Episode 229 of Dragon Ball Z, first broadcast in Japan on June 15, 1994 and titled Vegeta's Pride in Funimation's dub, sets up the rematch fans had been waiting for since the Saiyan arc. Majin Vegeta attacks the crowd again to force Goku to accept his challenge, and Goku goes as far as threatening the Supreme Kai to avoid being stopped. The episode ends with the two rivals face to face, both at Super Saiyan 2. The full Japanese title reads "The Super-Confrontation of Destiny!! The Clash of Goku vs. Vegeta".
Summary
Panic sweeps the stadium. The crowd begs Mr. Satan to step in: the champion yells at Vegeta to stop and challenges him, only to back down and leave the stage to Goku. Goku, meanwhile, realizes the truth: Vegeta was not overpowered by the magic, he let himself be controlled on purpose to become stronger. To prove he means business, Majin Vegeta blows away another section of the stands, narrowly missing Bulma and the others. Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan.
The Supreme Kai steps in: the fate of the universe matters more than a meaningless fight between two Saiyans. That word, "meaningless", sets Vegeta off. He is the prince of his race and Goku a low-class warrior; yet Goku has surpassed him time and again and even saved his life, a humiliation his pride cannot forgive. Goku accepts the challenge and asks Babidi to take them somewhere with no one else to get hurt.
The Supreme Kai refuses to give up and plants himself between them. Goku points his hand at him and starts charging an energy blast, stunning even Gohan and Vegeta. The Kai relents and steps aside; Goku, aware of how badly the Supreme Kai needs his help, apologizes, and the two ask each other's forgiveness. Babidi then transports the two Saiyans to a stretch of rocky canyons.
Back on the ship with Gohan, the Supreme Kai decides to head down to Majin Buu's cocoon and destroy it before the duel feeds it the energy it needs. Babidi orders Vegeta to kill him, but the prince refuses: the wizard may control his mind and body, but never a Saiyan's pride. With a burst of energy he drives Babidi out of his head. Before they part, Goku gives Gohan a senzu bean, one of two he had saved, and reminds him that he can control his rage as he did against Cell. As his son and the Kai venture deeper into the ship, Goku and Vegeta both power up to Super Saiyan 2.
Our take
This is the episode where Vegeta finally says, in plain words, what has been eating him for years. His speech about wounded pride is one of his finest moments, because it makes his decision to surrender to Babidi understandable, if not forgivable. And the idea that magic can bend a Saiyan's body but not his pride suits him perfectly: even as a Majin, Vegeta keeps just enough of himself to disobey.
Goku comes off less flatteringly, threatening a god just to get his fight. He wants this rematch as much as his rival does, and the scene says so bluntly. In hindsight, after Battle of Gods, it is a striking moment: had the Supreme Kai been hit, he would have taken Beerus with him.
Trivia
- It adapts chapter 457 and the first five pages of chapter 458. Written by Sumio Uetake and directed by Mitsuo Hashimoto, with Shingo Ishikawa as animation director.
- It drew a 19.1% share in Japan.
- It aired three weeks after episode 228: no new episodes were broadcast on June 1 and 8, 1994.
- Mr. Satan's outburst and a chat between Goten and Trunks about how Gohan, Goku and Vegeta are faring are anime additions.
- Due to an animation error, Goku's halo vanishes for a few moments while he talks to Majin Vegeta.