Unveiling the Journey of Gohan: From Hidden Potential to Unforeseen Destiny in Dragon Ball

When Dragon Ball Z made its debut, fans eagerly awaited Goku’s continued growth and his amazing feats. While we won’t delve into the specifics, one thing remains clear: Goku always delivers. Naturally, we held the same expectations for his firstborn son. Enter Gohan, a four-year-old boy who enters the story at the same age Goku was when his Dragon Ball journey began. From the outset, it becomes apparent that Gohan is quite different from his father. He possesses a soft-spoken and reserved nature, leaning towards shyness. His mother, Chi-Chi, opposes his involvement in martial arts, believing that training to fight is a wasteful pursuit of energy. It is during this period that we catch a glimpse of the person Gohan would eventually become.

However, it appears that Gohan’s character development took a significant hit following the Cell Saga. Initially, Toriyama intended for Gohan to assume the role of the main protagonist in the Dragon Ball Z franchise. Yet, this decision didn’t sit well with the fans, who voiced their dissatisfaction. As a result, Toriyama abandoned the idea and continued to position Goku as the leader of the Z Fighters.

Despite this shift, Gohan remained an intriguing character due to his hidden powers. Being half-human and half-Saiyan, he retained his tail—a feature present in all Saiyans at birth. It’s worth noting that Goku’s tail was removed in Dragon Ball after he transformed into Ōzaru, a giant ape, and inadvertently harmed Bulma and Yamcha. Thus, when Master Roshi, Bulma, and their companions first encounter Gohan, they immediately notice that he still possesses his tail. Nervously, they inquire whether Gohan has ever gazed at the full moon, fully aware that the young Saiyan could potentially undergo a transformation like Goku did and cause considerable damage.

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This is where the issue becomes apparent. Right from the start, Akira Toriyama presents Gohan as a character with more untapped power than most others in the franchise. Unlike Goku, who had his tail removed at a young age and lacked any training or combat experience, Gohan enters Dragon Ball Z as the second strongest character. And mind you, this is even before we discover his hidden potential. As Goku’s son, Gohan tantalizes fans as he reveals his extraordinary abilities early on in the series. Who can forget the jaw-dropping headbutt he delivered to his formidable uncle Raditz in the first season? He managed to inflict damage on a Saiyan warrior who had undergone years of training and engaged in countless battles. Witnessing this moment, Gohan instantly became one of the most captivating and enigmatic characters in the entire franchise, leaving fans eager for more.

When you live in the shadow of Goku, finding your own identity can be a daunting task. When your father is the iconic face of modern anime, effortlessly saving the world as if it were his daily routine, it’s easy to feel overshadowed. So, the best course of action is to find your place and make the most of it, right?

Throughout the series, Gohan tantalized fans with glimpses of his hidden power, leaving us craving for more. We all became ardent supporters as Gohan grew and his strength soared to new heights. It was thanks to Piccolo, who introduced Gohan to the world of martial arts, that he embarked on this journey. Under Piccolo’s cold and relentless tutelage, Gohan was prepared for the arduous path that lay ahead. Over time, Piccolo even assumed the role of a father figure to Goku’s firstborn. However, even Piccolo was taken aback when Gohan unleashed his untamed power during a full moon night, revealing the true depths of his abilities.

Gohan exhibited the same heroic traits as his father, always standing up to protect his friends and becoming an undeniable force to be reckoned with. He had his fair share of pivotal moments in the series and non-canon movies, like his battle against Frieza in Season 3 or his victorious clash with Garlic Jr., fueled by an overwhelming rage in Season 4. These battles momentarily thrust Gohan into the spotlight. Unfortunately, we saw little of his younger self following the conclusion of the Frieza saga. He seemed to fade into obscurity during the Trunks saga, with Akira Toriyama scarcely utilizing Gohan’s potential. He remained trapped in his father’s shadow, perhaps for moral reasons, as it was believed that Gohan wasn’t strong enough, causing his latent power to be almost forgotten.

Everything changed in Season 6, widely known as the Cell Saga or The Cell Games. Gohan finally emerged as his own person. Through intensive training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber alongside his father, Gohan had finally unlocked the key to his Super Saiyan abilities. Yet, even as powerful as he had become, Goku sensed that an even greater storm brewed within his son’s serene gaze. Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks all strived to surpass the initial level of Super Saiyan, known as Super Saiyan Second Grade. This form undoubtedly granted more power but came at the cost of reduced speed due to increased muscle mass. However, everything changed when Gohan became the first fighter in the series to achieve Super Saiyan 2, marking a monumental turning point.

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When Gohan finally taps into his hidden potential following the tragic demise of Android 16, we witness him at his finest hour, exuding poise and complete mastery over his abilities. As a teenager, Gohan unquestionably becomes the most formidable fighter in the entire series. This long-awaited moment brings immense satisfaction to fans who have eagerly anticipated Gohan’s true potential. And true to their expectations, the young Saiyan does not disappoint. He kicks things off by effortlessly dismantling each of the Cell Jr.’s one by one—a remarkable feat that even surpasses the capabilities of the other Z-Fighters. It’s important to note that each Cell Jr. possesses a power level equivalent to that of Cell himself. It becomes evident that we are witnessing the rise of the new protagonist in Dragon Ball Z—or so we initially believed. With an awe-inspiring display of power, speed, and a striking new hairstyle, Gohan nearly overtakes Cell in terms of both strength and agility.

No obstacle should have been able to withstand Gohan’s might. He had Cell defeated, effortlessly reducing him to his previous form and rescuing Android 18 with a single strike. Unfortunately, for devoted Gohan fans like us, this is where we begin to notice some flaws in his character. His newfound power inflated his confidence to the point where he squandered the opportunity to vanquish Cell once and for all, allowing him to regenerate. This decision only paved the way for more troubles down the line.

Aware of his impending defeat, Cell resorted to a desperate act of self-destruction, transforming himself into a bomb that left the Z-Fighters with no choice but to accept their grim fate. To save the planet, Goku once again emerged as the hero. It is at this juncture that my genuine concerns with Gohan arise. Even as a super-powered prodigy, he still relied on his father to rescue him. He never fully embraced the role of the savior we were led to believe he could be. Regardless of the desires of the fans, it seems that the writers, in their pursuit of appeasing a fan base that wanted Goku to retain his position as the franchise’s primary hero, hindered Gohan’s growth.

At this critical juncture, we witness Gohan at his peak, yet it still falls short. Eventually, with the combined efforts of the Z-Fighters and his father lending him a guiding hand in the final Kamehameha, he manages to defeat Cell. Let me be clear—I have no qualms with Gohan needing assistance. At some point, we all require a helping hand. However, the execution of this aid was disheartening. The writers led us to believe in this character, only to reveal that he wasn’t all that we thought he was. He remained a young boy who depended on his father to intervene when faced with adversity. Even the immense power boost bestowed by Super Saiyan 2 couldn’t ensure his triumph.

Following Cell’s defeat, the Earth entered a tranquil period that lasted for seven years. Gohan, no longer burdened with the task of saving mankind, chose to pursue an education and enrolled at Orange Star High School, fulfilling his mother’s long-held desire for him. It was at this school that he encountered Videl, who would later become his spouse, and embarked on his journey to assimilate into a normal life. Unlike his Saiyan counterparts, Gohan had never possessed a deep inclination for fighting, preferring to avoid unnecessary conflict. This made his transition into a regular lifestyle effortless and seamless.

During this phase, Gohan adopted a superhero alter ego known as “The Great Saiyaman” with the help of Bulma, who designed his distinctive costume. Under this persona, he valiantly protected the city on multiple occasions and even appeared as himself in a movie, despite the somewhat comical appearance of his uniform. It was refreshing to witness Gohan live his life without the immense pressure to live up to his father’s lofty standards. Perhaps this newfound freedom allowed him to embrace his true self and pursue the path he genuinely desired. Throughout Gohan’s journey in the Dragon Ball Z franchise, he had been burdened by sky-high expectations, forced to mature rapidly and deprived of a conventional childhood.

During this period of tranquility, the young Saiyan experiences significant growth, both physically and mentally. No longer an only child, as Goku and Chi-Chi have welcomed another son named Goten, Gohan comes to appreciate the responsibility of being a role model for his little brother, just as he once looked up to his own father. When news of an upcoming World Martial Arts Tournament reaches their ears, everyone, including Goku, who has been deceased for seven years, eagerly agrees to participate. It is during this time that Gohan trains alongside Goten, witnessing the youngest Super Saiyan in the franchise emerge.

As the arc progresses and we enter Season 8, most of the Z-Fighters assume supporting roles while Goku and Vegeta’s power levels reach unprecedented heights. During the World Martial Arts Tournament, when Gohan powers up for Kabito, Vegeta delivers a cutting remark, stating, “Pathetic, barely a fraction of the strength he once wielded against Cell. It goes to show what peace does to the undisciplined.” And to a large extent, Vegeta’s observation holds true. Gohan is no longer the fighter he once was during the Cell Saga, mainly because he no longer needs to be. I must admit, deep down, I yearned to witness the astonished reactions of the other Z-Fighters as Gohan unleashed his Super Saiyan 2 form. However, it left them entirely unmoved, failing to make even the slightest impact.

I was on the verge of losing hope in Gohan until Season 9 unfolded. The boy who triumphed over Cell would once again step into the spotlight, now as a grown man. This time, however, he possessed a completely transformed appearance and demeanor. No longer did his hair radiate a vibrant yellow hue. Thanks to the remarkable untapped potential unleashed by Old Kai, Gohan even donned the same colored Gi as his father. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, he arrived in the nick of time to rescue Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo, setting the stage for an intense rematch against Majin Buu.

Gohan executed all the right moves, his actions exuding a seemingly effortless grace. It appeared as if this would be the moment he finally achieved victory, triumphing over the central antagonist of the tale. We patiently awaited the much-deserved breakthrough for the firstborn son, but once again, our hopes were cruelly shattered. The false promise of Gohan’s ascent was in full effect. Majin Buu cleverly outmaneuvers him with a self-destruct technique, though Gohan manages to evade the full brunt of the explosion. Regrettably, this provides Majin Buu with the opportunity to regenerate. Our dreams crumble once more when Gohan proves unable to keep pace with Buu’s latest transformation, brought about by absorbing Gotenks (the fusion of Goten and Trunks).

Even with his full potential unleashed, Gohan fell short of becoming the hero of the story. It finally dawned on me that, regardless of how it’s perceived, fate had a different path in store for him. As the series progressed, Gohan shifted more towards the role of a scholar rather than a warrior. Embracing a normal life, he welcomed the arrival of his daughter, Pan, and settled into a peaceful existence. While he did make a modest comeback in Dragon Ball Super, it wasn’t enough to reignite the same fervor and support from fans that he once enjoyed.

The character development of Gohan in Dragon Ball Z provided captivating shifts in power and suspenseful cliffhangers, yet he never truly emerged as the hero we yearned for. He will forever remain Goku’s first son, the one we grew up alongside. He may not possess the title of the strongest fighter or the most accomplished warrior, but his unwavering resilience solidified his place as a beloved figure in the franchise. He contributed wherever he could and experienced remarkable moments throughout his journey. Gohan’s growth in Dragon Ball Z is undeniable, albeit sporadic. For that reason, I offer my respect and acknowledge both the potential that could have been realized and the enduring legacy he leaves behind.