Why Goku Always Gets New Forms Before Vegeta?

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Have you ever sat down and thought, “Why does Goku always get the new Super Saiyan forms first? Why not Vegeta?” If you’re one of those people who believe it’s just because Goku is the main character—sorry, but that’s not the full story. There’s actually a reason why he never gets a new form first. So let’s see why Vegeta always seems to be one step behind Goku regarding power-ups.

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Vegeta: The Saiyan Prince

Vegeta, the proud Prince of Saiyans, grew up believing he was destined to be the strongest. He saw himself as superior to every other Saiyan, including Goku. But unlike Goku, Vegeta didn’t have emotional connections that could fuel his growth—at least not in the beginning.

While Goku was raised on Earth with love, friends, and a strong sense of compassion, Vegeta was raised in a cold, ruthless environment where emotions were considered a weakness. That difference plays a big role in how their power levels grow.

Goku’s Emotional Triggers Push Him Further

Have you noticed that Goku often unlocks new forms during emotional or high-stakes situations? Whether it was turning into a Super Saiyan after Krillin’s death on Namek, or unlocking Ultra Instinct during the Tournament of Power to protect Universe 7—Goku’s power evolves when his emotions peak.

It’s these emotional connections—his love for his family, friends, and even his rivals—that push Goku to reach new heights. He doesn’t just train hard; he has a purpose that lights a fire inside him.

Vegeta’s Turning Point Was Meeting Goku

If we’re being honest, if Vegeta had never crossed paths with Goku, he might have never even become a Super Saiyan. It was Goku who proved that the Super Saiyan legend was real. Only after seeing Goku achieve it did Vegeta believe it was possible—and then trained like hell to reach it.

And the pattern repeats itself. Even after becoming a Super Saiyan, Vegeta never imagined there was a level beyond—until Goku reached Super Saiyan 2. It’s always Goku who sets the bar first.

Is Vegeta Always Treated Unfairly?

Let’s be real. A lot of fans (including me) are tired of seeing Vegeta always play second fiddle. Many creators and writers portray him as the underdog or the “almost-there” guy. But that’s not a fair representation of his strength or growth.

Vegeta trains constantly. He pushes himself beyond his limits, but what he often lacks is clarity of purpose. He doesn’t always have a clear “why” behind his power goals. Goku, on the other hand, fights with heart. He’s calm, focused, and emotionally driven.

The Beerus Incident: A Glimpse of Vegeta’s True Potential

Here’s a great example: when Goku first meets Lord Beerus, he’s excited and immediately asks to spar. Goku goes up to Super Saiyan 3 but still can’t land a hit on him.

Now flash to the moment when Beerus slaps Bulma—Vegeta loses it. In a rage-fueled transformation, he powers up in Super Saiyan 2 and actually manages to land several blows on Beerus. That’s no small feat.

This moment shows what Vegeta is truly capable of when his emotions finally take over. The problem is—he doesn’t let that happen often. He hides his emotions, and that holds him back.

Sacrifice: Goku vs. Vegeta

If you look closely at the series, Goku has sacrificed himself multiple times to save others—against Cell, Raditz, and even during the Buu saga. His selflessness is part of his power journey.

Vegeta, on the other hand, has only truly sacrificed himself once—during the Buu saga, when he hugged Trunks and blew himself up. It was a powerful moment, no doubt. But it also highlights the difference in their emotional journeys.

Goku’s constant willingness to give everything, even his life, fuels his evolution. Vegeta’s journey is more internal and personal, and it takes him longer to reach those emotionally charged turning points.

The Pattern That Keeps Repeating

Even now, whenever a new form is introduced—be it Super Saiyan God, Blue, or Ultra Instinct—Goku gets it first. Vegeta is either learning it later or gets a slightly different version (like Ultra Ego instead of Ultra Instinct).

And we’re never really shown exactly how Vegeta achieves his forms. It just sort of happens after Goku gets it, and then a few episodes later, boom—Vegeta unlocks it too.

That pattern hurts Vegeta’s narrative. Fans want to see him have his moment first. But maybe, just maybe, the writers are saving something big for him.

Conclusion: Goku Gets New Forms First, But Vegeta Still Shines

At the end of the day, it’s not just about being the main character. Goku gets new forms first because he’s emotionally driven, connected to others, and fights for love and peace. Vegeta, on the other hand, fights for pride, growth, and legacy.

Their goals are different. Their emotional triggers are different. But that doesn’t mean Vegeta is weaker or less important. In fact, his growth is often more satisfying because it’s so hard-earned.

So the next time you ask, “Why does Goku always get the power-up first?”—remember, it’s not just about screen time. It’s about mindset, heart, and how each of them chooses to fight.