In the expansive universe of Dragon Ball, themes of strength, relentless training, and transformation have always taken center stage. However, amidst the action-packed battles and cataclysmic threats, a profound narrative of injustice unfolds.Gohan, the gentle offspring of Goku and Chi-Chi, emerged as a remarkable fighter, possessing immense potential that those around him relentlessly sought to unlock—often at great cost.
From his initial introduction, Gohan found himself grappling with two conflicting identities. On one side was the boy enamored with learning and tranquility, while the other was the formidable warrior everyone expected him to become. What is particularly unsettling about his journey is the continuous neglect of his own desires.Time and again, Gohan was portrayed as a last resort, a hidden weapon to be deployed in times of crisis.
10 Raditz Saga: Thrust into Battle Without Choice
Thrown into a War Before He Knew What Fear Was
At the tender age of four, Gohan was thrust onto the battlefield when Raditz made his menacing entrance. Clumsy and fearful, he was unaware of the power lurking within. However, when backed into a corner, his latent energy erupted, striking a blow against Raditz. Yet, this fleeting moment of triumph was met with silence. No one checked in on his emotional state or provided guidance on processing these overwhelming experiences.He was simply a frightened child, exploding in anger, while adults around him viewed it as just a valuable asset.
9 Piccolo’s Training: Tough Love or Just Tough?
Left Alone to Survive in the Wilderness
After Goku’s untimely demise, Piccolo became Gohan’s reluctant mentor. Their relationship, significant yet fraught, began under the banner of survival rather than nurturing. While this training forged Gohan into a formidable fighter, it also etched deep emotional scars. Gohan often cried himself to sleep and resorted to self-talk for comfort. As Piccolo rigorously trained him, it prioritized discipline over compassion, neglecting to recognize the emotional toll on a five-year-old child.They needed a warrior as the world spiraled into chaos, leaving no room to ensure Gohan’s well-being.
8 Saiyan Saga: Sent to Combat Nappa and Vegeta
A Child on the Front Lines
Gohan, despite his young age, found himself fighting on the front lines against the formidable Nappa and Vegeta. While Krillin, Tien, and others were engaged in the fierce battle, Gohan—trembling with fear—was unceremoniously thrust into the chaotic fray.
Although he demonstrated moments of audacity, showcasing his ability to fight back, the underlying issue was his premature exposure to such violence.His capabilities seemed to be treated like a mere switch, summoning his power only in dire need, oblivious to the emotional safety he required.
7 Namek Saga: The Kid Who Had to Mature Quickly
Saving a Planet While No One Asked If He Was Okay
The Namek saga thrust Gohan into an environment rife with peril, under constant threat from Frieza’s forces and the Ginyu Force. Although Gohan exhibited moments of agency—standing up against injustices and assisting Dende—his reality remained that of an unwitting child in a war zone.
Reflecting on a moment from the Saiyan saga, Gohan’s tears over Piccolo’s death is almost the sole instance where his age is validated. However, by that point, he had already become a tool honed for battle—more potent yet stripped of the innocence that should have known no warfare.No one ever seemed to recognize that he should not have had to bear such burdens.
6 Cell Games: The Ultimate Weapon Unleashed
A Hidden Power Provoked
The Cell Games marked a critical turning point for Gohan. Over the years, Goku fostered the belief that Gohan possessed untapped strength, leading to a grueling period of training. Despite his reluctance to become a fighter, Goku ultimately forced him into a direct confrontation with Cell.
Gohan vehemently expressed his wish to abstain from fighting, but his pleas went unheard. Goku’s smile signified optimism, while the rest observed in anticipation as Gohan faced agony inflicted on his comrades—each moment forcibly coaxed out his rage.His inherent worth was never the focus; it was only how much destruction he was capable of when sufficiently provoked.
Following the critical moment when Android 16’s demise spurred Gohan to transcend, his transformation came at unimaginable costs: innocence, self-worth, and perhaps an even deeper sense of self. Victory in battle never provided solace, as he emerged merely as a weapon fulfilling a destined role.
5 Majin Buu Arc: The Burden of “Great Saiyaman” and Beyond
The Hero They Wanted, Not the Life He Chose
As time went on, Gohan attempted to carve out a different existence, filled with friends and a commitment to education, even donning an unconventional superhero costume. For a short time, it felt as though he could attain normalcy.
However, the emergence of the Buu arc shattered that illusion, dragging him back into a reality that seemed only to recognize his power. Questions arose regarding his strength and training, putting undue pressure on Gohan to conform to the expectations of saviors past.
The revelation of his “Mystic” form was heralded as a triumphant return, symbolizing a corrective turn of events.Yet behind this newfound strength lay a young man increasingly aware that his identity and humanity were secondary to the sheer force he exerted in battles to save the world.
4 Resurrection ‘F’: The Stigma of Not Being Prepared
Shamed for Putting Peace Over Power
In the Resurrection ‘F’ saga, Frieza’s return towers once more over Gohan’s life. Faced with the expectations from friends and allies, he was unprepared, his previous strength seemingly diminished. The disappointment was palpable, as Gohan faced introspection about the sacrifices he made for a peaceful life.
One poignant moment illustrated his inner conflict; Gohan struggled to ascend to his powerful form, showcasing the enormous pressure weighing him down. He did not fight fueled by pride but by an overwhelming sense of inadequacy.Here, he was not merely a warrior; he was a son and father grappling with feelings of failure and responsibility.
3 Dragon Ball Super: The Burden of Guilt and the Rigors of Responsibility
Scholar by Choice, Warrior by Obligation
Throughout the span of Dragon Ball Super, Gohan’s internal struggle becomes evident as he navigates between his aspirations as a scholar and the societal demands on him as a fighter. Constant reminders from those around him hint that with dedicated training, he could rival Goku’s strength, and his eventual return to combat was interpreted as a necessary redemption.
However, this notion was fundamentally flawed. Gohan was never at fault; he yearned for a role beyond the battlefield—one that allowed him to safeguard others through knowledge and intellect.A tragedy lingers in the reality that he cannot fulfill this desire, and that poignant narrative remains largely unexplored.
2 Tournament of Power: The Quiet Leader
An Underrated Leader
During the Tournament of Power, Gohan emerged as a leader, designing strategies and fostering unity among his team. His impressive power was certainly noteworthy, but it was his leadership qualities that distinguished him in moments of crisis.
Yet, criticism persisted. Whether from fans or peers, Gohan was often viewed as a disappointment, held in comparison to his earlier self—the child who unleashed his fury in combat.Despite his growth, he continued being viewed through the lens of past expectations, rendered a mere benchmark rather than celebrated for his evolution.
1 Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – The Reluctant Backup
The Last Resort When Everyone Fails
In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Gohan is thrust back into combat out of necessity when tragedy befalls Piccolo and Pan. Upon channeling his latent strength, he uncovers a new transformation that leads to his victory. Yet, it is sobering to note that he remains a mere contingency.Piccolo’s echoing belief that Gohan harbors unparalleled potential becomes a painful reminder that his value is only acknowledged in moments of crisis—not as a person, but as an unleashed force.
The weight of expectations transforms him into a safety net, a final option in dire circumstances. Regardless of his age or earnest attempts to forge a different life, society continues to define him by his power alone.
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