The Real Reason Gohan Failed As Dragon Ball’s Main Character Isn’t What Fans Think

The Real Reason Gohan Failed As Dragon Ball’s Main Character Isn’t What Fans Think

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There may be no anime protagonist more iconic and lasting than Dragon Ball‘s Goku. In the years since his relatively humble 1984 debut, Son Goku has inspired and entertained generations of fans around the world, and will continue to do so for years to come. From a weekly action manga hero to the face of an art form, there’s little Goku hasn’t done, and there are few corners of the world his influence hasn’t reached.

However, at one time, Goku’s role as Dragon Ball‘s main character was passed on to another fighter. During the latter half of the Cell Saga, the penultimate arc of Akira Toriyama’s original series, Goku’s son, Gohan, stepped into the protagonist role. Though his time in the spotlight was short, as Goku quickly regained his protagonist status in the Majin Buu Saga.

In the decades since, Dragon Ball‘s ever-growing fan base has speculated about the change, wondering whether it was due to each character’s popularity or if Toriyama simply had a change of heart. Though a specific reason will likely never come to light, there’s a clear and rather simple narrative reason Gohan did not work as the series’ protagonist.

Gohan Wasn’t a Fit as Protagonist During the Buu Saga Because His Character Arc Was Already Finished

Dragon Ball Z had dual protagonists, an aspect of the series that isn’t often discussed. From the moment that Raditz arrives on Earth to the climactic defeat of Kid Buu, Goku is away from the action more than he’s present for it. While he’s away, training, or dead, Gohan is the focal point of the series. He enters as a timid young boy, hardened by his training with Piccolo, who can transcend his limits when his rage gets the better of him.

Throughout the series, as Gohan finds himself standing across increasingly dangerous villains, he’s forced to mature early, and contend with the fact that, though he’s a gentle soul, he has a responsibility to use his strength to protect his loved ones. During the Cell Saga, his character arc comes to its climax and sees the young warrior drop his restraints, embrace his power, and become the savior of Earth.

Goten looking sad next to Ultimate Gohan from Dragon Ball's Buu Saga.

Goten Is Never Going to Surpass Gohan, And Dragon Ball’s Creator Already Told Us Why

Gohan is one of Dragon Ball’s strongest characters, but his little brother Goten has consistently trailed behind the pack, and there’s a reason why.

That moment effectively brought Gohan’s character arc to a close, and when it came time for him to take on the role of protagonist, there wasn’t much left that Akira Toriyama could do with him. When asked, he commented that he felt Gohan wasn’t ultimately a fit for the role, and he was correct in his statement. Goku works as a character because his goals are ever-shifting, ever-evolving. Gohan completed his growth, and it’s evident when the series continues to make his apprehension towards fighting a central part of his character.

Even If He Isn’t in the Lead, Gohan Can Still Play a Prominent Role in the Series

Dragon Ball Super’s Recent Developments Have Given Way to a New Super Team of Fighters

Goku UI and Gohan Beast Featured Image Custom Image by Casandra Ronning

Dragon Ball is entering a new era following its recent period of relative inactivity, now moving forward without the guidance of creator Akira Toriyama. Though it’s unconfirmed, fans expect the Dragon Ball Super manga to continue under Toyotaro’s watch in coming years, and whatever events to come will give Gohan a chance to step back into a prominent role. He may not stand alone in the spotlight, but with his new Beast form, he can stand alongside fighters like Goku, Vegeta, and Broly on relatively equal footing.



















Dragon Ball · Character Profile
Which Dragon Ball Character Are You?
“Power comes in response to a need, not a desire.”


Goku
The Fighter


Vegeta
The Prince


Piccolo
The Mentor

01

A powerful new enemy appears. What’s your first reaction?



02

How do you train for an upcoming battle?



03

Your team is losing a fight. What do you do?



04

A rival challenges you to a one-on-one fight. How do you respond?



05

An old enemy offers to join your side. What do you do?



06

What’s your biggest weakness?



07

You sense a massive power level approaching Earth. What’s your move?



08

What drives you more than anything?



Power Level Scanned
Your Dragon Ball Identity

Goku

“I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace.”
You’re a pure-hearted warrior who lives for the thrill of the fight. Every challenge is an opportunity, every enemy a potential friend, and every defeat just fuel to come back stronger. People are drawn to your infectious optimism and unbreakable spirit, even when your naivety drives them crazy. You’d give your last Senzu Bean to a stranger and charge headfirst into a battle you can’t win — not because you’re reckless, but because you genuinely believe that pushing past your limits is the only way to grow. Like Goku, your greatest power isn’t your ki — it’s your ability to inspire everyone around you to be better.

Pure-Hearted
Fearless
Limitless
Inspiring

Vegeta

“I do not fear this new challenge. Rather like a true warrior, I will rise to meet it.”
You carry yourself with the pride of royalty and the ferocity of a born warrior. Second place is not in your vocabulary, and you’d rather break your body than your spirit. People might call you arrogant, but beneath that iron exterior lies someone who has learned to fight not just for themselves, but for the people they’ve quietly grown to love. Your journey is one of evolution — from cold-blooded conqueror to Earth’s fiercest protector — and every scar you carry is proof that pride and love can coexist. Like Vegeta, you don’t just want to be the strongest — you need to earn it on your own terms.

Proud
Relentless
Fierce
Evolving

Piccolo

“Sometimes, we have to look beyond what we want and do what’s best.”
You’re the one everyone depends on when things fall apart — the calm center in the middle of chaos. While others charge in recklessly or let their ego do the talking, you see the bigger picture and make the hard calls that need making. You didn’t choose to care about people, but somewhere along the way it happened, and now you’d sacrifice everything for those you’ve taken under your wing. Stoic on the surface, deeply loyal underneath, you’re the mentor, the strategist, and the last line of defense all in one. Like Piccolo, your true strength is wisdom — and the courage to do what’s right even when no one is watching.

Wise
Tactical
Protective
Stoic

In future battles, this new super team of fighters can share the spotlight, moving away from the Goku-centric fights of the past to truly ushering in a new era for Dragon Ball. Hey may not be the protagonist, but Gohan can still play a major role in the series.

Dragon Ball Franchise Image

Created by

Akira Toriyama

First Film

Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies

Latest Film

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

First TV Show

Dragon Ball

Latest TV Show

Super Dragon Ball Heroes

First Episode Air Date

April 26, 1989

From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.


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