Before Dragon Ball‘s ongoing and lengthy hiatus began, the future of the series appeared bright. 2022’s Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero performed incredibly well at the global box office, and the announcement of Dragon Ball Daima had fans excited for an all-new adventure from the mind of series creator, Akira Toriyama.
Today, Dragon Ball is at a crossroads. For the first time in its forty-plus year history, the franchise must move forward without Toriyama’s guidance. It’s largely unknown what the future might hold for the series, but whenever it returns, Dragon Ball should do what it couldn’t before, and leave Gohan in the spotlight.
It’s Time for Dragon Ball to Do What It Couldn’t Before
Gohan Deserves a Starring Role in Dragon Ball’s Return
Long before Super Saiyan Gods, Angels, or fighters from other universes, Dragon Ball killed off its iconic protagonist and was set to move forward with a new hero in the starring role. Gohan, who was central to the majority of events in the Dragon Ball Z portion of the original series, defeated a major villain, and stood as the series’ strongest fighter.
However, when faced with a new, powerful, and mysterious threat, it was Goku who returned to save the day and reclaim his position as Dragon Ball‘s protagonist. Akira Toriyama admitted that he intended for Gohan to take over Goku’s role during the Majin Buu Saga, but couldn’t quite figure out a way to write a compelling story with him in the lead.
Over the years, Gohan fell from grace, becoming little more than a background character when he once overpowered the rest of Dragon Ball‘s heroes. Fortunately, Toriyama recognized the untapped potential in the half-Saiyan, and gave him a starring role in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. In an interview, he said:
“Gohan is stronger than anyone, or so it’s said, but lately he hasn’t really been given a chance to shine… I figured I’d try giving birth to a new superhero by putting (Gohan and Piccolo) in the spotlight through their intense battles with the Gamma androids.”
Akira Toriyama’s sense of humor shines in his comment, considering he was the one who dictated whether Gohan was the strongest fighter in the series. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero did Gohan justice, and now that he’s once again a force to be reckoned with, it’s time the franchise gives him a full-time starring role.
Dragon Ball’s Return Would Benefit From Giving Gohan a Major Role
Dragon Ball, if and when it returns from its hiatus, will begin a new, post-Toriyama era. If those leading the franchise wish to separate modern Dragon Ball from what came before, there’s no better way to do so than moving forward with Gohan in a leading role. After four decades of Goku leading the charge, widening the scope to more of an ensemble cast would make for a fresh new direction.
It appeared Dragon Ball Super was already moving in that direction, with the Super Hero arc placing Gohan and Piccolo on relatively even footing with Goku and Vegeta. Dragon Ball can move forward with an all-new dream team taking on powerful foes, fulfilling the wishes of Gohan and Piccolo fans around the world, while revitalizing the franchise as it stares down an uncertain future.
- Created by
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Akira Toriyama
- First Episode Air Date
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April 26, 1989
- First Film
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Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
