Long before Dragon Ball Super was a thought in the mind of anyone at Shueisha and Toei Animation, Gohan was slated to take over the role of the series' main protagonist. There is arguably no anime character more iconic than Goku, and after the conclusion of Dragon Ball's Cell Saga, Akira Toriyama had every intention of replacing him. The legendary artist had felt his hero's story had come to an end, and his legacy as Earth's greatest defender would live on in his son.

As fans of the series know well, Gohan's time in the leading role was short-lived, and Goku reclaimed his position in the spotlight during Dragon Ball's final Majin Buu Saga. While the change was likely for the best, given Gohan's lack of will to fight, his role as one of the cast's strongest diminished with each ing entry into the franchise, until he became little more than a side character. However, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero returned Gohan to relevance, and the series' manga counterpart has the opportunity to keep it that way.

Gohan Deserves to Be Redeemed

The One-Time Main Character Has Long Been Mistreated

Dragon Ball is at its best when it's Goku's story, and the decision to strip Gohan of his protagonist role was likely the right one. Though he was forced to step down, the fan-favorite hybrid Saiyan was still the most powerful warrior by the time the Buu Saga reached its conclusion, and would still have been capable of making an impact in any future battle. That is, until Dragon Ball Super rendered him as useful as any of the other once-great warriors who have long faded into the background of the series.

The Resurrection 'F' Saga was Gohan at his lowest, struggling to transform into a Super Saiyan and offering very little to the main battle at hand. While it's easy to write off his regression as a byproduct of wanting to be a scholar and not liking to fight, this aspect of his character was already addressed during the Cell Saga, in which he finally learned the importance of protecting those he loved. Fortunately, this wouldn't be the last fans saw of Gohan, as he reclaimed just a bit of his former status in Dragon Ball Super's Super Hero arc.

Gohan and Others Can Play Pivotal Roles Going Forward

Dragon Ball Super Redeemed Gohan and Can Give Him a Major Role in the Future

With his new, incredibly powerful Beast transformation, Gohan has reclaimed his status as one of Earth's strongest fighters. Before Dragon Ball Super entered its ongoing hiatus following the ing of Akira Toriyama, the newly redeemed fighter was last seen training on Beerus' planet, fighting toe-to-toe with Goku and later sparring with Broly. Though it's uncertain when the series will make a full return, it's fair to assume the next arc will feature each of the cast's most powerful warriors, as suggested by the latest volume's cover illustration.

Broly and Gohan make an interesting team, as both source their immense power from rage. In one short sparring session between the two, Broly was able to control his Super Saiyan transformation, opening the door to endless possibilities for future improvements for both. At the current moment, Black Frieza is much more powerful than anyone from Earth, so improvement will be necessary for either to stand a chance against him. If Beast Gohan is on the same level as Ultra Instinct Goku, then they stand no chance.

The Future of Dragon Ball Is Uncertain

Whenever the Series Returns, There's a Frieza Who Needs Addressing

Just before Dragon Ball Super began adapting the Super Hero film, Frieza appeared and assumed a new form, before punching Goku and Vegeta so hard they were knocked out of their most powerful transformations. He flew off without dealing further damage, and it seems the Saiyans fled to Beerus' world in order to figure out how to defeat him. If that plan includes both Gohan and Broly, then fans of the series will be in for a treat whenever the manga returns.

Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Super's latest one-shot chapter offered no confirmation of a full return, though it was proof enough that the series is in good hands with Toyotarou at the helm. The future of the franchise is uncertain, though there is cause for optimism moving forward, even if it takes some time for Dragon Ball to find its footing again.