Introduction to the Initial Plan for Gohan's Protagonist Role

Akira Toriyama, the creator of the beloved Dragon Ball franchise, initially had plans for Gohan to become the main protagonist of Dragon Ball Z. This was particularly after Gohan's significant development and transformations, such as his Super Saiyan 2 form during the Cell Saga. However, this plan was eventually scrapped, and Goku remained the central figure.

Reasons for Not Making Gohan the Main Character

The decision to keep Goku as the main character was influenced by several factors:

Pagination of Goku's Popularity

Goku's immense popularity among fans played a crucial role in maintaining his protagonist status. His charm, fighting spirit, and iconic status made it difficult to shift the focus to Gohan. As the series progressed, Goku continued to captivate audiences with his heroic feats and adventures.

Character Development Differences

While Gohan showed immense potential, his personality was more reserved and less battle-hungry compared to Goku. This difference in personality made it challenging to generate the same level of excitement in battles, which are central to the series. Gohan's focus was more on life and scholarly pursuits, which did not align with the dramatic and action-packed narrative of the series.

Narrative Choices

Following the Cell Saga, Akira Toriyama chose to bring Goku back to the forefront in subsequent arcs such as the Buu Saga. Gokus presence and influence were essential for the series narrative flow. Retaining him as the central figure ensured that the story remained engaging and aligned with the overall plot and character development.

Target Audience Considerations

The Dragon Ball franchise primarily targeted younger audiences who were drawn to Gokus adventurous spirit and heroism. Shifting the focus to Gohan could have alienated some of the fanbase. Maintaining Goku as the central character ensured that the story resonated with the target audience and retained their interest throughout the series.

Insights from Akira Toriyama

During an interview, Akira Toriyama discussed his thoughts on why Gohan was not put into the leading role after the Cell arc:

I intended to put Gohan into the leading role. It didn’t work out. I felt that compared to Goku he was ultimately not suited for the part.

Toriyama explained that Gohan's personality and preferences were different from Goku's. Gohan did not have the same level of enthusiasm for fighting, and his dream was to become a scholar. This made it challenging to present him as the primary hero of the story. Additionally, Gokus return after his death against Cell symbolized an iconic moment, and making Gohan the leading character could have disrupted this powerful narrative.

Because one does not feel the same with Gohan as with Goku. Gohan does not like to fight. While Goku adores him, even after his death against Cell, he still thinks about fighting. Gohan prefers a life on Earth, dreaming of becoming a scholar. So it is normal to choose Goku over Gohan. And the thought of seeing Goku's resurrection again made me smile because you cannot give the keys to the Earth to one character who does not like to fight like Gohan. He had the choice between his Saiyan side and his earthly side. Contrary to what people say, it was not Chi-Chi who forced him. It was above all a dream of a child for him. I remind you that Gohan to go to Namek yelled at his mother to go. So obviously, it's not his mother who has authority over him, but hey, he made the decision to stop the fight of his own free will.

Furthermore, Toriyama emphasized Gokus sense of duty and obligation to return, which was a powerful motivation for his character development. This multi-faceted perspective on Gokus character offered a unique narrative layer to the series.

Conclusion

While Gohan played a crucial role in several arcs, Goku remained the central figure throughout the series. This decision was influenced by fan preferences, character development, narrative choices, and the overall appeal to the target audience. Despite the initial plan to make Gohan the main character, these factors ultimately led to Goku's enduring presence as the protagonist of Dragon Ball Z.