Dragon Ball Has a Simple But Powerful Explanation for Why Gohan Beast Is So Strong

Summary Gohan's new Beast Form showcases his human potential, diverging from traditional Saiyan abilities in Dragon Ball Super.

The transformation emphasizes Gohan's choice to fight as a human, tapping into raw power while staying true to his convictions.

Despite embracing his human side, Gohan's Saiyan bloodline still plays a significant role in his powerful Beast Form.

Dragon Ball Super has introduced a new transformation for Gohan, called Beast, which instantly made him a contender for strongest fighter in the franchise. Goku’s first son and one of the most powerful beings in the Dragon Ball universe, differs greatly from the other members of the Saiyan race. Ever since he was a child, he displayed an aversion to fighting and violence, preferring to spend his time studying. Gohan seems to consider himself more human than a Saiyan.

Being in touch with his human half could be the reason why his latest transformation, Beast Form, is so powerful. This new technique could be the pinnacle of Gohan’s human potential, a topic that has been constantly brought up throughout the series. Akira Toriyama, the late creator of the Dragon Ball franchise, may have intended Gohan’s Beast Form to be the human equivalent of a Super Saiyan.

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Gohan Does Not Rely On His Saiyan Blood

Gohan has stated in the past he prefers to consider himself a human

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During the Tournament of Power arc of Dragon Ball Super manga, Gohan proved his incredible power by fighting the fused warrior Kefla. When questioned about his refusal to use his Super Saiyan form, Gohan revealed that he had decided long ago to focus on growing as a human. This line directly references Gohan’s Ultimate form, a transformation that does not utilize the young warrior’s Saiyan abilities. Unlike Super Saiyan, a form that becomes more powerful by feeding off its user’s emotions, the Ultimate form is the result of a being’s potential being released. While using this new form, Gohan chooses to fight like a human rather than as a Saiyan.

During Dragon Ball’s Frieza Saga, Krillin, Gohan, and Bulma went to Planet Namek looking for a way to revive their friend. While on the planet, Goku’s son and best friend had their true potential unlocked by the Gran Elder Guru. However, Gohan's true strength remained dormant, perhaps because the Elder was too old and about to die, so he couldn't bring it all out, or because Gohan was still a kid at the time. Many years later, during the Majin Buu Saga, the Elder Kai performed a similar ritual that gave Gohan his Potential Unleashed form, later called Ultimate Gohan.

At the time of its debut, Potential Unleashed Gohan was considered the strongest non-fused fighter in the series.

The Beast Form is considered to be an evolution to Ultimate Gohan, harnessing all the anger, power, and determination of its users to grant them a massive power boost. Nonetheless, this transformation once again does not draw from the young man’s Saiyan heritage. While in this state, Gohan is demonstrating the raw power of humanity, staying true to his convictions of not relying on his alien blood. Still, it is unlikely that Goku’s son would be able to harness this kind of power without being half-Saiyan.

Saiyan Blood Is Still Important

Gohan still has many advantages due to his bloodline

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While Gohan may not want to keep relying on transformations exclusive to the Saiyan race, he is still a part of this group. His Saiyan Battle Instincts will always be superior to those of a regular human, as he is part of a race born to fight. Gohan’s legacy also seems to play a role in his Beast transformation, as it has often been compared to the Super Saiyan form. During chapter 103 of the Dragon Ball Super manga, Gohan told his father that he managed to achieve his Beast Form by allowing his rage to almost control him.

The Super Saiyan form follows a similar concept, with Goku being able to use it for the first time after Frieza causes him to become angrier than ever. Both forms are directly linked with their users’ emotions, making them more similar than what Gohan initially believed. These similarities become even more apparent when Goku, during the same chapter, realizes that Gohan’s Beast Form could be the key to helping Broly control his rage while in Super Saiyan state. Gohan’s alien blood will always be a part of him, but his actions to prove his human half is equally valuable are admirable.

The Dragon Ball franchise has always been about surpassing limits and improving oneself. With Beast Form, Toriyama may have wanted to focus on how humans can become elite fighters like Saiyans, and also bring Gohan back to the top, after unsuccessfully trying to make him the protagonist during the Majin Buu Saga. Gohan’s Beast Form, while aided by the young man’s legacy, is proof that one does not need Saiyan abilities to become an incredibly powerful warrior, and it's one of the best innovations introduced in Dragon Ball Super.