Summary
- Vegeta’s physical age differs from his chronological timeline throughout the Dragon Ball franchise, with him usually being five years older than Goku.
- Vegeta was 48 years old when he first arrived on Earth in Dragon Ball and remains that age at the end of his character arc in the series.
- In Dragon Ball Z, Vegeta ages from 29 to 42 by the end of the series, and in Dragon Ball GT, he is 58 years old. In Dragon Ball Super, he ages from 46 to 54 due to time spent in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Launched by Akira Toriyama in 1984, Dragon Ball remains one of the all-time most popular anime and media franchises. While most of the action revolves around Son Goku and his epic martial arts tournaments, much of Dragon Ball‘s appeal derives from the character of Vegeta. Part rival and part best friend to Goku, Vegeta sets out to become stronger than his Super Saiyan counterpart, leading to intense showdowns through the various Dragon Ball sequels and spin-offs.
Although Vegeta’s birthday has been officially recorded as being in Age 732, his time on Earth gets a bit confusing from series to series. Therefore, it’s worth explaining in detail how Vegeta ages throughout the Dragon Ball franchise and why his physical age differs from his chronological timeline. The most important thing to know is, regardless of which series the character stars in, Vegeta usually remains five years older than Goku, despite their similar appearances and fighting skills.
Dragon Ball
- Release Date
- February 26, 1986
- Cast
- Stephanie Nadolny , Mike McFarland
- Seasons
- 5
Dragon Ball
Vegeta Is 48 in Dragon Ball
Born on the planet Vegeta as the Saiyan Prince, Vegeta was 30 years old when he was first sent to Earth from his home. Forced to flee after his planet was destroyed, Vegeta is killed by Frieza before being resurrected by the Dragon Balls. Sent to Earth to fight Goku, Vegeta was born in Age 732 and was 48 when he first arrived on the planet.
Upon his Earthly arrival, Vegeta shifts his focus from vengefully defeating Frieza to surpassing Goku’s fighting skills. Fortunately, the bitter rivalry Vegeta has with Goku is neutralized when Majin Buu shows him the folly of his ways. Afterward, Vegeta vows to work with Goku and protect him at all costs. By the end of his character arc in Dragon Ball, Vegeta remains on Earth as a 48-year-old man. Stream on Crunchyroll or Hulu.
Dragon Ball Z
Vegeta Ages From 29 to 42 in Dragon Ball Z
Vegeta’s timeline becomes a bit fuzzier in Dragon Ball Z, the popular anime series that can be streamed on Crunchyroll. When the character is introduced, Vegeta is shown eavesdropping on the clash between Raditz, Goku, and Piccolo. Since the year stated is Age 761, that makes Vegeta 29 years old when Dragon Ball Z begins. Sent to Earth one year later, Vegeta is 30 when he reaches the planet, the same age he was when he came to Earth in Dragon Ball.
By the time Vegeta and Goku defeat Majin Buu at the end of the series, the year is stated as Age 774. Since Vegeta was born in Age 732, that makes him 42 years old at the end of his Dragon Ball Z arc. Fortunately, Vegeta has yet to enter the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, meaning his biological age and chronological age remain the same. Once Vegeta enters the Time Chamber in Dragon Ball Super, his age becomes a bit more confusing to viewers. Stream on Crunchyroll.
Dragon Ball GT
Vegeta Is 58 Years Old by the End of Dragon Ball GT
While it isn’t part of the official Dragon Ball canon, Dragon Ball GT remains a popular spinoff that also touches on Vegeta’s age. Released the same year as Dragon Ball Z ended, the opening saga jumps 10 years after the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, where Baby tries to destroy the Saiyan race by placing his body into Vegeta’s and using it to kill Goku. Despite failing to age physically, the decade-long time skip makes Vegeta 58 at the end of Dragon Ball GT.
Although Super Saiyans can grow older like human beings, they rarely show physiological signs of aging. Vegeta’s hairstyle changes slightly during his 10-year arc in Dragon Ball GT, otherwise, his age looks relatively similar at the start and end of the series. While his ultimate fate in GT is unknown, Vegeta ages a full decade and becomes a 58-year-old Saiyan once the series concludes. Stream on Crunchyroll or Hulu.
Dragon Ball Super
Vegeta Ages From 46 to 54 in Dragon Ball Super
Born on August 14th Age 732, Vegeta first appears in the all-time popular anime series, Dragon Ball Super, when Beerus summons the Super Saiyan Prince to Earth. The year stated is Age 778, making Vegeta 46 years old when the series commences. However, as Goku has done more than once in the franchise, Vegeta’s physical age and chronological age differ after he enters the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Also known as the Room of Spirit and Time, The Hyperbolic Time Chamber is a mystical dimension that offers rapid martial arts training regiments for the Z warriors.
One day is equivalent to one year inside The Hyperbolic Time Chamber. In Dragon Ball Z, Vegeta spends a little too much time training inside the chamber and remains inside for six days, which equals six years in real-time. Therefore, by the time Vegeta eventually emerges from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he ages from 46 years old physically to 54 years old chronologically. Throughout the entire Dragon Ball franchise, Vegeta remains 5 years older than Goku, which accounts for why he acts like a big brother at times. Stream on Crunchyroll or Hulu.
Interestingly enough, the upcoming release of the anime spinoff Dragon Ball Daima reverts Goku and Vegeta to their infantile forms, meaning their official ages could be altered again in the future. Stay tuned to see how Vegeta and Goku’s evolution shakes out in the future. Stream on Crunchyroll in the fall of 2024.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
