Despite how romanticized it is by the greater fan base of operations, Goku and Vegeta'south rivalry is a rather ane-sided thing– even in Dragon Ball Z . It's true that Vegeta starts out stronger than Goku, merely the Saiyan arc makes it very articulate that the Aristocracy Saiyan is playing with fire. By the stop of the Namek arc, Vegeta's completely outclassed by Goku– the real legendary Super Saiyan– and spends the balance of Dragon Brawl Z struggling to keep upwardly with a "rival" who's mostly merely humoring an enemy turned hostile companion.

To Vegeta'south credit, he has managed to even the playing field courtesy of Dragon Ball Super . Where Dragon Ball GT had Vegeta content with Goku'southward condition as the greatest martial artist in the universe, Super 's Vegeta isn't ready to let the rivalry go quite all the same. As of the Moro arc, Vegeta'due south never been closer in ability to Goku– just that's ancient history now that Goku has what seems to be full access to Ultra Instinct. When it comes down to information technology, Goku will ever be 1 step ahead of Vegeta.

That makes sense, though, and is to be expected. As Dragon Ball 'due south main character, information technology'due south only natural Goku be stronger than his rivals, but Vegeta actually has surpassed him on occasion. It'southward not oft, nor is it ever permanent, but Dragon Ball has given the Prince of All Saiyans his due respect more than once.

5 Saiyan Arc

Vegeta is significantly stronger than Goku when they first run into. Goku's base of operations forcefulness is so deplorable that it can't even keep upwardly with a Vegeta who's but warming upwards, the Elite Saiyan forcing Goku to trigger Kaioken immediately or perish. Vegeta'south even stronger equally an Oozaru, crippling virtually every single os in Goku's trunk.

For as powerful as Vegeta is, however, he lacks Goku'south skill and tenacity. In spite of his overwhelming lead, Vegeta is pushed back as Goku taps into Kaioken, outmaneuvers him with pure martial arts, and wounds his pride with arguably the best fight choreography in Akira Toriyama'southward career.

Arrogance ends upward being Vegeta's existent downfall in the Saiyan arc. Had he not been so rattled past his beam struggle with Goku, Vegeta would have realized that Goku was out of free energy. Instead, Vegeta wastes his ain Ki into condign an Oozaru, essentially telling Gohan & Krillin to come dorsum and relieve Goku'southward life before it's too late.

4 Early Namek

Even though Vegeta loses at the stop of the Saiyan arc, he doesn't lose his power gap over Goku until the latter starts training on his way to Namek– roughly midway through the Frieza arc. Goku'south as well out of commission for much longer, relying on the hospital while waiting for Senzu to crow. Vegeta, on the other hand, has access to Frieza Force healing pods.

Vegeta's up and ready to head to Namek in no time at all, rushing off to the planet effectually the same time Gohan, Krillin, and Bulma set forth to outer space. When they all get in, Vegeta is easily the strongest of the primary characters. As a result, Gohan and Krillin stealth effectually well-nigh of Namek while Vegeta picks off Frieza's personal guard.

It'southward non clear when exactly Goku surpasses Vegeta in Battle Power, but he's long since outdone the Prince of All Saiyans by the fourth dimension the Dragon Squad are fighting the Ginyu Force. Goku himself is in a completely unlike league, decimating Recoome with no effort at all.

3 Dr. Gero & 19 Attack

The terminal time Vegeta has the lead over Goku in Dragon Ball Z is during the Cell arc. After Time to come Trunks warns Goku of the Android attack, everyone goes their separate means to railroad train. While Goku is left training Piccolo & Gohan, alongside preparation his own employ of Super Saiyan, Vegeta flies off somewhere (outer space in the anime) for solo grooming.

When Vegeta returns to World, he's actually stronger than Goku– a fact noted past even Tenshinhan. This could be because of Goku's Eye Virus, only it'due south also more likely Vegeta just trained harder. Even though grooming with others typically yields better results in Dragon Ball , Goku had since far surpassed both Piccolo and Gohan.

Vegeta, on the other paw, was training alone with extreme determination. Across that, Vegeta could still make use of virtually-death experiences to boost his ability equally he wasn't a Super Saiyan nonetheless. Along with the fact that Vegeta is just naturally stronger than Goku, it's fitting he's reintroduced as the stronger Super Saiyan.

2 "That's My Bulma"

Vegeta vs Beerus

Vegeta gets one of his best moments in Dragon Ball during Boxing of Gods . After spending the unabridged 2nd deed doing Beerus' bidding in order to continue the Earth intact– demonstrating all his development from the Majin Buu arc in activity– he loses control when Beerus strikes Bulma. Unable to control his rage, Vegeta attacks the God of Destruction and actually draws blood.

Vegeta does more to Beerus in Super Saiyan 2 than Goku did in Super Saiyan 3. Beyond that, Vegeta is actually able to striking Beerus while earning Main Roshi's praise– which is nothing to scoff at because his status equally a martial arts primary. Goku ends upward surpassing Vegeta once he triggers Super Saiyan God, only the Prince of All Saiyans outmatched Goku when information technology mattered most.

ane Caput Start With Whis

Goku may accept become a Super Saiyan God in club to fight Beerus, but Vegeta doesn't let this hold him back. Instead, he uses it as motivation to railroad train with Whis and start mastering God Ki. By the time Goku starts preparation with Whis as well– something he needs to basically beg for in the anime– Vegeta's already been immersion grooming for quite a while.

Vegeta gets a wide enough gap over Goku where they're dead even by the time the Universe 6 Tournament starts. From in that location, withal, Goku finds new ways to surpass Vegeta. Whether information technology be Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken, Mastered Super Saiyan Blue, or Ultra Instinct, there's simply no way Vegeta'due south keeping up at this point.

NEXT: Dragon Ball: The Main Characters, Ranked By Likability

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