Did You Know Gohan Was Meant to Replace Goku in Dragon Ball Z?

When we think of Dragon Ball Z, the first name that comes to mind is Goku. He’s the face of the franchise, the strongest warrior, and the one who always saves the day. But what if Dragon Ball Z was supposed to have a different main hero? Many fans might not realize that Gohan was actually set up to take over as the series' protagonist.

Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball Z, had planned for Gohan to replace Goku as the main character. This was clear from the way Gohan’s power was developed throughout the series, especially in the Cell Saga. Unlike Goku, who lived for battle, Gohan was a different kind of hero, one who fought only when necessary. But despite being built up as the next big thing, Gohan never fully took over. Instead, Goku remained at the center of the story. So, what really happened?

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The Cell Saga: Gohan’s Big Moment In Dragon Ball Z

Gohan’s potential was hinted at from the very beginning of Dragon Ball Z. Piccolo trained him harshly, and even as a child, he had moments where his hidden strength shocked everyone. But the biggest proof that Gohan was meant to be the main hero came in the Cell Saga. Goku willingly stepped aside, trusting his son to defeat Cell. It was a passing-of-the-torch moment, showing that Gohan had surpassed his father. When Gohan reached Super Saiyan 2, he wasn’t just stronger than Goku, he was the strongest fighter in the series at that time.

Check out our video below to learn more about Gohan's journey in Dragon Ball Z

The entire battle was built around Gohan rising to the occasion, something that had never happened with any other character before. But after Cell’s defeat, things changed. Gohan lost his edge, and instead of continuing as the strongest warrior, he focused on school and family life. By the time of Dragon Ball Super, it was clear that Gohan was no longer the main fighter. The role of Earth’s protector went back to Goku.

Why Gohan Was Pushed Aside

There are a few reasons why Gohan never replaced Goku as the main character. The biggest reason? Goku was just too popular. Fans loved him, and Dragon Ball Z was built around his journey. Unlike Goku, Gohan wasn’t a natural fighter, he only fought when necessary. That worked in the Cell Saga, but for a long-running action series, a hero who didn’t love fighting just didn’t fit.

Even creator Akira Toriyama admitted he found Goku more interesting to write. Goku was always training, always pushing his limits, and always ready for battle. Gohan, on the other hand, naturally moved away from fighting. That’s why, when the Buu Saga began, Goku was brought back, and Gohan’s time as the strongest warrior was short-lived. Still, his moment in the Cell Saga remains one of the greatest in Dragon Ball Z, proving he had the potential, even if he never truly embraced it.

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