Despite there being many popular characters in Dragon Ball, Gohan is often misunderstood and remains a topic of debate in the franchise. While he has been consistently portrayed as someone who lacks a natural love for fighting, there are still fans who wish to see him possess the same determination as his father Goku and Vegeta.
Despite some fans blaming his mother Chi-Chi for his lack of progress as a fighter in Dragon Ball, claiming that she was forcing him to study against his wishes, this is actually a misconception. A recent discussion on X further highlighted the divisive nature of the character, even after many years.
Please be aware that this article contains spoilers for the series.
Exploring the Misunderstood Character of Gohan in the Dragon Ball Franchise
Despite the passage of time within the franchise, a considerable portion of the fanbase still holds a strong desire for Gohan to possess the same innate fighting abilities as Goku and Vegeta. This sentiment is consistently expressed across various online platforms, with many wishing to see Gohan embrace a more active role in training and combat rather than his chosen path as a scholar.
It is acceptable for fans to express their criticisms of a series and offer their own ideas for the plot in a light-hearted manner. However, it is evident that author Akira Toriyama did not intend for Gohan to possess the same characteristics as Goku and Vegeta.
Despite being half-human, he still desires a normal life with his family, a longing that is influenced by the fact that he has been engaged in battles since the tender age of four and has witnessed numerous tragic events.
Despite facing resentment, Chi-Chi’s actions of keeping her son studying and at home instead of training should be seen as those of a caring parent. It’s only natural for a parent to prioritize their child’s safety and education, so criticizing her for this seems unfair when considering the circumstances.
Reactions Online
Recently, there was a conversation on X about Gohan’s character development throughout the years. It was noted that the current Super version strikes the perfect balance he has always desired with his role as a scholar, happy family life, and impressive fighting abilities. This sparked a discussion about how his character should be portrayed and what would be most beneficial for his growth.
While Goku and Vegeta are known for their obsession with training and fighting, it should be noted that not every character in the series shares this same passion. This is one of the factors that sets them apart and contributes to their consistently higher power levels. Additionally, Gohan’s training was always driven by necessity rather than passion, making the idea of him emulating Goku and Vegeta seem misguided.
“ya, those pics are fire but i wouldnt change gohan,”someone said.
“Gohan just never had the same drive to be a fighter like Goku. He only trained and fought because he needed to or others needed him to,”another person said.
“The problem is a lot of people don’t actually like Gohan. They have an idea of what they want Gohan to be, but bro is just a big nerd living his best life, and maybe that just isn’t for you,”someone else said.
It should be noted that many fans believe Gohan’s greatest moment was when he achieved Super Saiyan 2 against Cell, a moment that is still highly praised in the world of Dragon Ball and anime. While this scene is undoubtedly memorable, it is important to remember that Gohan’s character was never driven by a desire to fight, unlike his father Goku. Instead, Gohan was always pushed into battles out of necessity, making him a unique and distinct character.
“I like a balanced Gohan, he’s closer to a classic Western Super Hero where he has to juggle being Earth’s Defender with also keeping up with his studies. He was never going to be an enthusiast for fighting like Goku or Vegeta, but he should still hold his own in a fight,”someone said.
“Some fans just refuse to let go of Cell Games Gohan. They just want him to stay THAT way forever,”another person said.
Despite being a character that often divides fans, Gohan remains one of the most popular and beloved figures in the Dragon Ball franchise.
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