Vegeta
Dragon Ball: Starting with a PlanetContents
Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Vegeta (贝吉塔) |
| Alias(es) | Prince Vegeta |
| Species/Race | Saiyan |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation/Role | Saiyan prince; invader seeking Earth’s Dragon Balls |
| Status | Alive; departed Earth and set course for Namek |
| First Appearance | Chapter 39 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full power — 19,000 | 44 | Raises his power to 19,000 while fighting Goku, overwhelming Goku before Kaio-ken multipliers shift the battle. |
| Great Ape Transformation | 45 | Creates an artificial moon and transforms; he states that a Saiyan’s Great Ape form multiplies combat power tenfold. |
| Post-recovery increase | 48 | Fully recovers from his Earth injuries at a Frieza outpost and senses that his strength has made a tremendous leap. No numerical level is given. |
Background / History
Vegeta learns through Raditz’s scouter that Earth possesses Dragon Balls capable of granting wishes. Though initially dismissive of Raditz’s death, he orders Nappa to prepare for Earth, intending to punish Kakarot and use the Dragon Balls to gain eternal life 39.
He arrives on Earth with Nappa, treating the planet as merchandise to be sold. He permits Nappa to “stretch” himself but warns him not to damage the planet excessively; Nappa nevertheless destroys East City and kills millions 41.
After Nappa is injured and forced to retreat, Vegeta kills him himself with an energy blast, deeming him worthless 43. He then battles Goku, but Goku’s escalating Kaio-ken pushes Vegeta back and ultimately overwhelms his Galick Gun with a fourfold Kaio-ken Kamehameha 44.
Refusing to accept defeat, Vegeta creates an artificial moon and becomes a Great Ape. Lin Yuan blinds him with Solar Flare, severs his tail, and defeats him after he reverts to normal 45. Lin Yuan spares him, destroys his monitored scouter, and gives him a modified replacement that can be used to deceive Frieza 45.
After recovering at a Frieza outpost, Vegeta uses the false information arrangement to pursue Namek ahead of Frieza. He seeks immortality through Namek’s Dragon Balls and vows to one day crush Frieza 48.
Appearance
Vegeta is short in stature but projects overwhelming pressure. He wears standard Saiyan battle armor and initially uses a scouter.
- Upright black hair described as standing like steel needles 41
- Cold, stern expression with little visible emotion 41
- Brown Saiyan tail, initially wrapped around his waist 48
- Wears a scouter over one eye during the Earth invasion 44
- Loses his tail when Lin Yuan cuts it off during the Great Ape battle 45
Personality
Vegeta is intensely proud of his status as the Saiyan prince and contemptuous of those he considers inferior. He repeatedly belittles Goku as a “low-class warrior,” and his disbelief at losing to Goku is rooted in that class-based arrogance 44.
He is ruthless toward both enemies and allies. He regards Earth as a commodity, dismisses Raditz as trash, and kills Nappa once Nappa ceases to be useful 39 41 43. His ambition is equally uncompromising: he seeks immortality to overthrow Frieza and pursue absolute power 39 48.
Despite his arrogance, Vegeta can adapt strategically. After Lin Yuan warns him that Frieza may already be heading for Namek, Vegeta uses the modified scouter to feed Frieza false information and races toward Namek himself 45 48.
Abilities & Skills
Saiyan Combat Ability
Vegeta possesses immense combat power, flight, ki manipulation, and the ability to suppress his displayed power level enough to confuse scouter readings.
- Raises his power to 19,000 against Goku 44
- Fires destructive ki blasts capable of threatening Earth 44
- Easily withstands combined attacks from Tien Shinhan, Nam, and Yamcha 44
- Uses a purple energy blast to kill Nappa in a single strike 43
Galick Gun
Vegeta’s signature beam attack, launched with both hands.
- Described as powerful enough to destroy Earth 44
- Is overcome by Goku’s fourfold Kaio-ken Kamehameha 44
Great Ape Transformation
Vegeta can transform by viewing moonlight, including the light of an artificial moon he creates himself.
- Creates an artificial moon when Earth’s natural moon is unavailable 45
- Increases Saiyan combat power tenfold, according to Vegeta 45
- Retains speech and tactical awareness in Great Ape form 45
- Reverts to normal when his tail is severed 45
Equipment / Weapons / Items
- Scouter — Used to detect power levels; Lin Yuan destroys the original after defeating him 44 45.
- Modified scouter — Given to him by Lin Yuan; can control when Frieza’s side can hear his communications 45.
- Spherical spacecraft — Used to escape Earth and travel toward Namek 45 48.
- Artificial moon energy sphere — Created to trigger his Great Ape transformation 45.
Relationships
- Nappa — Saiyan subordinate. Vegeta orders him during the Earth invasion, then kills him after Krillin severs his arm and Nappa becomes a liability 39 43.
- Raditz — Fellow Saiyan whose death helps draw Vegeta to Earth; Vegeta considers him worthless but uses the opportunity to pursue the Dragon Balls 39.
- Son Goku / Kakarot — Rival and fellow Saiyan. Vegeta despises Goku’s low-class origins and is enraged by losing to him 44 45.
- Lin Yuan — Defeats Vegeta after his battle with Goku, spares his life, and equips him with a modified scouter to mislead Frieza 45.
- Frieza — His superior and intended future enemy. Vegeta seeks immortality specifically to overthrow him 45 48.
- Cui — A Frieza-force member who mocks Vegeta’s defeat; Vegeta dismisses him with open hostility 48.
Story Role / Major Arcs
Saiyan Invasion
Vegeta travels to Earth with Nappa to obtain the Dragon Balls and deal with Kakarot. He oversees the conflict against Earth’s defenders, kills Nappa, and personally fights Goku 39 41 43 44.
Battle Against Goku and Lin Yuan
Vegeta forces Goku to use increasingly dangerous Kaio-ken multipliers, but loses the beam clash. His Great Ape gamble is countered by Lin Yuan, who blinds him, cuts off his tail, and defeats him 44 45.
Namek Pursuit
Spared by Lin Yuan, Vegeta recovers at a Frieza outpost and leaves for Namek to secure immortality before Frieza can claim the Dragon Balls 45 48.