In recent weeks, memes featuring Tenshinhan—one of the longest-standing characters in the Dragon Ball franchise—have begun to gain traction on social media. These memes highlight him as a character harboring deep-seated grudges.
Interestingly, these memes have circulated widely online, focusing on the idea that Tenshinhan often doubts any character that is too powerful or arrogant.
Notably, this includes Vegeta, whom he sees as a major threat to the Z Fighters in Dragon Ball.
One of the most frequently used phrases in these memes is: “Be careful, Vegeta will retaliate against us!”, encapsulating Tenshinhan’s obvious disdain for him. This line implies that even though Vegeta has made amends and fights alongside the Z Fighters, at any moment he could revert to his villainous roots.
This trend has turned Tenshinhan into a character that many fans view as the most relatable within the group, someone who can never truly forget the wrongs done to him by others.
Although these memes bring to light humorous elements, the underlying source of Tenshinhan’s deep-seated grudge against Vegeta has a far more serious origin from the overarching plot of the Dragon Ball anime.
During the Saiyan Saga, Vegeta and Nappa attempted to capture several Z Fighters, including Tenshinhan. This event cast a long shadow over the character, as he suffered loss until the end of “Dragon Ball Z,” remaining wary of Vegeta.
A clear example of this animosity is seen during the final battle against Majin Buu, when Vegeta asks the others to lend their energy to help Goku gather the Spirit Bomb. At that moment, all the characters willingly lend their energy, except for Tenshinhan, who has his reservations. Only upon hearing Goku’s voice urging him to help does he finally relent. This detail subtly reflects Tenshinhan’s reluctance to trust Vegeta completely.
While this nuance may seem minor in the overarching narrative, it has inspired a plethora of memes that expand on and reinterpret Tenshinhan’s character—a character who has remained steadfast against any wrongdoing from Vegeta, ready to declare, “He will retaliate against us!” This interpretation has resonated with fans, making Tenshinhan a symbol of bitterness and comedic relief in the vast universe of Dragon Ball.
