DBZ Fans Must Accept Toriyama’s Gohan Wasn’t Their Favorite

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In the realm of Dragon Ball, Gohan stands out as a character who contrasts greatly with the series’ overall theme. Unlike most characters, Gohan isn’t particularly keen on combat and never aspired to be a martial artist. Instead, he was compelled into the role of a warrior, not by his own choices but due to circumstances beyond his control. In essence, while Goku embraces growth through self-imposed battles, Gohan finds himself in fights that aren’t part of his desired journey or story. He isn’t exactly a reluctant hero, but rather someone who doesn’t have the luxury of choice in this matter.

In the ’90s, during the Dragon Ball Z series, Gohan underwent a significant transformation following the Cell Saga, which led to a loss of focus and personality that many fans found disappointing. These fans had grown particularly attached to Gohan’s story, especially those in the West, as he was portrayed as youthful, spirited, and out of his depth. For many Americans, Gohan served as their initial introduction to Dragon Ball, fostering a deeper connection compared to Goku initially. It was disheartening for fans to witness Gohan’s decline in significance after the Cell Saga, a development that may have been influenced by Akira Toriyama’s own lack of fervor for Gohan’s character compared to the audience’s enthusiasm.

Gohan Was Meant to Take Over for Goku

Gohan Was Supposed to Take Over After the Cell Saga

5 years have elapsed since the conclusion of the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, and the original crew reunites on Master Roshi’s Island in Dragon Ball Z. Everyone is taken aback when Goku arrives with his 3-year-old son, Gohan, who aspires to be a scholar one day. Interestingly, Gohan possesses Goku’s Four Star Dragon Ball. Matters run smoothly until Raditz appears, revealing that Goku is an extraterrestrial and abducting Gohan to provoke him into intense violence for the purpose of conquering Earth. As a result, Goku partners with Piccolo, and ultimately sacrifices his life. Afterward, Gohan remains with Piccolo following his father’s demise.

The interaction between Gohan and Piccolo significantly shapes them both. At just four years old, Gohan develops greater autonomy and strength, while Piccolo transforms into a more compassionate being as he forms his first genuine friendship. This phase offers the viewers a prolonged look into Gohan’s journey, showcasing his growth from being terrified of his own shadow to battling dinosaurs. There’s an undercurrent of melancholy; Gohan is compelled to mature rapidly with an immense burden upon him, representing the world’s fate. Tragically, he witnesses several companions perish, with Piccolo making the ultimate sacrifice before Goku arrives to defeat Nappa swiftly. Subsequently, Gohan is once more plunged into another escapade with minimal respite.

On Planet Namek, Gohan teams up with others to gather the Dragon Balls in an effort to save their companions, while Vegeta and Frieza pursue them for their individual goals. This phase reveals Gohan’s bravery and his resemblance to Goku in terms of his altruistic intentions. However, Gohan’s outbursts of anger and emotional turmoil add an element of excitement. In the Cell Saga, even Goku comes to leverage Gohan’s emotional instability in a misguided strategy. Ultimately, Gohan is characterized by his lack of safety and his potential for planet-destructive anger, but there’s much more to him than that. Gohan stands as a stark contrast to Goku, and this difference fuels the tension throughout the series. While Goku retained some of his childish qualities into adulthood, Gohan’s childhood was abruptly ended.

In this version, the character is portrayed as both courageous yet imperfect. This tale served as the ideal conclusion, and the initial plan was for the series to end here. However, the Buu Saga significantly alters this trajectory. Although Gohan has grown older, this saga does offer him some focus, yet his passion for the high-stakes battles that consumed much of his youth seems to wane. He yearns for education, to don the Great Saiyaman costume, and lead a more ordinary life. Regrettably, Gohan fails to garner the attention he once did in the Cell Saga, which is unfortunate. Yet, a significant part of this can be attributed to Toriyama’s personal feelings towards the character.

Akira Toriyama Never Got as Interested in Gohan as a Character

If Toriyama Liked Gohan, Dragon Ball Z Could Have Been a Very Different Series

In the ’90s, many children who watched Gohan developed a deep bond with him. Despite frequently finding himself in over his head, he always stepped up to the plate. He had his share of imperfections, such as his hot-headedness and initial cowardice, but he found ways to exploit or conquer these weaknesses. Gohan’s tale of an unwilling hero was fascinating given his counterparts who were professional fighters. Unlike Goku in his youth, Gohan didn’t yearn for adventures; instead, his life was a matter of survival from the get-go. Unlike Goku, Gohan never sought this role, and he never desired to be the strongest, yet he managed to become so on several occasions against all odds.

Initially, Dragon Ball Z was planned to focus more on Gohan as the main character, offering an engaging and emotionally cathartic journey following the events of Cell. However, this wasn’t how the story unfolded as intended. Akira Toriyama, the creator, originally wanted Gohan to be the protagonist but later decided against it because he felt Gohan wasn’t as well-suited for the role compared to Goku. This shift is evident throughout the series. Additionally, after the Cell Saga ended, Gohan’s popularity waned and he didn’t even make it into the top five in several popularity polls conducted in Japan during that time. Toriyama himself hinted at this change of heart in Daizenshuu 2 when he said, “I had initially intended to put Gohan in the leading role, but it didn’t work out. I felt he was ultimately not suitable for the part.” This statement provides insight into his thought process during the transition.

Modern creators, such as Gege Akutami of “Jujutsu Kaisen” and the creator of “The Apothecary Diaries,” are increasingly open about their lack of focus on popular characters like Gojo and Jinshi. While Toriyama didn’t express it as explicitly, it’s evident that he wasn’t ready to end Goku’s story, and neither was the Japanese audience. Gohan was a well-developed character, but his development stagnated significantly during the Buu Saga, reducing his involvement in “Dragon Ball GT” and “Dragon Ball Super.” Upon reflection, it seems that Gohan’s arc progressed too quickly and was tragically cut short.

90s children hold dear memories of Gohan, as they grew up alongside him much like many did with Goku. However, unlike Goku’s epic adventures filled with magic and mystery, Gohan’s story was marked by a relentless struggle for survival, aging him prematurely. It’s surprising that he turned out as well-balanced as he is in the series given his hardships. Pondering “what if” about how Gohan’s story might have unfolded differently if Toriyama had chosen to emphasize his character more deeply can be a bit sad, as it would have significantly changed the franchise’s narrative. It’s a pity that Goku didn’t pass the torch to Gohan, but sometimes fate doesn’t always allow for such transitions.

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2025-05-09 05:48