Many anime series have become pop culture phenomena that are practically synonymous with the medium, but the level of fandom and celebration that surrounds Dragon Ball is on a whole other level. Akira Toriyama’s signature shonen series has entertained audiences for more than 35 years as it caters to progressively powerful clashes between good and evil.
Dragon Ball‘s battles are a constant delight but a large factor in the show’s evergreen success is the lovable characters that fill the cast. Gohan first enters Dragon Ball Z as a mere child, but he grows into not only one of the franchise’s most important characters but also an individual who’s incredibly honorable.
10 He’s A Natural Leader
So many of Dragon Ball‘s characters contain tremendous potential and not all of them are given the proper opportunities to prove their skills. It’s one thing to have raw strength, but it’s just as important to be able to devise a sound strategy, chart the opponent’s weaknesses, and work together with a team.
Gohan’s fighting skills are a little rusty in Dragon Ball Super, but he relishes the chance to be Universe 7’s team leader in the Tournament of Power. The heroes have never faced a more tense situation and so their level of trust in Gohan here is crucial.
9 He’s Not Above Street-Level Crime Prevention
Dragon Ball‘s heroes are endlessly devoted to the protection of the Earth, no matter the cost. However, when the fate of the entire planet, or even the whole universe, is at stake it can be easy to lose sight of the smaller problems that plague the world.
Gohan has saved the Earth on several occasions, but his teenage years are marked by him donning a superhero costume and moonlighting as the street-level hero, the Great Saiyaman. The Great Saiyaman handles simple robberies, disputes, and crimes that don’t involve superpowered aliens. It’s comforting that Gohan doesn’t forget the importance of a secure community and a public figure that makes people feel safe.
8 He’s Happy To Share The Spotlight
For many heroes, justice is its own reward, but Dragon Ball‘s world is full of diverse characters, some of which are more honorable than others. For instance, there are public figures like Hercule Satan that cherish adulation and celebrity status. There’s even a period early on for Vegeta where he’s determined to make his legacy known across the universe.
Gohan is considerably more humble and he’s the first one to deflect attention. He’s content to let others accept responsibility for his achievements and hide behind anonymity. An inflated ego can seriously mess with someone’s priorities, so it’s a relief that Gohan isn’t interested in such praise.
7 He’s Worthy Of The Prestigious Ultimate Upgrade
One of Dragon Ball‘s biggest claims to fame is the flashy Super Saiyan transformations that mark powerful milestones for the characters. There are so many Super Saiyan variations that there can occasionally be diminishing returns when a new form debuts. This is what makes Gohan’s training on the Sacred World of the Kai such an exciting change of pace.
Old Kai deems Gohan worthy of the legendary Ultimate upgrade, which helps him hold his own against Super Buu for an extended period of time. No other Dragon Ball character has earned this upgrade, which makes Gohan quite special.
6 He’s A Good Husband & Father
It’s no small decision to enter into a marriage and start a family. Dragon Ball Z begins with Gohan as a precocious infant, but he progressively grows up before the audience’s eyes and he’s started his own family by the end of the series.
Several Dragon Ball characters get married, but everyone approaches this institution with contrasting degrees of respect. Gohan doesn’t take his family for granted or neglect them. He’s willing to discard his inherent talent as a martial artist to settle down and give his family stability. Videl never has to worry if Gohan has her interests in mind.
5 He Can Balance Martial Arts With A Traditional Education
Gohan’s future is pulled in different extremes during his youth as Chi-Chi pushes for him to become a great scholar and Goku is more curious about his son’s natural capacity for combat. Gohan is able to please both of his parents in different ways and as a result, he’s one of the more balanced characters in Dragon Ball.
Gohan has grown up with rigorous wilderness training, but he also goes to a public high school and receives a proper education. Alternatively, Goku’s childhood is incredibly sheltered and basic elements of the world confound him.
4 His Latent Potential Has Been Recognized By Prestigious Mentors
One of the most exciting aspects of Gohan’s character is that his potential is immediately apparent. Even as a child, he’s able to make a dent in adult enemies. Natural talent is helpful, but it needs to be properly fostered. Gohan is extremely fortunate to receive training and power upgrades from some eclectic warriors.
Gohan’s childhood is consumed by Piccolo’s intense wilderness training, but he’s also put to the test under Old Kai’s tutelage. It’s important that so many powerful people recognize Gohan’s strength and want to see it developed.
3 He’s A Caring Brother
Family is paramount in Dragon Ball and some of the most powerful moments in the series are the sweeter and more muted exchanges between friends and loved ones. Dragon Ball looks at passing the torch over to the next generation of Saiyans, but Gohan is also a unique case since he also has a younger brother.
Goten never properly comes into his own, but there are some delightful sequences where Gohan trains his younger brother, shares knowledge with him, and genuinely treats him like his equal. The limited team attacks from Gohan and Goten are all so satisfying.
2 He’s Never Died
Death is inevitable in most anime series, especially a show like Dragon Ball where dangerous villains constantly threaten the planet. Some of Dragon Ball‘s heroes have made the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good, but Gohan is a lucky individual who’s avoided annihilation against Frieza, Cell, and even Buu.
Admittedly, alternate versions of Gohan, such as his counterpart from Future Trunks’ fractured timeline, have met their ends. The true version of Gohan has managed to narrowly avoid death, which is a testament to his greatness considering Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Krillin have all perished multiple times over.
1 He Does His Father Proud But Is His Own Individual
Dragon Ball begins as Goku’s story, but there are several moments in the franchise where it feels like it’s about to transition over to Gohan’s struggles. There’s a lot of time spent on what Gohan learns from Goku during their training together, but he’s the product of many mentors and he matures into a layered fighter.
It’d be very easy for Gohan to turn into a carbon copy of his father, which currently seems to be Goten’s trajectory. Gohan, on the other hand, solidifies his own identity that makes his father proud and keeps himself on his own terms.
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