Dragon Ball Super: Why Broly Makes Gohan Completely Irrelevant Now

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Since the Buu Saga in DBZ, Gohan has been one of the most divisive characters due to his rejection as the new leading protagonist. For a decade, he’s lacked a defined role or substantial growth. Even the movie centered around him, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” didn’t manage to create an engaging storyline for him. This leads one to ponder if Gohan should be confined to the background characters permanently, considering the introduction of our latest main character.

Dragon Ball Super often struggles to find a meaningful role for Gohan, and introducing Broly into the main cast seems to further diminish his significance. Similar to Gohan, Broly is a strong Saiyan warrior with a tender heart who draws power from his anger. However, unlike Gohan, Broly also possesses a more humorous personality that contrasts well with Goku and Vegeta’s, providing fresh dynamics. Additionally, Broly plays a crucial role in the upcoming Black Frieza Saga’s plot.

Gohan Has Contributed Almost Nothing to Dragon Ball Super

Gohan’s Daughter Has Had a More Meaningful Role in Dragon Ball Super Than He Has

In the anime series Dragon Ball Super, Gohan is often criticized for being underdeveloped and misused. Both questionable writing choices and factors beyond the control of the writers have contributed to this situation. Throughout his appearances in the anime, manga, and movies, he has frequently been treated disrespectfully and presented less engagingly than during his time in Dragon Ball Z. The introduction of Gohan into the main cast was initially promising, but when he takes center stage in Super, it seems to negatively impact the overall series.

In the early phases of Dragon Ball Super, Gohan frequently grapples with the desire for a tranquil existence versus the desire to fight. This could have been an impactful narrative about a man who was essentially turned into a child soldier, struggling to construct a new life while still tormented by his past. Regrettably, it instead becomes an inconsistent, void, and unfeeling tale. During the period spanning Resurrection ‘F’ and the Universe Survival Sagas, there is no clear sense of character development for him.

When Gohan decides not to fight, he faces mockery and is seen as a joke. But when he takes up the mantle of a fighter, there’s no one who can match his skill. Previously kept out of action for several story arcs, the Universe Survival and Galactic Patrol Prisoner Sagas reveal a new side to Gohan. Instead of a man scarred by trauma or a strategist above all else, he emerges as a steadfast, serious hero with strong moral values.

Initially, the series Dragon Ball Super found itself in a challenging position due to Gohan, primarily because of his portrayal in the finale of Dragon Ball Z and fan preferences for this beloved character. Consequently, Super had to be careful with how it developed Gohan, as significant changes might not align with the character’s previous arc. Fans clamored for a more substantial role for Gohan, but creators were limited in their options without compromising the balance of the series. At present, there seems to be little potential for intriguing developments concerning Gohan himself, while his child Pan has emerged as a character with a clear path.

Gohan’s Beast Form Doesn’t Actually Make Him More Relevant

Gohan Being as Strong as Goku Doesn’t Mean He’s Going to Be Any More Important

To numerous fans, the movie “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” marked a significant shift in Gohan’s character. By transforming into Gohan Beast, he matched Goku’s strength for the first time since Dragon Ball Super started, and managed to save the world from Cell Max. However, contrary to the notion that this is an indication of a new era of greatness for Gohan, it sadly signals the decline of his character.

In the movie “Super Hero,” though Gohan is officially the lead character, he isn’t the central figure. The story primarily revolves around Piccolo and Pan, with Gohan having a minor role until the finale. This discrepancy arises because Gohan’s Beast form was not part of the initial script; instead, it was added to a film that originally focused solely on Piccolo. Unlike in Dragon Ball Z, where Goku often swoops in to save the day despite minimal involvement earlier, this narrative decision doesn’t fit as seamlessly here as it did before.

The third act of “Super Hero” is quite similar to the conclusion of the Cell Saga, with the exception that Gohan manages to suppress his anger this time and maintain control over his new abilities, unlike previous instances. If the movie had focused on Gohan’s development, it could have been fascinating, but instead, it seems like an added feature, lacking depth and authenticity. It appears as though the creators are admitting they are out of fresh ideas for Gohan, and unfortunately, it makes Gohan seem even less interesting than before.

As we delve into the Black Frieza Saga in “Dragon Ball Super”, Gohan has become a significant character within the series. However, his “Beast” form might make him the most powerful among them, yet this fact holds little significance. Since the storyline hasn’t progressed beyond the “End of Z”, there seems to be no room for Gohan as a supporting character, and he’s unlikely to surpass Goku and Vegeta in prominence. Moreover, Gohan is less engaging than both of them and fails to provide the diverse dynamic that Piccolo adds to the main cast. Despite being stronger than ever, Gohan unfortunately feels more superfluous than useful in this context.

Everything Gohan Can Do, Broly Can Do Better

Broly Has Far More Potential as a Character Than Gohan

Ever since the debut of Broly in “Dragon Ball Super: Broly”, this Saiyan character has become one of the most intriguing aspects of the modern era of the franchise. A significantly improved version of his notorious ’90s counterpart, Broly shares some similarities with Gohan, yet contrasts him in many ways. Broly is a gentle, socially awkward individual, but his strength is fueled by anger. However, other aspects of his personality lead to better dynamics with Goku and Vegeta, making him more enjoyable to watch as the story progresses.

While Gohan is characterized by his intelligence and maturity, which can seem repetitive alongside Piccolo’s presence, Broly exhibits a personality reminiscent of Goku when he first appeared. He isn’t dumb, but rather very innocent and wild, lacking social graces. This unique mix of traits results in his interactions with Goku and Vegeta in both “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” and “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” being more entertaining compared to any encounters Gohan has had with them in “Super”.

It’s uncertain how the Black Frieza Saga will unfold, but it would be surprising if Broly didn’t play a significant part in it. This arc will be the first after his relocation to Beerus’ planet, and he initially entered the series due to Frieza’s machinations. His father, Paragus, was slain by Frieza, which means Broly is seeking revenge when Frieza reappears. It’s also possible that Frieza may still view Broly as a potential partner. Additionally, it might be simpler to incorporate Broly’s supporting characters into the story compared to Gohan’s. Characters like Cheelai and Lemo, who are currently with Broly on Beerus’ planet, could become crucial depending on Frieza’s emotional influence over Broly. Videl and Pan can likely remain safe on Earth during this time.

While it would bring great joy to Dragon Ball fans to see a significant part for Gohan in the Black Frieza Saga, such an event seems extremely unlikely. The creators of Dragon Ball Super have shown little intent to utilize his character beyond fan service, and they are still bound by the development of his character during the “End of Z.” It would be wiser for the manga not to spend valuable panel space on Gohan and instead concentrate more on Broly.

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2025-04-29 17:09