GokuRules987 wrote:Analytical Delusion wrote:GokuRules987 wrote:To be honest both Goku and Vegeta have flaws, their arrogance allowed their villians to power up and made them put earth into danger. But if i had to choose which character is better in the end, then its going to be goku because he was the first character who was good. He was the one that spared Vegeta life and allowed him to change.
Didn't Goku spare Vegeta because he wanted a proper rematch?
Goku could have easily let Krillin kill Vegeta if he wanted too, and because they were the ones that hurt and killed his friends, he had every right to do so. Thats why the reason Vegeta is alive is because of Goku giving him a second chance. But maybe also in a chance that he might be able to meet him again for a rematch or something.
Hm, don't want to derail the thread, but I think that might be something exclusive to the dub (possibly Viz as well, I'd have to reread):
It was Goku, and he spoke it directly to Kuririn’s heart. Kuririn wonders aloud what’s going on, and Goku explains that he can’t speak out loud. Then he asks Kuririn to please let Vegeta go, as his one request. Kuririn objects, since he’s killed their friends, and planned on killing everyone in the world. Kuririn believes he’s sure to return once he’s recovered, and Goku says “probably”. Kuririn tells him it’s a big mistake if he thinks this guy will have a change of heart like Piccolo did. Goku knows Vegeta’s incredibly strong, but can’t help thinking that it’ll be a waste for him to die. Goku had intended to train to his limits under Kaiō, but Vegeta turned out to be much greater than him. Fighting with Vegeta made Goku somehow excited, like when he fought Piccolo. He knows that this enjoyment is a bad habit, and attributes it to his Saiyan nature.
Goku insists that next time he’ll definitely surpass Vegeta and defeat him. “I know it’s a mistake, but please…! For me, and me alone, please allow this…!!” Kuririn bows his head, and then slowly drops Yajirobe’s sword. Then he perks up and says how the Earth sort of owes Goku this request after all the things he’s done, and he tells Goku to kick his ass next time. Vegeta, now fully in his ship, tells them to be prepared, as there won’t be a miracle next time. Then he blasts off. Kuririn walks over and picks up Gohan, who’s still passed out. And Yajirobe gathers himself together and says, “That dumbass… Why didn’t he finish him off…!” Goku apologizes to Kuririn, but he says it’s nothing, and brings up that they might be able to bring everyone back to life. Meanwhile, Bulma and co.’s little plane arrives and starts to land.
http://www.kanzenshuu.com/manga/chp-241/
I don't have the thread handy right now, but I think there was a discussion not too long ago about how one of the big differences between how Goku was handled in the dub vs in the original version was that Goku's saiyan nature was lost in translation, and he was presented too much as a righteous figure. This could be incorrect (I'd need to hunt down the interview), but I also recently read that Toriyama didn't care for the anime taking that tone as compared to the manga as well. Later in the series Goku does develop some compassion (in seeking to spare Recoome, Jeice, Burter, Ginyu, Freeza), but I don't think that element of his character existed beforehand.
