Son Gohan

Lore & Background

Akira Toriyama originally aimed for Gohan to succeed Goku as the series' protagonist, but that idea was scrapped in the manga's final arc. Nevertheless, Toriyama used him as a lead in the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, to reuse his dynamic with Piccolo. The film reveals the full awakening of Gohan's power through yet another instance of pure rage. This "Beast" form (孫 悟飯・ビースト, Son Gohan Bīsuto) is a culmination of his history of volcanic awakenings throughout his life.

Toriyama feared it would come across as scary due to his angry expression, but tried balancing it with the hair, ultimately settling on a more simplistic approach. The movie is meant to change the focus of overpowered characters like Goku and Vegeta against Broly in the previous film, and instead focus on Gohan and Piccolo as leads and thus bringing a change of pace. One of the main fights is between Gohan and Gamma 1, which takes place during the rain.

Director Tetsuro Kodama found that this setting would be appealing. The narrative will further explore human drama, most notably the characterization of Gohan being a warrior as well as a scholar at the same time. Toriyama said that he wanted the plot to focus on the dynamic between Gohan and Piccolo due to how their close relationship is the one thing that motivates the former even more than his father, Goku, to be determined to fight.

Reader's Guide

Gohan is the eldest son of Goku and Chi-Chi, evolving from a timid child into a powerful scholar-warrior. His arc in Dragon Ball Super focuses on reclaiming his martial arts prowess after years of academic focus, proving that intellect and strength can coexist. His most recent power is the Beast form, an evolution of his Ultimate state with white-grey hair, red eyes and a massive surge in power, triggered by traumatic anger. This transformation represents his emotional intensity and raw potential, allowing him to contend with god-level threats. Key moments include his childhood victory over Cell and the Beast form he unlocks against Cell Max in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Did You Know?

• 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.
• Masako Nozawa, who also voices Goku, revealed that she did not know she would be playing Gohan until receiving the script on the day of recording his debut episode.
• Gohan was the third youngest Saiyan to achieve the Super Saiyan transformation at the age of nine.
• Gohan becomes the first Saiyan in the series to become a Super Saiyan 2 during his battle against Cell.
• In the English dub of Dragon Ball GT produced by Blue Water Studios, distributed in Canada, he was voiced by Scott Roberts.