The argument over which fusion is best has been a constant within Dragon Ball's perpetually growing fan base for decades. Originally introduced in the Majin Buu Saga with Gotenks, the series' three main fusions have become immensely popular within the community despite their relatively rare appearances throughout the main timeline of events. Though just about everyone likes Gotenks, the argument is mainly between the two Goku and Vegeta fusions, Gogeta and Vegito.

It's somewhat surprising that such an issue has divided the fan base for so long. Both fusions consist of the two same fighters, and aside from their names, outfits, and minor differences in appearance, they're relatively similar to one another. Nevertheless, the war is ongoing between fans of either warrior, and the history between them is well established.

Vegito appeared in the original manga, and Gogeta was then created for the non-canon Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn. Or so everyone thought. It turns out the origin of fusion between Goku and Vegeta is a bit more complex than simply the order of appearance, and the true story behind their creation might surprise fans of either character.

The Debate Over Which Fusion Is Best Is Ongoing

Fans Have Argued Over Gogeta and Vegito For Decades

Vegito first appeared in chapter #504 of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga, titled "The Ultimate Fighter", which was released on January 31, 1995. Less than two months later, on March 4, Dragon Ball Z: Fusion Reborn was released in Japan, introducing Gogeta, who appeared only briefly to dismantle Janemba just before the credits rolled. From that very moment, Dragon Ball's fandom erupted into disagreement over which fusion was best, with arguments able to be tracked to the days of online forums and AOL Instant Messenger.

Both sides bring sound arguments as well. Those in favor of Gogeta have always enjoyed flaunting his actual victory in battle, something Vegito was never able to attain. On the Vegito side of the fan base, his canon status was always the go-to talking point, until Dragon Ball Super: Broly squashed that particular argument. Fans have long maintained his style and attitude, as well as his iconic move set featuring the Spirit Sword to be superior. Of course, the fact he was created first has always been a leg up for Vegito fans, but this particular talking point, surprisingly, isn't true.

Surprisingly, Gogeta Was Created First

Despite Appearing Later, Gogeta Prompted Akira Toriyama to Create Vegito

In an interview printed in the official Dragon Ball Daizenshuu guide, Akira Toriyama was asked about the power-ups in his story, and later about fusion. In response to a question about the Potara, he said, "Since fusion was a plot point already taken by one of the movies, I was wondering what I should do; I had always been drawing earrings, so I thought, 'perhaps I can use these'." Toriyama was famous for his 'by the seat of his pants' writing style, and it seems that after seeing Fusion Reborn during production, he was prompted to create a Goku and Vegeta fusion of his own.

Despite appearing first, Vegito was actually created in response to Gogeta, and not the other way around as fans have thought for decades. Unfortunately, it seems the Vegito crowd has lost another argument as to why he is the superior fusion. It's uncertain when exactly Toriyama settled on the idea of a completely new fighter, though it may have been right up to Vegito's first appearance.

At the end of chapter #503, a preview image teased the entry in the following week's Shōnen Jump. Interestingly, the text accompanying the image told readers they would be able to see Gogeta in the next chapter. As everyone knows, it was Vegito who appeared to fight Buuhan, though when Toriyama settled on that name or even made the decision to differentiate the two fusions is unknown. There's a chance he intended for both fusions to just be different versions of one Gogeta, which would have changed online disagreements forever.

Toriyama Needed a Way For Characters to Become Even Stronger

The Series' Creator Was Searching For a Way to Sur Super Saiyan

In the same interview, Toriyama was asked how fusion as a concept came together. In response, the creator revealed that he told another manga artist, Masakazu Katsura (Video Girl Ai, Wing Man), that nothing could be stronger than a Super Saiyan. To that, Katsura jokingly told him, "There's no choice but for them to fuse, then." Toriyama expressed that he liked the idea, and Dragon Ball's fusion was born from that conversation.

In chapter #469, during the relatively early sections of the Majin Buu Saga, Goku mentions the fusion technique, and Gotenks is officially revealed in chapter #480, "The Fusion Is Completed at Last!!". The very first fusion appeared in May 1994, and by March of the next year, the series' three now canon fusions came to life. However, despite their prominence during the Buu Saga and popularity following the introduction of Gogeta, fusion has been used sparingly since.

Fusion Has Largely Been an Afterthought Since Its Debut

Dragon Ball Has Used Fusion Sparingly

Fusion is incredibly popular, prompting fanfare and practically printing money each time one appears in the series or in games. Despite that, Toriyama was never a huge proponent of including the technique in his work. Vegito appeared again in Dragon Ball Super's Goku Black arc, in which he fought with Zamasu until splitting early, causing Goku and Vegeta to fall behind in the fight once more. In an interview included in Dragon Ball Super's fourth volume, illustrator Toyotarou revealed it was his idea to include Vegito, and that Toriyama had not included him in his drafts.

Gogeta appeared in 2018's Dragon Ball Super: Broly, which finally added him to the series' canon 20 years after his first appearance. The recently completed Dragon Ball Daima did not feature a fusion, despite teasing one early in the series. It would seem Toriyama never relied on his fused fighters, despite how loved by fans they are. Nevertheless, fusion remains one of Dragon Ball's most popular techniques, and it's near certain it will return in future continuations of the series.

Sources: Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 6 (translation by Kanzenshuu) Tori-Toyo Free Talk Vol. 4 (translation by Herms)