The show did not use Goten to his fullest potential. While the concept of Goten being the second son of Son Goku was intriguing and exciting, it wasn't used in the best way.
Since the Majin Buu Saga began, Dragon Ball Z introduced Son Goten as a younger brother figure that Gohan could look up to and learn from. Many people aren't afraid to mention or remember that Son Goten had potential. His presence and existence after the Majin Buu Saga was minimal, if not completely superfluous in the story of Dragon Ball. Goten, aside from his brief fights as Gotenks and alongside Kid Trunks, hasn't really had much of an opportunity to have an impact. The question is whether this character was actually there for a reason, or just a wasted potential.
One cannot deny that Goten was a character who could have achieved his full potential. The boy, who was always cheerful and seemed like a mini-Goku when Goku was a kid, had a similar personality. He was more outgoing and competitive than other kids of his age but also more kindhearted. He always went along with Kid Trunks plans. The issue is much more than just being a superfluous character. It's how the story treated him in the Majin Buu Saga and the subsequent arcs. Son Goten may not have gotten enough screen time because of the limitations of his character or what happened after Gohan became the main focus.
Also Read: The Dragon Ball Super Manga Gives Gohan His "My Bulma" Moment
Goten's Beginning Intrigue
Goten is not a carbon copy of Goku or a younger version. There was a lingering mystery about Goten's identity in the first Dragon Ball Z episodes. It would have been interesting and consistent tones that could have given his character a unique tone without making him unimportant or useless. The question is how Goten became a character with so much potential but was not utilized properly by the writer or the story.
Goten is not a character that has a negative reception from fans. However, many agree that Goten's role in the story seems to be limited to being a childish version of Goku or to remind us about the usefulness of Fusion as a way to defeat strong opponents, which Vegeta and Goku cannot do alone. Goten has done this with Trunks and, despite their failures, they have perfected the Fusion Dance. They can then quickly transform into Gotenks when needed. Due to the peace and their families' priorities, Goten, Trunks, and Vegeta are not as strong or prone to training as Goku and Vegeta. Strength is not the only factor in Goten's unfulfilled potential, but it is a symptom. The period of peace in which Goten was raised and born could be one reason for Goten's stagnant progression.
Peace Makes Complacency
Goten isn't much of an influence or has no reason to train alone. Despite his fight with Majin Buu in Gotenks and even helping Dragon Ball Super hold off Beerus on occasion, Goten lacks the motivation to train. After all, the youngster is encouraged to enjoy himself with Trunks and focus on his studies. This is similar to what happened to Gohan after Chi-Chi raised Him. Some might argue that Gohan grew stronger despite being younger, so why couldn’t Goten? Why is he not more prominent? He became Super Saiyan earlier than his family. In the case of Gohan, his growth has been due to necessity. From the Saiyan Saga to the Cell Saga he was constantly put through battles and strife, which encouraged him to become stronger.
Goten was raised with the expectation that in the future he would not have to face any major threats. The Z-Warriors would not use Goten or Trunks until Majin Buu became a threat to Earth. As soon as Goku, Vegeta, and Vegeto fused into Vegeto, Goten had to be saved by Evil Buu. The Dragon Balls would then revive him. It's not that his character is a waste, but because he hasn't been used in Dragon Ball.
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