The Most Unlikely Dragon Ball Romance Transcends with the Most Heartfelt Moment

Summary

The anime episode in Dragon Ball Z shows Bulma falling for Vegeta and captures their chemistry, making their relationship more believable.

Bulma's compassion towards Vegeta shines through in the episode, showcasing her understanding of his desires and unwavering determination. This quality may prove alluring to Vegeta, given his identity as a Saiyan warrior.

In comparison to the manga, the anime delves deeper into the intricate bond shared by Vegeta and Bulma. It introduces exclusive scenes that enhance the complexity and unexpected nature of their love.

In most shonen anime, like Dragon Ball, depicting romance can be a challenge, often leaving out crucial moments. While Goku and Chi-Chi make an unusual couple, it is the relationship between Vegeta and Bulma that seems completely nonsensical. In the manga, it feels as if their connection appears out of nowhere. However, in one filler episode of Dragon Ball Z, their chemistry and Bulma's growing affection for Vegeta are elaborately shown, leading to their eventual union, despite Future Trunks already mentioning it.

In episode 124, the Z Fighters are fervently training for the impending Androids invasion as predicted by Trunks. Among them, Vegeta is the most dedicated trainer, desperately aiming to achieve Super Saiyan power like Goku and Future Trunks. This leads Bulma to worry and genuinely fear for his well-being. When Bulma's mother remarks on Vegeta's qualities that would have made him a suitable husband in her time, Bulma finds herself cradling Vegeta after discovering him buried in the wreckage of a ship he destroyed during training. Later, she falls asleep in the same room as him while he rests, and eventually interrupts Vegeta's training, urging him to take a break and rest.

Vegeta & Bulma's Romance Makes Much More Sense in the Anime

Bulma's compassion for Vegeta is evident in these scenes, and it is deeply touching. While it may seem like a stretch that Bulma's mother planted the idea in her head that Vegeta is a suitable partner, it is more than mere coincidence that the explosion occurs just when Bulma is cradling him in her arms. Apart from the sleeping scene, Bulma demonstrates a clear understanding of Vegeta's needs while also playfully teasing him. Although we cannot know for sure what Vegeta is thinking, this additional support could provide reassurance for him, especially since he is truly alone at this point. Furthermore, Bulma's persistence may be attractive to him, as Saiyans, particularly Vegeta, are known to be quite persistent.

Moreover, the fact that this support comes from Bulma makes it less overly sensitive, which could be a turn-off for a warrior like Vegeta. Bulma's lack of sensitivity is evident when she interrupts his training after the explosion, revealing her fierceness. Although she later conceals her true emotions and smugly wonders if he will finally apologize for destroying her house, there is an uncharacteristic sense of hurt when Vegeta tells her to leave him alone. Nevertheless, their chemistry is undeniable throughout the scenes.

Vegeta & Bulma's Relationship is More Complex Than it Appears

The anime of Dragon Ball delves deeper into the relationship between Vegeta and Bulma than the manga does, particularly during the Frieza arc. In chapter #329 of the manga, Bulma invites Vegeta to stay temporarily at Capsule Corp with the Namekians as they search for a new planet. She warns him not to misbehave, despite her own temptation. Vegeta's humorous response is entertaining, but in episode 107 of the anime, Bulma playfully tells Vegeta that he's cute instead.

Interestingly, the anime includes additional scenes during the Frieza saga that ironically make Bulma's love for Vegeta more unexpected. In the manga, Vegeta is portrayed as a jerk upon being transported from Namek to Earth in the anime. However, in the anime, he exhibits joy at Goku's apparent death and even attacks Gohan. He would have harmed Gohan further if not for Piccolo's intervention. Thus, the anime's filler episode during the Androids saga helps to justify Vegeta and Bulma's relationship, but it also unveils a darker side of Vegeta that makes their connection seem even more unlikely. Such complexity is characteristic of love, and it is how the Dragon Ball anime ultimately portrays the relationship between Vegeta and Bulma.