WARNING: The following section contains minor spoilers from Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super.

As a long time fan of the great Dragon Ball franchise and someone who has a love for good villains. Frieza always stood out to me. Frieza was an egotistical maniac, whose cravings for power cost the lives of many people and even entire species. With the power to destroy planets with the tip of his finger. No one could match him, or could someone actually match him, and even defeat him. The Super Saiyan, that would one day come. This fear that Frieza held meant the desctruction of the entire Saiyan planet and population, with the exception of a view “lucky” survivors.

These traits of power and fear, have driven many real people to corruption and madness, and purges like that of Frieza, though of a different scale are very real in history, and maybe even still in the modern world. Frieza’s character is not just an over the top villain. It mirrors very much a real character. You know the saying “With great power comes great responsibility” from Spider-Man. But I would like to state, that when you have so much power as Frieza, it becomes really easy to abuse, and terrorize. And when you have to answer to none, what responsibility is there? Frieza could do whatever he wanted, and there was no one in his way to stop him. At least until Goku, who became the Super Saiyan her feared so much, showed up. Frieza was utterly destroyed and humilliated. But even in death (as we see in Dragon Ball Super) he remained resilliant and prideful. Still not losing faith in his power.

These are two sides of pride. In one we see lack of empathy and vanity. And in the other the will to improve, as we again see in DB: Super. Where he finally sees the urge to train, to get better, because he really wants to become number one again. And maybe even overcome his fear. I personally don’t see anything against this urge, to become better, at something that you are already good in. It’s a complicated matter. Being proud isn’t necessarily a bad thing. You can be proud of a lot of accomplishments you have earned. And you can use it to improve.

I think the character of Frieza tells a lot about how pride can get in your way, even more so than Vegeta, who overcomes this negative side of pride, though with struggle, to become a better person. Frieza on the other hand will always remain prideful, and knows, that through little work. He will be stronger and more powerful than anyone.

In the end, Frieza gets new chances, but his pride always gets the best of him. He always falls for the same traps.

Whatever power he holds, always comes to an end. Just like with real dictators. No one lives forever.

There is a lot to learn from this inexorable villain. So with that I leave you for today.

Have a great day and see you later!