Son Gohan (孫悟飯, Son Gohan) is a main character in Dragon Ball.
A Saiyan-hāfu, Gohan is the first-born son of Son Goku and Chi-Chi and is introduced as a spoiled toddler with an unfathomable amount of hidden potential. Unlike his father, Gohan is a brilliant scholar and lacks a passion for fighting, but due to the various threats to the Earth, he spends much of his life participating in its defense, often helping to turn the tides when the dormant depths of his power are unleashed.
Gohan is initially trained by his father's former nemesis Piccolo, before training together with Goku in the Room of Spirit and Time, and later under the Eastern Kaiōshin in the sacred Kaiōshin Realm, having his latent capacities unlocked twice and ultimately becoming one of the strongest characters in the series.
Possessing a bottomless[6] amount of hidden potential awakened by his rage, Gohan is the first to unlock a level beyond Super Saiyan and is among the most well-known characters of the series. He is the brother of Son Goten, husband of Videl and father of the quarter-Saiyan Pan.[9]
Appearance
Childhood
Adolescence
Adult Years
Color Schemes
Personality
History
Background
Dragon Ball
Saiyan Arc
The Arrival of Raditz
Training with Piccolo
Saiyan Invasion
Freeza Arc
Journey to Namek
Race for the Dragon Balls
The Ginyu Special Squad
Showdown with Freeza
The Mysterious Youth
Artificial Humans Arc
Cell Arc
The Room of Spirit and Time
Emergence
The Cell Game Begins
Explosion of Anger
Majin Boo Arc
Satan City's High School
The 25th Tenka’ichi Budōkai
Bobbidi and Majin Boo
Training in the Kaiōshin Realm
Ultimate Gohan
The Grand Finale
Gods of the Universe Arc
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Epilogue
Abilities
Power
Techniques
The most basic application of ki. It is a technique that materializes the body’s internal energy outside the body, shooting it off. The way to refer to it varies by person. Throughout the story, it is mainly referred to as "energy wave", "energy bullet", or the like, but these are all the same technique. Also, the effect and size varies based on the amount of ki used.
Raising the palms of his hands in front of his forehead, Gohan gathers ki. It is a ki manipulation technique where after doing that, he then thrusts out both hands at his opponent and fires a bundle of ki. It is one of the techniques which Piccolo taught to Gohan in order to make him an adult warrior, in preparation for the battle with Nappa and Vegeta. It is essentially in the same family of techniques as the Kamehameha, and only the pose for gathering ki is different.
By emitting ki from the entire body, one moves as if fluttering through the air. It is a basic ki manipulation technique, on par with the ki blast. Gohan learned this technique through training with Piccolo. The speed the user moves through the air with Bukujutsu is related to their level of skill and the extent of their ki.
Gohan can transfer his own ki to others.
A ki manipulation technique thought up by Kame-Sen'nin. Gohan condenses ki into one point and then fires it with two hands. When his arm is broken by Cell, Gohan uses this technique with only one hand. The technique’s force changes based on the strength of its user’s ki, and if mastered it also becomes possible to control its force.
As lightning strikes around him, Gohan begins concentrating ki into his fingertips, before holding his index and middle fingers to his forehead. He then brings his charging arm forward (holding it with his other arm to support it) and fires it out in the form of a screw. As the kind of technique that concentrates ki into a single point, its force is enough to pierce through the opponent’s body. It possesses considerable destructive and piercing power, but it has the weakness that it requires time to gather ki.
Transformations
Great Monkey
The Great Monkey (大猿, Ōzaru) transformation occurs when a person with Saiyan heritage and a tail absorbs enough Bruits Waves through the eyes, usually from looking at a full moon (or an equal substitute, such as Vegeta's "Power Ball" technique, which mixes with the planet's oxygen). This stimulates a reaction in the tail, enabling a seemingly unavoidable transformation.[12] Due to his own Saiyan blood inherited from his father Goku, Gohan was born with a tail, the only known half-Saiyan in the series shown to be born with one, and as such, he possessed the ability to transform into a Great Monkey. When transformed, his power was multiplied tenfold, but because the boy had never received any proper training, Gohan lost all form of mental control, becoming a primal beast. However, during the fight against Vegeta, Goku and Kuririn's words were able to reach Gohan enough to regain some rational thought and focus solely on Vegeta.
This form is Gohan's least utilized transformation, and he has only been seen transforming twice as ultimately, his tail was permanently removed.
Super Saiyan
Super Saiyan (
Gohan became a Super Saiyan at nine years of age (ten if including the months spent in the Room of Spirit and Time), during the intense training he endured with his father to help him ascend. Gohan obtained the form with more ease than his Saiyan peers at the time due to inheriting a large number of S-Cells from Goku,[13] as well as his prodigious nature. At the time, he was the youngest to appear as a Super Saiyan until the appearance of his brother, Son Goten, who accessed the state effortlessly at the age of seven. In this state, Gohan's capacities are increased either 10-fold[15] or 50-fold,[16] his musculature grows more defined, while his eyes become sterner and green, his hair turns blond while standing up more with no loose strands, and energy is manifested as a golden aura.
When he first attained the form, Gohan had notable trouble sustaining it and quickly reverted to his base state, physically drained.[17] Sometime later in the Room, Gohan was seen freely transforming into the Super Saiyan form and utilizing it to train. However, when he reverted back to his base state, he was still notably tired.[18] Gohan would later go on to master the Super Saiyan form alongside his father, resulting in Super Saiyan Full Power (
In the original manga and Dragon Ball Z anime, it is left uncertain whether Gohan still has access to the form after having his potential unleashed by the Elder Kaiōshin, due to his power already being well beyond the previous limits that Super Saiyan alone would provide via his new Ultimate power; additionally, the Elder Kaioshin's instructions to Gohan on tapping into the Ultimate form[19] and Ultimate Gohan's subsequent battle with Super Boo seemingly suggest the replacement of Super Saiyan.
Super Saiyan 2
Super Saiyan 2 (
He awakened this transformation for the very first time when a larger portion of his dormant power was awakened during his battle with Cell, as the villain had plunged him deep into a corner he would have been unable to escape from otherwise, slowly working Son Gohan to his last nerve by assaulting the rest of the Dragon Team. However, what ultimately drew the boy to the brink was the destruction of Artificial Human No. 16. In this form, the most obvious alteration in comparison to his first transformation is his hair, which lengthens considerably and stands up straight, with all but a single long lock of hair hanging down and framing one side of his face. Gohan also develops a greater muscle structure and gains an explosive aura that is also present with consistent surges of electricity.
In the form's debut, Gohan is seen to have undergone a significant alteration in terms of his overall personality. While otherwise a pacifist, he garners incredible confidence in his battle with Cell, to the point where he even begins to ignore the advice of the members of the Dragon Team, who had instructed him to finish off the bio-artificial human swiftly; instead, he opts to draw out the battle for as long as possible, so as to make Cell suffer for his past actions.[21] Thereafter, Gohan shows greater control over his emotions while encompassing the form in his later usages of it, as seen during his battles with Dabra and Majin Boo, respectively. If Gohan does not continue to regularly train, it will become much more difficult to transform.
In the anime, Gohan had already instinctively stumbled upon this power while training with Goku in the Room of Spirit and Time, leading him to believe that Gohan was the only one who could defeat Cell. As with Super Saiyan, the status of Super Saiyan 2's accessibility after Gohan has his potential unleashed in the original manga and anime becomes nebulous.
In the Dragon Ball Super anime, after retraining under Piccolo, Gohan regained access to Super Saiyan 2 and could fight his master evenly despite Piccolo's own increase of power.
Ultimate
Ultimate (アルティメット（究極), Arutimetto) is a distinct transformation achieved after having his potential unleashed by the Elder Kaiōshin through his potential unlocking ritual.
By powering up as if going Super Saiyan, but with the inclusion of a kiai,[19] Gohan successfully taps into this new power. When accessing this form, Gohan experiences subtle differences, looking mostly identical to his normal base state but with slightly more upright and rigid hair, sterner, fully-outlined eyes,[22] and the addition of a lock of hair hanging down over his forehead in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and the Dragon Ball Super anime. In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, when transforming into Ultimate Gohan, the form is visually distinguishable from his base state, his messy hair spiking upwards like a Super Saiyan's and featuring the singular lock of hair upon transforming.
In the original Dragon Ball manga and Dragon Ball Z anime, the power-up is introduced as a permanent change[a] that allows Gohan to use the full depths of his power at its highest level without the need for transformations in order to access it, thus eliminating any limitations on Gohan's body, and, most importantly, the anger or the loss of energy typically required to sustain his forms,[2] thus eliminating the need for transforming. In addition to the Elder Kaiōshin's unlock ability granting full access to all his developed capacities, Gohan is capable of pushing his power well past those levels, as in this transformation, the full extent of his dormant capacities are fully released for him to use at his fingertips by simply raising his ki.[23] As Ultimate is a harnessed manifestation of his natural power, Gohan can maintain this form indefinitely throughout his daily life unhindered.[b]
Ultimate Gohan demonstrated his incredible new power by easily overpowering Super Boo,[24] a stronger version of the Boo that had nearly killed him earlier, and a foe that the incredibly powerful Super Saiyan 3 Gotenks was near even with. However, he was soon overwhelmed by the Majin with Gotenks and Piccolo's absorbed might due to his superior combat skills inherited from the latter, and his use of mind games to systematically wear him down.[25] In the anime, Ultimate Gohan was able to compete much better against the Gotenks and Piccolo-absorbed Super Boo. After Gotenks' fusion ran out from within Boo, the Majin's loss in power was enough to tip the scales in Ultimate Gohan’s favor.[26]
Starting with 2013's Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods and its sequel Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F', the Ultimate form is seemingly depicted as a non-permanent transformation that Gohan can access when needed.[27] If he does not continue to keep up his peak performance after the initial release, he is susceptible to losing his battle instincts, and thus, losing access to the Ultimate form and resulting in a gradual weakening over time.[28] However, they can be regained either through proper training or quickly through enough rage.[11]
In Battle of Gods, Gohan initially appeared in his normal base state before transforming into Ultimate Gohan in an attempt to restrain God of Destruction Beerus. Curiously, he remains in the form for the rest of the film, although he is briefly shown being able to transform into a Super Saiyan and revert to Ultimate when performing the Super Saiyan God ritual. In Resurrection 'F', having since retired from fighting completely and slacked off in his training, Gohan became unable to use Ultimate and instead was forced to rely on Super Saiyan.
In Dragon Ball Super, through training with Piccolo, Gohan regained his battle instincts and access to Ultimate, allowing him to go toe-to-toe with god-level opponents such as his father,[29] Toppo,[30] and the fusion Kefla.[31]
In Super Hero, it is revealed that despite keeping himself physically fit to fight, Gohan's lack of warrior drive made him unable to properly use his Ultimate form. However, when Piccolo pretended that Pan was in danger, Gohan regained his battle instincts and transformed into Ultimate Gohan once again, releasing enough force to split the clouds and allowing him to physically overpower Gamma 1, who, according to Piccolo, possessed power comparable to that of Goku and Vegeta in their Super Saiyan Blue forms.[11] While in this form, his senses were improved, as he no longer required his glasses to properly see. While fighting Cell Max, he could only access this form when he maxed out his power, requiring a significant amount of energy due to his diminished state.[11]
Beast
Son Gohan Beast[32] (孫悟飯・ビースト, Son Gohan Bīsuto)[33], or simply Beast,[34] is an evolution of the Ultimate form unique to Gohan awakened through rage as a result of witnessing Piccolo's apparent death at Cell Max's hand. It is based on the awakening of his powers and is the final culmination of his history of volcanic awakenings throughout his life (the "wild beast", per Toriyama). Whis refers to Beast a singular talent Gohan achieved on his own, without the use of Super Saiyan or divine energy.[35] In this form, Gohan's eyebrows turn white, while his hair turns light gray and lengthens and lengthens considerably, bearing a resemblance to his old Super Saiyan 2 hairstyle as a boy. His eyes become fully red with black pupils. Gohan's power is such that he effortlessly withstands a full power punch from Cell Max and defeats him without much difficulty.
Through further training with Piccolo, Gohan learned to better control himself while in the form,[34] molding his near limitless potential into Beast. The full potency of this form can only be achieved by using rage to swell the user's ki, and then retaining control.[35]
Creation and Development
Gohan's name comes from the Japanese word "gohan" (ご飯, lit. "cooked rice" or "meal of any sort"), a continuation of the naming scheme of foods by Toriyama. Rice, being a grain, is not normally considered a vegetable, even though it is a common food. However, as the word "vegetable" is a culinary term and not a botanical term, the name can also continue the naming scheme for Saiyan characters, which derives names from puns on vegetables. With the ending of the Cell arc, Gohan was meant to replace his father as the protagonist. However, Toriyama later decided against it, finding the character unsuited for the role in comparison to his father.[36] In conceptualizing Gohan's design for the Majin Boo arc, Toriyama originally included glasses, a hat, or a jacket to his apparel.[37]
In contrast to Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Gohan and Piccolo were made the main focus of the film Super Hero. The film was meant to change the focus of overpowered characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Broly from Broly and instead focus on Gohan and Piccolo as leads to bring a change of pace. The narrative further explored human drama, most notably the characterization of Gohan being a warrior as well as a scholar at the same time.[38] Toriyama stated that he wanted the plot to focus on the dynamic between Gohan and Piccolo due to how their close relationship was the one thing that motivates the former even more than his father, Goku, in order to be determined to fight.[39] Toriyama attempted to draw Gohan Beast with a "scary face" and pale skin, but finding this did not fit his character, tried balancing it with the hair, ultimately settling on a more simplistic approach with upturned hair.[33]
Notes
- ↑ As seen in Chapter 514, where Gohan is shown still being in the form after having been killed and resurrected, as well in Chapter 517 and 518, which feature an older Gohan still in the form despite having retired from fighting.
- ↑ As seen in the final chapters of the manga, where Gohan is shown functioning without any noticeable discomfort.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 7: Dragon Ball Large Encyclopedia. Japan: Shueisha, 05 February 1996. ISBN 4-08-782757-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "VARIETY OF DB – Anime Edition: The Super Saiyan Pedigree". Dragon Ball Supplemental Daizenshuu: TV Animation Part 3. Japan: Shueisha, 10 July 1996. ISBN 4-08-102019-1. (p. 92)
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z: Sparking! METEOR, 2007
- ↑ Dragon Ball Kai Episode 142: Boo is Overwhelmed! Ultimate Gohan’s Super Power!!
- ↑ "V Jump", on Twitter.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "PERSONAL HISTORY/GROWING UP". Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 2: Story Guide. Japan: Shueisha, 04 August 1995. ISBN 4-08-782752-6.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Character Collection: Heroes Collection 2 – Son Gohan". Dragon Ball Super Exciting Guide: Character Volume. Japan: Shueisha, 03 April 2009. ISBN 978-4-08-874804-7. (pp. 8-9)
- ↑ "RACIAL GROUPS". Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 4: World Guide. Japan: Shueisha, 04 October 1995. ISBN 4-08-782754-2.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Chapter 518: And So, After 10 Years (p. 1)
- ↑ Dragon Ball Super Episode 31: To Lord Zuno! Ask About the Location of the Super Dragon Balls!
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022)
- ↑ "Transformations Guide - Saiyan", DaizenshuuEX.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Toriyama's Saiyan Q&A
- ↑ Saikyō Jump, January 2018 Issue (01 December 2017)
- ↑ "The Truth About the 'Dragon Ball' Manga". Dragon Ball Super Exciting Guide: Story Volume. Japan: Shueisha, 04 March 2009. ISBN 978-4-08-874803-0.
- ↑ "SON GOKU: TRAJECTORY OF BATTLE POWER GROWTH". Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 7: Dragon Ball Large Encyclopedia. Japan: Shueisha, 05 February 1996. ISBN 4-08-782757-7. (pp. 82-83)
- ↑ Chapter 382 (p. 8)
- ↑ Chapter 387 (pp. 5-7)
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Chapter 496 (p. 4)
- ↑ "Dragon Ball Z TV Special 02 Film Anime Comics", 31 May 1993.
- ↑ Chapter 411 (p. 3)
- ↑ Chapter 496 (p. 6)
- ↑ Chapter 497 (p. 7)
- ↑ Chapter 497 (pp. 8-13)
- ↑ Chapters 500-501
- ↑ Chapter 502 (p. 10)
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (2013)
- ↑ Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' (2015)
- ↑ Dragon Ball Super Episode 90: Facing the Wall that Must be Overcome! Goku vs Gohan
- ↑ Dragon Ball Super Episode 122: Staking His Pride! Vegeta Challenges the Strongest!!
- ↑ Dragon Ball Super Chapters 38-39
- ↑ "Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo English", on Twitter.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Todd Blankenship [@Herms98] (28 June 2022), "Herms' translation of Toriyama's comment", on Twitter.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Dragon Ball Super Chapter 102: Son Goku vs. Son Gohan
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Dragon Ball Super Chapter 103: An Inheritance to the Future
- ↑ "Akira Toriyama Super Interview: 2nd Round — The Unpredictable Story". Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 2: Story Guide. Japan: Shueisha, 04 August 1995. ISBN 4-08-782752-6.
- ↑ Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 4: World Guide. Japan: Shueisha, 04 October 1995. ISBN 4-08-782754-2.
- ↑ Joseph Brogan (04 January 2022), "Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroes interview confirms Gohan and Piccolo as main characters", SportsKeeda.
- ↑ Abheet Gupta (28 May 2022), "Dragon Ball Super: Gohan Is The Strongest, Says Akira Toriyama".