Son Gohan (anime character)

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"I know your kind. You think you can waltz in and just take our planet. But you forgot one thing: I'm my father's son!"
Son Gohan in Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound

Son Gohan (そん ごはん, Son Gohan; FUNimation "Gohan", Viz "Son Gohan"; Literally meaning "Grandson Understanding the Food") is the first son of Son Chichi and Son Goku, older brother of Son Goten, husband of Son Videl, and father of Son Pan. Gohan is also the first hybrid (half Human, half Saiyan) to appear. His family names him after Goku's adoptive grandfather.

Gohan's name is a homophone for Gohan (御飯), the Japanese word for "cooked rice" or a meal in general.

Personality

Gohan is a shy and studious intellectual, and as a child lacks the Saiyan fighting spirit. He utilizes his incredible half-breed Saiyan potential and emotional reserves to protect those he loves, becoming one of the most powerful Z Warriors. As an adult, he abandons his superhero duties and instead uses his mind as a premier scholar of Planet Earth. Gohan, being only half-Saiyan, was unusual in his values and personality. These unique values and personality separated him from pure Saiyans; as powerful as he was, he did not like fighting much. When he was forced to fight, however, he showed special interest in protecting his family and friends. Like his father, Goku, Gohan had a pure and gentle heart. Besides concerning himself with his family (and his studies), Gohan had a strong attachment with his mentor: his father's former archrival named Piccolo. Piccolo was forced to train Gohan after the death of Goku. At first, the relationship with Piccolo is a frightening one, but after just one year, Piccolo admits his change because of the friendship he develops with Gohan and even sacrifices himself to save the boy. Because of this, Piccolo can be considered as a surrogate father for Gohan. Krillin also has influence on Gohan, as almost an uncle/nephew relationship, mainly because Kuririn is Goku's closest friend. In some cases, Gohan displays a ferocious appetite just like Goku, a trait he presumably inherited from his father.

Hidden power

Gohan's hidden power

As a child, Gohan is known to have within him a seemingly limitless dormant power, which at first only revealed itself when he experienced fierce rage. As he got older, he trained hard and gained access to a large portion of his power, and it was not until he was a young adult that his power was fully awakened and he was able to use it all at his own will. He displays exceptional power at a very young age, even surpassing his father Goku and saving the world from the evil Cell at only eleven years old (ten in the manga, though he spent nearly a year inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber). Gohan's latent power is finally released to its fullest extent in the Fusion Saga, making him the second strongest Z Warrior in the manga (behind Vegetto), and the strongest character in the manga to be unaided by fusion or absorption as stated by Akira Toriyama in the Daizenshū 2 on page 114. It should be noted that of all of the Z Warriors, Gohan has surpassed Goku the most times. It should be noted that in the anime sequel, Dragon Ball GT, it is quite likely that Super Saiyan 4 Goku surpassed Gohan as Earth's strongest warrior, though this does not effect the original manga as Dragon Ball GT was not created by Toriyama.

Appearance

Most of Gohan's appearances throughout the series.
Kid Gohan

Gohan's appearance changes drastically throughout Dragon Ball Z, due to the fact that the series starts out with him as a child and ends when he is fully grown, married, and with a child of his own. But Gohan's basic physical appearance pretty much stays the same through the course of the series. Gohan has black hair and black eyes, he also has his mother's light peach complexion, rather than his father's light tan. Gohan also is quite muscularly developed for his age. As an adult, he looks slightly taller than Goku, but he is also a little bit thinner.

When Gohan is first introduced, he wears a child's outfit with his family name, 'Son' written on the front, and his hat has the Four-Star Dragon Ball attached to it, the same Dragon Ball in which Goku believed that his grandpa's spirit resided.

While training with Piccolo, he wears an outfit similar to Goku's original, with the "Ma" symbol (魔) King Piccolo wore. After training with Piccolo, he has a mullet-type haircut and dons a similar attire to the Namek warrior which he continues to wear until the end of the Captain Ginyu Saga, after which he wears Saiyan-style armor given to him by Vegeta. He would continue to wear clothing similar to Piccolo's for the majority of his childhood, but his hair trended closer to his father's wild self-cut style. While training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he begins wearing Saiyan training gear, but again reverts to Piccolo's clothing for the Cell Games.

As a teenager, he alternates between a school uniform, his Great Saiyaman costume, a blue gi similar to the Piccolo clothing (except larger in size), a replica of the gi his father Goku wore while he was alive, and during the Buu Saga, he wears Kai clothing given to him by Kibito. His hair is much shorter and stands on end in a spiky formation.

In Dragon Ball GT, he is usually seen dressed as like a professor or a businessman, in a suit and a tie. He also wears eyeglasses, even though he shows no sign of actually needing them, due to the fact that he doesn't need them to fight. It is possible, however, that these are reading glasses of some kind, as opposed to general corrective glasses. When facing Omega Shenron, Gohan wears a gi resembling that of the ones Goku used to wear.

Biography

Early life

Baby Gohan

Gohan was born in May of 757 Age, about a year after Goku and Chichi married following the conclusion of the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament. As a newborn he went on for a time without a name until Goku's grandfather's name was mentioned, which Gohan liked. His early childhood was a pampered one, unlike his father's. His life was relatively well-balanced with a loving family and a nice home. Gohan was well-adjusted and intelligent, but unlike his father as a child, he lacked any affection for fighting and was easily scared at a level that most normal children would be. Goku gave Gohan the four star Dragon Ball and put it into a hat for him to honor his grandpa.

Dragon Ball Z

Vegeta Saga

Main article: Vegeta Saga

"Leave my Dad... ALONE!!!"
Son Gohan

Gohan delivering a devastating blow to Raditz.
Gohan training with Piccolo in preparation for the Saiyan attack.
Gohan's first usage of the Masenko after becoming enraged by Piccolo's noble death.

Despite Goku's protests, Chi-Chi home-schooled Gohan to be a scholar until he was four, before Goku took him to Kame Island to introduce him to Master Roshi, Bulma and Krillin. At this time, he is shown as a shy but very smart boy who also has a tail like Goku once had. He is also very sensitive and appears to be kind of cowardly at some times. Goku's brother Raditz soon arrived looking for his brother, and kidnapped Gohan. It was during this time that Raditz discovered that Gohan was potentially far stronger than Goku himself.

During the battle between Goku, Raditz, and Piccolo, Gohan became angry and broke free of the space pod he was being held captive in. He delivered a devastating blow to Raditz, giving Goku and Piccolo time to kill the evil alien, though Goku died in the process as well.

After the battle with Raditz, Piccolo, having seen Gohan's power first hand, decided to take Gohan out training in the wilderness. He left Gohan alone to survive against dinosaurs and other dangers for six months, though during this time he watched Gohan carefully. For the rest of the year, Piccolo showed no mercy as he taught Gohan how to fight. While training, Gohan accidentally looked at a full moon and transformed into a great ape. Piccolo then destroyed the moon causing Gohan to revert back into his normal form.

Soon Gohan's bright and cheerful nature made Piccolo protective over the young boy. When the time came for the Z Fighters to take on the remaining two Saiyans, Vegeta and Nappa, Gohan was able to control his fear but at times his age caught up with him, and he became frightened. This prevented him from being very effective in the battle, except for short intervals, such as a point when he singlehandedly kicked Nappa through a boulder.

When Nappa fired a lethal energy blast at Gohan, Piccolo threw himself in front of Gohan and took the impact. Gohan was deeply angered by Piccolo's death and in turn fired a powerful Masenko at Nappa, which did some damage to his arm. Later on, after Vegeta turns into a Great Ape and injures the resurrected Goku, Gohan himself transforms into the Great Ape form, defeating Vegeta by landing on him after his tail is cut off. Afterwards, Goku lets Vegeta go, hoping to one day face him again.

Journey to Namek

Main article: Namek Saga Main article: Captain Ginyu Saga Main article: Frieza Saga

"Frieza's going to hunt me down wherever I go. The last thing I want to do is lead him back to Earth."
Son Gohan talking to Bulma before leaving to fight against Freeza alone.

Gohan's hidden potential is unlocked by Guru.
Gohan fighting against Recoome.
An enraged Gohan unleashing a relentless attack against Freeza.
Gohan attacking Freeza in anger after he injures Piccolo.
Gohan returning to the battlefield to stall Freeza before Planet Namek explodes.

Kid Gohan (孫 悟飯 幼年 期, Son Gohan Yōnen Ki) chose to go to the Planet Namek with Krillin and Bulma to gather the Namekian Dragon Balls to bring back his friends back to life, because Piccolo's death caused the Earth's Dragon Balls to turn to stone. Gohan was on a personal mission to wish back Piccolo and went so far as to wear a copy of Piccolo's dōgi to honor him.

After their long trip, they finally make it to Namek where they find out Vegeta has also come seeking the Dragon Balls, along with his former far more powerful boss, Frieza. While scouting the planet with Krillin he spots Frieza and his minions tormenting Namekian villagers. When Gohan sees Dodoria, one of Frieza's top henchmen, attack a little Namekian child named Dende, he goes out and attacks him. Afterwards Dodoria chases Gohan, Krillin and Dende, but they eventually lose him and Vegeta kills Dodoria. Dende leads Gohan and Krillin to Guru, the ruler of the Nameks, where he unlocks both of their hidden potential. Later, Vegeta decides to have a temporary alliance with Gohan and Krillin to fight against the Ginyu Force to get all the Dragon Balls. Unfortunately, when they gathered all of the Dragon Balls, they were ambushed by the Ginyu Force. The weakest of them, Guldo, was to take on Krillin and Gohan, but failed as Vegeta stepped in and decapitated him with his hand.

Then, when Vegeta was fighting a losing battle against Recoome, Krillin and Gohan stepped in and fought, but it was still not enough until Goku showed up. Goku took on the rest of them, but had his body switched by Captain Ginyu. With Goku completely weak in Captain Ginyu's body Gohan had to try to fight Captain Ginyu in his father's body (although he was initially reluctant to do so, despite knowing it isn't his dad, as he still feels he is injuring his dad by doing so). After Captain Ginyu ended up in a frog's body Gohan and the others gathered the Namekian Dragon Balls and wished for Piccolo to be brought back to life on Namek.

Shortly after, Frieza ambushed them, making them stall for Piccolo to come. In the Z-Fighters's battle against Frieza's second form, Krillin is injured by the tyrant and is sent into the depths of the water below. Gohan rushes to save his friend from drowning, but Frieza stops him. Getting angry, Gohan attacks Frieza with a barrage of punches and kicks and unleashes a massive wave of energy blasts that brings the tyrant to his knees.

When Piccolo (now greatly powered up after fusing with the Namekian hero Nail) arrives on the battle field, he fights an even battle against Frieza while Gohan and the others watch in amazement. However, Frieza transforms into his third transformation and gains the upper hand against Piccolo. Seeing this, Gohan becomes enraged and attacks Frieza with a huge and powerful bolt of energy, hindering Frieza for a few minutes. Eventually, Frieza manages to deflect the attack back at Gohan, who is saved by Piccolo when he destroys the attack with a ki blast. Frieza then transforms into his final form, and as his first act, kills Dende, who had been healing the Z-Fighters. Frieza then tries to kill Gohan with a Death Beam, but Vegeta saved the young Saiyan by punching him out of the way of the blast. Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo watch in horror as Vegeta gets brutally beaten by Frieza until Goku arrives. In the end, Vegeta meets his end at the hands of Frieza, who kills him with a Death Beam.

Gohan and the others are left on the sidelines while Goku fights an even battle against Frieza. However, things turn bad when Frieza powers up to 50% of his power and gains the upper hand against Goku, who desperately attempts to use the Spirit Bomb. In order to buy Goku some time, Gohan and Krillin lend their energy to Piccolo so he can stall Frieza enough for Goku to complete his Spirit Bomb. It proves successful and Frieza is plummeted into the depths of the Spirit Bomb, heavily injuring him.

Believing the tyrant to be dead, the heroes relax and prepare to go back home to Earth, until Frieza appears on top of a boulder and reveals to be alive. Frieza mortally wounds Piccolo (in the anime, Frieza attempted to kill Goku, but Piccolo pushed him out of the way, whereas in manga, Frieza intended to fire the attack at Piccolo), overwhelming Gohan with horror and grief at the presumed death of his mentor and friend. Next, Frieza kills Krillin, enraging Goku and allowing him to transform into a Super Saiyan. He yells at Gohan to take Piccolo and retrieve Bulma and take them to the ship that he traveled in and use it to head back to Earth. Reluctantly obeying his father's wishes, Gohan leaves the battle field with the unconscious Piccolo and manages to retrieve Bulma.

Later, when he senses that his father is supposedly dead, Gohan returns back to the fight to stall Frieza before Planet Namek explodes. However, despite his best efforts, he is unable to stall Frieza as the tyrant taunts him and he is not fighting. However, Gohan then senses that his father is still alive and powers up. Next, Gohan attacks Frieza with a barrage of punches and kicks, knocking him to the ground and finally blasting him with a Super Masenko. Unfortunately, Frieza appears unaffected by the attack and powers up to full power again, saying that Gohan is a true Saiyan and that is why Frieza must kill him. However, before Frieza can kill Gohan, Goku rises up from the ocean below and tells Gohan to get off Planet Namek. Gohan flies away from the fight and encourages his father to win. As Gohan is flying back to the spaceship, he and the others are later transported to Earth by Shenron while Goku is left finishing the battle with Frieza on the dying Planet Namek.

After Goku wins the battle, but is caught in Planet Namek's explosion, Gohan and the others mourn the Saiyan warrior's death. Months later, they are allowed to use the Namekian Dragon Balls to wish Goku back to life. However, they are shocked after the Eternal Dragon Porunga refused the wish that Goku be brought back to life, but everyone rejoiced once the Dragon explained that Goku did not die from Namek's explosion. During this time of peace, everyone awaited the arrival of Goku, and Gohan went back to his studies while Piccolo watched over him and his mother.

Garlic Jr. Saga

Main article: Garlic Jr. Saga

Gohan powering up to send Garlic Jr. into the Dead Zone.
Gohan preparing to fight the Spice Boys.

While everyone on Earth was waiting for Goku to come back, Garlic Jr. escaped from the Dead Zone and enslaved most of humanity with the Black Water Mist. Gohan, who was unaffected due to hiding in a cave with his dragon friend Icarus, is forced to travel to the lookout point to save his mother and friends, together with Piccolo, Krillin and his new girlfriend Maron, who is left at Korin Tower. He had to do battle with Garlic Jr.'s henchmen, the Spice Boys, and after taking them down, he had to face his friends: Krillin and Piccolo. Luckily, it turned out that these two were only pretending to be evil so they could free Kami and Mr. Popo. While outmatched at first, after a reunion with his friends Gohan eventually manages to overcome and send Garlic Jr. back to the Dead Zone by blowing up the Makyo Star that was powering the villain. This would be the first time Gohan had saved the world without his father's help.

Trunks Saga

Main article: Trunks Saga

Gohan in his Saiyan Armor during the Trunks Saga.
Gohan training with Goku and Piccolo for the next three years.

A year later after Son Goku defeated Freeza on Planet Namek, Gohan and Chi-Chi still wait for Goku's safe return back to Earth. However, things turn bad when the Z-Fighters sense Frieza heading towards Earth, along with another power being: his father, Cold. Gohan and the Z Warriors regroup where Frieza and King Cold's spaceship is landing, but without Goku's help, the Earth appears to be doomed.

However, when Frieza and King Cold land on Earth, they are confronted by a mysterious youth, who transforms into a Super Saiyan and easily destroys Frieza and King Cold along with their henchmen. After the fight, he tells the others to follow him to when and where Goku will be arriving. After waiting two hours, Goku arrives on Earth and he and the youth have a private talk.

The mysterious youth reveals himself as Future Trunks, the son of Bulma and Vegeta from the future, who has traveled from the future and explained that a pair of deadly Androids will appear and threaten the Earth in the next three years. Future Trunks then gives Goku an antidote for the heart disease he will soon contract. With the conversation over, Future Trunks departs to his future, but promises to meet them again when the Androids arrive. During the next three years, Gohan trains hard with Goku and Piccolo to prepare for the Android threat.

Androids Saga

Main article: Androids Saga

"Yes! We're going to make it through this without losing anyone!"
Son Gohan excited after seeing Piccolo dominate No. 20

Gohan saving Piccolo from No. 20.

Three years later, the Z-Fighters located the Androids on an island nine miles south of Metro South. Not wanting to fight in the city in fear of causing more damage, however, they fly to a wasteland so they could fight. Goku transformed into his Super Saiyan form and dominated Android 19 until the Saiyan began to feel the effects of the Heart Virus that Future Trunks had warned him about three years prior. This allowed No. 19 to gain the upper hand and almost steal Goku's energy. Goku, however, is saved by the arrival of Vegeta, who transforms into a Super Saiyan himself and easily destroys No. 19 while the Z-Fighters watch in amazement.

Seeing his android destroyed, Android 20 (a.k.a. Dr. Gero) becomes scared and retreats, with the Z-Fighters in pursuit. During the search, Piccolo is suddenly ambushed by No. 20, who attempts to steal the Namekian's energy and use it against Vegeta. Luckily, Piccolo telepathically contacted Teen Gohan (孫 悟飯 少年 期, Son Gohan Shōnen Ki) and told him to come help him. Gohan soon arrives and knocks Dr. Gero down to the ground, saving Piccolo's life as the Z-Fighters gather around. Piccolo then fights Android 20 alone and dominates the android with the strength he achieved from the last three years of intense training. Future Trunks then comes back from the future and arrives on the battle field with the Z-Fighters, only to discover that these Androids are not the ones in his future timeline.

No. 20 manages to escape, however, and the Z Warriors search for him while Gohan flies Bulma, Baby Trunks, and Yajirobe back home to Capsule Corp. Dr. Gero makes it back to his lab and activates two of his more powerful Androids, Android 17 and 18. However, the Androids rebel and kill Dr. Gero and proceeded to activate another android, Android 16, whose sole purpose is to kill Goku. The Z-Fighters battle the new Androids, only to be badly beaten as the Androids fly away to find and kill Goku.

Imperfect Cell Saga

Main article: Imperfect Cell Saga

Gohan, Future Trunks, and Bulma discovering Cell's larval state.
Gohan trying to help Piccolo back on Earth, but being forced by Goku to stay on the Lookout.

When the Z-Fighters are in an airplane with a weakened Goku, flying away from the Androids, Gohan and Future Trunks leave and meet with Bulma to investigate an old time machine that was used to travel to the past. The time machine is covered in moss and has a large hole at the top. In there, they find egg shells split in half, but can't get any conclusions from it. Then, Gohan finds some thing unusual in the distance: the skin of a huge bug (later known as the android, Cell). Bulma takes the shell with her to do some more investigating.

After Goku is cured from the heart virus, he takes Gohan, Future Trunks, and Vegeta up at Kami's Lookout, where they are shown by Mr. Popo a special room up at Kami's Lookout, known as the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, in preparation for a new threat: Cell. In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Future Trunks and Vegeta both enter the room first for the whole day while Goku and Gohan wait and and sense that Piccolo (now fused with Kami and returned to the being nameless Namek) is fighting against the Androids. Gohan tries to go down to Earth and help Piccolo, but Goku doesn't let him go and explains he is not strong enough and will only get in Piccolo's way. Goku tells Gohan as soon as they get their training done, they will go down to Earth and help Piccolo.

Later when Piccolo was nearly killed by Imperfect Cell, who arrived on the battle field between Piccolo and Android 17, Goku and Gohan sense Piccolo's energy disappear. Believing his mentor to be dead, an enraged Gohan tries to go down the Earth, but is held and calmed down by Goku. Still angered, Gohan flies up into the air and tries to escape from the Lookout, but is knocked down to the ground by Goku. As Mr. Popo rushes to help him, he explains to Gohan that Goku is hurting inside too and is even more angry than Gohan about Piccolo’s death. Gohan and Goku apologize to each other for their actions, and Goku promises that he won’t let Piccolo’s sacrifice be in vain.

Perfect Cell Saga

Main article: Perfect Cell Saga

Gohan transforming into a Super Saiyan for the first time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
Gohan and Goku training in their Super Saiyan forms to attain the Full Power Super Saiyan state.

After Cell absorbs Android 17 and achieves his Semi-Perfect form he is about to set his sights on Android 18 when Tien arrives and attacks Cell with his Neo Tri-Beam, allowing Android 18 and 16 (who was injured by Semi-Perfect Cell) to escape. Goku and Gohan sense Tien's energy decreasing and he finally collapses from exhaustion. Just before Semi-Perfect Cell can kill Tien, Goku uses Instant Transmission to appear on the battle field. He grabs the barely alive Tien and Piccolo and teleports back to the Lookout, where they are fully healed with a Senzu Bean. Piccolo explains that despite their best efforts against Semi-Perfect Cell, they proved useless.

At that moment, Mr. Popo interrupts and brings the group to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, where Future Trunks and Vegeta emerge stronger than ever. They are given new Saiyan armor by Bulma (who by this time already arrived) and fly down to the Earth to confront Semi-Perfect Cell. While Vegeta and Future Trunks fight Semi-Perfect Cell, Goku and Gohan enter and train in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber while wearing some new Saiyan armor made by Bulma. In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan struggles to transform into a Super Saiyan. Goku informs him that to become a Super Saiyan, it must come in response to a need, not a desire. Gohan realizes the only way to become a Super Saiyan is for his father to fight him at full power. Hesitantly, Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan and fires a powerful Kamehameha at Gohan. Gohan blocks the attack and thinks about all the other times he wasn't able to help his friends whenever they were in danger while his friends helped him out if he was in danger. Thinking about this, Gohan overwhelms with rage, allowing him transform into a Super Saiyan and fire the Kamehameha back at Goku, who dodges the attack and tells his son to focus his energy, making him return to his base form. Goku tells Gohan they can take a break and even gives his son a haircut.

Later, Gohan again transforms into his Super Saiyan form and trains while Goku sits down and watches his son's training in his Super Saiyan form improve. Gohan gets tired and transforms back into his base form when Goku demonstrates the Ascended and Ultra Super Saiyan forms (which are the forms that Vegeta and Future Trunks are using against Cell, who by this time had achieved his perfect form by absorbing Android 18). Seeing this incredible strength and power, Gohan is sure Goku can beat Cell, but Goku says he can't. He explains that because his muscles are now bulky, they slow down his speed, the thing he needs to defeat Cell. Goku tells Gohan that transforming into a Super Saiyan takes a great deal of energy, but need all the Super Saiyan energy they can get. Goku comes up with a plan to make turning into a Full Power Super Saiyan, so he tells Gohan to try and stay transformed as a Super Saiyan for the whole day when it starts to feel normal.

Cell Games Saga

Main article: Cell Games Saga

"What are you so afraid of, Cell? Isn't this what you wanted? I warned you. I told you what would happen if you pushed me too far. But you didn't listen. You forced me to awaken my hidden power, and now that you've seen it, you're afraid... because you know that I'm going to destroy you."
— Gohan during his battle with Cell

Goku and Gohan emerging as Full Power Super Saiyans.
Gohan in his new Piccolo-style outfit (back left).
Gohan receiving a gift on his 11th birthday.
Gohan fighting against Perfect Cell.
Gohan transforming into a Super Saiyan 2 after witnessing Android 16's tragic death.
Gohan killing the Cell Juniors.
Gohan delivers a devastating blow to Perfect Cell.
Gohan landing a powerful kick to Perfect Cell's stomach, making him regurgitate Android 18.
Gohan's arm being badly broken after defending Vegeta from Super Perfect Cell's attack.
Gohan and Goku firing the Father-Son Kamehameha at Super Perfect Cell.
Gohan destroying Super Perfect Cell once and for all.
Gohan saying goodbye to his deceased father as he goes to the Next World.

With their training finally completed, Gohan and Goku emerge from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber as Full-Power Super Saiyans. As Goku and Gohan are eating food made by Mr. Popo (because they don't really know how to cook when they were in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber), Future Trunks, after being defeated by Perfect Cell along with his father Vegeta, tells them that Perfect Cell is hosting a tournament for the Earth's strongest warriors called the Cell Games, to which Goku thinks of it as an interesting challenge. While Goku wears his trademark orange and blue clothes for the tournament, Gohan asks Piccolo for a copy of his uniform, since he was his first mentor. Piccolo conjures up a uniform similar to his for Gohan, who happily appreciates the new outfit.

Goku pays Perfect Cell a visit using Instant Transmission, and after returning, he claims he is no match for the android. Piccolo suggests they can still go in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber for extra training. However, Goku declines and says that he and Gohan can train outside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, greatly suprising everyone. Goku and Gohan leave the Lookout, (after Goku and Gohan show Korin and Yajirobe their new power) and arrive at the Kame House to pick up Chi-Chi so they can go home. Gohan asks his father if they have a chance of beating Cell if they spend the next nine days resting and training outside. Goku laughs and says they don't have to worry about it now, since they have nine days to relax. Gohan and Goku go inside and meet everyone else (at one point, Oolong and Puar even say that Gohan has, "buffed up.") However, when Chi-Chi sees Goku and Gohan, she freaks out and exclaims that Gohan has become a hair dying punk.

In a filler episode, Gohan flies to a village called Chazke Village to run a shopping errand for his mother. He meets Lime and Mr. Lao there and later encounters one of his father's deadliest enemies in his childhood: Mercenary Tao, rebuilt as a cyborg. Taken over by panic and shock at discovering Gohan is Goku’s son, Mercenary Tao flies away on a tree. Goku arrives and he and Gohan are given the groceries by Mr. Lao, who encourages them that they can defeat Cell. Gohan and Goku say their goodbyes to Mr. Lao and Lime and fly back home.

In another filler, Gohan has his 11th birthday and all of his other memories are revealed. One of his memories include Goku, Chi-Chi, and the Ox King discussing a name for their newborn son. However, when they mention Grandpa Gohan, Goku’s deceased adoptive grandfather, they discover the baby laughs at the name, “Gohan.” Seeing as the baby likes the name, “Gohan”, Goku, Chi-Chi, and Ox King name the baby, “Gohan.” In another flashback Goku, Chi-Chi, and Gohan are walking in the woods when they look up in a tree at a bird family. However, Goku accidentally lets go of Gohan’s stroller, causing Gohan to zoom violently down the hill while Goku and Chi-Chi run for their lives after their crying son. The stroller jumps over a ravine and heads for a tree where it crashes and breaks. The crying Gohan is about to smash into the tree, but he stops crying and uses his hidden power to smash through the tree without injury. Goku catches Gohan on the other side of the tree and he laughs, ending the flashback.

Gohan, Goku, and Krillin return home, where they, along with Chichi and Ox King, celebrate Gohan’s 11th birthday. Before he blows out the candles, Gohan makes a wish in his mind. He wishes he would have enough strength to defeat Cell so his family would live in peace. However, when Gohan blows out the candles, he accidentally ends up blowing the cake everywhere on everybody’s face. Chi-Chi says a boy would get severely punished for trashing his birthday cake. However, Chi-Chi’s mood changes to happy and she says he can’t help it because he’s Goku’s son, to which everyone joyfully laughs.

Finally, ten days have passed and the Z Warriors arrive at the Cell Games for the battle against Perfect Cell. Goku is the first Z-Fighter to battle against Perfect Cell and matches the monster blow for blow. To everyone's surprise, Goku forfeits the battle against Perfect Cell after using the Instant Kamehameha (a combination of the Instant Transmission and Kamehameha) which left him and Cell drained. Goku then chooses Gohan to fight Perfect Cell in his place. Gohan states Goku and Cell's battle wasn't that good, leading to the conclusion that Gohan is much stronger than Goku, who was fighting at full power.

Gohan powers up to the point where his power exceeds even Goku's and reluctantly fights Perfect Cell. As the battle occurs, Gohan does not have the same fighting spirit as his father, allowing Perfect Cell to gain the upper hand. Gohan tells Cell that once he becomes enraged, his hidden power is unleashed, referring to when he attacked Raditz, when he was in training with Piccolo, and when he was fighting Frieza. Gohan did not wish to see this power unleashed, much to Perfect Cell's chagrin. Believing he could see this hidden power, Perfect Cell began smacking Gohan around to get him angry. Gohan finally gets a little angry and kicks Perfect Cell in the face, giving him a bloody lip and fueling his desire to see Gohan’s hidden power. When things start to get dangerous, Android 16 sneaks up behind Perfect Cell and gives him a bear hug, attempting to self-destruct and take the monster with him. However, Krillin reveals to Android 16 that Bulma and her father removed the self-destruct bomb, allowing Perfect Cell to break free and blast Android 16 to bits, much to the horror of the Z-Fighters. However, the android’s head is left still intact and rolls over to Hercule and his gang, who were hiding and watching the fight.

Perfect Cell then creates seven Cell Jrs. and has them attack the Z-Fighters. Gohan watches in horror and becomes angry as his friends are mercilessly beaten by the Cell Jrs. Meanwhile, the head of Android 16 convinces Hercule to throw his head to where Gohan and Perfect Cell are so that he may help Gohan. Now in Gohan’s sight, Android 16 tells Gohan to not be afraid of releasing his anger and that it was okay to fight if he wants to protect the people and world he loved. Finally, 16 said to Gohan to drop his restraints and let it go because he has enough power and strength to defeat Perfect Cell. With Android 16’s final words, Perfect Cell crushes Android 16’s head, ending the peaceful android’s life. Touched by Android 16’s final words and enraged by the peaceful android’s death, Gohan’s rage reaches its limits and transforms him into a new level, Super Saiyan 2.

Now in his new anger-fueled state, Gohan says to Perfect Cell stating that he will never forget what he has done. He approaches the android and quickly snatches the Senzu Beans that Perfect Cell stole from Krillin. Gohan teleports away in front of a Cell Jr., who attempts to strike Gohan, only to be easily killed by the enraged young Saiyan. Gohan quickly teleports to where Krillin is held captive by two of the Cell Jrs., something that Future Trunks realizes about Gohan increasing his strength and power without losing speed. Gohan rescues Krillin and kills another of the Cell Jrs. Seeing this new incredible power that Goku spoke of earlier, Perfect Cell orders all of the Cell Jrs. to take on Gohan all at once; however, Gohan easily kills all of Cell Jrs. without mercy, much to the amazement and shock of everyone, including Perfect Cell. After Gohan gives the Senzu Beans to Future Trunks to heal the Z-Fighters, he proceeds to challenge Perfect Cell.

As the Z-Fighters are healed by the Senzu Beans and get to a safe distance, Gohan battles Perfect Cell and gains the upper hand against the android. Perfect Cell unleashes his maximum power and punches Gohan hard in the face. However, Gohan is barely phased by Perfect Cell’s blow and counterattacks with two powerful punches to the Perfect Cell’s stomach and face, severely injuring the Android. Perfect Cell fires attacks used by some of the Z-Fighters, including the Destructo Disk, Special Beam Cannon, and Scatter Shot at Gohan, who easily brushes through the attacks. Gohan tells Perfect Cell that he should not have pushed him and because of that, he is going destroy him.

Perfect Cell flies up high into the air and fires a massive Kamehameha down at Gohan in an attempt to destroy the entire Earth. However, Just as the huge energy beam is about to hit the Earth, Gohan counterattacks with a bigger and more powerful Kamehameha, overpowering Perfect Cell’s Kamehameha and destroying the android's legs, left arm, and the two straight sections on top of his head. Goku yells for Gohan to finish off Cell before he regenerates, but Gohan, still enraged at Perfect Cell’s actions, refuses and wants Cell to suffer before he kills him. As Goku predicted, the enraged Cell regenerates and transforms into his Power Weighted form but even with his enormous power, he is unable to hit Gohan, making the same mistake Future Trunks made ten days ago. After Gohan dodges Cell's punches, he delivered two powerful kicks to Perfect Cell’s face and stomach, making him regurgitate Android 18 and transform back into his Semi-Perfect form.

In a fit of anger and desperation, Semi-Perfect Cell began a Self Destruction technique, planning to blow himself up along with the Earth. Gohan attempts to attack the self-destructing Semi-Perfect Cell, but the android replies that if he is hit, he will immediately explode. Hearing this, Gohan realizes that there is no way that he can save the Earth and blames himself for not finishing Cell off sooner. However, at the last second, Goku uses instant-transmission to transport in front of Semi-Perfect Cell. Goku tells Gohan how proud he is of son for putting up a good fight and to look after Chi-Chi. After a heart-felt goodbye to his son, Goku transports Cell away from Earth to King Kai's Planet where Semi-Perfect Cell finally explodes, destroying the planet and killing Goku, King Kai, Bubbles, and Gregory in the process. Back on Earth, Gohan and the other Z-Fighters mourn Goku's noble sacrifice. Realizing how cocky and arrogant he was, Gohan cries and blames himself for his father's death while Krillin tries to comfort him.

However, unknown to the Z-Fighters, Cell survives the explosion, regenerating from a lone cell in his core. Doing this effectively raised his power higher due to the Saiyan genes he absorbed from Goku and Gohan, and he also learned Goku's Instant Transmission technique, which he used to head back to Earth to destroy Gohan and the remaining Z Warriors. As his first act of return, Super Perfect Cell kills Future Trunks with one blast in front of the shocked Z-Fighters. Gohan was in fact pleased to see Super Perfect Cell had returned, hoping to defeat the android so he could avenge his father. Enraged by his son’s death, Vegeta in a fit of fury and rage, transformed into to a Super Saiyan and attacked Super Perfect Cell with a powerful barrage of energy blasts. However, as the dust clears, Super Perfect Cell, emerges from the blast, unharmed, and smacks Vegeta aside to the ground and fires a powerful blast at the Saiyan prince. Gohan jumps in front of the unconscious Vegeta and takes the full-force of Super Perfect Cell’s attack, costing him the use of his left arm.

Wanting to end the conflict, Super Perfect Cell prepares a massive Kamehameha wave to destroy Gohan, who loses all hope after having his left arm broken and seeing how much powerful Super Perfect Cell is now. However, at that moment, Goku telepathically contacted Gohan with the help of King Kai encouraged Gohan to believe in his power. When Gohan tells Goku it was all his fault that this happened, Goku reminds him that not only do things like this happen, but if anyone's to blame for it, it's Super Perfect Cell. With new found hope and confidence, Gohan prepares a one-handed Kamehameha, with the assistance from Goku's spirit. With their attacks finally charged and ready, Gohan and Super Perfect Cell fire their Kamehameha attacks at each other, resulting in a huge energy beam struggle that knocks away everyone else.

During the Kamehameha duel between Gohan and Super Perfect Cell, Super Perfect Cell has the upper hand against Gohan. However, Gohan, still aided by his father in Other World, is able to charge more of his power into his Kamehameha, seemingly bringing the energy duel to a standstill. The Z-Fighters, except for Vegeta, also help out Gohan by blasting Super Perfect Cell, who retaliates by knocking all of them away with his energy, rendering them unable to help Gohan. However, just as Super Perfect Cell is about to destroy Gohan, Vegeta, after regaining his confidence, aims at Super Perfect Cell's head with a small Big Bang Attack, distracting the android. Seeing this opportunity, Gohan (encouraged by Goku) unleashes all the rest of his power into his Kamehameha, completely destroying every cell in Super Perfect Cell's body, dispatching the android once and for all. Having successfully won, Gohan reverts to his normal state and collapses to the ground, breathing heavily and smiling as Goku in Other World expresses how proud he is of his son for finally defeating Super Perfect Cell and saving the world.

Following Super Perfect Cell’s defeat, the Z Warriors and Gohan return to Dende’s Lookout, where he is healed by Dende. With the newly recreated Dragon Balls, they summon Shenron and wish for all of Cell’s victims to be revived. However, Goku does not come back and telepathically contacts the Z-Fighters on the Lookout. Goku tells them not to revive him and explains that he seemed to attract evil villains that were after him, so the Earth would be safer if he weren’t there. He also said that Gohan had greatly surpassed him and if there were any other threats, Gohan would be there to defend the Earth. With the conversation over, Gohan and the Z-Fighters say their goodbyes to Goku and to each other before leaving the Lookout and going their separate ways, leaving the Earth safe once more.

Great Saiyaman Saga

Main article: Great Saiyaman Saga

"Guardian of the city, I am the one and only...Great Saiyaman!"
Son Gohan displaying his new Great Saiyaman alter ego to some crooks

Gohan during the Buu Saga.
Gohan on his first day of high school.
Gohan teaching Videl how to use her Ki to fly.

Adult Gohan (孫 悟飯 青年 期, Son Gohan Seinen Ki) lived at home with his mother and his seven year old brother, Son Goten, seven years after the events of the Cell Games. His training has taken a backseat to his studies and his strength has been surpassed by Vegeta and Son Goku. Chichi decided that Gohan needed to attend high school to finish his education. On his first day, he turned into a Super Saiyan (in order to conceal his identity) to stop a robbery. By the time he arrived at Orange Star High, tales of the newest hero, the Golden Warrior (金色 の 戦士, Kin'iro no Senshi), had spread (which name was actually given to him after two previous incidents while going to the school to take entrance exams). In class, he met another crime-fighter and the most popular girl in school, Son Videl. She was the daughter of Hercule, who got rich and famous for stealing Gohan's credit over the defeat of Cell.

Videl is highly suspicious of Gohan and spies on him to see if he's really the Gold Fighter. Videl confronts Gohan several times to voice her suspicions but Gohan nervously denies them. Gohan decides to use a disguise when fighting crime and goes to Bulma to make him a costume. He becomes the Great Saiyaman (グレート サイヤマン, Gurēto Saiyaman; Literally meaning "Great Saiyanman") to hide his identity so that the media will not bother his family. While trying to convince Videl to let him return a stolen Dinosaur to its two Pterodactyl parents, however, he accidentally revealed his identity to Videl, who then blackmailed Gohan to compete against her in the newly revived World Martial Arts Tournament in exchange for her silence. Gohan, having no experience with kids his own age, especially girls, was helpless against the confident Videl, who made him promise to teach her to fly.

When Gohan told Bulma about the tournament, Goku, listening in from the Other World, contacted them and told them he would compete too using his one-day pass to the Living World. After Vegeta heard this, he also decided to compete. To make it more interesting, and to give them a chance to meet Goku again, Gohan told all of his friends about the tournament, and they then all decided to compete. While Gohan trained with Goten, he was to see Goten transform into a Super Saiyan, breaking his record as the youngest Super Saiyan ever.

When Videl showed up at Gohan's home to learn to fly, Gohan learned that she had no knowledge of energy since her father believed it to be just a trick. Gohan began training her from scratch, though she picked it up rather quickly. During his training of Videl as well as his brother Goten, Videl learns more about Gohan and grows closer to him. Goten lets it slip that their dad is coming back from the dead to compete, but Videl brushes it off, assuming that their father left them.

World Tournament Saga

Main article: World Tournament Saga

"Last chance for requests! Do you just want to see just a Super Saiyan? Or should I take it up to the next level!?"
Son Gohan confronting Kibito at the Tenkaichi Tournament

Gohan angrily turning Super Saiyan after witnessing Spopovich beat up Videl.
Gohan transforming into a Super Saiyan 2 against Kibito.

As the Z-Fighters arrive at the World Tournament, Goku, who had been in Other World training for seven years, arrives on Earth and meets his second son, Goten. As the tournament occurs, the Z-Fighters easily brush through their matches. Later, however, when Videl fights Spopovich, she is nearly beaten to death by the brute. Gohan watches in anger as his girlfriend horribly suffers at the hands of the ruthless Spopovich. Finally, having seen enough, Gohan turns Super Saiyan and tries to save Videl from Spopovich, but before he can, Yamu interrupts and tells for Spopovich to finish the match because they have much more important things in the matter. Spopovich kicks Videl out of the ring and leaves with Yamu, but not before being told by the angry Gohan that he will win the next time they fight.

After rushing Videl to the hospital and giving her a Senzu Bean to heal, Gohan returned to the tournament and found himself set up to fight Kibito. In order for the Supreme Kai and Kibito to find Babidi's ship, they're forced into tricking Gohan into turning into a Super Saiyan. However, Gohan states that there is a level beyond a Super Saiyan and transforms into his Super Saiyan 2 form, shocking the audience into thinking that he was the Gold Fighter. At that moment, Yamu and Spopovich jump into the ring and Supreme Kai paralyzes Gohan when he is about to attack. Yamu and Spopovich steal Gohan’s energy, reverting him back to his normal state, and fly off, with Supreme Kai and the other Z-Fighters in pursuit. Kibito heals Gohan, restoring his energy and explains they are going after Spopovich and Yamu to find Babidi's ship. Gohan and Kibito, along with Videl, fly away to meet up with the Z-Fighters.

Babidi Saga

Main article: Babidi Saga

"Come on, Dabura! Show your true power, you can't win at this rate!"
— Gohan during his battle against Dabura

Super Saiyan 2 Gohan battling against Dabura.

After flying for a time, Videl gets tired and decides to head back to the World Tournament, seeing as the opponent they are going to face is too powerful for her. However, before leaving, she and Gohan have a conversation about the identity of the Gold Fighter is actually Gohan. Figuring this out, Videl comes to the conclusion that seven years ago during the Cell Games, Gohan was the golden-haired boy who had defeated Super Perfect Cell, not Hercule. Gohan and Videl say goodbye to each other and Videl promises to date him when he comes back.

Gohan and Kibito later catch up with the Supreme Kai and the Z Warriorsat Babidi’s spaceship. They hide and secretly watch as Yamu and Spopovich give the energy to the evil wizard Babidi, who retaliates by killing them. Dabura and Babidi realize the Z-Fighters are nearby and decide to steal their energy by killing the weaker fighters and luring them into the space ship. Dabura flies up to the Z-Fighters and kills Kibito with a Ki Blast at point blank range. After a brief fight, Dabura spits on Krillin and Piccolo, turning them to stone, and flies back to the spaceship, with Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, and a relutctant Supreme Kai following behind.

When they get inside the spaceship, they are told they must defeat the three fighters if they want to destroy Babidi. The first fighter, Pui Pui, appears and fights against Vegeta, only to be easily killed when the Saiyan prince fires a powerful ki blast on Pui Pui’s chest. Goku is the next to fight against Yakon, the second fighter, who has the ability to absorb energy. However, Goku manages to kill him by making absorb too much of his energy, causing Yakon to explode. With the two fighters defeated, Gohan fights against the last and strongest of Babidi’s fighters, Dabura in a mountain area. At first, Gohan is fighting a little rusty against Dabura due to not training during the seven years after the Cell Games, but after transforming into his Super Saiyan 2 form, Gohan manages to fight evenly with the Demon King. However, it is revealed by Goku and Vegeta that Gohan had a lot more power when he faced Cell seven years earlier. Vegeta becomes disgraced with Gohan's lack of motivation and expresses his frustration, believing Gohan to have peaked in power. Dabura notices Vegeta's inside evilness and stops the fight with Gohan to report his findings to Babidi.

Soon after the fight, Vegeta’s mind is taken over Babidi’s magic, transforming him into Majin Vegeta and giving him a massive power increase. Babidi transports them to the World Tournament arena, where Majin Vegeta destroys parts of the stadium, killing many people to convince Goku fight him. Goku agrees and they are transported to a desert area. Before leaving with Supreme Kai to stop Babidi, Gohan is given a Senzu Bean by Goku, who tells him to remember about the people he’s fighting for and how much he cares about them and let that be his weapon. Gohan says goodbye to Goku as he and Supreme Kai head down Babidi’s spaceship to confront the evil wizard, while Goku and Majin Vegeta fight their intense battle.

Majin Buu Saga

Main article: Majin Buu Saga

"But there’s people I care about! And this time around, I’m not gonna just stand by and let them all get hurt!"
— Gohan rejecting Supreme Kai’s order and preparing to attack Majin Buu’s cacoon

Gohan firing a series of Kamehame-Ha in an attempt to destroy Majin Boo's Cocoon.
Gohan training with the Z Sword on the Supreme Kai Planet.

After easily defeating many weak henchmen, Gohan and Supreme Kai make it to the bottom of the ship where Majin Buu’s cocoon is. Babidi and Dabura appear and prepare to release Majin Buu from his cocoon. Supreme Kai orders Gohan to retreat and wait for the others to think of a way to defeat Majin Buu, but Gohan, remembering his father’s words, refuses and says he needs to protect the people he cares about. Gohan powers up and fires a Flashing Kamehameha one after another attempting to destroy the cocoon and Majin Buu along with it, but the cocoon is unaffected. The cocoon finally stops steaming and hatches, but nothing is inside. However, only Gohan knows that something did come out of the cocoon, and it was forming something up into the sky. The steam that erupted from the cocoon forms into a pink, fat creature: Majin Buu.

Despite his best efforts to protect Supreme Kai from Majin Buu, Gohan is left nearly killed after Majin Buu fires a devastating attack that blasts him up into the sky. The weakened Supreme Kai uses his psychic powers to destroy the attack and Gohan ends up falling down into a nearby forest, unconscious and severely beaten. Fortunately, when Kibito is brought back to life by the Dragon Balls he locates and heals the Supreme Kai. They eventually find Gohan in the forest and bring him to the Supreme Kai Planet to be healed. After being revived, Gohan is then told he was brought to the Kai Planet to pull out the legendary Z Sword to defeat Majin Buu. At first, Gohan has trouble pulling the Z-Sword out, but after transforming into a Super Saiyan, he manages to pull it out.

During his training with the Z Sword, Gohan reunites with his father Goku, who has returned from Earth where he transformed into Super Saiyan 3 to fight Majin Buu. Goku is surprised to see that his son is still alive and discovers Supreme Kai was behind this. Seeing Gohan’s excellent progress with the Z-Sword, Goku decides to test its strength by throwing a huge boulder, which Gohan easily slices in half. Supreme Kai summons Katchin, the densest metal in the universe, to test if Gohan can slice through it. However, when Goku throws the Katchin at Gohan, the Z-Sword snaps in two and from the broken sword emerges Elder Kai, who tells them that he will fully unlock Gohan's latent potential in a ritual.

Fusion Saga

Main article: Fusion Saga

"Fight you? No, I wanna kill you."
Son Gohan confronting Super Boo

Gohan's hidden power finally being unlocked by Elder Kai.
Gohan dominating Super Boo after having his hidden power released by Elder Kai.
Gohan battling against Super Boo after he absorbs Gotenks and Piccolo.

As Goku, Supreme Kai, and Kibito observe what is happening down on Earth, Gohan grows increasingly impatient as Elder Kai reads and laughs at comics instead of unlocking his power. Gohan soon loses his patience and angrily powers up, displaying an amazing power that illuminates the Supreme Kai planet. However, amazed at realizing that some of his power really was unlocked, Gohan apologizes to Elder Kai, and resumes the ritual. After some time, the ritual is finally completed and Gohan is told to transform into a Super Saiyan; however, when he does, his appearance does not change, but his power and strength gain an incredible increase. Gohan says goodbye to Supreme Kai, Elder Kai, and his father Goku and he is transported back to Earth by Kibito. Before Kibito transports back to the Supreme Kai planet, Gohan asks for the clothes reminiscent of his father’s, to which Kibito happily complies. Kibito wishes Gohan good luck and transports back to the Supreme Kai planet. With his power finally released and the fate of the world now in his hands, Gohan flies off to confront the new Majin Buu: Super Buu.

Gohan arrives on the battlefield where Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo reveal that all of their friends and family were killed and eaten by Super Buu. Gohan is angry about this at first, but thinks he can still sense Dende’s energy. Gohan powers up and completely outclasses Super Buu, much to the shock of Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo. No matter how much he tries, Super Buu is unable to land any damage on Gohan, who easily dodges and blocks all of the monster’s strongest attacks. In an act of desperation, Super Buu attempts to self destruct and take Gohan with him, but Gohan sees through this and grabs and flies away with Piccolo, Goten, and Trunks before they are all caught in the explosion.

After getting to a safe distance, Gohan explains to Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo how he had become very powerful through Elder Kai’s magic ritiual. Gohan and the others sense Dende’s faint energy and decide to fly after him before Super Buu does. Along the way, they meet up and rescue an exhausted Hercule and his adopted dog, Bee, who were strolling around in the desert. They finally locate Dende, who explains to them that he was thrown off of the Lookout by Mr. Popo before he could be hit by Super Buu’s Chocolate Beam. After the hour is up, Super Buu arrives and challenges Goten and Trunks to fight him again for a rematch, which the boys agree on and fuse into Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks. At that moment, however, Super Buu absorbs Gotenks and Piccolo, resulting in a massive increase of mental and physical strength.

As the battle begins, Gohan manages to fight evenly with the new Super Buu. However, after Super Buu uses Picccolo’s mind to play mind tricks on Gohan, the tables are turned, and Super Buu gains the upper hand against Gohan, whose injuries are soon healed by Dende. Tien also joins the fight to help Gohan, but Super Buu easily defeats him and prepares an attack capable of destroying the entire Earth. At the last second, however, Goku (after receiving Potara Earrings from Elder Kai) appears and slices Super Buu in half. Goku throws one earring to Gohan, but he misses and Goku is forced to transform into his Super Saiyan 3 form to stall Super Buu, while Gohan searches for the earring. He manages to find the earring, but since Gotenks defused inside of Super Buu, which caused his power to decrease, Goku says there is no need for Potara Fusion, seeing as they can easily beat Super Buu now. However, Super Buu manages to absorb Gohan while he is caught off-guard, giving him a massive power increase.

Kid Buu Saga

Main article: Kid Buu Saga

A picture of Gohan's and Videl's wedding at the end Dragon Ball Z.

Later, Goku and Vegeta (who had fused into Vegito to dominate Super Buu) enter Super Buu’s body and escape with Gohan, Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo. However, this causes Super Buu to undergo a final transformation into his original form – Kid Buu. Gohan is killed when Kid Buu destroys the Earth, but he is soon revived along with the Earth and everyone else by Porunga. When they learn from Vegeta that Goku needs energy for his Super Spirit Bomb, they contribute part of their energy to the Spirit Bomb, but the citizens of Earth do not. However, after Hercule convinces the people to donate their energy, the Super Spirit Bomb is completed, and Goku obliterates Kid Buu once and for all.

Ten years later, Gohan has finally become a scholar, marries Videl and has a child named Pan. At the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, Goku participates and fights Uub, the reincarnation of Kid Buu. After an equal battle, Goku takes in Uub as his student to train him and better control his power. Goku bids farewell to Gohan and the others before Goku and Uub fly away to Uub’s village, ending the Dragon Ball Z series.

History of Trunks

Main article: The History of Trunks Main article: Future Son Gohan

"You know you can't win! You can't destroy what I really am! Even if you manage to kill this body, someone even stronger would surface and take my place! Not one death will go unaccounted for, not one!"
— Future Gohan preparing to fight Android 17 and 18

Future Gohan, Gohan's alternate timeline counterpart, in the History of Trunks.
Super Saiyan Future Gohan ready to fight against Future No. 17 and Future No. 18.

In Future Trunks' original timeline, Goku has died from his viral heart disease. Android 17 and Android 18 have been awakened by Dr. Gero, and have turned Earth into their playground. Piccolo, Vegeta, Tien, Krillin, Yamcha, Chiaotzu, Yajirobe, and Gohan team up to fight the Androids but they are no match for their powers. First to be killed is Piccolo, dropped by a powerful kick to the gut from Android 18. Vegeta is the next warrior to be killed, incinerated by a powerful blast of energy delivered by Android 17. Android 17 follows by destroying Krillin, Yamcha, and Yajirobe with energy blasts through the chest while Android 18 wipes out Tien and Chiaotzu the same way. Gohan some how manages to escape from the deadly battle and becomes a Super Saiyan after the death of his fallen friends. Future Gohan has grown up after thirteen years, and continues to fight the androids to the best of his ability. It seems that Future Gohan is equal if not stronger then Android 17 but he is unable to ever defeat the Androids together (and because the Androids never run out of energy) so he's forced to retreat from most of the battles. Future Trunks, wanting to help, asks Future Gohan to train him so he too can join in the fight against the androids. Future Gohan takes Future Trunks under his tutelage, hoping that as a Saiyan and the son of Vegeta, he will one day also be able to become a Super Saiyan and a powerful ally in finally defeating the androids.

Gohan and Trunks battle the androids until Trunks' inexperience leads to him being at the mercy of Android 18. In an effort to save Trunks, Gohan manages to buy enough time for the two of them to hide, only to have the androids bomb the entire area, severing Gohan's arm and severely injuring both him and Trunks. Luckily, Gohan gives Trunks the last remaining senzu bean (senzu plant dies in this future) which saves Trunks' life. Trunks brings Gohan back to his house were he heals. Gohan continues to train with Trunks, desperately trying as best he can to help the young warrior to ascend into Super Saiyan.

As the Androids attack another city near by, Gohan prepares to fight the androids, telling Trunks to stay behind. Trunks is shown desperately wanting to help and Gohan knows that there is no way to talk Trunks out of it. He misleads Trunks into thinking he will accept the help, then quickly knocks him out. In his mind Gohan knew he was going to die but, knew his death would help the future and sets off to fight the Androids. Gohan goes to fight the Androids as he tells them that someone stronger will take his place (Trunks). Gohan takes on the Androids fighting with one arm he manages to hold his own but, the Androids gang up on him in the rain and kill him with multiple ki-blasts. After Trunks awakens, he finds Gohan's lifeless body destroyed by the Androids. Seeing his closest friend and mentor lying lifeless on the ground, Trunks feels the unfairness and anger of his friend's death which allows Trunks to become a Super Saiyan. Knowing that his death would save the future, Gohan died a hero.

Dragon Ball GT

Search for the Black Star Dragon Balls

Gohan and Videl in Dragon Ball GT.

After Dragon Ball Z, Gohan now works for Bulma's company as a researcher and, like Trunks, he rarely trains. He now is more concerned about being a good husband and father. He is one of the first to learn about Goku's transformation back into a child thanks to a wish made to the Black Star Dragon Balls by Emperor Pilaf. They all soon learn that if the Black Star Dragon Balls aren't collected and brought back to Earth within a year's time, the planet will explode.

Gohan, along with the help of Bulma and Videl, works on the spaceship used for Goku, Trunks, and Goten (later replaced by his daughter Pan) to go hunt the Black Star Dragon Balls. Even though he had apparently stopped with his training, he was still far stronger than most of his allies, including Trunks and Goten; he was arguably the closest to Goku and Vegeta's league in strength.

Baby, the evil parasite

Gohan battling against Goten Baby.
Gohan Baby attacking Vegeta.
Gohan, Goten, Pan, and Trunks restoring Super Saiyan 4 Goku's energy.
Piccolo's final farewell to Gohan before he dies.

Gohan is later seen again visiting his mother and brother at Capsule Corp. with Videl. They tell Chi-Chi that Goten got into a fight somewhere (with Baby) over at Satan City. Goten returns shortly after, now under the control of Baby. Baby immediately realizes that Gohan is stronger than Goten and could be a little more sufficient body to help him infect Vegeta. Gohan also realizes something is not right with his brother. They two get into a little fight and decide to settle at a remote location. Baby Goten immediately plays the offensive against Gohan, trying to force him to power up (making it easier for him to takeover Gohan's body). Gohan refuses to do so, realizing that if he uses enough energy, he could hurt Goten. Baby Goten then powers up to full strength, cornering Gohan. Having no other choice, Gohan powers up to a Super Saiyan. Baby uses this opportunity and easily takes over Gohan's body. Baby tests Gohan's powers by attacking Piccolo in the area.

Now with Gohan under his control, Baby seeks out his true target: Vegeta. Baby Gohan locates Vegeta and fights an even battle with the Saiyan prince. The fight is soon interrupted by the arrival of Goten, who Baby left an egg implanted inside of, rendering him under his control. With the help of Goten, one of Baby Gohan's attacks pierces Vegeta's skin, which Baby takes the opportunity to liqueify himself and enter Vegeta's body, gaining control of a more powerful host. However, just like Goten, Gohan has an egg implanted inside of him by Baby, bringing him under control of the Tuffle parasite. Later, when Goku, Pan, and Trunks return home from outer space after collecting the Black-Star Dragon Balls (which Dende later gave to Baby so he could wish for Planet Plant to be restored), Gohan and Goten appear at their house and transform into Super Saiyans to immediately fight Goku and Pan. Gohan even promises to kill Pan and fires an energy blast at her. However, Goku blocks the attack and the explosion knocks him and Pan down to the ground, rendering Pan unconsious. This angers Goku and he fights at full power, allowing him to gain the upper hand against the controlled Gohan and Goten. However, before Goku fires his Kamehameha at Gohan and Goten, Hercule and Majin Buu show up and explain what has happened.

After being purified by the Sacred Water by Kibito Kai, Gohan, along with Goten, Trunks, and Pan help restore Goku's Super Saiyan 4 powers. Eventually, Goku manages to defeat Great Ape Baby, forcing the Tuffle parasite to flee from Vegeta's body, returning him back to normal. Baby then tries to escape in a spaceship, but Goku fires a powerful 10x Kamehameha up at the spaceship, blasting it to the sun while Baby was inside and killing the Tuffle for good.

Later, Gohan helps in evacuating the population of Earth to the New Planet Plant before Earth's explosion. However, when Goku teleports back to Earth to get a little boy who was left behind during the evacuation, Piccolo suddenly appears, saves the boy, and gives Goku enough energy to teleport back. However, he chooses to share the same fate as the Earth. Moments before his death, Piccolo has a telepathic farewell conversation with Gohan. He tells him that he chooses to remain behind as his death would cause the Black Star Dragon Balls to be eternally turned to stone. This way, no wishes from the Black Star Dragon Balls will be made, saving the Earth from a future disaster. Gohan pleads for Piccolo to come with them, but Piccolo declines and tells him how proud he is of Gohan for how he has matured and the amazing potential he had displayed over the years. With the conversation over, Piccolo says his final goodbye to Gohan, who screams Piccolo's name in devastating sadness as his mentor dies a dramatic death in Earth's explosion.

The Earth is restored back to normal and everybody is back on it. Gohan says to Goku that he still misses Piccolo, but his father comforts him and says that he misses Piccolo, too, cheering him up. With that, Goku and Gohan are happy that the Earth and its inhabitants are safe for now.

Super 17, the ultimate android

Gohan battling against Rild.

Gohan, along with the rest of the gang, fight the villains that escaped from Hell. He mainly battles a revived General Rilldo, saving Pan and Hercule from him. He and General Rilldo have an evenly matched fight before Rilldo unexpectedly uses his metal ray to turn Gohan's right arm and left leg into metal. He is nearly killed, but was saved at the last minute by Majuub.

He then battles (along with the Goten, Trunks, Vegeta, and Majuub) against Super 17, even firing an incredible Kamehameha attack, which had no effect (Super 17 absorbed it). He is the first to be knocked out, but is saved, along with the others by Goku, who, with the help of Android 18, eventually kills Super 17 with a Dragon Fist followed by a Kamehameha.

The Shadow Dragons

Gohan during the Shadow Dragon Saga.
Syn Shen Long attacking Gohan.
Gohan and Goten in the final battle against Omega Shen Long.

Gohan, along with the rest, learn that thanks to the several wishes made to the Dragon Balls over the years, haved caused enough negative energy to turn the balls evil, causing seven powerful Shadow Dragons to emerge from them.

Pan and Goku are successful in hunting down and killing most of the dragons, but are no match for the powerful Syn Shenron. Gohan, Trunks, and Goten come to the rescue and revive Goku's energy, while Majuub holds off Syn Shenron. Shenron is, however, relentless at killing Goku, and tries his best to stop the re-powering. He is even successful in landing Gohan a devastating blow. Syn's efforts are in vain, though, as the three are able to restore Goku's energy.

Goku, now at full power, is more than enough to beat Syn Shenron, but things go for the worse when Syn absorbs all seven Dragon Balls, and transforms into Omega Shenron. Not even Goku is able to comprehend his power.

The situation changes when Vegeta arrives and absorbed Blutz Waves from Bulma's new machine, to help him achieve Super Saiyan 4. Gohan warns Bulma that if given to much, he might lose control and became too powerful and uncontrollable (like Baby). However, Vegeta is successfully able to achieve Super Saiyan 4. It's not enough to stop Omega Shenron though, and Goku and Vegeta realize there's only one option: fusion.

Gohan, Trunks, and Goten hold off Omega Shenron long enough for the fusion to be successful, forming Gogeta. Gogeta is far more powerful than Omega Shenron, but because he failed to take the fight seriously, the fusion expires before he kills Omega Shenron. It now seems that all hope is lost, but Goku attempts to form an ultimate Spirit Bomb. The rest battle Omega Shenron, but all are defeated easily by him. They do however, hold out long enough for Goku's attack to be complete and kill Omega Shenron, once and for all. Gohan lives out the rest of his life in peace with his family until dying of old age like the rest of the Z Fighters.

Films

Gohan appears in every Dragon Ball Z film except Bio Broly, in which he only appears in the credits.

Gohan appeared in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods.

Video games

In Dragon Ball Online, it is revealed that Gohan wrote a book entitled "Groundbreaking Science" around 800 Age, presumably introducing concepts such as Ki control to the general public and ushering in a worldwide revolution in martial arts. Dragon Ball Online completely ignores the events of Dragon Ball GT and saw strict supervision from Akira Toriyama.

Other media

Gohan is parodied in the Robot Chicken episode "Easter Basket". He has also been used in promotional merchandising for Burger King[3] and collectible cards such as the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game. Gohan has appeared in almost every Dragon Ball Z video game.

Techniques

Main article: List of techniques used by Gohan

Transformations and power ups

Great Ape

Main article: Great Ape

Great Ape Gohan

This transformation occurs when a person with Saiyan heritage (and with a tail) looks directly at a full moon, or something that simulates its effects, such as Vegeta's Power Ball. The result is the waves from the moon stimulating a gland in their tails, enabling a seemingly unavoidable transformation. This is a complete genetic transformation, so it greatly affects Gohan's mental state. Because Gohan never had any proper training, Gohan loses all form of mental control, becoming a primal beast. However during his fight against Vegeta, Goku's words were able to reach Gohan enough to regain some of his rational thought and focus on his real enemy. Gohan only transforms into this state three times throughout the series, twice while he was training with Piccolo, and one final time when fighting Vegeta. He also transforms into this state the movie The Tree of Might when the main villain Turles creates a Power Ball and forces Gohan to see it, transforming him into a Great Ape. He later has his tail cut off by Goku, returning him to normal.

Unlock Potential

Gohan using his Unlock Potential enhancement.
This in truth is not a form of Gohan, but is simply an enhancement that he acquires during the Namek Saga. This term is only used in the Budokai games. Gohan acquired this when he visited Guru during his trip to Planet Namek. Guru placed his hand on top of Gohan's head and using his own powers released Gohan's latent ki. This however did not release all of Gohan's hidden power, since he was still only able to unleash his hidden power through fierce rage. Gohan's abilities were enhanced along with the strength of his hidden power, and as a side effect continuously grew alongside Krillin with each battle, as stated by Vegeta. The first time that he receives this power-up roughly multiplies his power tenfold, allowing him to access a power in around the mid-10,000s range, though with the subsequent battles against Recoome and Frieza, he grows many times st

ronger. During one bout of rage, he was even able to subdue Frieza's third form.

Super Saiyan

Main article: Super Saiyan

Super Saiyan Gohan

The Gohan most associated with the main time line of Dragon Ball became a Super Saiyan at ten years of age (if including the time spent in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber), during the intense training he endured with his father to help him ascend. However, it is not exactly clear at what age and how he became a Super Saiyan in the alternate time line (Future Trunks' Timeline). But it is suggested that he became a Super Saiyan after seeing his friends killed by Android 17 and Android 18, due to his fierce hatred towards them. Gohan is the fourth character in the series to appear as a Super Saiyan, and he was also the youngest until the appearance of his brother Goten, who accesses the state effortlessly at seven years old.

Full Power Super Saiyan

Main article: Full Power Super Saiyan

Full Power Super Saiyan Gohan

Gohan is one of the first people to display full mastery over the Super Saiyan. Gohan had learned to perfect the Super Saiyan form with his father, when his father suggested that they remain transformed for extended periods of time so that they could master Super Saiyan, including all the unwanted behavioral effects. This mastery of the Super Saiyan enables full control over the energy output and consumption, completely diminishing strain on the body. Gohan continues to use this form during the Buu Saga, particularly when training with Goten.

Super Saiyan 2

Main article: Super Saiyan 2

Super Saiyan 2 Gohan

Gohan was the first and the youngest character in the Dragon Ball series to reach Super Saiyan 2, achieving it at the age of 9 (10 if including the time spent in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber; 11 in the English anime). Of course this occurred when his dormant power was fully awakened through his rage at Perfect Cell for hurting his friends and killing the peaceful Android 16 (though it was revealed in an anime-only flashback by Goku that Gohan actually achieved the transformed state while training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, but was too exhausted to maintain the form). While in this form, Gohan's hair stands straight up with the exception of one lock that hangs down. One thing is quite noticeable when he in particular manifests this transformation: his nature is prone to complete change, giving him an almost sadistic sense of mind. This is completely opposite of his natural reluctance and innocence when he is not transformed. The most noted example of this happening is his desire to watch Perfect Cell suffer before he was going to kill him, while prior to ascending to Super Saiyan 2, he made it quite clear that he didn't want to hurt or even fight Cell.

In addition to his battle with Cell, Gohan also used this form to defeat Bojack in Bojack Unbound and to fight Broly in Broly: Second Coming. Famously, he also used it during the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament when Kibito asked him to demonstrate his Super Saiyan powers so that they may lure out Babidi's men; he instead makes the full jump to Super Saiyan 2, only to have Supreme Kai paralyze him so that his power may be drained (and subsequently returned, by Kibito) as to lure out Spopovich and Yamu, and lead them towards Babidi's Spaceship. He also fights Dabura and Majin Buu in this state, but loses to the latter and is nearly killed. In Dragon Ball GT, Gohan also used the form to stop a Baby-possessed Goten from destroying the planet, to fight Vegeta when possessed by Baby, and later to fight Super 17 as well as Omega Shenron. He does not use the state in the rest of the Dragon Ball manga nor anime until Dragon Ball GT. From all of Gohan's Super Saiyan forms, this is easily considered his most powerful form besides his Ultimate Gohan form, which is not a Super Saiyan form. Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 form can be differentiated as an adult in that his Super Saiyan form has one large lock clinging from his head followed by a thin one as opposed to his Super Saiyan 2 form which only has one large lock.

Great Saiyaman

Great Saiyaman
Great Saiyaman and Great Saiyawoman

The Great Saiyaman (グレート サイヤマン, Gurēto Saiyaman; Literally meaning "Great Saiyan Man") was Gohan's alter ego and an attempt to hide his true identity from his classmates when he attended school in Satan City. Great Saiyaman was first born when Gohan transformed himself into a Super Saiyan in order to disguise himself as he fought some bank robbers on the morning on his first day to school. However, his classmates (and in particular, Videl) began to note strange similarities between himself and the mysterious Gold Fighter (as they described his Super Saiyan form). Concerned that his identity might be figured out, but wanting to protect the city from random crime, he approached Bulma and asked her if she could invent a device that could instantly change his appearance. With his new costume ready and easily accessible with the press of a button, he could now protect the city without his identity being easily discovered.

However, despite the new disguise and protection of his identity being discovered, the Great Saiyaman identity still didn't ensure Gohan's identity from being safe. Juggling between his school and superhero life proved to be difficult, and his classmates and teachers noticed that he was gone for a long period of time when he asked for bathroom breaks. Also, Videl proved to be a thorn in Gohan's side, as she was both reluctant to accept assistance from him and most importantly wanted to discover his true identity. At one time, the Great Saiyaman's true identity was in jeopardy of being discovered when he changed from being the Great Saiyaman to his normal form and noticed that his fellow classmate Angela was standing in front of him during his change; however, he was saved when she revealed that she didn't have her contact lenses on at that time and couldn't see anything- and that her big secret about Gohan was the fact that he wears teddy bear underwear.

Gohan's luck ran out when Videl eventually discovered his true identity when she noticed that Gohan had a band-aid to cover up a scratch to the face he received while fighting alongside with her under his disguise. Alternately, in the manga Videl discovers his true identity much sooner. The first time Gohan sneaks out of school to help Videl with some criminals she recognizes his voice (implying he wasn't altering it like in the anime). She then tricked him into revealing his identity by asking "by the way, Gohan...how'd you sneak out of class?", which he responded to honestly before realizing what had happened. However, she promised him that she would not reveal his identity if he promised her two things: To enter in the World Martial Arts Tournament and to teach her how to fly, to which he reluctantly agreed. During the Tournament however, his friends learned of his true identity when they noticed the great similarities between Gohan and the Great Saiyaman (Gohan forgot to put his bandanna on after turning Super Saiyan in anger after seeing Videl's match with Spopovich). Incidentally on the same day, he transformed into a Super Saiyan again at Kibito's behest, confirming to both Videl and his friends that he was also the Gold Fighter as well. Videl then realized that Gohan was the young boy who also competed in the Cell Games tournament, and therefore questioned whether her dad really won the Cell Games Tournament or not (even going so far as to realize that it was Gohan who defeated Super Perfect Cell in the anime).

The name Saiyaman is a reference to his Saiyan heritage. He thought up the name on the spot while confronting two youths who were speeding in a car, and was easily offended when they laughed at his name. Later, the name was frequently mistaken for others, such as "Great Soyman" and "Great Singing Man", further aggravating Gohan. He was also noted for his Entrance Pose (登場 決め ポーズ, Tōjō Kime Pōzu; Literally meaning "Appeared Determined Pose") (comparable to or even more ridiculous than the poses of the Ginyu Force) he would perform when introducing himself, and was generally written off as hilarious or weird. Nonetheless, he was still a respected hero within Satan City. While in this disguise, Gohan can still use his energy-based techniques, such as the Super Explosive Wave and Ki Blast.

Ultimate Gohan

Gohan after his hidden potential is fully unlocked.

Gohan's ultimate power up when the full extent of his dormant power is released during the Fusion Saga. This power up was achieved by a special ceremony performed by Elder Kai. Although technically this ability is not exclusive to Gohan alone as the ceremony can be used to unlock anyone's sleeping powers, his was unusual in the amount of time it took to unlock due to his amazing potential unlike any other person who had undergone this ritual before. When the power is first acquired, he is told to try to go Super Saiyan. However, when Gohan attempts to transform, his hair, aura, and eyes stay his natural color. Only subtle changes in his appearance occur, including more glaring and pronounced facial features and more upright hair. This power up is referred to as Elder Kai's Unlock Ability in the Budokai video game series and Ultimate Gohan (アルティメット 悟飯, Arutimetto Gohan) in the Budokai Tenkaichi video game series. This form was nicknamed Mystic Gohan by fans, with the terms Mightiest Gohan, Final Warrior Gohan, and Chou Gohan being less common. In this form, Gohan's strength easily surpasses all of his other forms. Gohan shows a great amount of power, even being able to match Super Buu after Gotenks and Piccolo were absorbed blow for blow, but was outmatched after Super Buu used Piccolo's wisdom to play mind tricks against him.

The original manga implied that Gohan's Ultimate form surpassed both Goku and Gotenks in their Super Saiyan 3 states. Even in the English anime, where this implication was toned down somewhat, there were still hints present. Perhaps the most notable of which is that Ultimate Gohan completely dominated Super Buu until their fight was interrupted by his self-destruction. Later, when Super Buu had returned to this same form (after being severed from the other Z Warriors he had absorbed in the interim), Goku was still thoroughly convinced that if he and Vegeta fought Super Buu without fusing, they would be defeated easily. Gotenks, while in his Super Saiyan 3 state, also appeared to struggle with this form of Super Buu. Because of this, Ultimate Gohan is regarded by some to be Dragon Ball Z's most powerful fighter who is not created by fusion or absorption. In the movie, Wrath of the Dragon, Gohan is shown "powering up" into his ultimate state on several occasions during the battle against Hirudegarn; he is the only partial Saiyan to not use his Super Saiyan transformation in the movie. This movie was also the last time Gohan used this transformation. In the same movie, Goku in his Super Saiyan 3 state is shown to be more powerful than Gohan in his ultimate form; Ultimate Gohan could not hit Hirudegarn, or block any of his attacks, while Super Saiyan 3 Goku almost single-handedly defeated him. This was partially due to Goku's superior fighting intellect, leading to his discovery of Hirudegarn's weakness (becoming angry whenever it is insulted).

Voice actors

  • Japanese dub: Masako Nozawa
  • Ocean Group dub: Saffron Henderson (Kid through Androids Saga), Jillian Michaels (Cell Games Saga), Brad Swaile (Teen and Adult)
  • FUNimation dub: Stephanie Nadolny (Kid and Teen), Kyle Hebert (Adult), Dameon Clarke (Future Gohan), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Kid in Dragon Ball Z Kai and Kid and Teen in Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2)
  • Latin American dub: Laura Torres (young and teen), Luis Alfonso Mendoza (Adult)
  • German dub: Sandro Blümel (young and teen), Robin Kahnmeyer (adult)[4]
  • Brazilian dub: Fátima Noya (young), Yuri Chesman (teen) Vagner Fagundes (adult)
  • Italian dub: Patrizia Scianca (young), Davide Garbolino (teen and adult)
  • Tagalog, Hiligaynon, and Cebuano dub: Robert Brillantes
  • Hungarian dub: Koltai Judit (young), Csőre Gábor (teen and adult)
  • Portuguese dub: Henrique Feist

Major battles (Anime/Manga)

  • Gohan vs. Raditz
  • Gohan vs. a Saibaman
  • Gohan vs. Nappa
  • Gohan, Yajirobe and Krillin vs. Vegeta
  • Gohan/Great Ape Gohan vs. Vegeta
  • Gohan & Krillin vs. Dodoria
  • Gohan & Krillin vs. Guldo
  • Gohan, Vegeta and Krillin vs. Recoome
  • Gohan, Krillin, Goku (Ginyu's body) and Vegeta vs. Captain Ginyu (Goku's body)
  • Gohan vs. 2nd form Frieza
  • Gohan vs. 3rd form Frieza
  • Gohan vs. Final form Frieza
  • Gohan vs. Vegeta
  • Gohan & Krillin vs. Salt & Mustard
  • Gohan vs. Piccolo
  • Gohan vs. Spice & Vinegar
  • Gohan vs. Super Garlic Jr.
  • Gohan (FPSS) vs. Perfect Cell
  • Gohan (SS2) vs. Cell Jrs (x7)
  • Gohan (SS2) vs. Perfect Cell
  • Gohan (SS2), Vegeta (ASS), Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha & Tien vs. Super Perfect Cell
  • Gohan (SS2) vs. Dabura
  • Gohan (SS2) vs. Fat Buu
  • Ultimate Gohan vs. Super Buu
  • Ultimate Gohan vs. Super Buu (Gotenks absorbed)
  • Gohan vs. Baby Goten
  • Gohan vs. General Rilldo
  • Gohan (SS2), Goten (SS), Trunks (SS), Majuub and Vegeta (SS2) vs. Super 17
  • Gohan (SS2), Goten (SS), Trunks (SS) and Majuub vs. Syn Shenron
  • Gohan (SS2), Goten (SS), Trunks (SS), Vegeta (SS2) vs. Omega Shenron

Major battles (films)

  • Gohan vs. Super Garlic Jr. (Movie 1)
  • Gohan vs. Dr Wheelo (Movie 2)
  • Gohan vs. Lakasei (Movie 3)
  • Gohan vs. Turles (Movie 3)
  • Gohan & Krillin vs. Medamatcha (Movie 4)
  • Gohan & Krillin vs. Salza (Movie 5)
  • Gohan, Krillin, Master Roshi, Yajirobe and Piccolo vs. Cyclopian Guards (Movie 6)
  • Gohan, Goku (SS), Future Trunks (SS), Vegeta (SS) and Piccolo vs. Super 13
  • Gohan (FPSS), Goku (FPSS), Future Trunks (ASS), Vegeta (ASS) and Piccolo vs. Broly (LSS) (Movie 8)
  • Gohan vs. Bujin (Movie 9)
  • Gohan (SS) vs. Bido, Bujin, Zangya and Bojack
  • Gohan (SS2) vs. Full-Power Bojack
  • Gohan (SS2) vs. Broly (SS, LSS) (Movie 10)
  • Gohan (SS2), Goten (SS), Goku (SS) and Trunks vs. Broly (LSS) (Movie 10)
  • Gohan vs. Final form Frieza (Movie 12)
  • Gohan, Goten, Trunks and Videl vs. Incomplete Hirudegarn (Movie 13)
  • Ultimate Gohan, Goku (SS3), Vegeta (SS2), Tapion, Trunks (SS), Goten (SS) & Gotenks vs. Hirudegarn
  • Gohan (SS) vs. Turles (Plan to destroy the Saiyans)
  • Gohan (SS), Goku (SS), Future Trunks (SS), Vegeta (SS) and Piccolo vs. Hatchiyack (Plan to destroy the Saiyans)

Reception

In 1993, Gohan placed first in an official Shonen Jump character popularity poll; the closest Dragon Ball character to rank behind him, Goku, took fifth.[5] Due to the popularity of Gohan, other merchandise, such as action figures, video games, and clothing have featured Gohan in Japan and in various countries around the world. In an interview featured in the second Dragon Ball GT Perfect Files, a companion book released in December 1997 by Shueisha's Jump Comics Selection imprint, Masako Nozawa, Gohan's seiyu, stated that her favorite episode voicing Gohan was "Sorry, Robot-san - The Desert of Vanishing Tears", an episode originally cut from the American release of Dragon Ball Z.[6] Saffron Henderson, Gohan's original Ocean Group voice actor, has stated she felt protective of the role and considers it to be one of her favorites.[7]

IGN's writer, D. F. Smith, liked how during the Cell Games Gohan has more screentime than Goku, and praised his scenes as one the biggest moments from such story arc.[8] Theron Martin from Anime News Network celebrated Gohan's development in the Cell Games as he has grown up and has become stronger.[9]

Trivia

  • In the FUNimation dub, Gohan was originally intended to be named either Einstein or Archimedes by Chi-Chi. Alternatively, some of Ox King's name suggestions included Ox King Jr., Ox Monkey, Big Ox, Oxford, Ox in the Box, Ox Man and Johnny Oxseed.[10]
  • Gohan is the only male character to start out as a child and grow up and have his child appear in the same series (Goku grew up in Dragon Ball, but Gohan did not appear until Dragon Ball Z).
  • Gohan's tail is cut off three times in the anime (twice by Piccolo and once by Vegeta) before it stops growing back. Piccolo removing it for the second time (along with the transformation that accompanied it) was anime-only filler where the spaceship Goku flew in, which was in the mountains before being found by a nearby Grandpa Gohan, magically appeared in the middle of a desert. This is considered to be one of the biggest plot holes in Toei's anime series by fans.
  • Consecutively, Gohan has stayed transformed the longest as a Super Saiyan/Super Saiyan 2, clocking up a total of 29 episodes.
  • Gohan's battle against Bojack in the movie, Bojack Unbound, is very similar to his battle against Perfect Cell. Gohan fights both villains as a Full-Power Super Saiyan, but is easily dominated until he transforms into a Super Saiyan 2, he destroys both villains' henchmen with simple attacks that rips apart their bodies and cause them to explode (though while he destroys the Cell Jrs., he only destroys Bujin and Bido, as Kogu was already killed by Future Trunks and Zangya was killed by Bojack when he blasted an energy attack through her at Gohan), he dominates both villains while easily withstanding their most powerful attacks, and he eventually kills both through a energy beam struggle. However, Bojack’s death in the beam struggle took only a few seconds, while Super Perfect Cell’s death in his beam struggle took a whole episode.
  • There is a discrepancy regarding Gohan's age between the manga and anime. The manga states that he is 16 after the seven-year gap following the Cell Games, while the anime's continuity indicates that he is 17 (chronologically) or 18 (biologically).[11]
  • During the Cell Saga, Gohan has a dream about Cell killing Chi-Chi and Piccolo inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber; However, he previously stated to his father that he didn't know what Cell looked like when Goku asked him to imagine Cell killing all his friends so he can achieve Super Saiyan form for the first time.
  • Gohan's alter ego super hero "The Great Saiyaman" was originally from a movie "Tigerman versus Saiyaman" shown in the Dr. Slump chapter Hello!. The original Saiyaman looked nothing like Gohan's version.
  • During Gohan's fight with Super Buu (after he absorbed Gotenks and Piccolo), Gohan and Super Buu both assume Goku and Vegeta’s fighting stances; Gohan takes Goku’s fighting stance and Super Buu takes Vegeta’s fighting stance.
  • In the Cell Saga, when Gohan became a normal Super Saiyan, his hair doesn't stick up like Goku's or Vegeta's Super Saiyan hair would. However, when he became a Super Saiyan 2, all of his hair would stick up on end, except for one, which hangs in front of his face. This is usually thought of as Toriyama's attempt to differentiate Gohan's Super Saiyan 2 transformation further, just as he had Trunks tie his long hair in a ponytail before the Ultra Super Saiyan transformation was performed.
  • At 11 episodes, Gohan's battle with Cell is one of the longest battles in the entire series, second only to Goku's fight with Frieza, which spanned 19.
  • Gohan is seen wearing Goku's clothes or a gi similar to Goku's in all of his main ages - As a kid, he wore it when training with Piccolo, as a teen, he wore it in the movie, Bojack Unbound and as an adult, he wore during the fight with Super Buu up until the death of Kid Buu (Future Gohan also wears a similar gi).
  • Gohan is the only Z Fighter active throughout the entire Dragon Ball Z series who does not die until the Buu Saga, and even then, his death comes after most of the other Z Fighters had died multiple times already.
  • Gohan's "Hidden power" is awakened no less than 3 times over the course of Dragonball Z. First by the Eldest Namek, then in the fight against Cell, and then finally again by the Elder Kai. A possible reason for this was Toriyama was pressured to keep the manga going and each time he thought it was the end, he released Gohan's hidden power again and again to the point where it was making story inconsistencies.
  • In volume 1 of the DragonBall Z manga, Piccolo reffers to Raditz as "Raggedy Saiyaman". Saiyaman is what Gohan calls his superhero self.
  • After defeating Super Perfect Cell, Gohan did not win any major battles. NOTE: He fought Super Buu, but the fight was not finished as Buu fled for one hour only to return and absorb Piccolo and Gotenks.
  • Gohan is the only saiyan character to have a tail and not be a full blooded saiyan. Akira Toryama stated that tails on a hybrid saiyan is a recessive trait. On the other hand, this might be due to Akira Toryama not having this trait fit into the storyline for characters such as Trunks and Goten.
  • It is unknown if Gohan is able to transform into a Super Saiyan in his ultimate state. But, this is implied in video games and in the series.
  • In Dragon Ball Z Kai, while Gohan was fighting Nappa, Vegeta accidently said Gohan's power level was 23,000 instead of 2,300.

References