The Dragon Ball franchise has been a staple of anime and manga for decades, captivating audiences with its imaginative world, lovable characters, and epic battles. However, in recent years, the series has faced criticism for its increasing reliance on power levels and a lack of character development. At the center of this critique lies Gohan, who has become symbolic of the series' many flaws.
Gohan's introduction to Dragon Ball marks the first time that the concept of power levels and aliens were introduced into the world of Dragon Ball. With the arrival of Raditz and the scouters, it becomes clear that strength in the world of Dragon Ball is no longer determined solely by a character's training and dedication to their craft. Instead, the series shifts its focus to a system of numbers and power levels, with characters being deemed strong or weak based solely on their numerical value. This strips away much of the series' strong beginnings, which focused heavily on mysticism and martial arts.
Gohan Was Able To Fight Raditz Even As A Baby
This change in focus from character development to power levels is most pronounced with Gohan, who is portrayed as Dragon Ball's "super prodigy" with a power level far surpassing any of his peers. This shift in focus takes away from the earlier themes of the series, which were rooted in the idea that strength and power could be achieved through hard work and dedication. In the early days of Dragon Ball, Goku was strong because he had trained with his grandfather, learning the basics of ki and developing his strength through years of practice. However, with the introduction of Gohan, this idea is cast aside as the character's strength is portrayed as being solely based on his power level. This shift in focus makes it seem as though the series is suggesting that strength and power can only be achieved through sheer natural talent, rather than through hard work and dedication.
Gohan Defeats Villains With Contrived Power Increases
This lack of character development is further compounded by the fact that Gohan never wins a fight in Dragon Ball because of his training or his mastery of a particular technique. Instead, he is depicted as winning solely because his power level is higher than his opponent's. This takes away from the excitement and drama of the series, as it reduces the battles to simple numerical comparisons rather than showcasing the character's abilities and skills. The reliance on power levels in the series also has a detrimental effect on the other characters in the series. With the focus being solely on the power levels of the characters, non-Saiyan/alien characters are often depicted as being irrelevant and inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. This hampers the diversity and uniqueness of the series' characters, as it suggests that only those with high power levels are capable of making an impact in the world of Dragon Ball.
Modern Dragon Ball can be seen to have many flaws, but at the heart of these issues lies Gohan. The character's introduction marks the shift in focus from character development to power levels, leading to a lack of character development and a reduction in the excitement and drama of the series. The reliance on power levels in the series also has a negative effect on the other characters, who are often portrayed as being irrelevant and inconsequential in the world of Dragon Ball.