Boo Saga Plot Holes/Inconsistencies

[Kaboom]

Or, on the other hand, he was inconsistent. It could go either way, couldn't it?

Not really. Super Saiyan 2 has lightning in 99% of all its appearances. The only exceptions being certain small or far-off views and random panels you could count on one hand, and of course instances where the character is transformed but not powered up and displaying an aura at all. Other than that, it's entirely consistent.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

Gohan never has lightning again after being drained at the Tournament

Oh my god, Yamu stole Gohan's lightning! He took it and shoved it into Buu's ball so that it would never be seen again! Mystery solved... xD

[Kid Buu]

Gohan never has lightning again after being drained at the Tournament

Oh my god, Yamu stole Gohan's lightning! He took it and shoved it into Buu's ball so that it would never be seen again! Mystery solved... xD

And poor Gohan still doesn't realize that Supreme Kai is the one that immobilized him and made him get drained. :/

[Son_Gohan]

This is easily observable in the original manga, and the conclusion is a simple matter of common sense. I am sincerely puzzled as to why or how it is still being argued against.

Sustained lightning bolts are characteristic of Super Saiyan 2. I didn't think I'd need to say that.

If he didn't mean for it to be a tell-tale sign of the transformations, then he was awfully consistent to the contrary.

Has Akira Toriyama ever stated that it worked that way; in the manga, the daizenshuus, or interviews?

If you want to pass this bold claim as if it's fact, you're going to need more substantial evidence than just, it's "easily observable" and "a simple matter of common sense." I have also read the manga, yet I don't share the same views on the subject as you and apparently neither does Toriyama because in a more recent work of his; Neko Majin Z, all Super Saiyan 1 have lightning. Not just for a brief panel after transforming, but "sustained" throughout. However, because of one single trait which you hold an absolute opinion on, they all must be considered SSJ2s. Clearly, it has more significance in relation to forms to you than it does to him, since that entirely destroys your belief on how SSJ forms are supposed to be distinguished and makes it unreliable in that regard.

Your personal approach to this is not the only possible outlook on it. While I don't deny that lightning is present for the majority of SSJ2 instances in the story, I'm able to recognize why he would apply that feature to an individual's aura, as lightning was not exclusive to auras in the manga, and Gohan's transformation in the Cell Games certainly was not the first time he used it. I didn't jump to this conclusion that SSJ2 = Lightning because applying this element only gives more for him to draw and so it had to serve a certain purpose for being there aside from just the sake of it. Prior, he had commonly used it to emphasize power/energy and so naturally you'd believe Gohan's transformation as being treated the same way, which is only confirmed later on when he saves Vegeta; it's purpose for being there is now gone, the lightning disappears, yet the form remains. The difference in the Buu era is that Gohan is no longer the only SSJ2 or the strongest one, and everyone's power is largely diverse. Gohan is explicitly revealed as being the weakest SSJ2, so what purpose did lightning have for him after Goku and Vegeta had exhibited the form? None at all, he's not considered strong anymore and there's no reason to emphasize that.

So I don't understand why you're trying to push this point of view as if it's some established fact, it definitely isn't flawless and has even been contradicted. Believing someone can be SSJ2 and not have lightning is completely legitimate, I don't remember it ever being stated that it had be there aside from maybe the DBGT Perfect File, and the story makes a whole lot more sense when Gohan is fighting Dabura and Majin Buu with his strongest form; instead of fabricating theories that wouldn't be supported outside of your own mind, as to why he didn't use SSJ2 after the tournament. I say leave the choice ultimately up to the individual instead of trying to authenticate one answer. Since there's no answer clear enough for everyone to agree on, it's better to just acknowledge it as an ambiguous circumstance, and respect peoples differing opinions on it.

[Great Saiyaman I]

Or, on the other hand, he was inconsistent. It could go either way, couldn't it?

Not really. Super Saiyan 2 has lightning in 99% of all its appearances. The only exceptions being certain small or far-off views and random panels you could count on one hand, and of course instances where the character is transformed but not powered up and displaying an aura at all. Other than that, it's entirely consistent.

However, what I'm saying is, if he possibly IS SSJ2, then it WOULD be inconsistent, right?

[Chibi Mystic Gohan]

Hmm... I could've sworn there was separate topic going on, about Gohan's Super Saiyan forms...

[dbgtFO]

Since there's no answer clear enough for everyone to agree on, it's better to just acknowledge it as an ambiguous circumstance, and respect peoples differing opinions on it.

Gohan was SSJ 2, when the story focused on #18 & Mr. Satan, & when firing the Kamehameha. Problem solved.
I don't think it contradicts anything, but point it out to me if it does!

[Godo]

Hmm... I could've sworn there was separate topic going on, about Gohan's Super Saiyan forms...

Every single damn thread including the following words always ends in discussion of Gohan's SSJ forms: Tournament, Spopovitch, Kaioshin, SSJ2, Gohan, Anger.

[astrallite]

Just like Vegeta was Super Saiyan 2 throughout the tournament and pre-battle scene alongside Kai and Gohan...Toriyama just decided to give him lightning after that...for no reason.

[Rocketman]

Just like Vegeta was Super Saiyan 2 throughout the tournament and pre-battle scene alongside Kai and Gohan...Toriyama just decided to give him lightning after that...for no reason.

No he wasn't. He powers up to SS2 after Goku does.