Goten is the ultimate "what if" of the Dragon Ball world. Honestly, for the longest time, he was basically just a miniature clone of Goku who existed to make the fusion dance possible. He stayed small forever. Fans complained. Then, out of nowhere, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero happened and everything changed.
People love to hate on how Goten was handled in the early parts of Super. He was sidelined during the Tournament of Power. He was basically a background extra in the Future Trunks saga. It felt like the writers just forgot he was the youngest Super Saiyan in history. But if you're looking at the manga lately, you've probably noticed a shift. He's not just a kid anymore.
The Growth Spurt and the High School Years
For years, the biggest meme in the fandom was that Goten and Trunks were stuck in some kind of biological stasis. They were 13 or 14 years old and still looked like they were seven. It was weird. Then the Super Hero prequel arc in the manga dropped a bombshell: the growth spurt finally hit.
In the manga's high school arc (Chapters 88-90), we see a version of Goten in Dragon Ball Super that actually feels like a person. He’s 16 now. He’s tall. He’s got a messy, modern hairstyle that moves away from the classic "Goku look."
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He and Trunks spend their time acting as local superheroes, Saiyaman X-1 and X-2. It's goofy, sure. But it gives Goten a personality. He’s the more grounded one compared to Trunks. While Trunks is busy trying to impress Mai, Goten is often the voice of reason—or at least the one trying to make sure they don't get caught by their parents.
Why He Was "Missing" for So Long
Why did it take so long? Some experts point to the fact that Akira Toriyama simply didn't have a design for "Teen Goten" ready when Super began in 2015. Others think the series focused too much on the "Goku and Vegeta show" to care about the kids.
The in-universe explanation is actually based on Saiyan biology. According to the lore, Saiyans stay small for a long time to keep their enemies off guard, then they hit a massive growth spurt in their late teens. We saw it with Goku at the end of the original Dragon Ball. We're seeing it again now.
Power Levels and the Potential Trap
Goten is a prodigy. He hit Super Saiyan at age seven while training with Chi-Chi. That’s insane. Gohan didn't do that. Goku certainly didn't.
But in Dragon Ball Super, power creep is a real problem. When you have guys like Beerus and Whis running around, a standard Super Saiyan transformation feels like a flashlight compared to a sun. Goten hasn't reached Super Saiyan 2 on his own yet—at least not on screen.
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When they fuse into Gotenks, they can hit Super Saiyan 3, but that form has become a bit of a joke. It’s used for comic relief. In the Super Hero movie, they even messed up the fusion and became "Fat Gotenks." It was funny, but it hurt for fans who wanted to see them actually win a fight.
The Saiyaman X-2 Era
The manga gave Goten his own identity through the Saiyaman X-2 persona. He uses a watch-activated suit, just like Gohan did.
- Combat Style: He’s agile and uses more "street-level" tactics.
- Hero Gear: He rides a flying cycle and deals with Dr. Hedo’s early androids.
- Daily Life: He’s actually a decent student, unlike his dad.
Honestly, this version of Goten is much more interesting than the "Kid Goten" we saw in the Buu saga. He has a life outside of fighting. He has to balance school, his secret identity, and the fact that his dad is basically a god.
Is He Sidelined or Just Resting?
There is a massive debate about whether Goten is being wasted. Some fans argue that since he doesn't have the "warrior's drive" that Goku has, he shouldn't be a main fighter. He’s more like Gohan—someone who fights because they have to, not because they want to.
Others think it’s a crime that he wasn't in the Tournament of Power. Think about it. He’s a Saiyan with massive potential. Why bring Master Roshi or Tien when you have a kid who can go Super Saiyan? The usual excuse is that he’s "too inexperienced" or "unreliable."
But the Super Hero arc proved that when the heavy hitters (Goku and Vegeta) are off-planet, Goten and Trunks are the ones who have to step up. They helped hold off Cell Max. They might not have landed the finishing blow—that was Gohan Beast’s job—but they were there.
The Future of Goten
What's next? The manga has moved past the movie's events. We're seeing the fallout of Gohan's new form and Piccolo's "Orange" transformation.
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Goten is currently in a weird spot. He’s strong enough to handle planetary threats but miles behind the "God" tiers. If he wants to stay relevant, he needs a new form. There’s been speculation about him learning the "Ultimate" form like Gohan, or maybe something entirely different that plays off his hybrid nature.
One thing is for sure: the days of Goten being a background character are hopefully over. The high school arc was a test run to see if fans cared about him. The response was a resounding "yes."
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with the real development of Goten in Dragon Ball Super, you have to stop relying on the anime. The anime ended before his best moments happened.
- Read the Manga: Start at Chapter 88. This is where the Super Hero prequel starts. You get to see Goten's high school life and his dynamic with Trunks without the "Goku and Vegeta" overshadowing.
- Watch the Super Hero Movie: Specifically, look for the scenes where he and Trunks attempt fusion. It shows where their power currently sits.
- Ignore the Filler: A lot of the early Super anime episodes (like the purple Copy Vegeta arc) don't do Goten justice. They treat him like a toddler. The modern manga treats him like a teenager.
- Look for the Saiyaman X-2 Design: This is the most "human" Goten has ever felt. It’s the first time he isn't just a carbon copy of his father.
Goten might never be the main protagonist. Goku will probably be the lead until the heat death of the universe. But for the first time in thirty years, Goten feels like his own person. He's tall, he's awkward, and he's finally growing up.
Next Steps:
To fully grasp the current state of Goten, track the Dragon Ball Super manga's post-Super Hero chapters. Look specifically at how Toyotaro handles the sparring sessions between the hybrids and the pure-blooded Saiyans. This will reveal if Goten is finally being set up for a unique transformation or if he’ll remain the series’ most capable support character.