Dragon Ball fans usually picture the Saiyans (the race of Goku and Vegeta) as an advanced warrior species equipped with spaceships and high-tech armor. However, a classic concept art by creator Akira Toriyama reveals a completely different side to their origins.
This sketch was once posted (now removed) on the official Dragon Ball website, created for the episode “Goku’s Ancestors” in the Dragon Ball Z series, often remembered through flashbacks about the Saiyan-Tuffle war.
The image depicts three ancient Saiyan warriors. Shockingly, they are not wearing the familiar battle armor. Instead, their outfits are extremely simple, made of rough animal hides. This clearly suggests that the original Saiyans were primitive in nature, much like prehistoric humans.
Early Saiyan warriors in Dragon Ball were brutally savage
This “primitive” detail is more than just a sketch, it carries significant weight for Dragon Ball’s storyline.
The three characters shown are fierce Saiyan warriors who invaded and fought the native Tuffle race on Planet Vegeta. Although this episode might not be widely remembered by fans, it confirms a harsh truth: the Saiyans’ history is steeped in war and violence.
Later Dragon Ball works, especially Dragon Ball Super, adjusted the Saiyans’ moral complexity (such as revising Broly’s story), but Toriyama’s original intent was to portray them as a dangerous threat to the universe.
The Saiyans’ brutal genocide of the Tuffles was a horrific event, and this primitive design emphasizes their absolute savagery from the very beginning.
Historical significance for Goku and Vegeta
Discovering this savage “prehistoric” origin makes the development of the two main characters even more striking.
Goku’s birth is a miracle against the brutal Saiyan history. Sent to Earth as a warrior, he lost his original mission to destroy. Raised by his grandfather Gohan and nurtured with human kindness, Goku completely overcame his ancestors’ bloodthirsty nature. This allowed him to rise above his violent heritage and become the greatest hero, a symbol of hope instead of destruction.
In contrast, Vegeta carries the heavy burden of their legacy. As the Saiyan prince, he grew up amid cruelty, witnessing and participating in conquests. His journey is not denial but redemption. His transformation from a universe-destroying villain to Earth’s protector, a husband, and a father is a powerful human story. Looking back at the Saiyans’ history of conquest and destruction, Vegeta’s sacrifices and efforts to protect Earth become even more meaningful and admirable.
In summary, Akira Toriyama’s original design of ancient Saiyans highlights their primitive, warlike nature. Although the series evolved significantly later, these “primitive” designs remain an important part of illustrating the depth of history and the brutal nature embedded in the Saiyan warrior race’s DNA.