Gohan

Son Gohan
Dragon Ball character
Son Gohan by Akira ToriyamaFirst appearance Dragon Ball chapter 196
Dragon Ball Z episode 1
Last appearance Dragon Ball chapter 519
Dragon Ball GT episode 64
Voiced by See Voice actorsProfile
Date of birth May 11, 757 A.D.[1]Known relatives Son Goku (father)
Chi Chi (mother)
Son Goten (brother)
Videl (wife)
Pan (daughter)
Ox King (maternal grandfather)
Bardock (paternal grandfather)
Raditz (uncle)Information
Japanese name ? ??
Romaji
Son Gohan
Anime name Gohan
Manga name Son Gohan
Alternate names The Great Saiyaman
The Gold Fighter
Son Gohan (? ???, addressed only as Gohan in most English adaptations) is a fictional character from the Dragon Ball universe created by Akira Toriyama as a protagonist for the media franchise, which consists of a series of manga, anime, soundtracks, movies, television specials, video games, and other collectibles. Gohan is introduced as the first son of the primary protagonist, Son Goku, and his wife, Chi Chi, in volume #17 of the original manga, or the premiere episode of its animated adaptation, Dragon Ball Z. Gohan is the first Saiyan/Human hybrid in the series.
Contents

• 1 Creation and conception
• 2 Appearance
• 3 Plot overview
o 3.1 Future Gohan
• 4 Voice actors
• 5 Abilities
• 6 In other media




[edit] Creation and conception


Early concept art of a teenage Gohan.
Gohan's name comes from the Japanese word "gohan" (???, lit. "cooked rice" or "meal of any sort"), is a continuation of the naming scheme of foods by Toriyama. Rice, being a grain, is not normally considered to be a vegetable, even though it is part of a plant. 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 (Saiya being an anagram of the word yasai, meaning "vegetable").[2]
In conceptualizing Gohan's character as a teenager, Toriyama originally included glasses or a jacket to his apparel, and commonly, his hair was not spiked up as seen in the final design.[3] With the ending of the Cell arc, Gohan was meant to replace his father as the main protagonist; Toriyama thought that he was unsuitable for that part so he avoided doing that.[4]
[edit] Appearance
As opposed to full-blooded Saiyans, whose hair stays the same from birth,[5] Gohan's is drawn at varying lengths, and changes markedly in style. Many of Yamcha's hairstyles are used by Gohan at various points in his life.[6]
Initially, Gohan is illustrated garbed in a Hanfu-like surcoat with the Chinese character ?, fixed on the front and the four-star Dragon Ball fitted on top of his hat. Piccolo later supplies him with a keikogi fashioned after Goku's, but substitutes it with the demon character "?" as a sign of his admission into the Demon Tribe.[7] Normally thereafter, Gohan is drawn with a keikogi modeled after Piccolo's own, with the anime recoloring his wristbands from blue to red and, during the Cell Games tournament, his obi from red to blue, despite reverting to the original colors for the former. On Namek, Gohan is portrayed in battle armor worn by Frieza's henchmen, having been given it by Vegeta in preparation for their encounter with Frieza. Prior to his second fight with Majin Buu, Gohan asks Kibito for an outfit resembling his father's, and is then drawn in a keikogi identical to Goku's.

[edit] Plot overview
Main articles: Saiyan Saga, Frieza Saga, Cell Saga, and Majin Buu Saga
Premiering in the manga chapter #196 Kakarrot (????? Kakarotto?) first published in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine on October 24, 1988,[8] Gohan is introduced as the four-year-old son of the series' main protagonist, Goku. Described as well-mannered and reserved,[9][10] Gohan's story begins following his abduction by the Saiyan named Raditz, Goku's older brother. Later, while Goku is pinned to the ground, Gohan's extreme distress exploded with the release of his dormant power, which allowed him to injure Raditz. Piccolo, startled by this, then takes Gohan away following the fight and Goku's death, and trains him for the upcoming battle against the two other Saiyans, Vegeta and Nappa.[11] His tutelage under Piccolo forms a deep bond between the two characters, with Piccolo ultimately sacrificing himself to save Gohan during their fight with Nappa.[12]
After the defeat of Vegeta, Gohan, Bulma and Krillin travel to Namek to use the Dragon Balls there, as the Dragon Balls on Earth had turned to stone due to the Earth's guardian Kami's death.[13] After succeeding in gathering the Dragon Balls, Gohan and the others wish Piccolo back to life, causing Kami and the Dragon Balls to be returned. Gohan, along with Krillin and Vegeta, are then forced into an encounter with Frieza, who seeks the Dragon Balls for immortality. Later, after Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan and defeats Frieza, Gohan is shown to settle back into school life on Earth, waiting for Goku to return home from Namek.[14]
A year later, Future Trunks kills a cybernetic Frieza and his father, King Cold, and informs Gohan and the others of the upcoming threat of the androids arriving in three years time.[15] Gohan then commits himself to training with Goku and Piccolo until the arrival of the androids. Following the appearance of Cell, Gohan is taken to the Room of Spirit and Time (Hyperbolic Time Chamber) by Goku.[16] Goku then reveals his intentions: to train Gohan to become a Super Saiyan, and to have Gohan surpass him in strength.[16] Following Gohan's emergence from the Room of Spirit and Time, Gohan is depicted as a Super Saiyan, with Piccolo shown thinking to himself that he barely recognized him before granting Gohan's request to give him an outfit resembling his own.[17] At the Cell Games, Gohan, after stating his reluctance to fight out of fear of being consumed by anger, is tormented by a curious Cell, forced to watch Cell's Cell Jr.'s attack the others in Cell's effort to bring out Gohan's latent power. Following Android #16's death, Gohan, infuriated, ascends to Super Saiyan 2,[18] and later defeats Cell in a Kamehameha struggle, counseled by Goku from the afterlife and winning with the assistance of Vegeta.[19]
Gohan, during the consequent peace that follows, is said to have continued his studies, and later, a sixteen-year-old Gohan[20] is shown enrolling at Orange Star High School in Satan City. On his first day, he foils a bank robbery as a Super Saiyan, and, with help from Bulma, adopts a superhero identity that he dubs the "Great Saiyaman". Participating in the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament, Gohan is depicted as having grown weaker, which the Daizenshu World Guide book explains as due to a lack of training and anger in transforming.[3] Gohan, after having his chi absorbed by Spopovich and Yamu, pursues the two and enters Babidi's spaceship with the Supreme Kai, Goku and Vegeta, where Gohan later fights with Dabura.[21] Following Buu's release and Gohan's defeat at his hands, Gohan is taken to the Planet of the Kai by the Supreme Kai and Kibito. After pulling out the Z Sword and accidentally breaking it in a training session, Gohan unwittingly releases the Elder Kai, who then performs a prolonged ceremony to unlock Gohan's latent powers.[22] Gohan then returns to Earth and confronts Buu for a second time, and defeats him.[23] However, he, along with Gotenks and Piccolo, are later absorbed by Buu.[24] Once revived, Gohan is able to aid Goku's Super Spirit Bomb by lending his chi.[25] Following Buu's defeat and a ten year gap at the end of Dragon Ball Z, Gohan has finally become a scholar and is depicted with a wife, Videl, and a daughter, Pan.
Future Gohan


Future Gohan in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3
Main article: Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks
Future Gohan (????? Mirai no Gohan?, Gohan of the Future) appears in the alternate timeline presented in the volume #33 sidestory of the original manga, Trunks the Story, in which he is shown to be the only surviving fighter; the others have all died at the hands of the androids (Goku, having died from a heart virus following the defeat of Frieza and King Cold, being the exception).[26][27] Gohan is shown training Bulma's half-Saiyan son, Future Trunks, to assist him in battling androids #17 and #18.
In this timeline, Gohan has become a Super Saiyan, and is depicted wearing a uniform similar to his father's, one with his own kanji symbol on the back, Han, ?. Gohan states he wears it in hopes of becoming as strong as his father one day, and Trunks mentions that his mother, Bulma, finds Gohan bears a striking resemblance to Goku when donning it.[18] In appearance, Gohan's hair is cut much shorter than his present counterpart's, as well as having a scar running down the left side of his face, and is implied to have had lost his left arm fighting #17 and #18.[18]
He is eventually killed by the two androids in a battle trying to defend Pepper Town, with #17 boasting that, in previous encounters, the most he had ever used was half his strength; Gohan reacts with alarm at this statement, with #18 chuckling before the manga cuts away to an unconscious Trunks, who cannot feel Gohan's chi upon waking.
[edit] Voice actors
Like his younger brother and Goku, Gohan is voiced in the original Japanese anime by Masako Nozawa in all media. In the Ocean Studios dub he would be voiced by Saffron Henderson. In the Blue Water Studios dub he would be voiced by Jillian Michaels and Brad Swaile as an adult. In the Funimation dub Gohan would be voiced by Stephanie Nadolny as a child and Kyle Hebert would voice him as an adult throughout the series with the exception of the Trunks TV special where he was voiced by Dameon Clarke. Currently Nadolny and Hebert voice him in all video games with the exception of Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout, where he was played as a teenager by Lex Lang.
[edit] Abilities
As a child, Gohan is depicted with a seemingly limitless dormant power, which at first only revealed itself when he experienced fierce rage or distress.[28][29]
Due to his mixed heritage, Gohan's character also exhibits unusual abilities, possessing power that surpasses that of regular Saiyans.[10] Vegeta suggests that mixing human and Saiyan blood begets powerful hybrids, which Nappa refers to as a Super Saiyan.[30] On Namek, Saichoro helped unlock a portion of his untapped potential, unable to bring out the fullest of his tremendous latent abilities.[31]
Gohan can also freely manipulate his chi for the use of abilities such as the Bukû-jutsu (????, lit. "lighter than air skill" or "sky dancing skill"), enabling him to fly,[32] or concentrate it into beams of chi energy blasts, such as the Kamehameha or Masenko (??? Masenko?, lit. "Demon Flash"). Gohan also possesses enhanced strength,[33] as well as superhuman speed and reflexes (as seen during his training with Goten).[34] He is able to ascend to Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan 2 levels.
[edit] In other media
Gohan is a playable character in various Dragon Ball-related video games. He first appeared in the 1990 Japanese-language game Dragon Ball Z: Kyôshu! Saiyan (with Future Gohan selectable in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road). Gohan has also appeared in crossover media such as Battle Stadium D.O.N and Jump Super Stars.
Gohan, along with Goku, is parodied in the Robot Chicken episode "Easter Basket". Gohan has been used in promotional merchandising at fast-food chain Burger King,[35] and collectible cards, such as the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game, have featured Gohan frequently.
[edit] 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.[36] 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.[37] Saffron Henderson, Gohan's original Ocean Studios voice actor, has stated she felt protective of the role and considers it to be one of her favorites.[38] In addition, Gohan's Funimation voice actor, Stephanie Nadolny has said that playing Gohan was a unique and much-loved experience. [39]
IGN's writer, D. F. Smith, liked how during the Cell Games arc, Gohan has more screentime than Goku, and praised his scenes as one the biggest moments from said story arc.[40] Theron Martin from Anime News Network celebrated Gohan's development in the Cell Games as he has grown up and has become stronger.[41]






This article is about the main character. For the Dragon Ball character, see Grandpa Gohan.
Gohan

? ??
Son Gohan
Anime name Gohan
Manga name Son Gohan
Alternate names The Great Saiyaman
The Gold Fighter
The Golden Warrior
Debut Manga vol. 17 (Chapter 196)
Episode 1 of DBZ (Anime)/ Dead Zone
Appears in

Race
1/2 Saiyan-1/2 Human

Date of birth May 11th, 757 Age

Date of death 774 Age (Revived)

Height 5'9" (adult)[1]

Weight 155 lbs. (adult)
Family • Future Gohan (Alternate timeline counterpart)
• Future Trunks (Student, alternate timeline)
• Grandpa Gohan (Adoptive great-grandfather)
• Goku (Father)
• Chi-Chi (Mother)
• Piccolo (Surrogate father/Mentor)
• Goten (Brother)
• Videl (Wife)
• Pan (Daughter)
• Ox King (Maternal Grandfather)
• Bardock (Paternal Grandfather)
• Raditz (Uncle)
• Mr. Satan (Father-in-Law)
• Goku Jr. (Great-Grandson)
• Cell (modified clone)

"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!"
— Bojack Unbound Gohan (? ??, Son Gohan) is a fictional character in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT created by the Japanese Mangaka, Akira Toriyama. He is Goku and Chi-Chi's first son, Goten's older brother, later the husband of Videl, and the father of Pan. Gohan is also the first half-breed Saiyan to appear in the series. He is named after Goku's adoptive Grandpa Gohan. Gohan's name is a homophone for gohan (??), the Japanese word for cooked rice which also refers to meals in general. In Mandarin, the reading of ?? is homophone for ?? (wûfàn), meaning lunch.
Gohan is a shy and studious intellectual, and as a child, he lacks the Saiyan fighting spirit. He must utilize his incredible half-breed Saiyan potential and emotional reserves to protect those he loves, becoming one of the most powerful Z Fighters. As an adult, he abandons his superhero duties and uses his mind, as a premier scholar of the Dragon World.
Contents
[show]
• edit Overview
[edit] Personality
Gohan, being only half-Saiyan, is unusual in his values and personality. These unique values and personality separate him from pure Saiyans; as powerful as he is, he does not like fighting much. However, when he is forced to fight, he shows special interest in protecting his family and friends. Like his father, Gohan has a pure and gentle heart. Besides concerning himself with his family (and his studies), Gohan has 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 Krillin is Goku's closest friend. In some cases, Gohan displays a ferocious appetite just like Goku, a trait he presumably inherited from his father.
[edit] 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 Fighter in the manga (behind Vegito), and the strongest character in the manga to be unaided by fusion or absorption as stated by Akira Toriyama in the second Daizenshuu, on page 114. It should be noted that from all the Z Fighters, Gohan has surpassed Goku the most times. Although it should be noted that in the anime sequel, Dragon Ball GT, it is quite likely that Super Saiyan 4 Goku surpasses Gohan as Earth's strongest warrior, though this does not effect the original manga as Dragon Ball GT was not created by Toriyama.
[edit] Appearance


Most of Gohan's appearances throughout the series.
Gohan's appearance changes drastically through 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.


Gohan as a child.
While training with Piccolo, he wears an outfit similar to Goku's original, with the 'Ma' symbol 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. By the Cell Saga tournament, he still wears the Piccolo-styled clothing, though his hair is styled in a more wild way due to it being self-cut. While training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he begins wearing Saiyan training gear, but again reverts to Piccolo's clothing before facing Cell.
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
[edit] Early Life


Gohan as a baby.
Gohan was born on May 11th, 757 Age, about a year after Goku and Chi Chi 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.
[edit] Dragon Ball Z
[edit] Saiyan attack
"Leave my Dad... ALONE!!!"
— Gohan ready to attack Raditz
Main article: Vegeta Saga


Gohan delivers a devastating blow to Raditz.
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. 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.


Gohan trains with Piccolo in preparation for the Saiyan attack.
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.


Gohan's first usage of the Masenko, after becoming enraged by Piccolo's noble death.
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.
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.
[edit] Journey to Namek
"Frieza's going to hunt me down wherever I go. The last thing I want to do is lead him back to Earth."
— Gohan talking to Bulma before leaving to fight Frieza alone.
Main article: Namek Saga Main article: Captain Ginyu Saga Main article: Frieza Saga


Gohan's hidden potential is unlocked by Guru.
Gohan 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 dogi 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.


An enraged Gohan unleashes a relentless attack against Frieza.
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.


Gohan attacks Frieza in anger after he injures Piccolo.
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.

Gohan returns to the battle field to stall Frieza before Planet Namek explodes.
Later, when he senses that is 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 while Goku is left finishing the battle with Frieza on the dying Planet Namek.
After Goku wins the battle, but is caught 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.
[edit] Garlic Jr.'s return
Main article: Garlic Jr. Saga


Gohan powers up to send Garlic Jr. into the Dead Zone.
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.
[edit] The mysterious youth
Main article: Trunks Saga


Gohan in his Saiyan armor during the Trunks Saga.
A year later after Goku defeated Frieza 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, King Cold. Gohan and the Z-Fighters regroup where Frieza and King Cold's spaceship is landing, but without Goku's help, the Earth appears to be doomed.


Gohan trains with Goku and Piccolo for the next three years.
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, 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.
[edit] The Androids
"Yes! We're going to make it through this without losing anyone!"
— Gohan excited after seeing Piccolo dominate Android 20
Main article: Android Saga Three years later, the Z-Fighters locate the Androids in South City. However, not wanting to fight in the city in fear of causing more damage, they fly to a wasteland so they can fight. Goku transforms into his Super Saiyan form and dominates Android 19, until the Saiyan contracts the heart virus Future Trunks warned him about three years prior, allowing Android 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 Android 19 while the Z-Fighters watch in amazement.


Gohan saves Piccolo from Android 20.
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 Android 20, who attempts to steal the Namekian's energy and use it against Vegeta. Luckily, Piccolo telepathically contacts Gohan and tells 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.
However, Android 20 manages to escape and the Z-Fighters 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 beated as the Androids fly away to find and kill Goku.
[edit] Waiting at the Lookout
Main article: Imperfect Cell Saga


Gohan, Future Trunks, and Bulma discover Cell's larval state.
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.


Gohan tries to help Piccolo back on Earth, but is forced by Goku to stay on the Lookout.
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.
The Hyperbolic Time Chamber
Main article: Perfect Cell Saga 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.


Gohan transforms into a Super Saiyan for the first time in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.
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.


Gohan and Goku train in their Super Saiyan forms to attain the Full-Power Super Saiyan state.
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 Super Saiyan feel natural, so he tells Gohan to try and stay transformed as a Super Saiyan for the whole day when it starts to feel normal.
[edit] Combatting Cell
"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
Main article: Cell Games Saga


Goku and Gohan emerge as Full-Power Super Saiyans.
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 his uniform, since he was his first mentor. Piccolo conjures up a uniform similar to his for Gohan, who happily appreciates the new outfit.


Gohan in his new Piccolo-style outfit (back left).
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, and (after Goku shows Korin and Yajirobe his new power at his) 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.


Gohan receives a gift on his 11th birthday.
In another filler, Gohan has his 11th birthday and all of his other memories are revealed. One of his memories include his Goku, Chi-Chi, and the Ox King suggesting 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 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 Chi-Chi 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-Fighters arrive at the Cell Games to 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. Instead, Goku 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 fights Perfect Cell.
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.


Gohan transforms into a Super Saiyan 2 after witnessing Android 16's tragic death.
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.


Gohan kills the Cell Juniors.
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 said 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.


Gohan delivers a devastating blow to 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 Disks, 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.


Gohan lands a powerful kick to Perfect Cell's stomach, making him regurgitate Android 18.
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 anroid 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.


Gohan's arm is badly broken after defending Vegeta from Super Perfect Cell's attack.
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, 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.


Gohan and Goku fire the Father-Son Kamehameha against Super Perfect Cell.
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.


Gohan destroys Super Perfect Cell once and for all.
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 standill. 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, blasts Super Perfect Cell with a Big Bang Attack, leaving the android very distracted. Seeing this opportunity, Gohan (encouraged by Goku) unleashes all the rest of his power into his Kamehameha, completely destroying Super Perfect Cell 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.


Gohan says his goodbye to his deceased father in Other World.
Following Super Perfect Cell’s defeat, the Z-Fighters and Gohan return to Dende’s Lookout, where he is healed by Dende. With the new 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.
[edit] Seven years later
"Guardian of the city, I am the one and only...Great Saiyaman!"
— Gohan displaying his new Great Saiyaman alter ego to some crooks
Main article: Great Saiyaman Saga


Gohan as a teenager during the Buu Saga.
Seven years after the events of the Cell Games, Gohan lives at home with his mother and his seven year old brother named Goten. His training has taken a backseat to his studies, and his strength has been surpassed by Vegeta and Goku. Chi-Chi decides Gohan needs to attend high school to finish his education. On his first day, he turns Super Saiyan (in order to conceal his identity) to stop a robbery, and by the time he arrives at Orange Star High tales of the newest hero, "Gold Fighter", have already spread (which name was actually given to him after two previous incidents while going to the school to take entrance exams). In class he meets another crime-fighter and the most popular girl in school, Videl. She is the daughter of Hercule, who got rich and famous for stealing Gohan's credit over the defeat of Cell.


Gohan on his first day of high school.
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 to hide his identity so that the media will not bother his family. But while trying to convince Videl to let him return a stolen dinosaur to its two pterodactyl parents, he accidentally reveals his identity to Videl, who then blackmails 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, is helpless against the confident Videl, who makes him promise to teach her to fly.


Gohan teaches Videl how to use her energy to fly.
When Gohan tells Bulma about the tournament, Goku, listening in from the Other World, contacts them and tells them he'll compete too, using his one-day pass to the human world. Hearing this, Vegeta also decides to compete. To make it more interesting, and to give them a chance to meet Goku again, Gohan tells all his friends about the tournament, and they all decide to compete. While Gohan trains with Goten, he is shocked to see Goten transform into a Super Saiyan, breaking his record as the youngest Super Saiyan ever.
When Videl shows up at Gohan's home to learn to fly, Gohan learns that she has no knowledge of energy, since her father believes it to be just a trick. Gohan begins training her from scratch, though she picks it up pretty 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.
[edit] The World Tournament
"Last chance for requests! Do you just want to see just a Super Saiyan? Or should I take it up to the next level!?"
— Gohan confronting Kibito at the World Martial Arts Tournament
Main article: World Tournament Saga


Gohan angrily turns Super Saiyan after witnessing Spopovitch beating up Videl.
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 Spopovitch, she is nearly beaten to death by the brute. Gohan watches in anger as his girlfriend horribly suffers at the hands of the ruthless Spopovitch. Finally, having seen enough, Gohan turns Super Saiyan and tries to save Videl from Spopovitch, but before he can, Yamu interrupts and tells for Spopovitch to finish the match because they have much more important things in the matter. Spopovitch 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.

Gohan transforms into a Super Saiyan 2 against Kibito.
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 Spopovitch jump into the ring and Supreme Kai paralyzes Gohan when he is about to attack. Yamu and Spopvitch 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 Spopovitch and Yamu to find Babidi’s ship. Gohan and Kibito, along with Videl, fly away to meet up with the Z-Fighters.
[edit] The evil wizard, Babidi
"Come on, Dabura! Show your true power, you can't win at this rate!"
— Gohan during his battle against Dabura
Main article: Babidi Saga 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-Fighters at Babidi’s spaceship. They hide and secretly watch as Yamu and Spopovitch 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.


Gohan battles against Dabura in his Super Saiyan 2 form.
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.
[edit] The ancient evil, Majin Buu
"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
Main article: Majin Buu Saga


Gohan fires a wave of Kamehamehas in an attempt to destroy Majin Buu's cacoon.
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 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.
Gohan trains with the Z-Sword on the Supreme Kai Planet.
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 physic 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.
[edit] A whole new Gohan
"Fight you? No, I wanna kill you."
— Gohan confronting Super Buu
Main article: Fusion Saga


Gohan's hidden power is finally unlocked by Elder Kai.
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 dominates Super Buu after having his hidden power released by Elder Kai.
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 with 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.


Gohan battles Super Buu after he absorbs Gotenks and Piccolo.
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.
[edit] The final battle
Main article: Kid Buu Saga


A picture of Gohan 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.
[edit] History of Trunks
"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
Main article: The History of Trunks Main article: Future Gohan


Future Gohan, Gohan's alternate timeline counterpart, in the History of Trunks special.
In Future Trunks's 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.


Piccolo's final farewell to Gohan before he dies.
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.
[edit] Super 17, the ultimate android


Gohan battles General Rilldo.
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.
[edit] The Shadow Dragons


Gohan in the Shadow Dragon Saga.
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.


Syn Shenron attacks Gohan.
Pan and Goku are successful in hunting down and killing most of the dragons, but are no match for the powerful Syn Shenron. Gohan (now wearing his father's trademark orange gi with his own symbol on the back similar like his alternate future counterpart; Future 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.


Gohan and Goten in the final battle against Omega Shenron.
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 for the Fusion to be success, 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 hold 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.
edit Dragon Ball movies
Gohan appears in every Dragon Ball Z film except Bio Broly, in which he only appears in the credits.
• Dead Zone
• The World's Strongest
• The Tree of Might
• Lord Slug
• Cooler's Revenge
• Return of Cooler
• Super Android 13!
• Broly: The Legendary Super Saiyan
• Bojack Unbound
• Broly: Second Coming
• Fusion Reborn
• Wrath of the Dragon
• The History of Trunks
• Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans
• Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!
edit Techniques
Main article: List of techniques used by Gohan
edit Transformations and power ups


Gohan as the Great Saiyaman.
The Great Saiyaman is Gohan's alter ego and an attempt to hide his true identity from his classmates when he attended school in Satan City. The 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 and Videl as the Great Saiyaman and Great Saiyawoman.
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 the "Great Soyman" or the "Great Singing man", which further aggravated Gohan. He was also noted for his comical poses (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.
[edit] Ultimate Gohan


Gohan after his hidden potential is fully unlocked.
Gohan achieved this form when the full extent of his dormant power was 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 but 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 Unlock Ability" in the Budokai series of video games and "Ultimate Gohan" in the Budokai Tenkaichi series. This form was nicknamed "Mystic Gohan" by fans, the term "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.
It is quite possible that Gohan's power level in this form surpasses both Goku's and Gotenks's in their Super Saiyan 3 states. The most notable hint of this was Ultimate Gohan completely dominating 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 Fighters 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.
edit Special abilities
Main article: List of techniques used by Gohan
edit Voice Actors
• Japanese Dub: Masako Nozawa
• Ocean Dub: Saffron Henderson (young through Android Saga) Jillian Michaels (Cell Games Saga) Brad Swaile (teen and adult)
• Funimation Dub: Stephanie Nadolny (young and teen) Kyle Hebert (adult) Dameon Clarke (Trunks' timeline adult)
• Latin American Dub: Laura Torres (young and teen) Luis Alfonso Mendoza (adult)
• German Dub: Sandro Blumel (young) Robin Kahnmeyer (teen and adult)
• 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) Csore Gábor (teen and adult)
• Portuguese Dub: Henrique Feist
edit Appearances in other media
Gohan, along with Goku, is parodied in the Robot Chicken episode "Easter Basket". Gohan has been used in promotional merchandising at fast-food chain Burger King,[2] and collectible cards, such as the Dragon Ball Z Collectible Card Game, have featured Gohan frequently. Gohan has also appeared in almost every Dragon Ball Z video game.
edit 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]
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.[6] Theron Martin from Anime News Network celebrated Gohan's development in the Cell Games as he has grown up and has become stronger.[7]
edit Trivia
• As a baby, Gohan was originally intended to be named Einstein 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.[8]
• Gohan is the only half-Saiyan to be born with a tail (not show when he was a baby) and 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 didn't 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.
• It is unclear what happens to Gohan's Ultimate form in the GT saga (as he is seen transforming into both of his Super Saiyan forms), but it is most likely another one of GT's plot holes.
• Gohan's fight with Super Buu (before he absorbed Gotenks and Piccolo) was very similar to his fight against Perfect Cell (after he became a Super Saiyan 2), seven years prior. He was far more powerful than both of them with their strongest attacks having no effect against him, he also wanted to torture both before killing them (which in doing so made things worse), both (ironically) attempted to self-destruct themselves, both came back much stronger to challenge Gohan again (although in the Super Buu's case, he absorbed Gotenks and Piccolo before he fought Gohan), and both managed to badly injure Gohan, only for Gohan to have his injuries healed by Dende. However, in Super Perfect Cell's case, Gohan was healed by Dende at the Lookout after he defeated the android, whereas in Super Buu's case, he was healed during the battle with the monster.
Gohan's battle against Bojack in the movie, Bojack Unbound, is also 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.
• Gohan is the first (non-fused) Saiyan to fight against the main villain as a non-Super Saiyan since Goku fought against Frieza (before the Super Saiyan form was discovered) approximately 11 years prior.
• 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).[9]
• Gohan seems to have some skills with a sword. This has been since twice: During Piccolo's training after he had transformed into a Great Ape, and during the Majin Buu Saga, when he handled the Z Sword. It should also be noted that according to Future Trunks, the skills he had gained with his sword were because of Future Gohan.
• 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.
• After the defeat of Cell, Gohan was the most powerful person on Earth, and possibly in the universe.
• 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.
• When Gohan transforms into his Ultimate form, his hair changes to his Super Saiyan 2 hair with one thick lock of hair dangling down from his fringe and his eyes gain a more serious look.
• 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.
• Gohan's hair in his Super Saiyan 2 form from when he fought Cell could explain his hairstyle in the Buu Saga.
• In the episode, Empty Planet, there is the scene where Gohan loses his patience with Old Kai and powers up, the pitch of his aura and his eyes are exactly the same as his Super Saiyan forms leading some to believe that this was a midway point between his normal form and his Super Saiyan form.
• In the manga, besides Goku, Gohan is the only other character to have defeat and/or kill the main villain of a particular saga. In the Saiyan Saga, he defeated Vegeta and in the Cell Saga, he killed Super Perfect Cell.
• 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 was meant to be the main hero of Dragon Ball Z on multiple occasions.
• 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 and his future alternate counterpart, Future Gohan, both wear their same symbol on their back while fighting their own enemies; Future Gohan wears his symbol fighting against the Androids and Gohan facing wears his symbol fighting against Omega Shenron.
• In Wrath of the Dragon, Gohan is shown "powering up" into his Ultimate form