Throughout the Dragon Ball saga, I’ve witnessed each main protagonist undergo remarkable transformations that have left an indelible mark, matching their iconic status. This series was instrumental in popularizing transformations within the Shonen anime genre, and a significant factor behind this popularity is its exceptional emphasis on the significance of forms as a central theme.
In my opinion, the iconic Saiyans from this beloved franchise are known for consistently breaking their own boundaries to unlock unprecedented power levels, enough to vanquish the mightiest cosmic antagonists! Gohan, as a half-Saiyan, is a shining embodiment of this trend, his extraordinary abilities giving rise to some of the most jaw-dropping transformations ever seen in the Dragon Ball universe. Yet, there’s one transformation that outshines them all, and it holds a special place in Gohan’s incredible arsenal.
Super Saiyan 2 Teen Gohan Is One Of The Franchise’s Highlights
The One To Defeat Perfect Cell
First Appearance | Dragon Ball Z, Episode 184, “Cell Juniors Attack!” |
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Story Arc | Perfect Cell Saga |
Speaking of transformations within the series, there’s no debate that the most memorable transformation was when Goku unveiled his original Super Saiyan form against Frieza during the Namek Saga. This pivotal moment revolutionized anime, launching a concept so legendary that it has served as inspiration for virtually every Shonen series since then in some capacity or another.
In the world of Dragon Ball, Goku’s first transformation into Super Saiyan is often considered the pinnacle and is fondly remembered by fans. However, the scene where Gohan unleashed Super Saiyan 2 for the first time against Perfect Cell comes very close to matching this iconic moment, as it showcased a new stage in the Saiyan transformation process that even Goku couldn’t attain. Over time, many Saiyan transformations have been criticized for only offering minimal visual changes to the characters.
At last, the beastly power has been harnessed – Gohan has awoken!
Initially, when Gohan transformed into Super Saiyan 2 for the first time, it wasn’t a significant issue because he was the sole individual capable of achieving this feat, making the occasion one of the most memorable moments across all of Dragon Ball. Right from the beginning of Z, spectators could sense that there was an immense potential hidden within Gohan’s power, even though he was quite young at that time. As the series progressed, this hidden strength gradually became more prominent, reaching its peak during his battle against Perfect Cell.
Prior to the upcoming battle, Gohan and Goku would subject themselves to rigorous training within the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. They were experimenting with different levels of Super Saiyan, believing these abilities crucial for vanquishing the enemy. Eventually, Goku acknowledged that Gohan’s talent surpassed his own capabilities, leading him to accept that it was his son who would ultimately defeat the villain. At that point in time, Super Saiyan 2 had not yet been developed.
In due course, the day of battle against Perfect Cell arrived, initiating a fierce clash between him and Goku. However, after a prolonged struggle, Goku conceded and urged Gohan to take over, understanding that only his son possessed the strength needed to vanquish this formidable adversary. As time passed, the scenario grew increasingly precarious as the Cell Juniors outmatched the Z-Fighters, with Gohan finding himself at a disadvantage against Cell. Upon witnessing his foe annihilate Android 16, an unprecedented power surfaced within the boy.
Overwhelming anger and despair pushed Gohan to the brink, ultimately triggering a form of Super Saiyan never before imagined. This moment seemed like the pinnacle not just of Gohan’s character development since his debut, but also of the series itself, as it established a new standard moving forward. The ensuing battle saw him easily outmatch his opponents, culminating in a Father-Son Kamehameha wave that finally destroyed Cell permanently.
Only One Other Transformation Comes Close To Super Saiyan 2 Gohan
Gohan’s Second-Best Form
- Ultimate Gohan awakened his latent potential.
During the Buu Saga, it became common for transformations as every Saiyan could now achieve Super Saiyan status, including Trunks and Goten. Although exciting, this trend caused a sort of overuse of the Super Saiyan transformation. However, it was truly astonishing to behold Ultimate Gohan – a character variant who tapped into hidden abilities. In appearance, his form was nearly indistinguishable from his regular self.
Despite being surpassed by Super Buu later on, Gohan’s popularity stems from the fact that he adopted a form stronger than even Super Saiyan 3 Goku. In the initial stages of their fight, Gohan demonstrated impressive performance against Super Buu. This struggle instilled a more ruthless mindset in him and allowed him to tap into his potential differently, rather than transforming into Super Saiyan 3 like Goku.
Dragon Ball can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
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2025-07-26 16:33