Vegeta

Vegeta (full title: Prince Vegeta IV) is one of the central characters in the Dragon Ball anime, particularly prominent starting in Dragon Ball Z.

He is the prince of the Saiyan race, an elite warrior species whose home planet was destroyed by Frieza. Initially introduced as a ruthless, arrogant antagonist in the Saiyan Saga, Vegeta arrives on Earth with Nappa seeking the Dragon Balls for immortality, displaying cold-blooded cruelty, immense pride in his royal heritage, and a belief in Saiyan superiority.

Appearance-wise in the anime: He's a short (around 5'5"), muscular Saiyan with light tan skin, stern dark eyes, and distinctive jet-black hair that spikes straight upward in a sharp, unchanging style featuring a prominent widow's peak.

Personality defines him — extremely prideful, haughty, blunt, and competitive, with a fiery temper and a deep obsession with strength and surpassing others (especially Goku/Kakarot, whom he views as his eternal rival). Over the course of Dragon Ball Z (and into later series like Super), he evolves from pure villain to anti-hero to a complex protector of Earth, eventually settling into family life as Bulma's husband and father to Trunks and Bulla, though his core pride and warrior spirit never fully fade.

He's widely regarded as one of the most developed and iconic characters in the anime, thanks to his dramatic growth while staying true to his intense, regal Saiyan nature.