Gohan’s True Potential

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Summary

  • Future Gohan is a sad version of Gohan, who never wanted to become a warrior.
  • Future Gohan is what many fans wanted Gohan to be, but he represents a path Gohan would never willingly chose.
  • Gohan was supposed to be the protagonist after the Cell Saga, but Toriyama changed his mind.

Many supporters believe that Gohan should have taken over as the main character from Goku after the Cell Saga. However, it was originally intended for him to do so, as stated by Toriyama himself. Yet, he ultimately decided against it, and Goku continued as the lead in Dragon Ball.

The Tale of the Cell presents an alternate incarnation of Gohan, named Future Gohan, who was compelled to transform into a fighter. However, despite some fans considering this version as the “peak representation” of Gohan, Future Gohan is, in reality, a melancholic portrayal of a character who never wished for the warrior role that spectators anticipated him to embrace.

Who is “Future Gohan” in Dragon Ball Z?

In a timeline separate from our own, during the Cell Saga, Future Gohan is often referred to as the parallel version of Gohan. This Gohan is known because Future Trunks traveled back in time from this timeline, and at that point, Gohan was already 23 years old. As per Trunks’ account, it was this Gohan who trained him. Moreover, according to Trunks, Future Gohan bore scars and had lost his left arm.

In that scenario, Goku passes away prematurely due to a heart virus, an incident that naturally occurs and thus prevents him from being revived using the Dragon Balls. Over time, the androids wipe out most of the Dragon Team, leaving Gohan as Earth’s only remaining hope for survival.

In this alternate timeframe, Gohan is compelled to walk the warrior’s journey aimed at vanquishing the androids. He tutors Trunks with the expectation that his skills will one day be enough to bring them down. Since Goten doesn’t feature in this timeline, it’s likely he was born during the interval before the Cell Games.

In the TV special titled “Dragon Ball Z: The Story of Trunks“, we delve deeper into the story of Future Gohan and chronicle his quest to vanquish the androids, from his early years up until his heartbreaking demise. Witnessing his own deceased body elicited a profound emotional response in Future Trunks, which ultimately led him to awaken his Super Saiyan form. Prior to Goku’s passing, the life of Future Gohan was said to be similar to that of “ordinary Gohan”.

Dragon Ball Super Showed More of Future Gohan

In the second volume, I found myself delving deeper into his storyline, as the supplementary tale, “Deciding the Fate of Universes,” offered a glimpse into his timeline within Dragon Ball Super>.

In this unique tale, we witness a younger Gohan, following the onset of the android crisis and after Goku’s demise. Gohan embarks on a quest to find the Dragon Balls, only to learn from Bulma that someone else has collected them; it turns out to be Pilaf, who wished for his group to regain their youth, causing Shenron to transform them into babies – reminiscent of ‘Dragon Ball GT’. Subsequently, the Dragon Balls metamorphose into stones, signifying the demise of Piccolo and Kami.

Fortunately, Future Zeno later deletes this timeline to get rid of Infinite Zamasu, the ultimate form of Zamasu.

Future Gohan Is What Many Fans Wanted Gohan to Be in DBZ

Through his journey as a warrior, Future Gohan often seems to fans as the true embodiment of what Gohan could have been throughout the series, given that Toriyama initially intended for Gohan to be the series’ main character, particularly during the Cell Saga. However, these plans eventually shifted.

Initially, I planned to give the main character position to Gohan. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out as expected. In my opinion, when compared to Goku, he wasn’t the ideal choice for the role.

— Akira Toriyama in an interview

Many viewers found themselves disheartened when Gohan started donning the role of the Great Saiyaman and pursuing education rather than dedicating himself entirely to training. To some, the Future Gohan character represents the most authentic portrayal of Gohan.

Future Gohan Is A Sad Version of Gohan

Although some fans anticipated seeing a battle-ready Future Gohan after the Cell Saga, that’s not the true essence of Gohan. Instead, Gohan, as we know him, was never drawn to combat; rather, his passion lies in scholarly pursuits.

In essence, the Cell Saga shows us that Gohan would have become a warrior reluctantly, if circumstances demanded it. This implies that Future Gohan represents a melancholic version of him – he’s what happens when Gohan is denied the freedom to choose his own path. Perhaps this is one reason why Future Gohan struggles to access the powers we’ve seen “normal” Gohan tap into; instead, he falters and ultimately succumbs in battle.

In a manner that doesn’t require him to adhere rigidly to a course of lethal conflicts, Gohan manages to unveil Ultimate and subsequently Beast form – arguably the most potent non-divine transformation depicted in the series. Gohan, essentially, is characterized as a protective figure, as he activates his full potential only when those dear to him are under threat.

This implies that if Gohan can’t fully utilize his power to destroy the androids from another timeline, it might mean that his mental state is crucial for him to reach his full potential. Interestingly, Gohan demonstrates his immense power when he is enraged, rather than when he feels overwhelmed by despair. It’s fascinating to consider that despite being potentially the strongest person in the universe, Gohan has yet to fully unlock his true powers due to his reluctance to do so.

In simpler terms, Future Gohan stands alone as Earth’s protector, a role he reluctantly assumes due to the absence of other helpers. This isn’t the life he desires for himself; quite the contrary, it’s not the path he’d willingly choose.

As an observer, I’m excited to share that I’ve noticed Dragon Ball Super is now accessible on MANGA Plus, offering versions in both English and Spanish. A handful of chapters are available for free browsing, but it seems that only those who have a regular or deluxe subscription can fully enjoy all the chapters that have been published so far.

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2025-04-11 16:06