Did Akira Toriyama change his mind about Vegeta or is...?

[hellobooboo14]

Did Akira Toriyama change his mind about Vegeta or was this his idea about wanting Vegeta to be the main hero?

As for Vegeta, in the event that there’s talk of another animated film, then next time, I’d like him to play the main role. (Of course, this is nothing more than intentions, and I haven’t decided anything at all.)

Maybe it's my fault in assuming Toriyama is going to be make Vegeta the main hero like Goku, but this is what Vegeta has achieved;

- Vegeta was first to find out Gold Frieza's weakness.
- Vegeta kicked Gold Frieza's butt, but only after his stamina issues he wanted to fight him
- Vegeta was able to break his own limits before undergoing training with Whis.
- Vegeta defeats Frost.
- Vegeta defeats Magetta and Cabba.

^ Vegeta did defeat like 3 people in a row, Toei/Toriyama gave Vegeta an impressive winning streak of three in a row. But when it comes to the main villain or protagonist or whatever you call the person that's the next opponent and is stronger then the rest, Goku seems to always find it's way to be the hero, especially in a situation that matters like the final match against Hit.

What is your opinion on Vegeta in Super?

[TheMikado]

Vegeta is and will always be Goku's wingman, second fiddle, etc.
Think new Krillin. Relevant to the plot, always there when things are going down, but ultimately not the hero and never will be.

RIP Vegeta's Pride.

[LightBing]

Vegeta's role is definitely upgraded. He's a main character, sharing that status with Goku. Just look at the opening of Super, where he and Goku stand ahead of the rest of the cast.

Still, Goku will always have the upper hand, focus wise. He's Goku, nobody will trump him in that regard, he's Dragon Ball and will have the most impact.

[Tezzy]

Vegeta is very much the joint main protagonist of Super. His character development is still better maintained than everyone else and he has more to his personality now than "angry guy."

Look at this tournament. He beats Frost, beats Magetta, beats Cabba and also trains him throughout their fight ala Goku and Uub. Vegeta actually training and caring about someone whilst remaining faithful to his own character (teaching Saiyan pride etc). He even wishes Goku good luck after he's just lost. Him and Goku are practically genuine friends now even if rivalry still exists.

Vegeta fights Hit seriously from the off. Not like Vegeta against almost anyone in Z. He loses to his special technique in a straight up match rather than just being overpowered like he often lost in Z. I theorize that Hit couldn't cope with either SSB's in a orthodox fight but as RF made it clear, it's no longer about who's stronger than who. Everyone is as strong as they are, Whis/Vados, Beerus/Champa, Goku/Vegeta and what it comes down to is style and technique.

This tournament is all about Goku and Vegeta. One cleans house against the jobbers and the other beats the main threat. If this were *real* then maybe the roles could have been reversed but this is a story and Fighter A learning how to beat Fighter B by watching them defeat Fighter C is Dragon Ball 101.

This latest episode isn't Vegeta being dumped on. It's further sign of Vegeta literally being able to stand next to Goku now, not behind him with the rest of the cast.

[Lord Frieza]

I posted this somewhere but its relevant here.

He did hate Vegeta but admitted that having him around allowed him to create more interesting plot elements. These days its clear Toriyama has no ill feelings for Vegeta. Vegeta's more human and funny moments in the movies and in Super are proof of this. Vegeta fanboys rage at them but Toriyama would never have Vegeta doing such things if he still hated him.

Actually Vegeta character and story shows Toriyama's feelings for him and how they've changed. From the Frieza saga (when he became a main character) to the end of the Android Saga Vegeta is more often then not on the receiving end of a savage beating. He's also cold, humourless for the most part and very argent. This was the true period were Toriyama hated Vegeta.

By the Buu saga it seems Toriyama had finally warmed up to Vegeta. This is primarily shown in those little moments of humanity or comedy he has.

Simple put while some fans may have liked that old Vegeta, Toriyama only wrote him that way because he hated him. The current Vegeta we are seeing is one who has finally won the love of his creator.

The fact that Vegeta is actually sharing the spotlight with Goku rather then disappearing and reappearing in the story like the old days is further proof of this fact I feel.

[lancerman]

Vegeta is and will always be Goku's wingman, second fiddle, etc.
Think new Krillin. Relevant to the plot, always there when things are going down, but ultimately not the hero and never will be.

RIP Vegeta's Pride.

Krillin was more like the Robin to Goku's Batman.

Vegeta is more of a Nightwing.

[Chuquita]

Now I'm picturing Gokû trying to Batman and failing comedically (with the exception of his ability to use the batmobile to perform "sick jumps".)

[hellobooboo14]

This is the thing, why though? I mean, there's lot of things within the story arcs that screams Vegeta can do the EXACT same thing as Goku, but Goku does it because he does it. Vegeta was actually getting excellent character development throughout the series.

Does Goku have to come out on top have to with his popularity in Japan?

[Marlowe89]

As for Vegeta, in the event that there’s talk of another animated film, then next time, I’d like him to play the main role. (Of course, this is nothing more than intentions, and I haven’t decided anything at all.)

Considering the fact Vegeta played a major role in RoF, I don't believe Toriyama abandoned this statement entirely.

Hell, he might even steal the show from Goku at some point later in Super.

[sintzu]

Hell, he might even steal the show from Goku at some point later in Super.

If it's going to happen then it'll be during their visit to planet Salad.

[Chuquita]

Hell, he might even steal the show from Goku at some point later in Super.

If it's going to happen then it'll be during their visit to planet Salad.

I want to see them visit Planet Salad so much. Vegeta felt so in his element talking to Cabba; imagine him and whoever else joins Vegeta and Cabba on the trip to Planet Salad with Vegeta getting to compare histories and enjoy the cuisine and do his usual character-that-moves-the-plot-along stuff, but he's having fun doing it.

I really hope that's next. I worry I'll have to wait through another arc before we get there (if the next arc is indeed Future Trunks--who I like a lot, but haven't been missing as much since he's come back in so many video game plots).

[Captain Strawberry]

I wounder what kind of storyline they would do if Vegeta visits Planet Salad

[sintzu]

I really hope that's next. I worry I'll have to wait through another arc before we get there.

I'll be happy as long as we go there at some point.

[BoosterZabi]

I posted this somewhere but its relevant here.

He did hate Vegeta but admitted that having him around allowed him to create more interesting plot elements. These days its clear Toriyama has no ill feelings for Vegeta. Vegeta's more human and funny moments in the movies and in Super are proof of this. Vegeta fanboys rage at them but Toriyama would never have Vegeta doing such things if he still hated him.

By the Buu saga it seems Toriyama had finally warmed up to Vegeta. This is primarily shown in those little moments of humanity or comedy he has.

Simple put while some fans may have liked that old Vegeta, Toriyama only wrote him that way because he hated him. The current Vegeta we are seeing is one who has finally won the love of his creator.

It always strikes me as odd that people are upset over Vegeta's personality change in DBS despite the fact that after the Majin Vegeta arc, he dispelled all of his major grudges and inner demons becoming a changed man. He wasn't as pig headed and worked as a team during the fight with Kid Buu. His character evolved and for the nostalgia fans who want to whitewash this out of history and just assume that his character didn't evolve past his Freeza-Cell saga personality is asinine.

[Captain Strawberry]

I posted this somewhere but its relevant here.

It always strikes me as odd that people are upset over Vegeta's personality change in DBS despite the fact that after the Majin Vegeta arc, he dispelled all of his major grudges and inner demons becoming a changed man. He wasn't as pig headed and worked as a team during the fight with Kid Buu. His character evolved and for the nostalgia fans who want to whitewash this out of history and just assume that his character didn't evolve past his Freeza-Cell saga personality is asinine.

It's been like years and years. People can change a lot within those years. It's been like over 10 years.

[PrinceOfAllFans23]

Toriyama stated that he didn't really care for vegeta in the past but you can actually see hi opinion change if u watch the anime. Cause vegeta importantence and role has continued to grow. DBS espeacially he has gotten boosted right up to being side by side with goku. He gets to take out 3 competitors in the tournament after goku is eliminated which people seem to forget but goku get to fight again cause he's goku and nobody but him and sometimes hogan get to actually get the glory. But back to topic, vegeta keeps getting opportunities to be a main character in the show and it seems to be working and I hope that this prince of all saiyans keeps getting to show what he can do.

[sintzu]

Vegeta keeps getting opportunities to be a main character in the show and it seems to be working and I hope that this prince of all saiyans keeps getting to show what he can do.

His role will only get bigger moving foreword.