Akira Toriyama (1955–2024) - Toei Animation - 1989

Dragon Ball Z
This production celluloid, painted in India ink and acrylic, depicts Majin Vegeta with a sadistic and mocking expression, just like the Saiyan he was in his youth.
Vegeta in *Dragon Ball Z* leads a very different life from the one he lived before;> in fact, his family life seems monotonous to him, and the love he feels for his family seems almost unnatural to him, as this budding humanity is seen as a form of weakness. When Dabra notices a darkness in Vegeta’s heart a heart filled with pride that is unique to him he advises Babidi to use his demonic magic on Vegeta.
Babidi agrees, and Vegeta becomes Majin Vegeta, bearing the famous “M” on his forehead, But contrary to what Babidi thought, his spell did indeed increase Vegeta’s power beyond his limits, but he failed to control Vegeta’s mind.
His goal was to obtain that power in order to achieve his most important objective: to face Goku. The Prince of the Saiyans proves to be ruthless and cruel, just as he was when he first arrived on Earth with Nappa. The character of Majin Vegeta is iconic because he breaks the conventions of traditional shonen where possessed characters become mindless pawns, but his pure rage and his determination to defeat Goku surpass the demonic magic meant to subdue him, despite this act of absolute, ultimate selfishness and his horrific deeds—such as killing innocents to force Goku into a duel—Majin Vegeta sacrifices himself against Majin Buu, not out of a fit of rage as he demonstrated during his existential crisis but out of love for his family (Bulma, Trunks, and Goku). This sacrifice confirms Vegeta’s status as a hero, as he acknowledges that his strength came from the love he had for his loved ones with his most iconic line just before his sacrifice: “Farewell, Bulma. Farewell, Trunks… and even you, Kakarot.”
26.5 x 23 cm