Let’s be real for a second. When Gohan first hit the screen in that green tunic and a ridiculous bulbous helmet, most of us felt a massive wave of secondhand embarrassment. It was a jarring shift. One minute we’re watching a child survive the brutal genocidal threat of Cell, and the next, he’s doing power poses in the middle of a suburban street.
Dragon Ball Z Saiyaman is arguably the most divisive era in Akira Toriyama's entire franchise. People hated it. People loved it. But mostly, people were confused. Why did the strongest teenager in the universe decide to become a low-budget Sentai parody?
Gohan’s Identity Crisis and the Birth of Great Saiyaman
To understand the Dragon Ball Z Saiyaman phenomenon, you have to look at Gohan’s headspace after the seven-year time skip. He’s a scholar. He’s trying to fit into Orange Star High School. He’s also a kid who never had a normal childhood because he was too busy getting his ribs broken by space tyrants.
The Great Saiyaman isn't just a costume. It’s a coping mechanism.
Gohan wanted to help people without the paparazzi of the Hercule City press finding out he’s the "Gold Fighter." Bulma, being the enabler she is, built him a transformation watch. It’s basically a magical girl transformation for a half-Saiyan. Honestly, the suit design is a direct homage to Kamen Rider and Super Sentai tropes that Toriyama personally loved.
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If you look at the design—the cape, the boots, the tinted visor—it’s a love letter to Japanese tokusatsu culture. Gohan isn't being "uncool" on accident; he’s being "uncool" because that’s what he thinks a hero looks like. It’s dorky. It’s wholesome. It’s also a massive departure from the grimdark tone of the Android Saga.
The Videl Factor
We can't talk about the Great Saiyaman without mentioning Videl. She’s the one who actually grounded the character. While Gohan was busy trying to hide his identity, Videl was the cynical detective-type who saw through the BS almost immediately.
Their dynamic changed the stakes. It wasn't about saving the galaxy; it was about whether or not Gohan would get exposed during PE class. That shift in scale is what makes the Dragon Ball Z Saiyaman arc feel so different from the rest of the series. It’s a teen rom-com hidden inside a battle shonen.
Why the Fanbase Actually Split
The backlash was immediate. For years, fans had waited to see Gohan take the mantle from Goku. They wanted the badass who walked toward Cell with a "don't care" attitude. Instead, they got a guy who does a weird dance before stopping a bank robbery.
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But here is the nuance.
Toriyama was tired. After the intensity of the Frieza and Cell arcs, he wanted to go back to his roots. If you’ve ever read Dr. Slump, you know that Toriyama’s true DNA is gag manga. The Great Saiyaman was him reclaiming that humor.
- It lowered the power ceiling temporarily so the Buu Saga felt like it had somewhere to go.
- It gave Gohan a personality outside of "angry warrior."
- It introduced the concept of the Z-Fighters living in a "normal" society.
Some people think Gohan got weak. That’s a misconception. He didn't get weak; he got happy. For the first time in his life, he wasn't fighting for survival. He was fighting because he wanted to.
The Costume Evolution: Tunic vs. No Tunic
There are actually two main versions of the Great Saiyaman outfit. You have the classic look with the green tunic and the white cape. Then, during the World Martial Arts Tournament, he has to ditch the helmet because of the rules. He swaps it for a bandana and sunglasses.
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Most fans actually prefer the bandana look. It feels a bit more "street" and less "cosplay gone wrong." However, the helmet is iconic for the pure absurdity of it. When Gohan goes Super Saiyan while wearing the full Great Saiyaman gear, the juxtaposition of god-like power and a plastic helmet is peak Dragon Ball comedy.
The Legacy of the Great Saiyaman in Modern Media
The impact of this character stretches far beyond the 90s. In Dragon Ball Super, we see Gohan return to the persona for a movie stunt-double role. It’s meta. It’s a show acknowledging its own weird history.
Even in video games like Dragon Ball FighterZ or Xenoverse, the Great Saiyaman is a staple. Why? Because the moveset is unique. Instead of just firing lasers, he has these theatrical, dramatic physical strikes. He’s the only character who cares about "justice" in a way that feels intentional and performative.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific era of the lore, or if you're a collector looking for the best representation of this dorky hero, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the Filler: Usually, people say skip the filler. Don't do that here. The episodes where Gohan is just being a student and trying to hide his identity are where the character shines. It builds the world of Hercule City in a way the manga rushes through.
- The SH Figuarts Trap: If you're a figure collector, the Great Saiyaman SH Figuarts is one of the most versatile pieces because it usually comes with multiple heads (helmet, bandana, Gohan base). It’s often cheaper than the "Battle Damaged" Gohan variants but offers more display options.
- Understand the Tones: If you approach this arc expecting Gohan Beast energy, you're going to be disappointed. Approach it as a parody of 70s Japanese superhero shows. Once you see the Kamen Rider influence, the poses make way more sense.
- Check the Manga Chapters: Chapters 421 through 430 of the original manga cover the "High School" era. Reading them gives you a better sense of Toriyama’s snappy comedic timing that sometimes gets lost in the anime's pacing.
Gohan’s time as the Great Saiyaman proves that even the most powerful beings in the multiverse just want to fit in. He’s a nerd with the power of a god. That’s probably the most relatable thing about him.
Stop viewing the Great Saiyaman as a "downgrade" for Gohan and start viewing it as his most authentic self. He was never a pure-blooded warrior like Vegeta or a battle-hungry savant like Goku. He was always a good kid who liked costumes and helping people. The Dragon Ball Z Saiyaman persona is Gohan finally getting to live life on his own terms, even if his fashion sense is objectively terrible.