Dragon Ball’s editors revealed why Akira Toriyama abandoned the idea that Gohan took Goku’s relief to Dragon Ball Z

For years, many followers of Dragon Ball I speculated because Gohan, who was destined to be the new protagonist after the Saga de Cellloss of importance until it was in the background. It was believed that the answer was in the lack of interest of the public or in the pressure of the publisher. However, the old editors of Toriyama came out to clarify the real reason: The author himself was bored simply by writing on Gohan.

This revelation comes from the Japanese podcast KosoWhere Kazuhiko Torrishima, Yu Kondo Y Fuyuto Takedawho worked with Toriyama in Shonen JumpThey talked about the history of the series and the creative process of the legendary Mangaka. The conversation, translated by the user @venxys in X (previously Twitter), shed light One of the most debated decisions of the franchise.

Toriyama and his relationship with Gohan

According to the publishers, Toriyama did not stop developing Gohan’s story as the protagonist because readers lost interest, but because he himself did not have fun writing on his life as a student of the Institute. After the intense result of Saga de Cellwhere the young Saiyan reached his defeat Perfect cell in one of the most iconic battles in the seriesThe author wanted to explore a narrative lighter and more funny.

The arch of El Gran Saiyaman Represented a Return to the origins of the serieswith its tone of Slapstick and casual comedy of casual action. Toriyama, known for his preference for Stories of humor and their work in Dr. SlumpHe tried to recover that freshness with Gohan’s new stage. However, he soon discovered that the concept It was not interesting enough to continue to develop it.

The weight of the routine and the workload

One of the major problems for Toriyama when she wrote Goku’s son at high school extra work involved. Constantly draw Scenarios full of secondary characters and daily situations in the institute were boring. Also, after years dedicated to Dragon BallMangaka began to feel exhausted and with less desire to undertake plots that have not motivated it.

According to its editors, Toriyama did not hesitate to abandon ideas if they were too complex or boring. In this case, His disinterest in Gohan’s new approach led him to make a drastic decision: report Goku as the absolute protagonist.

A warrior forced by circumstances

Another key point that Toriyama confessed is that, from the beginning, Gohan has never been destined to be a fighter in terms of his father. Unlike Goku, of which The passion for combat was undeniablewhile always showing An inclination towards a more peaceful and normal life. Although he has shown a immense power in the battle against the cellThe author himself recognized that the young Saiyan it did not adapt to the role of main hero of a series that revolved around Constant struggle and overcoming in combat.

This explains why, when the Saga Dedications, Gohan has undergone an obvious regression as a character. Has passed since being The strongest warrior in the universe to an insecure fighterTo the point of being Overcome by new enemies without being able to remedy it. Finally, Goku has regained his central role in historycompliance with The stereotype of the hero shonen that Toriyama knew and liked to write.

Gohan’s legacy in the franchise

Today, The treatment of the character remains a controversial problem among fans of Dragon Ball. While Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero Has tried to recover part of its importance with his New transformation Gohan Beast, Dragon Ball Daima he completely excluded it from the equation.

Goku’s son will always be remembered for his Great moment in Saga de CellBut His place as the main hero has never finished consolidating. And, according to the editors who worked with Toriyama, the reason is simpler than one might think: Gohan ceased to be the protagonist because Toriyama was simply bored.

Gohan vs. Other protagonists in Dragon Ball

While Gohan was the character with greater evolution in Dragon Ball Zhis character away from the stereotype of Action Hero. While Goku and Vegeta were warriors by choice, Gohan fought only out of necessity. This difference has become more evident in Dragon Ball SuperRWhere Vegeta has been consolidated as the eternal rival of Goku, while Gohan has disappeared from the main action.

Compared to the characters of other shonen franchises, Gohan could have followed a path similar to Naruto or Ichigo Kurosaki, who also had periods of low activity, but have taken up relevance in their stories. However, Toriyama’s decision was clear: He reports the throne to Goku and leaves Gohan in a secondary newspaper.