Gohan, the eldest son of Goku and Chi-Chi, was once considered one of the strongest characters in the Dragon Ball universe. His potential was off the charts, with many fans believing he could surpass his father in strength. However, as the series progressed, Gohan’s power seemed to diminish, leaving fans wondering: Why did Gohan become weak?
From his early days as a child warrior, Gohan exhibited extraordinary abilities that caught the attention of both allies and enemies. His immense power was showcased during the fight against the Saiyan warrior, Raditz, and his ascension to Super Saiyan 2 during the Cell Games. At that moment, Gohan was truly seen as the savior of Earth, defeating Cell in an emotional and dramatic battle. However, after this iconic moment, Gohan’s character trajectory took a drastic turn. Instead of continuing to train and grow stronger like Goku and Vegeta, Gohan began focusing on his studies, becoming more of a scholar than a fighter.
But was this choice the reason for his weakening? Was it simply a matter of priorities shifting, or is there a deeper explanation behind Gohan’s fall from grace as a powerful fighter? Let’s take a closer look at why Gohan’s strength declined and what factors contributed to his transformation.
Gohan’s Early Days: The Prodigy with Limitless Potential
Gohan’s early childhood was marked by a remarkable display of power. Even as a toddler, Gohan showed that he was no ordinary child. During his first battle against Raditz, Gohan’s hidden power was awakened, knocking out Raditz and showing that he had immense potential. At that time, his power level was already considerably higher than Goku’s at a similar age.
His role during the Namek saga was pivotal, as he helped Goku and the others in their fight against the tyrant Frieza. However, it was in the Cell Games saga that Gohan truly shined. After Goku made the ultimate sacrifice, Gohan’s rage and sorrow unlocked his Super Saiyan 2 transformation. This was a pivotal moment in the Dragon Ball Z series, as Gohan defeated the powerful android Cell. He became the new hope for Earth, and for a brief period, it seemed that Gohan would take the mantle of Earth’s protector from his father, Goku.
Gohan’s Shift in Focus: The Scholar Over the Warrior
After the Cell Games, Gohan’s character took a significant turn. Instead of continuing his training to grow even stronger, he decided to prioritize his education. As the son of Goku, who was always a warrior at heart, Gohan had a different mindset, largely influenced by his mother, Chi-Chi. Chi-Chi wanted Gohan to have a stable future and pushed him toward becoming a scholar. This shift in priorities was the first sign of his weakening as a fighter.
In the Buu Saga, we see Gohan as a young adult who has become more intellectual and focused on his studies than combat. He even refuses to train seriously with his father and Vegeta, choosing instead to study for the World Martial Arts Tournament. While this doesn’t make Gohan weak per se, it certainly marked the beginning of his decline as a warrior. Without constant training and battling fierce enemies, Gohan’s power started to diminish over time.
Gohan’s Role in the Majin Buu Saga
During the Majin Buu arc, Gohan’s potential as a fighter was still present, but it was largely untapped. When the Z Fighters confronted Majin Buu, Gohan was one of the key warriors, but he had no intention of becoming the team’s main strength. He was initially portrayed as a knowledgeable and strategic fighter, but not the powerhouse he once was. Despite the fact that Gohan had the potential to be the strongest fighter on Earth, he was more focused on peace and academic pursuits.
Additionally, Gohan’s lack of training made it difficult for him to keep up with more dedicated fighters like Goku and Vegeta, who were constantly improving their strength. Even with his latent potential, Gohan was never able to tap into the level of power that he had during his battle with Cell. In fact, it’s implied that Gohan’s lack of combat experience was a major factor in his inability to face Buu head-on.
The Effect of the Dragon Ball Super Saga: Gohan’s Weakening Continues
When Dragon Ball Super premiered, Gohan had undergone even further character development. He was no longer the young, rebellious fighter who was destined to take over his father’s mantle. Instead, Gohan had become a father and a scholar, and his role as a fighter was seemingly put on hold. During the Universe 6 and Future Trunks arcs, Gohan’s power was once again questioned as he showed signs of weakness in comparison to Goku and Vegeta.
In the Universe Survival arc, Gohan was one of the main fighters for Universe 7 in the Tournament of Power, but his performance was far from impressive. Although he displayed strategic intelligence and leadership skills, his raw power didn’t compare to the other participants, especially Goku and Vegeta, who were achieving new heights of strength through intense training. Gohan’s power was no longer on par with the likes of these warriors, and this became even more evident during the tournament.
In the Tournament of Power, Gohan struggled to keep up with more powerful opponents. He was able to hold his own for a while but eventually needed to rely on his team’s efforts rather than his own strength. This served as a clear indication of how much Gohan’s power had dwindled since his early days.
What Contributed to Gohan’s Weakening?
- Prioritizing Education Over Training: As mentioned earlier, Gohan’s decision to pursue academics over combat played a significant role in his decline as a fighter. By focusing on his studies, Gohan neglected the intense training that made him a formidable fighter. Without this focus on combat, his power faded, and he became more of a support character than a lead fighter.
- Emotional and Mental Growth: Gohan’s transition from a battle-hardened warrior to a peaceful scholar involved a shift in his mindset. While this was a positive growth for his character, it meant that he was less driven by the need to train and fight. His emotional maturity and focus on peace took precedence, leaving his Saiyan instincts to train and fight dormant.
- Lack of Competitors: Goku and Vegeta continued to push themselves beyond their limits, constantly fighting stronger opponents. Meanwhile, Gohan didn’t face the same challenges. His lack of serious battles and rivalry with powerful fighters made it difficult for him to keep up with their exponential growth.
- Goku’s Influence: Goku’s relentless pursuit of strength and battle often overshadowed Gohan’s journey. Gohan’s natural strength was always there, but Goku’s focus on training often kept Gohan from tapping into his full potential. Gohan’s potential as a fighter was never nurtured in the same way that Goku’s and Vegeta’s were.
Can Gohan Return to His Full Power?
While Gohan’s weakness may be a result of his character development, it’s important to note that he still has the potential to return to his former glory. Gohan’s latent abilities have always been present, and with the right motivation and training, he could once again become one of the strongest warriors in the universe. Dragon Ball Super hints at this when Gohan engages in brief training sessions with Piccolo, suggesting that he could regain his former strength.
The possibility remains open for Gohan to tap into his Saiyan heritage and once again become a formidable fighter. As new threats appear in the Dragon Ball universe, Gohan’s role may evolve, potentially bringing him back into the fold as a strong and capable fighter.
