Warning! Spoilers ahead for Dragon Ball Super chapter 85!
How Vegeta reacts to Goku‘s new version of Ultra Instinct is just the latest example of how Dragon Ball Super continues to make the most shockingly disappointing choices in terms of their rivalry. Vegeta’s obsession with surpassing Goku used to be one of the franchise’s most standout plotlines, but lately it has taken a back seat.
As the prince of a warrior race, Vegeta was destined to become one of the strongest fighters in the known universe. So when a low-level nobody named Goku somehow became a Super Saiyan before him, Vegeta’s entire identity was shattered. He then dedicated the rest of his life to surpassing Goku, a goal he’s yet to achieve even to this day. However, after becoming Majin Vegeta and sacrificing himself in DBZ, Vegeta’s obsession with beating Goku was no longer a major theme for the rest of the series. This disappointing trend has persisted for most of Dragon Ball Super until the most recent arc when Vegeta revealed his true feelings about Goku — that he only fights alongside Goku on Earth to protect his family, but once they’re on another planet Vegeta would rather let Goku die than fight alongside him.
Unfortunately, that highly exciting moment ostensibly reinstating Goku and Vegeta’s rivalry as a major staple in Super was apparently fleeting or a major fluke. Dragon Ball Super chapter 85 is the latest confirmation that this intriguing dynamic might be gone for good. During Goku and Vegeta’s fight against the villain Gas, Vegeta unleashes his own version of Goku’s Ultra Instinct called Ultra Ego and takes over battling Gas on his own. But his effort soon fails (no surprise), causing Goku to not only take over as per usual but for Goku to give a new spin on Ultra Instinct. As Goku fights, Vegeta, who’s been sprawled out on the ground since his defeat, manages to look up at the ensuing battle, smirk and say, “Ha ha … this fighting style … is meant to be Ultra Instinct? Absurd.” One would think that, based on their rivalry, Vegeta would be angry that Goku has outclassed once again, but this is not the case.
The “absurdity” that Vegeta refers to is the fact that Goku is utilizing some form of Ultra Instinct that leverages strong emotions such as anger and hatred, which should prevent Ultra Instinct from working. One of the reasons why Vegeta decided to create his own alternative to Ultra Instinct was so he would not have to keep a calm and tranquil heart. The fact that emotions are undoubtedly driving Goku’s Ultra Instinct form now is therefore rightfully absurd to Vegeta. But he should be frustrated that Goku has found a way to surpass him yet again, not amused. Since Ultra Instinct put Goku at a level beyond him yet again, Vegeta created Ultra Ego. But now Goku has enhanced Ultra Instinct even further just like Vegeta did, and it’s clear by how much longer Goku has been fighting Gas that it’s much more effective than Vegeta’s effort.
This should infuriate Vegeta to no end just based on his earlier shocking admission that he still considers Goku a major rival. That was an incredible moment for fans who have missed this particular dynamic between both Saiyans. But those hopes were seemingly dashed in chapter 84 when Vegeta responded nonchalantly to the revelation that Goku might only be powerful because of a wish Goku’s father Bardock made. In fact, Vegeta’s response was more clever and cheeky than anything else. While this could have just been nothing more than a one-time mistake, this latest instance of Vegeta laughing away Goku’s incredible abilities solidifies that Dragon Ball Super has reshaped the rivalry between Vegeta and Goku for the worse.
