief, but there’s endless honor associated with this police force. Moro’s escape from prison leads to Vegeta being crowned as an official member of the Galactic Patrol, which isn’t an honor that many can claim.
3 He Achieves Super Saiyan God Status On His Own Without A Ceremony
Dragon Ball Super begins with the arrival of Beerus and Whis, who are determined to find the identity of a legendary Super Saiyan God. This is a title that Goku eventually achieves, albeit through a ceremony where five other Saiyans must lend them their strength.
It’s a powerful moment, but it makes Vegeta’s eventual Super Saiyan God status come as a huge surprise. The circumstances behind Vegeta reaching this milestone aren't detailed, but he seems to become a Super Saiyan God on his own, not through the ceremony, which is a greater achievement than what Goku experiences.
2 He Masters Hakai & Is Rewarded With The Corresponding Earring Of Achievement
Gods of Destruction are a fascinating influence in Dragon Ball, especially when the conditions of their power are put under scrutiny. Goku and Vegeta both separately train under Beerus and Whis, but it’s Vegeta who fully picks up the God of Destruction’s skills.
A trademark technique of Gods of Destruction is their Hakai erasure attack. Goku attempts this in the manga against Fused Zamasu, but fails. However, Vegeta is able to perfect the art and Beerus even rewards him with a special earring that’s reserved for those that can perform the technique.
1 He Achieves God Of Destruction Power Through Ultra Ego
Dragon Ball fans haven’t been able to stop talking about Goku’s Ultra Instinct transformation ever since it happened during the apex of the Tournament of Power. Goku’s improvement in this direction has left many wondering if Vegeta will also accomplish this, or forge his own route for more power.
Dragon Ball Super’s manga has recently provided the answer here. Vegeta pursues Ultra Ego, instead of Ultra Instinct, which gives him a drastic increase in power and puts him on par with a God of Destruction.