At the heart of the beloved Dragon Ball franchise lies Goku, the legendary protagonist whose playfulness and dedication to justice have cemented his iconic place in pop culture. Nevertheless, a question has long haunted fans: will Goku ever pass the torch to a worthy successor? Many have pronounced the proud Saiyan warrior, Vegeta, to be the next in line to fill those shoes.
Vegeta from the Dragon Ball Series
As the creator of the Dragon Ball series, Akira Toriyama has addressed such queries. In reality, Vegeta was never an option to replace Goku, and Toriyama’s view on this matter clarifies why Goku will never be replaced. If this was a necessary change, then someone else would come first, and Vegeta’s role would remain equally important for the series' continuous success.
If Goku Had to Be Replaced, It Would’ve Been Gohan, Not Vegeta!
Gohan has all the potential to surpass Goku, making him the logical successor—not Vegeta. Proof of this can be seen in the Namek Arc, where Vegeta was portrayed as an evil counterpart to Gohan, showing great strength. However, Vegeta’s moral trajectory significantly diverges from Goku’s because his very nature is rooted in evil.
Another great example is the Cell Games arc, which uniquely took Goku out of his usual hero type. It introduced one of the few major villains that Goku could not defeat—Cell. Goku even confessed his defeat and recognized that Gohan was the only one capable of triumphing over Cell. This shift highlighted Gohan's development and potential.
Goku’s Decision to Stay Dead
Moreover, Goku’s decision to remain dead after giving up on himself was quite telling. It seemed he realized his presence would invite threats to Earth, so he chose not to be restored to life. This moment aligned perfectly for Gohan to take center stage. However, this potential was later overshadowed as the series returned its focus to Goku, somewhat minimizing the impact of the Cell Games.
Akira Toriyama Himself Rejected the Idea of Replacing Goku
Did you know that Akira Toriyama initially planned for Gohan to take the lead role, replacing Goku? According to the official translation of a Daizenshuu volume published in 1995, Toriyama decided that Gohan wasn’t suited for the role and stuck with Goku instead. The exact reasons for this decision remain unknown.
“I intended to put Gohan into the leading role. It didn’t work out. I felt that compared to Goku, he was ultimately not suited for the part.”
Gohan’s Redemption in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
To acknowledge Gohan’s powers, he was chosen as the main protagonist in the movie and manga series Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, alongside Piccolo. The story revealed a wholesome angle of Gohan as a hero, prioritizing protecting his daughter Pan above all else. The movie’s success serves as a reminder that Gohan could shine as the main hero, introducing a fresh perspective beyond Goku’s story and the idea that a hero must only be strong.
The Dragon Ball series is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
