Across its multiple iterations, Dragon Ball is one of the most popular anime franchises of all time. It has earned this wide level of popularity thanks to how it elegantly blends together fun characters, chaotic action scenes, and engaging storytelling. Dragon Ball is often preoccupied with battle, but the characters also grow and build families over the course of the series. Vegeta is an exceptional fighter, but it’s a major shock when he heads into fatherhood and develops an affinity for his family.
Anime is a hyperbolized medium that has its share of father and son stories, but Vegeta’s especially resonates. It’s shocking how a character that enters the anime as a villain becomes an arguably better father than the anime’s main character, Goku.
10 Even In His Majin State He Spares His Son’s Feelings
Dragon Ball Z’s Buu Saga marks a dramatic turn in Vegeta where he returns to the dark side and allows Buu to make him a Majin as a desperate effort to surpass Goku in power.
Majin Vegeta’s fight against Goku is an exciting return to form for the anime, which concludes with Vegeta coming full circle and committing an act of self destruction in an attempt to destroy Buu. Before Vegeta makes this decision he spends a tender moment with Trunks and knocks him out so that he’ll be spared the tragedy of what’s about to happen.
9 He Refuses To Leave Before Bulma Gives Birth To Bulla
The final major arc in Dragon Ball Super revolves around the multiversal Tournament of Power competition. The universe has to assemble their very strongest warriors for combat and Goku recruits those that are best suited for the challenge.
Vegeta is a natural choice, but Bulma happens to be very pregnant with Bulla at the time. Vegeta refuses to participate before his wife gives birth and he can be there for his daughter’s first moments. Whis speed things up a little, but it’s a strong example of Vegeta valuing his children and family over fighting.
8 He Gets Enraged Over Seeing Cell Hurt Future Trunks
Characters are driven by many different things in Dragon Ball and Vegeta is someone where pride and honor are particularly important. Vegeta has quite the wicked temper when he wants to let loose and when he watches Cell inflict some serious abuse on Future Trunks he loses it and attacks in a blind rage.
It may not be the best strategy, but it shows how much Vegeta inherently cares about this version of his son that he only recently met. Goku alternatively seems to relish putting his children in harm’s way as a means of character building.
7 He’s Ready To Stay Behind In A Broken Timeline For Future Trunks
The fight against Goku Black and Zamasu is some of Dragon Ball Super’s most compelling and unpredictable material. Vegeta, Goku, and company are forced to cover many elaborate methods to defeat this immortal enemy.
Time travel is a vital element to all of this and there’s a moment where the limitations of their equipment prompts Vegeta to stay in the future timeline so that his son can survive. It’s a gesture that he doesn’t have to make, but it shows how serious he is over all of this and he’s the only one willing to make such a sacrifice.
6 He Takes Bulla Shopping
Dragon Ball GT is still somewhat maligned in the Dragon Ball community, but it’s entertaining to see what these older versions of characters are up to in some of the more extreme cases. For instance, Dragon Ball GT is the only time that an older version of Vegeta’s daughter, Bulla, is present.
Dragon Ball GT eventually turns to action, but it also shows that Vegeta often takes Bulla out shopping and handles this side of errands rather than Bulma. It’s a softer, more domestic side and it’s hard to picture Goku taking any of his children out shopping or anything of the sort.
5 Vegeta’s Kids Come To Mind When He Thinks His Time Is Up In The Tournament Of Power
Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power is a radical battle royale with dozens of fighters, which is an interesting change of pace from how most tournaments play out. Every character goes to great lengths and tries ambitious strategies to help keep their universe in the running.
A desperate Vegeta channels all of his energy together in a destructive maneuver that he believes will take him out with it. Vegeta manages to survive, but during his final moments he thinks of Trunks, Bulma, and those that are important to him. He goes out reflecting on his family, not his greatest battles.
4 He Takes His Son On Vacations
The characters in Dragon Ball are very often preoccupied with protecting the planet from destruction, but there are occasional moments of downtime. Dragon Ball Super has some fun in its earlier episodes when Vegeta takes his family on a vacation that includes an amusement park, ice cream, and toy shopping.
Vegeta may not look thrilled to be there, but he’s at least present and makes the effort, whereas Goku’s never done anything of the sort. He’s always far too distracted or focused on battle to get into what he would deem as frivolous activities.
3 He Makes The Effort To Regularly Train His Son
Fatherhood isn’t easy for everyone and Vegeta can sometimes come across as cold and distant, which aren’t exactly desirable traits in a parent. However, the birth of Trunks seems to truly change Vegeta. He’s proud to regularly train with his son, pass on his own sparring methods, and use their strength as a way to bond and grow closer.
Goku trains a lot with Gohan too, but it feels more focused on the enemy that they’re trying to overcome. Vegeta actually displays vulnerability and opens up with Trunks during the times that they train.
2 In Dragon Ball Super He Gives Future Trunks The Father He Never Had
Sequel series can sometimes be a mixed bag, but Dragon Ball Super pays service to a lot of beloved events and characters from the series’ past. It’s very exciting when Dragon Ball Super returns, even if it comes with dire news over the threat of Goku Black.
Vegeta uses this opportunity to bond with this alternate version of his son even more than he did during his last visit. He genuinely helps him train as well and helps Future Trunks phase out impractical strategies like his continued use of the bulky Ultra Super Saiyan form.
1 His Park Bargain With Trunks
The Dragon Ball franchise sometimes experiments with fun and muted episodes that take place amidst all of the chaos. It’s always thrilling when individuals engage in gigantic battles, but tiny character moments can sometimes resonate even more.
There’s a particularly sweet scene in the anime where Vegeta takes notice of Trunks’ ability to become Super Saiyan and decides to test and motivate his boy. Vegeta tells his son that if he can successfully land a punch on him then he’ll take him to the park. Vegeta honors his word and it’s a sweet motivator for both of them.
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