Why Was Gohan Handled So Poorly In The Cell Arc?

[thatdbzguy]

From his forced spotlight to his random pacifism, Gohan was handled terribly in the Cell arc. He couldn't even beat the main villain without his daddy's guidance. The Cell arc stands for everything that you should NOT do in a story, and Gohan plays a large part in that. Why do you think Toriyama wrote him like this?

[sumpter360]

I forget, when Gohan finally defeats Cell using the Kamehameha, and we see Goku "helping," are we supposed to believe that Goku was actually there, supplementing Gohan's Kamehameha with his own? Or is Goku's appearance supposed to signify that Goku's always with Gohan, and that it truly was Gohan's own inner strength that defeated Cell?

As a story, I prefer the latter. I love the idea that the son of the man, who saved the Earth so many times, will rise to become the new savior.

[WittyUsername]

It's definitely the latter.

[xJeffx]

I don't think his pacifism was random. Gohan said he loses control of himself during certain fights and he fears that he might hurt his friends if he lost control of himself again. I guess Toriyama wrote Gohan like that so he'll be the complete opposite of Goku.

[Duo]

The problem isn't how Gohan ended up at the end of the arc, it's the fact that the entire arc prior didn't do anything to provide context. I mean, he's ready to jump right in when Piccolo is getting murdered by Cell, so what the heck happened? Did somebody cut his balls off?

If his power had actually hurt one of his friends at some point, then I could buy it. That never happens, so how are we expected to buy into it? The only reason his role in the Cell Game is so praised is because of the rule of cool.

[Kid Buu]

I mean, he's ready to jump right in when Piccolo is getting murdered by Cell, so what the heck happened? Did somebody cut his balls off

Wasn't that filler?

[Duo]

I recall Goku having to stop him in the Manga. I have not watched that part of the Anime in 13 years, so I just assume it's not coming from there. I don't have my manga with me - would you mind checking?

[Kid Buu]

I don't have the particular VizBig that caters to that part of the story but I'll ask people who own the manga for it. By the way, you're sig made me realize our join dates are so close together.

[Patrick]

I have VizBig 3-in-1 #6, which includes the Cell Games battle. Unless I mis-read the context of the above posts(which is possible), Gohan gets coaxed by Goku to battle Cell after he throws the Senzu Bean to him. I didn't see Piccolo getting his shit wrecked prior to that.

[TheDevilsCorpse]

I have VizBig 3-in-1 #6, which includes the Cell Games battle. Unless I mis-read the context of the above posts(which is possible), Gohan gets coaxed by Goku to battle Cell after he throws the Senzu Bean to him. I didn't see Piccolo getting his shit wrecked prior to that.

Piccolo versus 17, not Cell. Gohan wants to run off when he realizes Piccolo is fighting the cyborg. Goku just yells at him to stop in the manga, but I think the anime has him punching his son, doesn't it? I seem to remember Gohan ending up on the ground...

[Kid Buu]

I have VizBig 3-in-1 #6, which includes the Cell Games battle. Unless I mis-read the context of the above posts(which is possible), Gohan gets coaxed by Goku to battle Cell after he throws the Senzu Bean to him. I didn't see Piccolo getting his shit wrecked prior to that.

I think he is referring to when Imperfect Cell beat up Piccolo.

[Patrick]

I have VizBig 3-in-1 #6, which includes the Cell Games battle. Unless I mis-read the context of the above posts(which is possible), Gohan gets coaxed by Goku to battle Cell after he throws the Senzu Bean to him. I didn't see Piccolo getting his shit wrecked prior to that.

Piccolo versus 17, not Cell. Gohan wants to run off when he realizes Piccolo is fighting the cyborg. Goku just yells at him to stop in the manga, but I think the anime has him punching his son, doesn't it? I seem to remember Gohan ending up on the ground...

I have VizBig 3-in-1 #6, which includes the Cell Games battle. Unless I mis-read the context of the above posts(which is possible), Gohan gets coaxed by Goku to battle Cell after he throws the Senzu Bean to him. I didn't see Piccolo getting his shit wrecked prior to that.

I think he is referring to when Imperfect Cell beat up Piccolo.

Damn, I mis-understood the context. Well, in that case, unfortunately I don't have that portion of the manga. Sorry that I can't help.

[Duo]

Yes, Kid Buu, you're right. Also, our join dates makes me feel like we're suddenly best friends.

Also, if Goku punched Gohan in filler there, the sort of feels like a misrepresentation of the character. Oh well.

[Kid Buu]

Yes, Kid Buu, you're right. Also, our join dates makes me feel like we're suddenly best friends.

Its like we are a typical DB pair. Nappa & Vegeta? Tenshinhan & Chiaotzu? Yamcha & Puar? Gotta pick.

Also, if Goku punched Gohan in filler there, the sort of feels like a misrepresentation of the character. Oh well.

I remember this filler scene. Gohan tries to run off to join the battle and Goku teleports in front of him and punches him in the face. Mr. Popo consoles Gohan by telling him that Goku is hurting as well but realizes that he'd be fodder at that point.

[Kamiccolo9]

Yes, Kid Buu, you're right. Also, our join dates makes me feel like we're suddenly best friends.

Its like we are a typical DB pair. Nappa & Vegeta? Tenshinhan & Chiaotzu? Yamcha & Puar? Gotta pick.

Also, if Goku punched Gohan in filler there, the sort of feels like a misrepresentation of the character. Oh well.

I remember this filler scene. Gohan tries to run off to join the battle and Goku teleports in front of him and punches him in the face. Mr. Popo consoles Gohan by telling him that Goku is hurting as well but realizes that he'd be fodder at that point.

Jeice and Burter?

Yeah, I remember that scene. That wasn't in the manga?

[Duo]

Its like we are a typical DB pair. Nappa & Vegeta? Tenshinhan & Chiaotzu? Yamcha & Puar? Gotta pick.

Mr. Buu and Mr. Satan. Agreed?

I remember this filler scene. Gohan tries to run off to join the battle and Goku teleports in front of him and punches him in the face. Mr. Popo consoles Gohan by telling him that Goku is hurting as well but realizes that he'd be fodder at that point.

Huh. Well it seems weird, but the least of my worries as far as filler material goes. I do enjoy me some Mr. Popo and his being so f&#@ing high right now.

[Kid Buu]

Does Gohan show any enthusiasm for fighting in the Cell Arc besides the fact he trained for many years?

And yes, Buu and Satan for the win.

[Duo]

Does Gohan show any enthusiasm for fighting in the Cell Arc besides the fact he trained for many years?

And yes, Buu and Satan for the win.

He smashes Dr. Gero pretty well. Otherwise...he's basically a non-entity most of the time.

[MysticVegeta]

I don't think he was handled poorly.

He was built up brilliantly, and when I first watched it, after Gohan ascended, I knew he was gonna get the spotlight.

[DBZ Mick]

The problem isn't how Gohan ended up at the end of the arc, it's the fact that the entire arc prior didn't do anything to provide context. I mean, he's ready to jump right in when Piccolo is getting murdered by Cell, so what the heck happened? Did somebody cut his balls off?

Even though it's filler there's other such scenes such as near the end of the Saiyan arc where he goes all out against Vegeta and then when Freeza is blasting Piccolo to near death he charges in to save him.

I think Toriyama needed some tension but unfortunately making him a pacifist all of a sudden just kinda ruined his character development until that point.