Gohan Character Analysis

[Kanassa]

No one can make themselves lose control, that's why it's called "losing control". Experience could, but it didn't. I don't think we're ever shown a moment where him losing control caused something awful to happen. I don't remember when Goku cautioned him to not lose control.

Yes, but that doesn't make it out of character. It just makes it out of left field, especially considering that it was supposed to be important. Goku didn't caution him on losing control, he cautioned him on using too much power, speaking about how on Namek he was barley able to stop himself from doing somthing hed regret when transforming.

[ABED]

No one can make themselves lose control, that's why it's called "losing control". Experience could, but it didn't. I don't think we're ever shown a moment where him losing control caused something awful to happen. I don't remember when Goku cautioned him to not lose control.

Yes, but that doesn't make it out of character. It just makes it out of left field, especially considering that it was supposed to be important. Goku didn't caution him on losing control, he cautioned him on using too much power, speaking about how on Namek he was barley able to stop himself from doing somthing hed regret when transforming.

What did he do on Namek that he would regret?

I do think he was in fact acting out of character at this point in the story. He wanted to help until then, but all of the sudden he's all "this is pointless" and wants to try and reason with a being he knows by this point won't actually listen. He couldn't be that naïve.

[TheUltimateVegito]

Gohan was supposed to not know what held back his power and put the greater cause over himself (Meaning putting it over his hate for killing) and so was acting completely in character because of that. It made his actions in the Cell Games a great twist. Gohan learning that there's nothing wrong in killing over the greater cause through 16 was the key to Gohan fully controlling his power or he otherwise would've just had a rage like he did before.

Except that doesn't make any sense. He's never had a qualm about taking a life if it was in service of protecting someone he cared for or someone innocent, like Dende. It's not a great twist at all because there's not set up and it's inconsistent. Point to another time in the series where he ever had a problem with killing. He didn't learn that lesson then, he always knew it was okay to fight evil people to protect his values.

The set up IS Gohan's established character (Not a fighter at heart, rage boosts) and it how he developed to put others over himself, he doesn't need to show any hesitation to kill because that portion of his character was developed through his hesitation to fight for the sake of his life during the Saiyan fight since his mainly dislikes the killing because of his own well-being (i.e better rewards/judgement in afterlife). The fact that he was shown to suppress his fear of his life in order to fight (Charging at Dodoria despite Krillin telling him to suppress his energy, fighting Recoome e.t.c) means he also suppressed other concerns he had for himself. His hate for killing was better not shown beforehand because (a it makes the reveal more surprising and thus better (b Gohan's didn't know what held him back, if events happened to Gohan that had him talk about his hate for killing or him being reluctant Gohan's development would be made worse. It'd either lead to him being told killing is not a sin or it being made known that his belief that killing is a sin holds him back when it shouldn't and the fantastic storytelling of the Cell Games would have to be sacrificed as a result. Like the other Z-Fighters he still believed killing is a must whether or not it's bad, but the key difference is that Gohan didn't know there's nothing wrong in doing so.

It should be obvious that the idea of killing being a sin stems from the value of the victim's life, including what the victim cares about. Otherwise it wouldn't be a sin. It really didn't need to be shown at all since Gohan was fighting for what he believed to be greater causes before the Cell Games. Like I said, the Cell Games gave great depth to Gohan's character without dwelling on the obvious and is much better for it.

[ABED]

he doesn't need to show any hesitation to kill because that portion of his character was developed through his hesitation to fight for the sake of his life during the Saiyan fight since his mainly dislikes the killing because of his own well-being
Except that his development in that arc was him becoming brave. He wasn't hesitant because he didn't like fighting, he was hesitant to fight because he was a young inexperienced previously sheltered kid who was being forced to fight men trying to murder him. His development was him putting aside his fear and fighting to protect his friends and family.

His hate for killing was better not shown beforehand because (a it makes the reveal more surprising and thus better (b Gohan's didn't know what held him back, if events happened to Gohan that had him talk about his hate for killing or him being reluctant Gohan's development would be made worse. It'd either lead to him being told killing is not a sin or it being made known that his belief that killing is a sin holds him back when it shouldn't and the fantastic storytelling of the Cell Games would have to be sacrificed as a result. Like the other Z-Fighters he still believed killing is a must whether or not it's bad, but the key difference is that Gohan didn't know there's nothing wrong in doing so.

The surprise was out of character, thus not better. He never showed he had a problem with killing because he didn't if it was the right thing. He doesn't, nor did he ever believe killing is a sin. The storytelling in the Cell Games isn't great. There's often no setup for things or characters are acting inconsistent with their previous characterization. There's also no between either having Gohan being told killing isn't a sin or being made known that he has a belief that killing is a sin. We were shown Gohan never had a problem and didn't need to be told. I don't think you understand Gohan as well as you would like to believe.

[TheUltimateVegito]

he doesn't need to show any hesitation to kill because that portion of his character was developed through his hesitation to fight for the sake of his life during the Saiyan fight since his mainly dislikes the killing because of his own well-being
Except that his development in that arc was him becoming brave. He wasn't hesitant because he didn't like fighting, he was hesitant to fight because he was a young inexperienced previously sheltered kid who was being forced to fight men trying to murder him. His development was him putting aside his fear and fighting to protect his friends and family.

His hate for killing was better not shown beforehand because (a it makes the reveal more surprising and thus better (b Gohan's didn't know what held him back, if events happened to Gohan that had him talk about his hate for killing or him being reluctant Gohan's development would be made worse. It'd either lead to him being told killing is not a sin or it being made known that his belief that killing is a sin holds him back when it shouldn't and the fantastic storytelling of the Cell Games would have to be sacrificed as a result. Like the other Z-Fighters he still believed killing is a must whether or not it's bad, but the key difference is that Gohan didn't know there's nothing wrong in doing so.

The surprise was out of character, thus not better. He never showed he had a problem with killing because he didn't if it was the right thing. He doesn't, nor did he ever believe killing is a sin. The storytelling in the Cell Games isn't great. There's often no setup for things or characters are acting inconsistent with their previous characterization. There's also no between either having Gohan being told killing isn't a sin or being made known that he has a belief that killing is a sin. We were shown Gohan never had a problem and didn't need to be told. I don't think you understand Gohan as well as you would like to believe.

That's like saying everything about a character must be revealed the moment he's introduced. The Cell Games was fantastic for multiple reasons, mainly from how Gohan and Goku influenced each other. There's definitely setup and consistent characterisation (For the reasons I stated previously). Saying Gohan is inconsistent in the Cell Games to me is like saying Gohan is out of character in the Nappa fight because he didn't seem scared after surviving the woods.

[ABED]

That's like saying everything about a character must be revealed the moment he's introduced.

No, but if there's a change or a surprise, it should come organically from what we see before and this didn't. Gohan had no problem with letting the Cyborgs be activated even though they had warning, but he has an issue with killing? He doesn't have a problem with killing, he never did, not once. His lack of a love for battle has nothing to do with it.

[Kanassa]

he doesn't need to show any hesitation to kill because that portion of his character was developed through his hesitation to fight for the sake of his life during the Saiyan fight since his mainly dislikes the killing because of his own well-being
Except that his development in that arc was him becoming brave. He wasn't hesitant because he didn't like fighting, he was hesitant to fight because he was a young inexperienced previously sheltered kid who was being forced to fight men trying to murder him. His development was him putting aside his fear and fighting to protect his friends and family.

His hate for killing was better not shown beforehand because (a it makes the reveal more surprising and thus better (b Gohan's didn't know what held him back, if events happened to Gohan that had him talk about his hate for killing or him being reluctant Gohan's development would be made worse. It'd either lead to him being told killing is not a sin or it being made known that his belief that killing is a sin holds him back when it shouldn't and the fantastic storytelling of the Cell Games would have to be sacrificed as a result. Like the other Z-Fighters he still believed killing is a must whether or not it's bad, but the key difference is that Gohan didn't know there's nothing wrong in doing so.

The surprise was out of character, thus not better. He never showed he had a problem with killing because he didn't if it was the right thing. He doesn't, nor did he ever believe killing is a sin. The storytelling in the Cell Games isn't great. There's often no setup for things or characters are acting inconsistent with their previous characterization. There's also no between either having Gohan being told killing isn't a sin or being made known that he has a belief that killing is a sin. We were shown Gohan never had a problem and didn't need to be told. I don't think you understand Gohan as well as you would like to believe.

That's like saying everything about a character must be revealed the moment he's introduced.

No, but if a specific character trait is going to be a big part of the end of an arc, it should be introduced before that final as to build it up. Gohan not wanting to kill was a very important part of the Cell saga, and yet it was only mentioned in the fight with Cell, thus making the pay off much less meaningful.

[Gold_Jacobson]

He doesn't have a problem with killing, he never did, not once. His lack of a love for battle has nothing to do with it.

Pretty sure the point in RoF/DBS when Gohan purposelly doesn't kill Freeza's henchmen, but rather strategically lands his shots, is that he doesn't want to kill. I'm to lazy to get the quote, but Freeza literally says that that moral characteristic of him, not wanting to kill others, holds him back.

[ABED]

Well, I should add "... if it's not necessary." Gohan didn't need to kill the lackies in order to stop them. And there's no way anyone could argue that Cell didn't need to be killed. It's the same with Goku. He generally doesn't kill if he doesn't have to because he feels it's not necessary like against Bahta and Reacoom.

[Gold_Jacobson]

Well, I should add "... if it's not necessary." Gohan didn't need to kill the lackies in order to stop them. And there's no way anyone could argue that Cell didn't need to be killed. It's the same with Goku. He generally doesn't kill if he doesn't have to because he feels it's not necessary like against Bahta and Reacoom.

I don't think there's any convincing you.

You seem set and will not be swayed that Gohan does not want to kill others.

[ABED]

Well, I should add "... if it's not necessary." Gohan didn't need to kill the lackies in order to stop them. And there's no way anyone could argue that Cell didn't need to be killed. It's the same with Goku. He generally doesn't kill if he doesn't have to because he feels it's not necessary like against Bahta and Reacoom.

I don't think there's any convincing you.

You seem set and will not be swayed that Gohan does not want to kill others.

First, I never claimed he WANTS to kill others. And second, you are implying that I'm rigid and unopen to evidence, but that's simply not true, and I guarantee you believe just as strongly in your view, but because you believe that you are right I am the one that's not open to persuasion. And even when we take into account your example, Gohan's killed flunkies before and never had a problem with it. Remember the two Gohan and Kuririn killed after they destroyed their Namekian spaceship?

How many examples can you think of where Gohan has a big problem with taking a life?

[TheUltimateVegito]

he doesn't need to show any hesitation to kill because that portion of his character was developed through his hesitation to fight for the sake of his life during the Saiyan fight since his mainly dislikes the killing because of his own well-being
Except that his development in that arc was him becoming brave. He wasn't hesitant because he didn't like fighting, he was hesitant to fight because he was a young inexperienced previously sheltered kid who was being forced to fight men trying to murder him. His development was him putting aside his fear and fighting to protect his friends and family.


The surprise was out of character, thus not better. He never showed he had a problem with killing because he didn't if it was the right thing. He doesn't, nor did he ever believe killing is a sin. The storytelling in the Cell Games isn't great. There's often no setup for things or characters are acting inconsistent with their previous characterization. There's also no between either having Gohan being told killing isn't a sin or being made known that he has a belief that killing is a sin. We were shown Gohan never had a problem and didn't need to be told. I don't think you understand Gohan as well as you would like to believe.

That's like saying everything about a character must be revealed the moment he's introduced.

No, but if a specific character trait is going to be a big part of the end of an arc, it should be introduced before that final as to build it up. Gohan not wanting to kill was a very important part of the Cell saga, and yet it was only mentioned in the fight with Cell, thus making the pay off much less meaningful.

It was introduced in the form of his development in the Saiyan/Namek arcs, his trait being putting his concern own well-being aside for the greater cause. It was only given more depth in the Cell Games, meaning there was more than enough build up before it (Especially with the rage boosts). Also, he's not supposed to know his belief that killing is a sin held him back so there's no need to show the audience that he believed it's wrong to kill.

[TheUltimateVegito]

That's like saying everything about a character must be revealed the moment he's introduced.

No, but if there's a change or a surprise, it should come organically from what we see before and this didn't. Gohan had no problem with letting the Cyborgs be activated even though they had warning, but he has an issue with killing? He doesn't have a problem with killing, he never did, not once. His lack of a love for battle has nothing to do with it.

But it did come organically through his lack of fighting spirit (i.e the fact that he was forced to fight rather than having any desire to fight). Gohan respected the Z-Fighters decision, as well as being influenced by Krillin's speech about being united. The Cell Games was different because Cell didn't show any real determination to eradicate the planet after achieving his goal and was doing it for the hell of it, which Gohan felt was pointless.

[Kanassa]

That's like saying everything about a character must be revealed the moment he's introduced.

No, but if a specific character trait is going to be a big part of the end of an arc, it should be introduced before that final as to build it up. Gohan not wanting to kill was a very important part of the Cell saga, and yet it was only mentioned in the fight with Cell, thus making the pay off much less meaningful.

It was introduced in the form of his development in the Saiyan/Namek arcs, his trait being putting his concern own well-being aside for the greater cause. It was only given more depth in the Cell Games, meaning there was more than enough build up before it (Especially with the rage boosts). Also, he's not supposed to know his belief that killing is a sin held him back so there's no need to show the audience that he believed it's wrong to kill.

1. No, it was never introduced. It was never even hinted that he believed it was wrong to kill, he just never got into a situation where he could of killed somone and refused to out of his belief. He has only ever held back in that regard out of fer for his own safety.
2. You seem to contradict yourself here, was it introduced or not?
3. An element that plays so heavily in such a big moment for a character should be introduced earlier and not just appear out of nowhere. Gohan doesn't have to know that his belife is what's holding him back, but the audience should know that the belief is there, so that when that element comes to play heavily in the character's defning moment it increases the payoff instead of taking away from the entire scene.

[TheUltimateVegito]

No, but if a specific character trait is going to be a big part of the end of an arc, it should be introduced before that final as to build it up. Gohan not wanting to kill was a very important part of the Cell saga, and yet it was only mentioned in the fight with Cell, thus making the pay off much less meaningful.

It was introduced in the form of his development in the Saiyan/Namek arcs, his trait being putting his concern own well-being aside for the greater cause. It was only given more depth in the Cell Games, meaning there was more than enough build up before it (Especially with the rage boosts). Also, he's not supposed to know his belief that killing is a sin held him back so there's no need to show the audience that he believed it's wrong to kill.

1. No, it was never introduced. It was never even hinted that he believed it was wrong to kill, he just never got into a situation where he could of killed somone and refused to out of his belief. He has only ever held back in that regard out of fer for his own safety.
2. You seem to contradict yourself here, was it introduced or not?
3. An element that plays so heavily in such a big moment for a character should be introduced earlier and not just appear out of nowhere. Gohan doesn't have to know that his belife is what's holding him back, but the audience should know that the belief is there, so that when that element comes to play heavily in the character's defning moment it increases the payoff instead of taking away from the entire scene.

I meant that him suppressing his fear for his life relates to his belief that killing is a sin and his hidden power, meaning there's no need to introduce the specific idea that he hates killing because it's already built up through his development (concern for his safety) as well as the surprise reveal of it. It was already shown that he dislikes fighting and suppresses concerns for himself via suppressing concern for safety. When a situation appeared when he felt the fight was pointless his suppressed feelings were fully brought out to the surface and shown to the audience as well as the other characters. It's fantastic storytelling if you ask me.