Exploring Gohan's Epic Transformations in Dragon Ball

Transformations in Dragon Ball are a common and easily recognizable aspect of the series. Many characters have gotten stronger by unlocking new forms, making them the strongest character at a certain point in the story. Goku going Super Saiyan for the first time against Frieza in Namek set the stage for this trend.

Gohan has also undergone significant transformations throughout the series. Since his introduction, he has played a key role as one of the strongest characters. His various transformations have occurred at crucial moments, from his beginnings as a child in the Saiyan Saga to being the last hope against formidable enemies like Cell. Let's take a closer look at all of Gohan's transformations in Dragon Ball.

Gohan's Introduction Was In His Kid/Base Form

Goku and Gohan - Gohan's Introduction Was In His Kid/Base Form

The first episode of Dragon Ball Z was intriguing to watch, as familiar characters from childhood and adolescence were depicted as adults. A notable moment occurred when Goku arrived at Kame House accompanied by his young son, Gohan, who inherited his father's Saiyan tail. As the story unfolded in the Saiyan and Namek Sagas, Gohan's exceptional abilities as a Saiyan-Human hybrid became increasingly evident, showcasing his limitless potential.

Impressive Achievements

As a child, Gohan already displayed remarkable power. Despite being taken captive by Raditz at a young age, he managed to escape from his pod and inflict significant harm on the villain. Throughout the Namek arc, Gohan continued to showcase his abilities by facing off against even more formidable foes. He further honed his skills by training under Piccolo and having his latent potential unlocked by the Elder on Namek.

Gohan Goes Bananas As A Great Ape

Saiyan and Tuffle, Great Apes - Gohan Goes Bananas As A Great Ape

The Great Ape transformation is triggered when Saiyans gaze at a full moon, enabling them to morph into massive creatures with immense strength. Gohan underwent this transformation twice during the Saiyan Saga, showcasing his superiority over others and necessitating drastic measures to defeat him.

Impressive Achievements

Gohan's incredible strength was first showcased during his transformation in the canyon area with Piccolo, where he effortlessly destroyed most of the surroundings. This forced Piccolo to resort to extreme measures by destroying the moon in an attempt to reign in Gohan's power. Subsequently, when Gohan transformed again during his battle against Vegeta, even the formidable Saiyan Prince was unable to contain his overwhelming power.

Gohan's Potential Was Unlocked On Namek

Roar of Destruction Gohan Kid - Gohan's Potential Was Unlocked On Namek

Unlocking a warrior's potential is a common occurrence in the world of Dragon Ball, with many characters undergoing this transformation multiple times. One notable instance for Gohan was when the Elder Guru on Namek unlocked his potential, boosting his power level to 18,000, equivalent to Vegeta's power level on Earth.

Impressive Achievements

During this period, Gohan's strength surpassed that of Guldo from the formidable Ginyu Force. His ability to hold his ground against Recoome, a heavy hitter of the Force, left his enemies in awe of his newfound power. Most notably, Gohan's remarkable performance against the Galactic Tyrant, Frieza, showcased his immense growth and potential.

Super Saiyan Gohan Was Incredibly Strong

Super Saiyan Gohan - Super Saiyan Gohan Was Incredibly Strong

The Super Saiyan form, once the most desired transformation, was known to require immense struggle and adversity for attainment. Gohan's training with his father in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber proved invaluable as he successfully unlocked this transformation, becoming the youngest Saiyan to achieve it. This form has since become a crucial part of his fighting repertoire, consistently utilized in battles to this day.

Impressive Achievements

Gohan demonstrated his incredible power in his Super Saiyan form by effortlessly defeating the Cell Juniors, fierce opponents who pushed him to the limit. Even in flashbacks, it was revealed that Future Gohan had also unlocked this powerful form in his battle against the Androids, although it was not as effective as he had hoped.

Gohan had all but abandoned training after the Cell Saga. Despite this, his ability to use Super Saiyan in his late-teen/adult stage proved to be a significant power-up. He utilized this form against numerous new adversaries in the Majin Buu Saga and even continued to do so in Dragon Ball Super.

Gohan's Peak with Super Saiyan 2

Dragon Ball - Gohan Super Saiyan 2 - Super Saiyan 2 Is Where Gohan Peaked

Gohan's first transformation into a Super Saiyan 2 is considered one of the most iconic moments in the franchise. After Android 16's death and the relentless torment inflicted by Perfect Cell, Gohan reached a breaking point that led to him surpassing the limits of a Super Saiyan. This new form, known as Super Saiyan 2, marked a significant advancement for all Saiyans moving forward.

Notable Feats

After achieving one of the most iconic transformations in the entire series, Gohan goes on to defeat Perfect Cell in another iconic moment. By releasing a Kamehameha with a single hand, Gohan would get the help of his father from the afterlife, turning the attack into the legendary Father-Son Kamehameha and completely obliterating Cell by wiping him off the face of the Earth.

Gohan used his Super Saiyan 2 form even as an adult, where he showed the depths of his power despite taking a hiatus from training. His power was strong enough to contend with heavy hitters like Dabura, and it even showed in his fights against many participants in the Tournament of Power. Super Saiyan 2 Gohan was most recently seen in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, where he fought against the formidable Gamma Androids.

Ultimate Gohan Pushed Past His Limits

From his early days, Gohan's immense power was evident, but always fleeting. Battles with formidable foes showcased his explosive potential, yet it remained untamed. However, a breakthrough has finally occurred - Gohan has unlocked his beastly power in a way never seen before.

Dragon Ball Super Super Hero - Ultimate Gohan - Ultimate Gohan Pushed Past His Limits

Throughout the Buu Saga, Gohan's character development faced criticism from fans who felt he was sidelined and neglected his training, resulting in a significant decrease in his strength. However, in the middle of the arc, Gohan's hidden potential is unlocked once again, leading to a transformation that surpasses even Goku's powerful Super Saiyan 3 form.

Impressive Achievements

When Gohan first used the form correctly, he was deemed to be stronger than even Super Saiyan 3 Goku. His battle against Super Buu showcased this superiority as Ultimate Gohan thoroughly embarrassed the villain. This led to Super Buu absorbing Piccolo and Gotenks in order to match Gohan's immense power and stand a chance at defeating him. The resulting transformation for Buu was his strongest yet, all thanks to absorbing Gohan's incredible strength.

Ultimate Gohan continued to prove his worth in the Tournament of Power by defeating numerous formidable opponents. In the manga, it was Ultimate Gohan who eliminated Kefla from the tournament. Additionally, the form was utilized to inflict significant damage upon the Gamma Androids in the Super Hero movie.

Gohan Beast Is The Strongest Gohan Has Ever Been

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – Son Gohan Beast - Gohan Beast Is The Strongest Gohan Has Ever Been

Gohan has always displayed his greatest power when he is protecting someone he cares about. Android 16's death triggered his Super Saiyan 2 transformation, while the apparent loss of Piccolo to Cell Max unleashed a primal strength within him, leading to the creation of Beast Gohan. Many fans consider Beast Gohan to be even more powerful than Goku and Vegeta.

Gohan is actually stronger than anyone... or so it's said, but lately, he hasn't really gotten a chance to shine.

Notable Feats

Gohan Beast, a recent addition to Dragon Ball, has not yet revealed the full extent of his strength. Nonetheless, he effortlessly defeated Cell Max, showcasing his superiority over a formidable villain who posed a significant threat to the universe. Additionally, Gohan Beast engaged in a closely matched spar with Ultra Instinct Goku, highlighting the formidable power of this form in the series!

Dragon Ball is available for streaming on Crunchyroll and Funimation.

Editor's P/S:

This comprehensive article provides an in-depth exploration of Gohan's transformations throughout the Dragon Ball series. The article meticulously details each transformation, highlighting its significance, achievements, and impact on the overall narrative. It effectively conveys the character's growth and evolution as he unlocks new levels of power, culminating in the formidable Beast Gohan. The article's clear and engaging writing style makes it accessible to both casual and ardent fans of the series.

However, the article could benefit from further analysis of Gohan's motivations and character development. Exploring the emotional and psychological aspects that drive his transformations would provide a more nuanced understanding of his journey as a warrior and a person. Additionally, comparing Gohan's transformations to those of other characters in the series could offer insights into his unique strengths and weaknesses, enriching the reader's comprehension of the character dynamics in Dragon Ball.