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The following article contains spoilers for Dragon Ball and its sequels.
Gohan was a promising character at the beginning ofDragon Ball Z, and many fans held high expectations for him. However, in the Buu Saga, he seemingly abandoned his path as a fighter and decided to go to high school instead, leaving fans frustrated with what felt like wasted potential.
Akira Toriyama was a genius mangaka and created some of the best manga ever. Still, he arguably failed Gohan, who was at one point the most intriguing character inDragon Balland surely someone with a lot of potential to be developed.
Gohan Was the Most Beloved Character
Although the series began serialization in 1985, the firstShonen Jumppoll forDragon Ballcharacters came only in 1993, during the Android Saga. Gohan was the most beloved character back then, with over 50,000 votes. However, Goku was slightly behind, with about 48,000 votes. Gohan also consistently ranks highly in international polls.
The Cell Saga is the arc where Gohan really shines, to the point where many fans imagined that he would surpass Goku and become the main character of the story. Therefore, most fans were disappointed with what he had become in the Buu Saga, especially those who loved him.
Gohan Was on His Way to Surpass Goku and Become the Main Character
Fans who thought that Gohan would eventually become the protagonist were not wrong, as Toriyama admitted that he originally intended Gohan to become the main character. However, he later changed his mind and focused on Goku and Vegeta. He stated that he didn’t feel it was right to turn Gohan into the protagonist. In other words,Toriyama struggled to develop Gohanand, according to Torishima, eventually grew bored with him.
Gohan was on the way to losing his fears and becoming an awesome fighter. Then, in the Buu Saga, he reverts to the studious, peace-loving “nerd” he was as a child. Well, while it would be possible for Gohan to become both a scholar and a fighter, it makes sense for his character that he would lean into a more peaceful approach. Furthermore, Gohan perhaps never imagined a threat more dangerous than Cell would ever arise. So, if he is not violent, it makes sense that he decided to focus on studying, something he loves to do, instead of training, something he is not that much into. For a series likeDragon Ball, characters who strive to be the strongest, just like Goku and Vegeta, make more sense as main characters. However, it remains true that Toriyama couldhave developed Gohan a bit betterin the Buu Saga, especially after things started to get worse.
Future Gohan Is What Fans Wanted Gohan to Become
Not only was Gohan seemingly following the “Warrior Path,” but fans were also able to see how strong Gohan could have become in the Cell Saga. Future Trunks shared many things that happened in his timeline and how Gohan was trying to keep the Earth safe after Goku died of a mysterious heart disease. This was the character that fans wanted Gohan to become: an assertive fighter. However,Future Gohan is also the saddest versionof him. In any case, readers were still hyped for Gohan at the beginning of the Buu Saga, even though he had not kept training. But Toriyama lost interest and pushed him to the sidelines.
WhileGohan perhaps didn’t have enough reasonsto keep training without a threat, there is something Toriyama really failed to develop in the meantime between the Cell and the Buu Sagas: Gohan’s relationship with Piccolo. Piccolo can be considered as a second father to Gohan and the one who really taught him how to train. Even though Gohan would be motivated enough to keep training, it’s hard to imagine that Piccolo, who had already become attached to him, would simply let him stop training, even with Chichi’s objections. So, while it makes sense for Gohan to pursue education as he did, Toriyama let him down by not properly exploring his potential and just giving up on developing him as a character; instead, he made him regress. He wouldn’t need to become the main character or the strongest, but he should not have been left aside in the Buu Saga.
Gohan Is Still the Strongest in the Universe
It seems Toriyama later regretted the way he developed Gohan from the Buu Saga onwards. This is very clear in theDragon Ball Super: Super Heromovie, which finallygave Gohan the momentum he deserved. InDragon Ball Superit becomes clear who Gohan really is:the strongest person in the universe, as long as he is properly provoked.
Gohan, listen closely! You have the potential to become the most powerful being on Earth. You need to believe in yourself and unleash that power! It’s do-or-die time! So draw out all of your strength and use it to protect your world and everyone in it.
— Piccolo in DBS Super Hero
Dragon Ball Supermakes it clear that Gohan has some sort of fighting spirit, but it’s different from Goku’s. Instead of striving to be stronger than others, Gohan aims to unleash the potential he feels inside him. His human nature is perhaps stronger than his Saiyan nature when it comes to feelings. He wants to break his own limits, but not necessarily surpass anyone else. The thing is that his potential is tremendous, and Toriyama admitted that Gohan is the strongest of them all.
His Beast transformation, which is on par with Goku’s Ultra Instinct in terms of power, is more related to his human side.Dragon Ball Superputs Gohan once again on the right track, finding the perfect way to fit his “nerdy nature” with his fighter nature: Gohan fights to protect those he loves, period. He will become the strongest warrior ever seen if the ones he loves are in danger. Otherwise, he has no intention of fighting anyone. There’s a bright road ahead for him inDragon Ball Superif things continue this way.
Dragon Ball Superis available to read on MANGA Plus, in English and Spanish.
Dragon Ball Z
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Dragon Ball Z is a Japanese anime series produced by Toei Animation and a sequel to the 1986 Dragon Ball series. It continues the adventures of Son Goku as an adult while also paralleling the life of his son Gohan. Son Goku typically defends the Earth from villains like Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu. The series is followed by Dragon Ball GT and then Dragon Ball Super.
