Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has endured for four decades because of its adventurous storytelling, thrilling fight sequences, and compelling characters who have endlessly protected the Earth from destruction. Gohan matures from a young toddler into a parent himself over the course of Dragon Ball Z and he’s always been an individual that the series has teased for greatness.
Gohan’s success has been up and down across Dragon Ball, but his recent accomplishments indicate that the future has big plans for the character. Many of Gohan’s biggest moments are among Dragon Ball’s best, but some of them hit harder than others.
10 Future Gohan & Trunks Take On Androids 17 & 18
Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks is a special series installment that’s set in Future Trunks’ fractured timeline and chronicles the tragic events that send him back to the past to help Goku and company against Dr. Gero’s Androids. While not technically the main prime timeline version of Gohan, Future Gohan becomes an invaluable mentor figure for Future Trunks after the rest of the world’s heroes are executed.
Future Gohan’s death becomes the trigger that pushes Future Trunks to Super Saiyan status for the first time. The impact of Future Gohan’s sacrifice isn’t lost on audiences, but it’s just as inspiring to watch Future Gohan and Future Trunks launch a tag team attack on Androids 17 and 18.
9 Gohan Injures Raditz To Protect His Dad
Dragon Ball Z begins with Gohan at the young age of four years old, which nicely parallels the original Dragon Ball’s initial focus on a younger Goku. Gohan is treated like a whiny, frightened child during Raditz’s invasion of Earth.
However, Dragon Ball Z quickly telegraphs Gohan’s inner strength and latent potential when he gets overcome with rage, greatly boosts his power level, and actually manages to launch a successful attack on the grown Saiyan warrior. Gohan’s burst of rage against Raditz lays the foundation for the character’s trajectory for the rest of Dragon Ball.
8 Gohan’s Rage Gets The Better Of Him Against Spopovich
Majin Buu’s awakening is a devastating cataclysm for the Earth. However, before his reign of terror begins, Babidi must first steal enough energy to trigger his resurrection. Babidi sends his Majin minions, Spopovich and Yamu, to gather energy, which puts Videl in the villains’ crosshairs. Spopovich’s aggressive beatdown on Videl is among the most brutal battles in Dragon Ball.
Spopovich’s actions are so vicious that it forces Gohan to blow his Great Saiyaman cover and power up to Super Saiyan strength to stop this violence. Gohan’s outburst inadvertently gives Babidi even greater strength, but it proves his affection for Videl.
7 Gohan Executes Bojack
Dragon Ball Z: Bojack Unbound is the ninth DBZ feature film, but particularly unique since it's set during the period where Goku is still living in Other World following his Cell Games fatality. Bojack Unbound allows Gohan to be front and center as he takes on Bojack and his resilient Galaxy Soldiers.
Bojack successfully pushes Gohan's buttons when he gloats to the Saiyan over the death of his daughter, Pan. This is untrue, but it's enough to push Gohan to Super Saiyan 2 status and eliminate Bojack in a single blow. It's an extremely cathartic end to the movie that reinforces Gohan's status as Earth's strongest.
6 Gohan Teaches Videl How To Fly
Gohan’s teen years become a fascinating transition period for the growing warrior, and he finds a proper companion in Videl, Mr. Satan’s daughter. Gohan and Videl quickly connect through their mutual love of martial arts. Videl is an accomplished fighter, but she’s used to hand-to-hand combat rather than ki manipulation and energy attacks.
One of the sweeter and more subdued Dragon Ball Z moments is when Gohan earnestly teaches Videl how to fly, which doubles as a date for the two of them. It’s a beautiful scene that reflects Gohan’s sweeter side and how he’s a natural teacher and leader.
5 Ultimate Gohan Takes On Super Buu
Kid Buu is eventually defeated by Goku and a Super Spirit Bomb, but before this predictable conclusion there’s considerable suspense that’s built up over the idea that Gohan will be Buu’s conqueror. The Buu Saga’s start focuses on Gohan’s strenuous training on the Sacred World of the Kai, which culminates in his Ultimate upgrade. Gohan doesn’t waste any time and quickly showcases his boosted strength against Super Buu.
Gohan initially holds his own against Buu, and it’s some of the Saiyan’s strongest fighting and strategies from the series. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Z gets cold feet here and pushes Gohan to get absorbed by Super Buu. It’s a disappointing finish, but the battle that leads up to it is incredible.
4 Gohan’s Z Sword Training & Ultimate Upgrade
Buu’s awakening and attack on the Earth pushes all the heroes out of their comfort zones and forces them to consult unconventional tactics for success, such as fusion. Gohan heads to the Sacred World of the Kai as a prestigious pupil for Old Kai, but any success is dependent upon his ability to master the Z Sword and pass these unusual trials.
Gohan frees Old Kai and proves himself worthy of his Ultimate upgrade, which releases all of his inner potential. It’s a truly special moment that sets up Gohan as the ultimate hero even if Dragon Ball Z doesn’t follow through on this decision.
3 Gohan Launches A Family Kamehameha With Goku & Goten
One of Dragon Ball's most satisfying elements is its approach to generational storytelling and how the narrative gradually shifts from Goku to Gohan to Goten. Dragon Ball Z: Broly – Second Coming is the tenth Dragon Ball Z movie and Broly's second attack against the heroes.
The sequel film concludes in a very touching display of power where Gohan engages in a "Family Kamehameha" alongside his father and brother. These three Saiyans combine their signature attack to overpower Broly's Omega Blaster and send the Legendary Super Saiyan careening into the sun. It's a team effort, but a touching reminder of how much Gohan loves his family.
2 Gohan Transforms Into Gohan Beast Against Cell Max
Dragon Ball Z consistently sets Gohan up for success, but the character’s progress drastically slows down in Dragon Ball Super. Gohan experiences an identity crisis of sorts as he embraces a domestic life with his family rather than one that revolves around martial arts and transformations. It takes Gohan some time to get his groove back, but it happens.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero shifts the spotlight from Goku and Vegeta to Gohan and Piccolo, complete with new transformations. Gohan’s Beast ascension is certainly reminiscent of his Super Saiyan 2 transformation. It’s Gohan’s fear that he’s lost Piccolo that pushes him to this new power plateau and he remains the only one strong enough to defeat Cell Max.
1 Gohan Ascends To Become The First Super Saiyan 2
Super Saiyan transformations still highlight some of Dragon Ball’s greatest moments. Plenty of Super Saiyan tiers of powers surpass Super Saiyan 2, but it’s hard to argue with the transformation’s explosive debut. Gohan becomes the first Super Saiyan 2 warrior after Perfect Cell’s evil ways push him over the edge and properly ignite his fighting spirit.
The transformation itself is elegantly handled and doesn’t just feel derivative of Goku’s first Super Saiyan metamorphosis. Furthermore, Super Saiyan 2 Gohan’s subsequent takedown of the Cell Juniors, and later Cell himself, is extremely satisfying. It’s a moment that Gohan will forever chase.
