Vegeta's transformation from a villain to a hero is one of the most celebrated and complex character arcs in the Dragon Ball franchise. It was not a single moment but a gradual process spanning multiple major sagas in Dragon Ball Z. Here are the key phases and moments that marked his change: Phase 1: The Reluctant Anti-Hero (Namek & Android Sagas) After his initial defeat on Earth, Vegeta's primary motivation remained self-serving: to become the strongest warrior in the universe and defeat Goku.