Dragon Ball: Gohan's Best Transformation Scenes, Ranked

Highlights

Dragon Ball franchise holds a special place in the hearts of fans, influencing the anime industry and gaining popularity across the globe.
Gohan’s iconic transformations, from Great Saiyaman to Ultimate Gohan, showcase his growth and power in the Dragon Ball universe.
Gohan’s Super Saiyan 2 transformation against Perfect Cell is a pivotal moment, driven by love, anger, and a strong desire to protect his loved ones.

As a long-time fan of Dragon Ball Z and Super, I can confidently say that Gohan’s transformations are some of the most captivating and impactful moments in the series. Each form showcases his growth as a character and the immense power he possesses when pushed to his limits.

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball series, encompassing its various adaptations, is widely regarded as one of the most impactful anime universes ever produced. The original anime series, including Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, along with the many films that were released concurrently, continue to maintain immense popularity. Furthermore, Dragon Ball is often credited for propelling the anime industry into mainstream acceptance among Western audiences.

In the Dragon Ball universe, Gohan, the son of the main character Goku, is renowned for his memorable transformations. Occasionally, he even outshines his father in strength and power. At times, he assumes a role that borders on the foolish superhero, concealing his identity to protect Earth’s inhabitants in the show’s depiction of our planet. Each transformation resonates deeply with fans, though some are more cherished than others.

6 Great Saiyaman

“Protector Of The Innocent”

Dragon Ball: Gohan's Best Transformation Scenes, Ranked

First Appearance: September 15, 1993
Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Episode 201, “I am Saiyaman”
Story Arc: The Great Saiyaman Saga

In Dragon Ball Z’s Majin Buu saga, Gohan came up with an understated transformation – the Great Saiyaman – as a way to help those in distress without revealing his true identity. Being a high school student at that point in the story and eventually gaining a girlfriend, maintaining secrecy about his identity was crucial for him, as it allowed him to protect the people he cared about.

In this new portrayal, The Great Saiyaman isn’t so much about a traditional metamorphosis but rather a suit equipped with a helmet. This particular depiction of Gohan revealed a more relatable aspect of his character, despite falling short when compared to his Super Saiyan 2 transformation from the Perfect Cell Saga, which was shown in the previous few episodes.

5 Ozaru Gohan

The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall On Vegeta

First Appearance: June 21, 1989
Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Episode 8, “Gohan Goes Bananas!”
Story Arc: Saiyan Saga

Despite being half-Saiyan, Gohan shares a characteristic with Goku and Vegeta – they all possess tails. Consequently, if his tail remains unaltered while he gazes at a full moon, he undergoes a transformation into a colossal ape, also known as an Ozaru. The manga suggests that this transformation is triggered by the moon’s release of Blutz Waves, which are essential for such metamorphosis to occur.

In the realm of Dragon Ball, I’ve only tapped into my Ozaru form twice throughout the entire series, and both transformations happened during Dragon Ball Z. The first transformation took place while I was training with Piccolo prior to the arrival of the Saiyans. This event didn’t contribute much to the narrative other than hinting at the return of the Ozaru form in Dragon Ball Z, and Piccolo annihilating the moon to halt my transformation. The second time I transformed into Ozaru was more impactful, as it aided the Z-fighters in taking down a relentless Vegeta during the Saiyan Saga.

4 Super Saiyan Gohan

Sheer Hard Work And Determination

First Appearance: September 9, 1992
Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Episode 156, “Bow to the Prince”
Story Arc: Perfect Cell Saga

As I eagerly watched the Dragon Ball Z series unfold, it was thrilling to see Goku come back from Namek already transformed into the legendary Super Saiyan form. Not long after, Vegeta followed suit, mirroring this incredible power. However, during the Android Saga, Gohan chose to remain in his normal state.

In the Cell Saga, Vegeta and Trunks battle against Cell to keep him at bay, while Goku and Gohan are inside the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Here, Goku instructs Gohan on how to transform into a Super Saiyan. Upon their emergence, they’ve mastered the full potential of the Super Saiyan form, enabling them to remain in this enhanced state without rapidly depleting energy. This transformation, though frequently underestimated, plays a crucial role in Gohan unleashing his first significant metamorphosis. It also strengthens the bond between father and son.

3 Ultimate Gohan

Gohan’s Redeeming Moment

First Appearance: April 26, 1995
Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Episode 262, “Unlucky Break”
Story Arc: Majin Buu Saga

Following the Cell Saga, Gohan’s role in the series significantly diminishes as he shifts his attention towards academic pursuits rather than combat training and power enhancement. However, the impending danger of Majin Buu brings him out of retirement. Gohan journeys to the realm of Supreme Kai to boost his strength. He endeavors with the Z-sword, a challenging weapon at first, but Gohan swiftly becomes proficient with it. Unfortunately, during his training, he inadvertently shatters the sword, leaving him no other recourse but to awaken his concealed power.

In an extended ceremony, the Elder Kai awakens Gohan’s hidden potential, enabling him to attain the Ultimate Form, or Mystic Gohan. This transformation grants him strength surpassing that of a Super Saiyan while maintaining his standard appearance, thus sparing energy. Not only does Gohan manage to defeat Super Buu in this form, but he also showcases it at the Tournament of Power in Dragon Ball: Super, standing toe-to-toe with some of the most powerful fighters across all universes.

2 Beast Gohan

Gohan’s Very Own Ultra Instinct Form

First Appearance: 2022
Movie: Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

In the latest film “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” which continues the storyline from “Dragon Ball Super,” Gohan finds himself focusing more on his academic pursuits rather than training. Being a family man now, he may not be as powerful as before, but his love for his family, particularly his daughter, Pan, has made him extraordinarily vigilant in their protection.

In the remake of Dragon Ball, the Red Ribbon Army from the original series returns with two advanced androids and a goal to resurrect Cell. To draw Gohan into a fight since he poses the greatest danger to them, they abduct his friend Pan. Simultaneously, Goku and Vegeta are away, training in the realm of Beerus, the Destructive God of Universe 7. While Piccolo and Gohan attempt to fend off the new Androids, the army reawakens Cell Max – a massively enlarged, genetically engineered duplicate of the original Cell that possesses far greater power than any opponent the Z-Warriors have encountered previously.

In response to his daughter’s peril and Piccolo nearing death, Gohan transforms into his distinctive Beast form. Although the process leading up to this transformation might not be as smoothly portrayed compared to other forms in the list, the Beast Form underscores yet again Gohan’s immense power. It demonstrates what he can accomplish when pushed beyond his usual boundaries, positioning him on par with Goku’s Ultra Instinct state.

1 Gohan Super Saiyan 2

Love And Anger

First Appearance: May 5, 1993
Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Episode: 184 “Cell Juniors Attack!”
Story Arc: Perfect Cell Saga

Among the memorable scenes in the Dragon Ball Z series, one that comes close to Goku’s transformation into Super Saiyan is when Gohan transformed into Super Saiyan 2 against Perfect Cell. In this tense scenario, with the fate of his friends and the planet Earth hanging in the balance, a determined teenage Gohan reached his breaking point. The overwhelming emotions he felt for his loved ones, coupled with an intense hatred for Cell, served as the triggers. When Cell brutally killed Android 16, it was the final straw that propelled Gohan beyond his Super Saiyan form.

In his transformed state as Super Saiyan 2, Gohan swiftly handles the Cell Juniors who were causing trouble for the Z-fighters. He systematically defeats them, punch by punch. Eventually, he emerges victorious in the fight and, with Goku’s assistance, ensures that the Cell threat is eradicated from Earth permanently.

2024-08-16 08:04

Dragon Ball: Gohan’s Best Transformation Scenes, Ranked