The power of redemption stories: Vegeta from DBZ

[Anthony]

Came across this:

I haven't watched a lot of anime, but from what I've seen, some of them have more soul than anything found in the West. I guess anime can be degenerate like anything else, but there are several that have good messages on courage, friendship, love, etc.

 

[AnotherEddy]

I feel similarly about Naruto, there's a lot of goofiness but the themes can be powerful, and universal. Like Jiraiya's life dream, wanting to end the cycle of hatred and violence in the ninja world, a dream Naruto shared too.

Naruto's answer in some sense is super basic and simple, it's just to insist he would 'take on the hatred of the world by himself', 'never give up', and 'believe it' (lol). As I've thought more about the parallel of the 'cycle of hatred' in our world, I think there's a lot of wisdom in Naruto's actions. One way he 'took on the hatred of the world' was to fight flashy battles yes, but more important imo was to turn the cheek, like when he let Karui beat him up. For context and reminder, Karui is another ninja in the anime, one who wanted revenge on someone Naruto cared for deeply (Sasuke). If Naruto had fought her then, he would be continuing the cycle. There was no reasoning with the rage that fueled her and drove her to revenge. Naruto chose to absorb her rage instead.

What does this do in the story? Initially nothing, it seems irrational and humiliating. But over time it allowed there to be trust that Naruto was genuine, that when he dreamt of building a world where there was balance and peace and cooperation between the 'ninja nations', he wasn't trying to deceive. It allowed trust to grow, and that's a key to ending (or disrupting) the cycle of hatred.

I also think Guy Sensei is inspiring lol, and the final fight he had was poetic in a way, it legit made me cry (granted I was high, but still).

 

[Oxajil]

One of the memorable scenes from Dragonball Z is when Vegeta is possessed by a wizard. He was ordered to kill another character. But he refused: "It will take more than head games to stop me. You may have invaded my mind and my body, but there's one thing a Saiyan always keeps... his PRIDE!". The wizard was shocked, saying: "This has never happened to me before. Since when can the possessed say no to the possessor?" It kind of goes in line with how discipline and willpower can help someone overcome negative thoughts, or even perhaps thoughts inspired by attachments (i.e. Don Juan's quote: "All we can do is discipline ourselves to the point where they will not touch us.")

Some of the comments under the video:

I suffered with depression ...and this very scene helps me everyday to deal with mind games ... its so powerful ...thank you to the creator of dragonball franchise to help many of us to overcome out demons ...this is more than just a Anime

This may sound cringy to people who don't get it, but this really helps against inner demons from depression. Been kicking depression's ass tremendously for the last year.

This is how i feel when i resist my addictions.

i was diagnosed with CRPS and this scene means so much to me. I refuse to let this disease take control of me. Vegeta is also my favorite charachter ever

This is always my go to inspiration when struggling with obsessive thoughts!

Of course, there are many shows that people pull inspiration from. But I think there's a reason why this show resonated with millions around the world. Though I'm probably biased as nostalgia plays a role in my case.

I remember seeing a meme a long time ago that said "This is what 90s kids watched: Dragonball Z. Kids nowadays: Peppa the pig", I thought that was funny. Yeah, it was bloody, there was a lot of fighting and killing, but there was friendship, relationship, defined gender roles (men being the protectors, women being the caretakers and supporters), humor, and the desire to protect Earth and its people from evil. My most favorite character is also Vegeta, others are Goku, Piccolo, Broly (from one of the recent movies) and Future Trunks in the Goku Black saga. Especially Trunks' quote when he defeated Zamasu:

"When mortals do join forces, that's when we can do anything. Because believing in our fellow men and helping each other to survive... that's what redeems us. That's what makes us who we are, makes us worthy. That's what gives us our real power!"

(Fun fact: The person who did the voice over for Zamasu played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.)

Another great scene:

It probably sounds cringe to some people, but I think it's a cool and inspiring show.

Being moved by Trunks and Mai's story in the Goku Black saga and all the difficulties they went through, I wanted to see them in happier times, so I made this drawing a long time ago (using a reference of course).

 

[A Jay]

One of the memorable scenes from Dragonball Z is when Vegeta is possessed by a wizard. He was ordered to kill another character. But he refused: "It will take more than head games to stop me. You may have invaded my mind and my body, but there's one thing a Saiyan always keeps... his PRIDE!". The wizard was shocked, saying: "This has never happened to me before. Since when can the possessed say no to the possessor?" It kind of goes in line with how discipline and willpower can help someone overcome negative thoughts, or even perhaps thoughts inspired by attachments (i.e. Don Juan's quote: "All we can do is discipline ourselves to the point where they will not touch us.")

While the line that follows what you quoted doesn't hit as hard as the pride line, it could be argued that it's it's the best one of the bunch:

"What kind of strength allows a person to fight against and overpower their own enslaved body?"

Reflecting on this question could lead to answers that help deal with and overcome self-limiting beliefs, self-defeating habits, and more.

 

[Alejo]

Reflecting on this question could lead to answers that help deal with and overcome self-limiting beliefs, self-defeating habits, and more.

And it's a good reminder of the fact that we get to choose, if we realize how, who is in charge of our existence that is plagued by so many evil magicians, invading our drives and attention constantly.

That entire fight is so beautiful, Vegeta fights superficially as a villain, but his entire case is one of being vulnerable and confessing to Goku. Even at the end, once the fight is over as he says goodbye to his son, and he accepts his fate. It's a death and rebirth metaphor, but also, when these temporary and immature parts of ourselves are allowed to die, what remains and lives on is what is permanent, in Vegeta's case it was his pride.

But I agree that it isn't pride per se, as we would understand it, it's more of a self determination, a determination to write his own path. It's beautifully written. Definitely my favorite character.

Goku's best lesson "Power comes in response to a need, not a desire"
Vegeta's best lesson "I am the master of my fate, I become stronger after I am defeated"

 

[Bluegazer]

I'm glad to see a topic like this here. As an anime consumer, I agree with many of the points made here. For some time now, I've noticed that many of the themes addressed in anime have aspects that we could consider esoteric. Although, of course, the authors are not necessarily aware of this.

Another interesting anime to watch and learn from is Saint Seiya. For example, I hadn't noticed that the concept of Cosmos has similarities with something said by the C's:​

Each soul is all powerful and can create or destroy all existence if know how. You and us and all others are interconnected by our mutual possession of all there is. You may create alternative universes if you wish and dwell within. You are all a duplicate of the universe within which you dwell. Your mind represents all that exists. It is "fun" to see how much you can access.

https://saintseiya.fandom.com/es/wiki/Cosmos

Cosmos​

“It's a small universe within the body, the root of the spirit.”— Hyōga describing the cosmos.

The cosmos is an energy that comes from the mini-universe that all living beings possess within their bodies, which was born with the Big Bang that gave rise to the universe. Those who can explode this mini-universe within their bodies are capable of releasing the energy known as the cosmos, which gives them superhuman abilities.

In order to use their cosmos as explained by Marin to Seiya, “a human being must focus their power, body, and spirit on the part with which they are going to strike,” thus enabling them to use their cosmos to increase the power of their blow. By exploding the mini-universe within their bodies, the Saints are able to unleash fists as fast as the speed of sound, which destroy matter at the atomic level and possess incredible power. In the story, Mu of Aries also explains that the cosmos of every living being is an innate gift of their soul and psyche, but he also explains that the true essence of the cosmos lies in the Seventh Sense, which can be described as the ultimate source of the cosmos.​

https://saintseiya.fandom.com/es/wiki/Séptimo_Sentido

The Seventh Sense (第七感「セヴン・センシズ」, Kanji: Dainana-kan, Furigana: sevun senshizu) Seven Senses “The Ultimate Cosmos” - A sense achieved through complete and total understanding of one's body and strength, while also training in the use of the cosmos. It is the true cosmos in all its splendor.

Warriors manage to manipulate their cosmos and achieve various feats and attacks beyond those of a mere normal human with strength, speed, and power, compensating for the primary senses even when the person has been deprived of them. The Saints of the Gold rank master it completely, among other types of warriors.

Among the abilities of human beings are the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch), but there is also a sixth sense known as “intuition” or “premonition.” It is commonly said that people whose sixth sense is more developed possess “extrasensory perception.”

Apart from these, there is also a seventh sense, which is less well known. In the mythological era, a time when the distinction between the human and the divine was still unclear, everyone possessed this seventh sense.

But as humanity advanced, the loss of such an extraordinary ability was detected, and yet that seventh sense still lies at the origin of our existence.

The ability of knights to develop the superhuman strength that characterizes them is based on the potential to ignite the seventh sense until it explodes. Thus, the seventh sense is the source of an immense power that surpasses all other known powers... THE COSMOS!

Function:

Mastering the seventh sense gives warriors various abilities, such as moving at the speed of light, making limited use of their other senses despite having lost them, burning their cosmos infinitely, healing some physical damage (such as Shiryu regaining his sight completely), among other things.

All warriors who use the cosmos can use it without possessing this sense, as the Bronze and Silver Saints do, for example. But to reach “infinity” or beyond what is contemplated, one must possess this sense.

Interesting facts:

Scientifically, it is possible for those who master the seventh sense to reach the speed of light. According to the theory of relativity, for something or someone to reach that speed, it is necessary to possess an infinite amount of energy, which they obtain from the main cosmos thanks to their mastery of the seventh sense. It is unknown whether Kurumada had this knowledge when establishing the qualities of this sense.

Manashiki is the name given by Buddhism to the seventh sense. Thanks to the seventh sense, warriors can move freely at the speed of light and even exceed that speed.​

Hmmm, could the seventh sense be an idea that somehow reflects the 7th Density?

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