Few anime series can establish the type of legacy and connect with audiences in the same way that Dragon Ball Z has for decades. Dragon Ball Z explores archetypal themes of good versus evil, but it battles these sinister forces with unique characters and incredible abilities and transformations. The Dragon Ball franchise has changed a lot since its debut—and these updates have helped the anime survive for a long time.
One of the major differences in Dragon Ball Z is the introduction of Gohan. Gohan doesn’t just become an important fixture of the series, but he arguably elevates himself to be a perfect fit for the lead of Dragon Ball Z.
10 He’s The Offspring Of Goku
Goku is the central figure throughout the original Dragon Ball, and he’s responsible for the whole franchise jumping into motion. Goku progressively proves himself to be a martial arts prodigy that’s destined for greatness.
But Dragon Ball Z also features a passing of the torch mentality that feels especially present with Goku’s first son, Gohan. Many heroes come from important backgrounds, and the news of Goku’s offspring quickly launches the narrative that Gohan is meant to surpass his father and carry on the legacy.
9 Old Kai Deems Him Worthy To Unlock His Potential
Dragon Ball Z is full of different transformations and upgrades that allow characters to tap into unprecedented strength levels. The arrival of a new villain typically pushes the heroes to reach new strength, and the threat of Majin Buu requires severe reinforcements.
Gohan gets recruited by Supreme Kai to train with the legendary Z Sword. In doing so, Gohan frees Old Kai and gets his potential unlocked, and becomes Ultimate Gohan. Many characters become Super Saiyans, but Gohan is the only one with this unique power and feels significant.
8 He’s The First Saiyan-Human Hybrid
Goku doesn’t learn that he’s a Saiyan until Dragon Ball Z, which leaves Earth’s boundaries and becomes a much more intergalactic series. Goku encounters a handful of Saiyans throughout Dragon Ball Z, but he’s also the first of the race to have a child with a human and produce a Saiyan-human hybrid.
Dragon Ball Z reveals that these hybrids actually have the potential to be stronger than pure Saiyans. Other hybrids eventually enter the series, but Gohan is the first and fights for both sides of his heritage.
7 His Rage Boost Against Raditz
Dragon Ball Z begins in a very exciting way when Raditz, Goku’s Saiyan brother, lands on Earth and offers a deadly ultimatum. Raditz’s actions have drastic consequences for the rest of the series’s trajectory, but they also give one of the earliest indications of Gohan’s importance.
Raditz is so powerful that he requires the combined efforts of both Goku and Piccolo. However, Gohan is also able to seriously hurt Raditz once a fit of rage takes him over. Gohan is only four years old at this point, and he’s still able to frighten Raditz genuinely.
6 Piccolo Sacrifices Himself To Keep Gohan Safe
Dragon Ball Z is a series that often operates in absolutes, and characters understand the significance of sacrifice if it means that it can protect the greater good. Piccolo begins Dragon Ball Z as a villain committed to carrying out his father’s vendetta against Goku.
Piccolo spends time with Gohan, and he’s so impressed by his prospects that he trades his own life for Gohan’s during the fight against Nappa. Gohan already seems important at this point, but this major gesture to keep him safe highlights how crucial Gohan stays alive.
5 He’s Initially The Youngest Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball Z gets a little cavalier when it comes to Super Saiyan transformations, and by the end of the series, it’s a process that seems like a foregone conclusion more than it’s a sacred honor. Dragon Ball Z has its strongest Saiyans, Goku, Vegeta, and Future Trunks. All become Super Saiyans.
These individuals are all adults, whereas Gohan masters the process when he’s still just a child. It again shows Gohan’s aptitude towards power and that this path is natural for him. He breaks all of the records that have been set before him.
4 He’s A Fundamental Figure In Future Trunks’ Timeline
Dragon Ball Z eventually tackles some crazier ideas, like the advent of time travel and multiple timelines. Future Trunks arrives in the series to ensure that Goku and its timeline don’t decay into a warzone like his own.
Goku, Vegeta, and most of Earth’s strongest fighters are dead in this timeline, but it’s actually an adult Gohan that mentors Future Trunks. Gohan is a Super Saiyan in this world, and his passing triggers Future Trunks’ own transformation. Future Trunks would never be able to save the “prime” timeline without Future Gohan’s influence.
3 He Starts His Own Family
Plenty of anime series conveys a generational aspect to their heroes stories. Characters will mature, start families, and begin the next wave of warriors to protect the planet. This is exactly the direction that Goku’s story takes, but it’s interesting to see the same thing happen with Gohan throughout Dragon Ball Z.
Goku’s age doesn’t visibly change, but Gohan grows from a child into an adult with his own daughter, Pan. Gohan shifts from a supporting presence in Goku’s life to the center of his own family.
2 He’s The Last Major Saiyan To Die
Death is a constant in Dragon Ball Z, thanks to how the powerful Dragon Balls can revive fallen characters and get around many of the principles that govern life and death. These fluctuating stakes allow major characters like Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Future Trunks to experience deaths before Gohan’s eyes.
These characters all return, but it feels like an important distinction that Gohan primarily remains alive and is the last major Saiyan to die in the series. Gohan’s continued ability to skirt death makes it feel like he’s supposed to be the lead and survive through this chaos.
1 He’s The First Saiyan To Become Super Saiyan 2
The biggest moment that shows that Gohan is supposed to be Dragon Ball Z’s main character is also one of the best sequences from the entire anime. The fight against Cell pushes Gohan past his breaking point, and he turns into a Super Saiyan 2 after he witnesses the loss of several of his loved ones.
This comes right after Goku’s death, so Gohan’s new power feels directly related to how he’s now supposed to fill the void left by Goku as Earth’s strongest fighter.
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