It doesn’t take a Dragon Ball scholar to know that Goku is the primary character of the franchise. It additionally doesn’t take a lifelong anime aficionado to acknowledge that Goku is an absolute galactic powerhouse. Simply ask Nappa, Frieza, Vegeta, and Broly — and people names don’t even scratch the floor!
With a protagonist as mighty as Goku, it’s pure for longtime Dragon Ball followers to at all times surprise who might doubtlessly rival, and even surpass, the legendary Saiyan. Poor Vegeta has been attempting for many years, and whereas there have been a number of cosmic beings launched in recent times which have confirmed to be superior to Goku, one of many extra fascinating names to deliver up in relation to Goku’s energy stage is his very personal son: Gohan.
Gohan is likely one of the primary characters within the Dragon Ball franchise, along with his star shining particularly shiny in the course of the Dragon Ball Z collection. Owing to his half-Saiyan heritage, and his coaching underneath the likes of Piccolo, the Kais, and even his father, Gohan ultimately turns into a colossal power in his personal proper. In actual fact, there are a number of moments within the Dragon Ball franchise the place followers may even witness Gohan downright surpass his legendary father.
As a baby, Gohan’s energy stage grew larger than Goku’s in the course of the battle towards Raditz
Goku’s brother and fellow Saiyan, Raditz, was the primary villain launched in Dragon Ball Z, and he instantly wrecks everybody, together with the unstoppable juggernaut often called Krillin!
After kidnapping a four-year-old Gohan, it takes the mixed may of Goku and Piccolo even to be semi-competitive with Raditz. Ultimately, after getting the stuffing crushed out of them, the pair are shocked when Gohan emerges from captivity. Overcome with rage after seeing his father get crushed to a pulp, Gohan powers up and headbutts Raditz within the chest, significantly hurting him and cracking his Saiyan armor within the course of.
Earlier than the battle started, Raditz famous that Gohan’s energy stage — bear in mind, energy ranges had been a giant factor earlier within the franchise — was over 700. In the meantime, Goku and Piccolo’s mixed energy ranges had been a bit over 600.
The Raditz battle isn’t just well-known for being the primary battle within the DBZ collection, but in addition for foreshadowing simply how highly effective Gohan might grow to be. From the very starting of his storyline, Gohan proved he had the potential to surpass his dad.
Gohan proved his greatness towards Cell
The Dragon Ball Z “Cell Saga” noticed the Z fighters pushed to their absolute limits. Cell, a bio-android created by the sinister Dr. Gero, arrives from the long run, and wreaks quick havoc. After attaining his last kind, “Good Cell,” it appears as if solely Goku can cease the narcissistic menace.
Nonetheless, regardless of coaching within the Hyperbolic Time Chamber with Gohan, it’s proven that not even Goku is robust sufficient to cease Cell. Goku, in a surprising twist, pulls out of his battle with Cell, and turns issues over to Gohan. This leaves the opposite Z fighters surprised. If Trunks, Android 16, Vegeta, and even Goku, couldn’t put a cease to Good Cell, then how on earth might a baby like Gohan?
Effectively, seems the child had an ace up his sleeve — he was capable of flip Tremendous Saiyan 2, one thing by no means completed earlier than. With this new kind, and with the backup of his allies, Gohan was capable of defeat one of the vital iconic villains the Dragon Ball franchise has ever seen.
Gohan’s battle with Cell is significantly one of the vital epic in the entire franchise — it nearly equals Yamcha’s galactic duel with the Saibamen — and it showcased a uncommon second the place Goku was a step behind his son.
Mystic/Final Gohan’s reign was quick, however he may’ve been the highest canine
Throughout the “Buu Saga,” for a quick second in time, Gohan was arguably probably the most highly effective character in Dragon Ball Z. Whereas coaching with the Kais, Gohan unlocked his full potential, and changed into “Mystic” or “Final” Gohan. This primarily allowed Gohan to realize all his Tremendous Saiyan prowess whereas nonetheless in his base kind. This meant he didn’t must spend monumental quantity of vitality sustaining a kind like Goku’s iconic Tremendous Saiyan 3.
With this newfound energy, Gohan was capable of put a critical beatdown on the saga’s titular antagonist, Majin Buu. In actual fact, it wasn’t even shut; he was enjoying round with the pink … blob … demon factor. To be trustworthy, if it wasn’t for some clunky writing (sorry Mr. Toriyama) that noticed Buu take up Gotenks — Goten and Trunks’ fusion kind — and Piccolo, Gohan was simply on the trail to obliterate Buu.
Now, the query stays, was this model of Gohan stronger than Goku? Effectively, it’s attainable. Whereas Tremendous Saiyan 3 Goku was a powerhouse in his personal proper, as acknowledged beforehand, that kind took a loopy quantity of vitality to keep up. In the meantime, Mystic Gohan was free as a chook energy-wise, and didn’t must focus his efforts in sustaining a radical transformation (per Dragon Ball Guru).
Fan debate continues to rage on about who would win in a battle between Mystic Gohan and his father. Regardless of which facet of the fence you’re on, it needs to be acknowledged, Final Gohan was an absolute unit, and even when he did lose towards his father’s Tremendous Saiyan 3 kind, he would’ve given Goku all of the mystic smoke.
Dragon Ball Tremendous: Tremendous Hero sees Gohan rise to new heights
Within the ongoing collection, Dragon Ball Tremendous: Tremendous Hero, followers get the chance to see Piccolo flat out affirm that Gohan’s potential is unreached and that he might be higher than Goku. The one impediment stopping Gohan is, effectively, Gohan.
In keeping with Display screen Rant, manga Chapter 91 of Dragon Ball Tremendous sees Piccolo telling Gohan’s daughter, Pan, that Gohan can grow to be stronger than his father if he actually cared to.
The most recent function movie within the franchise, Dragon Ball Tremendous: Tremendous Hero, provides followers a style of this speculation. Within the film, viewers take a break from Goku and Vegeta and witness Gohan and Piccolo staff up when Earth is invaded by a returning Crimson Ribbon Military. It’s spectacular to see our favourite Namekian take the highlight along with his former star pupil. It will possibly undoubtedly tug on the fandom’s nostalgic heartstrings.
Except for the enjoyment of seeing these characters entrance and heart, Dragon Ball Tremendous: Tremendous Hero additionally presents up a long-awaited rematch between Gohan and Cell, who returns as a brand new iteration — “Cell Max.” Now, how does the movie level towards Gohan turning into stronger than Goku? How is that this attainable? What does Gohan do to surpass his father as soon as once more? Effectively, the younger fighter goes on a prolonged journey of self-reflection to completely perceive his place on this planet — nah, simply kidding, he rages and unlocks a brand new kind after seeing Piccolo nearly die by the hands of Cell Max.
Within the movie’s climax, Gohan unlock a brand new energy: the “Beast” kind. On this state, Gohan will get a killer new look, whereas additionally leveling as much as an entire new stratosphere. On this kind, Gohan is ready to defeat Cell Max and save the day. One of the best a part of the victory? Gohan used Piccolo’s signature transfer, “Particular Beam Cannon,” to seal the deal.
Whereas it’s solely Piccolo’s opinion that Gohan might surpass Goku, that kind of reward can’t be ignored. Piccolo is a veteran combatant and is ceaselessly lauded for his intelligence. He is aware of expertise and energy when he sees it. And if he begins speaking about how Gohan can edge out his previous man, effectively, we higher be listening.