The Trials and Tribulations of Gohan

Birth of Gohan.

May 1, 757

The son of Goku and Chi-Chi is born. He is named after the man who raised Goku; his Grandfather.

Life of Gohan

Period: May 1, 757 to Mar 2, 2022

The story of Gohan, a titular character in the series Dragon Ball Z, is a simple one, riddled with intended complexities. Gohan is a case of the writer always telling and never showing. Throughout the series, Gohan is built up as a paragon of potential; the prodigal son. This is a potential that is never realized and can leave the show feeling half-baked at times.

Arrival Of Raditz

Oct 1, 761

Goku;s brother Raditz arrives on Earth. It is during this that we learn that Goku, and Gohan by extension, are part of an alien race called "Saiyans." We also learn that Goku was originally sent to the planet to destroy. Raditz kidnaps Gohan and attempts to use him as ransom to get Goku to fulfil his Saiyan duty. It is during this we see one of the first sparks of Gohan's hidden potential when he attacks Raditz.

Gohan's Training Begins

Dec 1, 761

After the attack of Raditz, Goku dies and Gohan is left in the care of a Namekian named Piccolo. Piccolo decides to train Gohan after seeing to potential inside of him during the fight. They only have a bit of time before Raditz' backup arrives on Earth, and Gohan must face them as one of Earth's defenders.

The Arrival of the Saiyans: Vegeta and Nappa!

Nov 1, 762

The backup for Raditz arrives as two more Saiyans named Vegeta and Nappa. They chastise Goku and Gohan for not living up the namesake of their race. The ensuing battle results in the death of a lot of the "Z-Fighters," including Gohan's best friend and mentor Piccolo. Many of their deaths were after a plan to kill one of the Saiyans, Nappa. When Gohan hid instead of launching his attack, Nappa was able to return fire and launch a devastating counter attack.

The Power of the Oozaru!

Nov 2, 762

During this fight with the Saiyans, we are reminded that they can turn into gigantic, powerful apes called Oozarus. Vegeta intends to use this form to fight Goku and the remaining Z Fighters but the table turns when Gohan transforms also! The rage is uncontrollable however and Gohan barely helps at all. Thus marking the first time Gohan was almost cool, nearly living up to his potential.

Journey to the Planet Namek!

Nov 14, 762

After the battle with the Saiyans, the remaining Z Fighters plot a jounery to the planet Namek. The race that lives there possess powerful Dragon Balls that will grant wishes. They plan to use these Dragon Balls to wish their friends and family back to life.

Search for the Dragon Balls

Dec 16, 762

Gohan, Krillin and Bulma arrive on Namek and find the forces of the infamous Lord Frieza already there, ahead of them in the search. He plans on using the Dragon Balls first and wishing for immortality. During this search Gohan shows many sparks of potential that never quite materilize into something worthwhile.

Power Boost!

Dec 20, 762

While on the planet Namek, Krillin and Gohan meet an old Namekian named Guru. He is the keeper of the Dragon Balls. Upon meeting Guru, he instantly sees potential in Gohan and uses his mystic powers to unleash it. This is referred to as a "zenkai boost" within the canon of the show.

Battle with Lord Frieza

Dec 20, 762

Goku arrives on Namek and, along with the rest of the Z Fighters, begin a fight to the death with Lord Frieza to stop his tyranny. Though the fight focuses on Goku. Gohan does have a few moments of strength and potential. Both after Piccolo is mortally wounded by Frieza and when his father has to buy time to charge an attack, Gohan is there seemingly willing and able to hold Frieza back and even test his strength. In my opinion, this is the first and last time that Gohan tried his best.

Goku Defeats Frieza

Dec 24, 762

In the last moments before the planet Namek explodes, the Dragon Balls are used to wish everyone but Frieza and Goku back to Earth.

Beginning of the Android Saga

May 12, 767

Androids 19 and 20 awake and begin wreaking havok along coastal cities. Gohan plays a minor roll in most of the events at the start of this saga.

Cell is Discovered

May 16, 767

Although having arrived long ago in a time machine from the future, the evil android Cell reveals himself for the first time. His goal is to absorb the other androids and achieve his perfect form.

Gohan and Goku Enter The Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

May 16, 767

With the powerful threat of the Androids 16, 17, and 18, along with the encroaching evil of Cell, Gohan and Goku enter the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. One year in this room is equal to one day spent on the planet Earth. Goku and Gohan use this to train and hopefully become powerful enough to save the planet. It is here that Goku teaches Gohan how to become a Super Saiyain.

The Climactic Battle With Cell!

May 26, 767

By now Cell has succeeded in absorbing the other androids and has reached his perfect form. Goku battles Cell to near stalemate but forfeits the battle so Gohanmay fight. Confused and reluctant, he nearly refuses to fight AGAIN resulting in the death of a number of his friends. Goku, reluctant to let everyone continually rely on him, refuses to defeat Cell outright.

Gohan Attains New Heights! Super Saiyan 2!

May 26, 767

After watching continuous pain inflicted on his friends by Cell, Gohan finally snaps and lashes out. The pain and anger inside him, along with his hidden potential, allow him to become the most powerful Saiyan on the planet and the first to reach Super Saiyan 2. Unfortunately, this is where Gohan being useful ends. His new power brings with it a new cockiness that causes Gohan to taunt Cell and not destroy him immediately. By stalling for time, Cell is able to nearly blow himself up.

Gohan Finally Destroys Cell

May 26, 767

Pressed for time and options, Goku steps back in and teleports Cell off of the planet before he destroys Earth, sacrificing himself to save the world again. Being that he is an android with the cells of the Nameks, who can regenerate, Cell is able to come back to life on the planet Earth. Gohan, stricken with sadness from his father's death, lashes out and manages to fully destroy Cell, with the spirit of his father egging him on. Sadly, this is not the last time Gohan drops the ball.

The Great Saiyaman!

Apr 7, 774

After Cell is destroyed there is a long period of peace. With his father goneand no major threats, Gohan pursues a life of academia. During this though he moonlights as the crimefighter "The Great Saiyaman!" and uses his powers to stop petty crime.

Gohan Meets Videl

Apr 9, 774

Soon after taking up the mantle of Great Saiyaman, his identity is found out by fellow classmate Videl. This plants the seeds of a relationship and Gohan teaches her to fly. Videl would eventually become Gohan's wife.

Start of the Buu Saga!

May 7, 774

An ancient demon named Majin Buu is awoken by the evil wizard Babidi. What ensues are a number of battles were Buu absorbs other Z fighters, thus increasing his strength and changing forms. Although many fighters put up formidably, they were nearly all outsmarted and absorbed, granting Buu more strength.

Gohan Fails Again!

May 8, 774

During Buu's rampage he manages to kill not only the Z Fighters but nearly everyone on the planet. Gohan, with his father, visits the planet of the Kais, mythical beings that serve as gods. Old Kai uses his power to AGAIN unlock Gohan's potential, granting him another zenkai boost. From this point on in the series, Gohan is considered in his "Mystic Form." This grants him more power than a Super Saiyan, but basically keeps him looking the same.

Pride Comes Before a Fall

May 10, 774

Unfortunately, history repeats itself. Gohan, again granted immense power, allows himself to get cocky and lenient with Majin Buu. This allows Buu to stall for time and secretly absorb the last couple Z fighters that remained alive on Earth. This, coupled with a sneak attack Gohan, allows Buu to defeat and absorb him within the span of about half an episode. This is by far Gohan's weakest showing. He spends half of this saga having his energy "unlocked" only to be dismantled immediately.

**TRIVIA**

May 10, 774

The writer of the series, Akira Toriyama, has previously stated that he intended the Buu saga to be a "handoff" of the series from father, Goku, to son, Gohan. This can be seen throughout the saga in small ways, such as Gohan's final battle stance with Buu mirroring the stance Goku took when fighting Vegeta. Unfortunately, the producing company wanted to keep Goku as the main character. Assuming this is true it could explain the hasty ball dropping of Gohan. Goku defeats Buu soon after.

Battle of Gods

Mar 2, 2022

The main animated series of Dragon Ball Z ends shortly after the Buu Saga. Sadly, Gohan's disappointments cannot be contained. A new movie called Battle of Gods has been released recently that takes place after the events of the series. In the movie, the God of Destruction Lord Beerus comes to Earth to destroy it. He is nice upon arrival but is quickly angered when he doesn't get a pudding cup. Gohan tries to fight him and is quickly dispatched before even landing a blow.