The Dragon Ball Super Manga Gives Gohan His "My Bulma" Moment

Dragon Ball Super manga features a beloved Vegeta quote as Gohan rescues his daughter during an emotional training exercise.

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Super represents the culmination and inspiration of almost four decades of entertaining storytelling. Dragon Ball is a series that has changed dramatically since its humble beginnings. What began as Goku’s adventure, has become a multi-generational tale of heroism. Dragon Ball Super manga by Toriyama & Toyotarou has evolved far beyond the events of anime's Tournament of Power. Dragon Ball Super manga has a lot of new villains. It also has a lot of fresh transformations. But it also manages to redeem some of the series' neglected characters like Gohan. Gohan is Dragon Ball Super's biggest disappointment in terms of wasted potential. Hundreds of episodes of Goku-led triumphs have been discarded to make way for more Goku. Dragon Ball Super is finally rethinking this strategy to celebrate the diverse cast of characters.

In the past, there was a strict separation between Dragon Ball feature films and manga. Only the latter was considered canon. Dragon Ball Super is the first manga to break this tradition. The current story arc of the manga adapts the events from the most recent feature film with even more detail. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero brings Gohan and Piccolo back to their former glory. The movie presents Gohan with a new, intimidating light. Chapter 94 "Get Your Head in the Game Son Gohan!" gives Gohan his best moments in recent years. One of them is comparable to a Vegeta-like moment.

Pan's Mock Kidnapping Awakens Gohan's Killer Instinct

Dragon Ball Super's manga initially threw audiences a major curveball when it was revealed that Goku and Vegeta would be stepping out of the spotlight for an extended period. Goten and Trunks fill this absence in Chapter 91, leading to a playful change of pace reminiscent of the original Dragon Ball. Goten and Trunks' story actually functions as a prologue to the events of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero through the introduction of Dr. Hedo and his Android reinforcements. As of Chapter 94, Dragon Ball Super's manga has entered the movie's inciting incident where Gamma 1 and 2 test the heroes' strength. Chapter 94, as its title suggests, is Gohan's time to shine. However, this proves harder than Piccolo expects due to Gohan's relaxed lifestyle. Piccolo needs to stoop to nefarious tactics in order to reawaken the deadly warrior who defeated Cell and held his own against Frieza and Majin Buu.

The secretly revived Red Ribbon Army requires Gohan's power to test their greatest creations. Gohan has done a good job at turning martial arts into a passive hobby instead of an overbearing lifestyle, but the threat of his daughter is too great to ignore. Dragon Ball has previously put young children in harm's way, but Pan's kidnapping is actually a carefully calculated act of protection from Piccolo. Piccolo dons the guise of a random Red Ribbon lackey, which fools Commander Magenta. However, Pan quickly recognizes Piccolo and his ki signature and knows she's in good hands. To Pan, this is all some elaborate training exercises. Pan cooperates with Piccolo and acts as helplessly as possible in order to bait Gohan back into the business. Pan's abilities in this area are so strong that she could have a future career as an actor if martial arts don't work out for her. Gohan falls for their trap and begins to see red.

The Manga's Version Of Events Builds Upon A Fan-Favorite Vegeta Sequence

Dragon Ball Super glosses over Dragon Ball Super Broly with a few splash panels. However, Super Hero is expected to have a storyline that will last months. The manga, up to this point has not contradicted anything in the movie but rather embellished Super Hero and gave it greater context. Piccolo is still in charge of Pan's transport to Red Ribbon headquarters. However, Gohan's assault on Red Ribbon headquarters is more direct than the battle with Gamma 1.

Chapter 94 of Dragon Ball Super makes Gohan's encounter with Red Ribbon much more comical. He plays with Red Ribbon’s grunt and disposes of the weapon in an almost Saiyaman manner. Gohan's sudden shift from a lighthearted attitude to one of rage is made more powerful by these antics. Gohan's dual personality is important to his character. But, even though he may be rusty when it comes to danger, his family can still depend on him. Gohan's showmanship is not limited to the manga. A new line, which will become a classic, also reflects his exaggerated style.

Gohan's demeanor changes instantly when he sees images of Pan in danger. Gohan shouts "What did you do to Pan??" before a powerful explosion. It is a direct question, which may not seem to be important, but actually refers to Vegeta's similar experience of anger. " This is my Bulma!" has become an extremely memed moment that pushes Vegeta outside of his comfort zone. Vegeta is submissive and respectful towards the God of Destruction Beerus. This is forgotten when he slaps Bulma. Gohan was present at this moment, which means he probably stores it in his subconscious, whether he is aware or not.

Dragon Ball is fond of highlighting how Gohan and Goku are similar, but the echoed outburst serves as a reminder that they're not that different. Dragon Ball Super could make this a tradition for Saiyans after Gohan's "My Pan!" moment. It's only a matter time before Future Trunks declares "My Mai!" or Goku has his "My Chi Chi" moment. Later Dragon Ball Super chapters continue to explore Saiyan legend in rewarding ways. Bardock’s backstory was heavily rewritten in order to emphasize the similarities between Goku's estranged father and himself.

Gohan's "My Pan" Moment Could Similarly Inspire His Daughter

It is only natural that Pan and Gohan would be drawn into this compulsion of connecting disparate Saiyan generation through their primal feelings. It's rewarding to see Gohan's character come full circle, as his actions echo those of his warrior past. Dragon Ball Super manga can create a powerful symmetry if it seeds the same emotional fury into Gohan's child. Pan could command Gamma 1 not to hold onto "My Gohan" and "My Piccolo", which would unite multiple generations in one phrase.

This call-and-response exchange would be an even better circumstance for Pan to become a Super Saiyan. In the film version of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Pan defeats an entire army. Fans were disappointed to learn that this popular character had not yet reached this milestone. Dragon Ball Super manga could fulfill this unfulfilled desire and use Pan’s concern over the safety of her father as her belated Super Saiyan debut. Super Saiyan females are no longer a rarity. Pan is deserving of this honor. Dragon Ball Super Super Hero salutes Gohan, Piccolo, and the rest of the cast, but Pan, as an unofficial protagonist, deserves equal recognition.

Gohan Has A History Of Empathetic Rage

After his passionate "My Pan!", any doubts that Gohan was the same warrior that saved Earth from Cell are put to rest. Powerful explosion. Piccolo is shocked at Gohan's quick response when he realizes his daughter is in trouble. Gohan is like his father in that he will always do heroically what's right and help those who are hopeless. This incident is unique because Gohan is a Dragon Ball character who is very considerate. Gohan's empathy for others is often accompanied by rage. Gohan's "My Pan!" It is grandiose for Vegeta to display his own emotions. This demonstration is also the culmination of years of raw emotions. Gohan has developed as a martial arts character more than any other Dragon Ball character due to violent outbursts.

Dragon Ball Z first introduces Gohan when he is only four years old - a year younger than Pan at the time of this Red Ribbon saga - and his overpowering rage is one of his major acts. Gohan's rage is so powerful that it overwhelms him when he sees Raditz harming his father. This experience, whether it is fate or just a catalyst for what comes next, sets a useful precedent. It is best to make Gohan angry to release his dormant power. Toriyama develops this idea through several similar scenarios, such as Piccolo being killed by Nappa with a mouth blast or Cargo dying on Namek. Each of these emotional moments has a clear progression, and it is satisfying to see Toriyama and Toyotarou further develop one of Gohan’s most compelling traits.

Gohan's Strongest Moments Come From Others' Losses

Gohan's potential is hidden in his anger, but not any kind of rage. Gohan's anger is fueled by the threat to his family and friends. His most powerful transformations are correlated with the times he has actually lost loved ones. Saiyans have a strong emotional side. Their ability to acknowledge and tap into these feelings viscerally is what usually triggers transformation. Goku and Vegeta both demonstrate this in their adult lives. Gohan's understanding of emotions began in his youth, and he continued to develop it throughout his life.

In contrast, Vegeta’s first Super Saiyan transformation is the result of petty revenge and insecurity. Goku’s Super Saiyan 3, and subsequent milestones, are more of a convenient plot than cathartic trauma. While these Saiyans found healthier ways to overcome their limitations, Gohan's biggest breakthroughs are all based on his belief that he has lost a loved one. Goku's and Android 16’s deaths were essential for Gohan to develop. Gohan's new Beast transformation was only possible because he believes Cell Max killed Piccolo. It is only natural for his daughter to be in danger, causing him to feel the same way.

Could Another New Transformation Be On The Way?

Dragon Ball viewers who have already seen Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero know that Red Ribbon’s rampaging Cell Max has been defeated by Gohan’s new Beast Transformation. Both Gohan and Piccolo undergo powerful transformations which will likely play a major role in Dragon Ball Super. The constant upgrades of Goku and Vegeta make it difficult for other characters. The manga's Super Hero ending story arc is known to include Gohan Beast. The manga could sneak in another mid-stage Saiyan transition through Gohan's rage at the end of Chapter 94, in connection with his "My Pan", moment. There are some transformation panels in the manga that go well beyond the Super Saiyan levels. Even the end of Chapter 94 shows Gohan achieving an eerie calm, which brings to mind Ultra Instinct.

Vegeta, Future Trunks, and the other characters have temporarily taken on the Super Saiyan Rage as a temporary stop-gap in between official transformation tiers. Dragon Ball Super manga could take a similar approach and give Gohan an unofficial stage of transformation before he becomes Gohan Beast. Gohan's tendency for his emotions to take over, such as rage, has been a part of his character since the beginning. It makes more sense in some ways for him to be able to master Super Saiyan Rage. Gohan's proclamation that his daughter will never be mistreated again, regardless of whether he has a new transformation or not.