Is Goku's Replacement in Dragon Ball Super Finally on the Horizon?

Since August 2023, the beloved series Dragon Ball Super has kept fans wondering about the fate of Goku. While Goku remains a pivotal figure in the Dragon Ball universe, there has been a notable shift towards exploring the potential for other characters to take on more prominent roles. This article will delve into the current status of Goku's legacy and the possibility of his replacement, while also discussing the impact of introducing Gohan and Goten as potential successors.

The Legacy of Goku

Goku, with his charismatic personality, raw power, and unwavering dedication, has been at the center of the Dragon Ball saga for decades. However, the question of whether there will be a replacement for Goku in the future remains a topic of debate among fans. In August 2023, there were no significant developments that suggested a clear plan for replacing Goku in the narrative.

The Search for a New Protagonist

The series has attempted to find a new protagonist in the form of Gohan. However, the public's fondness for Goku's appearance, style, and unique personality has made it challenging to replace him. Even when Gohan was introduced as a potential replacement, fans remained loyal to Goku. Similarly, introducing Goten also failed to capture the audience's interest. Goten, who looked like Goku and shared many of his traits, was also portrayed as being interested primarily in fighting, much like Goku. Despite Goten's massive power levels in Super Saiyan 1 (SSJ1), the storyline and character development did not resonate well with fans.

Gohan: A Natural Heir to Goku's Legacy

If we consider the concept of a successor as someone who can carry on Goku's legacy, then Gohan is the most obvious choice. He is not only Goku's son but also one of the most powerful characters in the Dragon Ball universe. Gohan has received significant character development, particularly in the Saiyan Saga, Frieza Saga, and Cell Saga. However, his role in the Buu Saga and subsequent arcs has been limited, suggesting that fans and the series creators might be exploring other options for a new character to lead the heroes.

Other Potential Successors

In the absence of a clear successor, other characters have been introduced, such as Ultra Instinct Goku and Ultra Ego Vegeta. While these transformations have added new layers to the series, they have not supplanted Goku in the hearts of the audience. Two notable attempts to introduce a new protagonist were the introduction of Goten and Trunks during the Buu Saga. Both were designed to replace Goku and Vegeta, but the public's resistance to this change was strong. As a result, these characters did not receive significant character development and became somewhat sidelined.

Conclusion

While the possibility of Goku's replacement in Dragon Ball Super remains an open question, the current storyline suggests that the series creators are exploring other narrative avenues. Gohan, with his powerful character and rich backstory, is the most likely successor to carry on Goku's legacy. However, the series continues to rely heavily on Goku's presence, indicating that his role remains central to the story.