Great Saiyaman Arc

Lore & Background

Son Gohan, the elder son of Goku and Chi-Chi, was created by Akira Toriyama and first appeared in Weekly Shōnen Jump on October 8, 1988. His name derives from the Japanese word for 'cooked rice,' continuing a naming scheme based on food items. Initially trained by Piccolo after his father’s death, Gohan possesses immense hidden potential that only manifests through rage or distress. Toriyama originally intended for Gohan to succeed Goku as the protagonist after the Cell arc but scrapped this idea, finding him unsuited compared to his father. Instead, Gohan focused on academics under Chi-Chi’s strict guidance until Earth faced new threats. He later became a lead in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, reuniting with Piccolo to face new enemies and unlocking a 'Beast' form through pure rage.

In Their Own Story

Gohan’s narrative arc begins with his debut in chapter #196, where he is raised by Chi-Chi to prioritize schooling over martial arts. When threats emerge, she reluctantly allows him to fight. His first major power awakening occurs during a short fight with Raditz, followed by unlocking potential via the Namekian Grand Elder and later the Old Kaiō-shin. As a Half-Saiyan, he can transform into an Oozaru until his tail is cut by Piccolo or Vegeta. At age nine, training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he becomes the first Saiyan to achieve Super Saiyan 2 during his battle against Cell. Post-Cell Games, Gohan stops training and weakens but later regains strength under Piccolo’s tutelage before the Tournament of Power. In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, directed by Tetsuro Kodama, Gohan faces Gamma 1 in the rain and unlocks the 'Beast' form, a culmination of his volcanic awakenings.

Reader's Guide

Fans can track Gohan’s growth through specific turning points: his debut in October 1988, training with Piccolo, and unlocking potential twice (Grand Elder and Old Kaiō-shin). His Super Saiyan 2 transformation at age nine against Cell is a critical moment. Post-Cell, his lack of training causes weakness, but he eventually combats God-level foes like Golden Frieza and stalemates Kefla in the manga. In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the focus shifts to Gohan and Piccolo’s dynamic, with Toriyama noting their relationship motivates Gohan more than Goku does. Voice actor Masako Nozawa voiced Gohan in all Japanese media, while English dubs featured Saffron Henderson (child), Jillian Michaels (late Cell arc), Brad Swaile (adult), Stephanie Nadolny (Funimation child), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Kai child), and Kyle Hebert (adult).

Did You Know?

• Gohan’s name comes from the Japanese word 'gohan,' meaning cooked rice or a meal.
• Masako Nozawa did not know she would voice Gohan until receiving the script on his debut episode recording day.
• Gohan became the first Saiyan to achieve Super Saiyan 2 during his battle against Cell at age nine.
• In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Director Tetsuro Kodama chose a rainy setting for the fight between Gohan and Gamma 1 because he found it appealing.
• Saffron Henderson, Gohan’s original English voice actor, felt protective of the role but found performing as him 'tiring' due to the loud volumes required.