Dragon Ball Super hasn’t done much to alter the dynamic of Goku and Vegeta‘s relationship over its run, but chapter #101 proves that Vegeta’s recent sparring victory over Goku may finally have upset that delicate balance. Such a change is likely for the better, at least as far as fans are concerned.

Back in Dragon Ball Z, Goku and Vegeta got off to a rough start, to say the least, but as they found a common enemy in Frieza, the two Saiyans gradually grew closer until Vegeta became a staunch ally and even a friend, even if he might never admit that. The greatest problem their relationship has always faced is Vegeta’s feelings of inferiority towards Goku for always being the first to break new limits, which has occasionally led Vegeta back on to the path of evil (like in the Buu Saga).

Throughout Super, Vegeta and Goku have gotten along fairly well, with Vegeta more repentant about his past, but their competitiveness has remained, as seen in their sparring match that concluded in chapter #100 (first shown in the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie), which Vegeta actually won.

Vegeta’s Victory Over Goku Opens a New Door For Their Friendship

Vegeta pulling out an honest-to-goodness win over Goku, with the latter even admitting he was outmatched, could well be a big turning point for the pair. For Vegeta, defeating Goku in a one-on-one is something he’s been chasing since the end of the Frieza Saga. Goku was the first to become Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan God, and Super Saiyan Blue, breaking barriers just before Vegeta did and infuriating him to no end. This has mellowed as Goku and Vegeta have pursued their own paths towards Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego, respectively, but the competitiveness remains.

Vegeta’s win turns the dynamic that the two have had throughout the series on their head, and it’s quite clear, as Vegeta gloats a bit, that Goku is just as annoyed at coming in second as Vegeta always has been, proving the two aren’t so different as they sometimes appear. This change could be a rather fun and interesting turn, should it stick around, and there’s no reason Vegeta should let go of his win so easily. Vegeta has certainly worked hard enough to earn this victory, and if anyone can respect that, it’s Goku. The series also takes the time to turn this into a hilarious bit, playing off Vegeta’s well-known frustrations.

With the threat of Black Frieza still looming over them, both Goku and Vegeta need to up their game, and reigniting their rivalry by flipping it on its head may be just what they need to stay motivated. For Vegeta, it’s all about keeping ahead of Goku now that he’s actually managed to surpass him, while for Goku this may be the push he needs to break through to the next level. It should be interesting to see the two Saiyans change places for a while, so hopefully Dragon Ball Super won’t be forgetting about this new dynamic as the story moves forward.