Fans ofDragon Balllove the character of Vegeta for many reasons, not the least of which is his significant redemption arc, which sees him transform from an unrepentant villain to a hero who cares deeply for his friends and family. But oneDragon Ball Zmovie indicates that Vegeta’s redemption still wasn’t enough to save him from Hell.
Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Rebornis a 1995 film that’s set during the Buu Saga, at a time when both Goku and Vegeta are dead and in Other World. Goku is taking part in the Other World Tournament, a filler tournament from the anime, where he battles against great warriors from throughout history. Vegeta’s afterlife, however, is far less pleasant.
Vegeta is Sent to Hell After His Majin Vegeta Stunt
Vegeta’s Redemption Wasn’t Enough to Save Him
Vegeta, on the other hand, has been sent to Hell, followinghis transformation into Majin Vegeta, and subsequent failed suicide attack against Buu. Piccolo warned Vegeta before he attempted this that there was no way he would end up anywhere but Hell, and it seems that, according toFusion Rebornat least, that was the case.
Worse still, while Goku was allowed to keep his body in the afterlife, Vegeta was granted no such exception and was reduced to a spirit form. Vegeta is only able to reunite with Goku during the movie when Goku descends to Hell to battle Janemba. Vegeta regains his body temporarily as a result of Janemba’s interference in Hell.
When Janemba is finally defeated by Gogeta, the Metamoran fusion of Goku and Vegeta, the two Saiyans unfuse, and Goku must say goodbye to Vegeta as he loses his body again and returns to a spirit form. Even this additional good deed isn’t enough to change Vegeta’s fate, it would seem.
Vegeta’s Redemption in Dragon Ball Z is Incomplete
Vegeta Goes on a Redemption Arc, But Doesn’t Quite Make It Until the End
The film’s treatment of Vegeta goes to show that, for the writers of the anime at least, his redemption arc wasn’t complete, and Vegeta was still at least a bit evil at heart. Given that this is set after the Majin Vegeta incident, it’s easy to see why. While Vegeta turned good again, his Majin rampage was too far.
But in the context ofDragon Ball Z, it’s clear that Vegeta’s redemption arc isn’t yet complete. Vegeta did some truly horrible things working under Frieza. He was responsible for several genocides, and fans saw firsthand how vicious he could be on Namek. Vegeta had a lot to make up for, and even saving Earth couldn’t cancel that out.
Vegeta’s growth was slow and took time. It wasn’t until he began connecting with Bulma that his personality started to noticeably change, even if he was still surly and standoffish. With the birth of Trunks,Vegeta found himself truly caring about his family, something that’s unusual for a Saiyan.
Vegeta became more heroic due to Goku’s influence, but he would never have grown in that direction if it weren’t for his family.
Vegeta became more heroic due to Goku’s influence, but he would never have grown in that direction if it weren’t for his family. As Earth slowly became his new home, Vegeta became more and more willing to defend it, but there was still a dark part of his heart that longed for nothing more than to defeat Goku.
That dark corner is what prompted him to seize the power of being a Majin and fall under Babidi’s control. However, Vegeta was able to break through that control. Vegeta’s final conversation with Piccolo emphasizes how much he’s really come to care about Goku and his friends on Earth, even if he’s loath to admit it.
Vegeta’s Redemption is Only Truly Complete in Dragon Ball Super
Vegeta Continues His Redemption in Dragon Ball Z’s Sequel Series
WhileVegeta’s redemption arc was incompleteat the time thatFusion Rebornis set, that doesn’t mean that it ended. Vegeta was eventually given his body back by King Yemma and sent to aid Goku. He played a critical role in Buu’s defeat, but even that didn’t mark the true end of his redemption arc.
InDragon Ball Super, particularly the manga, Vegeta is forced to continue growing. Vegeta helps to defeat villains like Goku Black/Zamasu, who threaten to destroy the entire universe. During the Tournament of Destroyers, he meets Cabba and is reminded of his Saiyan pride and strength, and how it can be a positive force.
Where things really get interesting for Vegeta is during the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, which hasn’t been adapted for the anime. There,Vegeta actually acknowledges the horrible things that he did to the Namekiansall those years ago, and vows to make up for it by protecting them then and there.
Later, during the Granolah the Survivor Saga, Vegeta faces the repercussions of the Saiyans' crimes again, in the form of the vengeful Granolah. Vegeta recognizes and relates to Granolah’s anger, as they are both survivors of genocide. Eventually, they manage to convince him that not every Saiyan is his enemy.
These events show how much Vegeta has changed; he’s now remorseful for his previous actions, recognizing how much harm he truly caused, and realizing that perhaps he’ll never be able to do enough to make up for his past.Vegeta accepts this with dignity and boldly resolves to do good anyway, even if he doesn’t personally benefit.
It’s only at this point that Vegeta can truly be called a hero. Whether Vegeta’s soul can be saved is almost irrelevant to his character arc as a result, as Vegeta is no longer looking out for himself. Vegeta’s only regret about going to Hell was never seeing Goku again, and it seems he accepts even that eventuality inSuper.
WhetherDragon Ball Super’s iteration of Vegeta is destined for Hell is something that can be eternally debated, but at the very least, he’s completed his redemption and has fully become good, even if that means quietly accepting the punishment for his past actions in theDragon Ballafterlife.
