Warning: SPOILERS for chapter #91 of Dragon Ball SuperDragon Ball Super makes it official: Gohan is stronger than Goku - at least according to the series' smartest fighter, Piccolo. Gohan always had the most potential out of all the Z-Fighters, but his lack of training and commitment always hindered his growth, while Goku instead keeps getting better. According to Piccolo, however, Gohan can still surpass his father.
Chapter #91 of Dragon Ball Super marks the beginning of the real Super Hero Arc, which will adapt the events of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Just like in the movie, Piccolo is taking care of Pan, Gohan and Videl's daughter, because her parents are too busy with their jobs. Seeing that the young half-Saiyan is already showing the right spirit, Piccolo decides to start training her in martial arts, just like he did with her father. After a training session, Pan asks if it's true that Gohan could be stronger than her grandfather Goku, to which Piccolo answers affirmatively.
According to Piccolo, Gohan Could Be Stronger Than Goku - Even If He's Not Training
The issue of Gohan's incredible potential has been a recurring theme ever since the character was first introduced in Dragon Ball Z. As a kid, Gohan showed explosive growth of power whenever he got furious, something that, however, was not easy to do for the peace-loving, kind boy. Despite that, Goku recognized his sons' potential and trusted Gohan - who was the first to reach the Super Saiyan 2 stage - to defeat Cell. During the Majin Buu Saga, however, Gohan neglected his training once again, and even if the Supreme Kai awakened his latent potential, making him arguably the stronger fighter in Dragon Ball Z, in the end it was up to Goku and Vegeta again to save the universe.
In truth, Piccolo's answer to Pan is that Gohan could be stronger than Goku, but "maybe not right now". In Dragon Ball Super, Gohan has been shown to be mostly busy with his job as an academic and researcher. He was recruited by Goku to be part of the team that fought in the Tournament of Power, and he pulled his weight, but ultimately still fell behind Goku and Vegeta. However, Piccolo is the one who helped Gohan get back into shape before the tournament, and he is also Gohan's original mentor. His evaluation, then, has to be taken seriously, especially considering that Piccolo is perhaps the wisest and most observant among the Z-Fighters.
Piccolo's Evaluation Has A Lot Of Weight
It is true that Piccolo did not witness Goku's most recent power-up during the battle on Planet Cereal, but he saw him using Ultra Instinct more than once. Fans who have seen Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero know that Piccolo's words in this chapter are foreshadowing Gohan's new transformation that will happen later in this arc, but, if they don't trust the opinion of his Namekian mentor, they still have to wait to know for sure if this will make the half-Saiyan stronger than his father Goku.
The latest chapter of Dragon Ball Super is available from Viz Media.