Not Goku, Vegeta's First Respected Z Warrior in Dragon Ball Was Gohan

Vegeta, the proud Saiyan prince, has a complex relationship with Gohan, Goku's son, which has evolved significantly throughout the Dragon Ball series. While Vegeta's rivalry with Goku is a defining element of the franchise, his respect for Gohan emerged much earlier and stems from witnessing the young half-Saiyan's bravery and potential.

From his initial appearance, Vegeta embodied Saiyan pride and looked down on Goku for his lower-class origins. This rivalry became iconic. However, Vegeta did not extend this disdain to Gohan. Despite Gohan's young age and reluctance to fight, he consistently found himself on the front lines of critical battles. During the battle on Planet Namek, Vegeta was forced to cooperate with Gohan, witnessing firsthand the boy's courage and extraordinary potential. This experience fostered a rare sense of respect in the Saiyan prince.

The dynamic between Vegeta and Gohan shifted further during the Cell saga. When Gohan surpassed even his father in power, Vegeta's character continued to evolve. After Cell killed Trunks, Vegeta lost his composure and attacked the villain, inadvertently causing Gohan severe injury. In a moment unprecedented in the series, Vegeta apologized for his actions. Gohan himself viewed this as an unusual omen for Earth's future.

Even as Vegeta matured through numerous events, his relationship with Gohan retained a different quality compared to his competitive dynamic with Goku. In the Majin Buu saga, Vegeta expressed disappointment and criticized Gohan for dedicating less time to training. However, this criticism stemmed not from contempt, but from high expectations for a warrior of Saiyan blood who had once possessed unparalleled potential. Many fans believe Vegeta views Gohan with pride for his powerful Saiyan lineage rather than as a rival to be surpassed.