You’ve seen the debates. Usually, they start with a grainy screenshot of Gohan looking "rusty" and end with someone screaming about S-Cells. Honestly, the family dynamic between Goku, Gohan, and Goten is the weirdest thing in the Dragon Ball mythos. It’s not just about who can punch harder. It’s about how Akira Toriyama—and now Toyotarou—treats the "potential" of a half-Saiyan versus the obsession of a pure-blood one.
Basically, if you look at the Son family, you’re looking at three completely different approaches to life. You have the workaholic dad, the academic eldest son, and the youngest who’s kinda just... there.
The Gohan Beast Problem and Goku’s Reaction
For years, people said Gohan was done. He was a scholar. He liked bugs. The "Ultimate" form from the Buu saga felt like a ceiling he was never going to touch again. Then Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero happened. Gohan Beast isn't just a new hair color; it’s a narrative reset.
When Gohan snapped against Cell Max, it proved something fans have argued since 1992: Gohan doesn’t need to train to be the strongest. He just needs to get mad.
Wait, that's not entirely true. In the manga’s recent 2024 and 2025 chapters, we actually see Goku and Gohan square off on Beerus’ planet. It was a massive moment. Goku in Ultra Instinct vs. Gohan Beast. The interesting part wasn't the winner (though they shook the whole planet), but Goku’s reaction. He wasn't mad that his son surpassed him. He was thrilled. To Goku, Gohan is a sparring partner he finally doesn't have to hold back against.
🔗 Read more: Cast of Troubled Youth Television Show: Where They Are in 2026
But Gohan still doesn’t want to be a warrior. That’s the friction. Goku lives for the fight; Gohan fights to live. It’s a subtle distinction that makes their relationship more human than your average shonen power struggle.
What Really Happened With Goten?
Poor Goten. Seriously.
The kid became a Super Saiyan at age six while playing with his mom in the backyard. That is statistically insane. By all accounts, Goten should be the most broken character in the series. He was conceived when Goku was already a Super Saiyan, meaning his S-Cell count—the biological "stuff" that makes transformations easy—was through the roof.
But here’s what most people get wrong about Goten: he’s not Gohan 2.0.
💡 You might also like: Cast of Buddy 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
While Gohan was forced into combat by Piccolo and the Saiyan invasion, Goten grew up in a time of peace. He’s more like a "normal" kid. Lately, the manga has tried to give him more flavor by turning him and Trunks into local superheroes (Saiyaman X-1 and X-2). It’s a bit goofy, sure, but it fits. Goten doesn’t have Gohan’s "rage boosts" because his life hasn't been a series of traumas. He likes fighting, but he lacks the edge.
The Genetics of Potential
Let’s talk shop. Why is the second generation so much "faster" at gaining power?
- The Hybrid Factor: Being half-human gives them an emotional range Saiyans lack. Emotions trigger S-Cells.
- The Baseline: When Gohan was born, Goku’s power level was in the hundreds. When Goten was born, Goku was basically a god.
- Environment: Training with a Super Saiyan (like Gohan did with Goten) is more effective than punching trees.
Despite this, Goku usually stays on top. Why? Because he never stops. Gohan hits a peak, stops training, and rusts. Goten gets distracted by video games or girls. Goku? He’ll be 80 years old and still trying to find a guy who can kick his head off.
Why the Son Family Still Matters in 2026
With the Dragon Ball Genki Dama Festival happening in early 2026, the buzz around these three is peaking again. There’s a rumor—and it’s just that, a rumor—that we might finally see Goten get a standalone power-up that isn't just "fusing with Trunks."
📖 Related: Carrie Bradshaw apt NYC: Why Fans Still Flock to Perry Street
We’ve seen Gohan reach a level that rivals the gods. We’ve seen Goku reach a level that scares the gods. The missing piece is the youngest son.
The dynamic has shifted. It’s no longer about Goku protecting his kids. It’s about a family of three monsters who could collectively accidentally blow up the solar system if they had a loud enough argument at Sunday dinner.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the current lore or win your next Discord argument, keep these points in mind:
- Gohan Beast is "Ultimate" evolved. It’s not a Saiyan form; it’s a unique evolution of Gohan’s latent "Human/Hybrid" potential.
- Goku isn't a bad dad; he's a Saiyan. He views Gohan and Goten as "companions" or "peers" in the way his Grandpa Gohan viewed him.
- Goten’s lack of screen time is narrative, not just lazy writing. He represents the "peace-time Saiyan," a concept we haven't really explored before.
- Check the Manga: If you only watch the anime, you’re missing the actual sparring matches between UI Goku and Beast Gohan that settle the "who is stronger" debate (spoiler: it's closer than you think).
The next logical step for anyone following the series is to look at the Super manga Chapter 101 and beyond. That's where the real Son family development is happening right now, far away from the "Goku is a bad father" memes of 2015.