Ten years after Kid Buu turned into stardust, the world of Dragon Ball looks different. Peaceful. Quiet. But if you look at the Son household during the "End of Z" era—specifically those final chapters and episodes of Dragon Ball Z—you see a version of Chi-Chi that is often misunderstood, unfairly maligned, or just plain ignored.
People love to complain about her. They call her a "shrew" or the "fun-police" who kept Gohan away from his potential. Honestly, though? By the time we hit the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, Chi-Chi is probably the most grounded person in a family of literal god-slayers.
Chi-Chi at the End of Z: The Matriarch's Reality
At the end of the original manga run (Chapter 518) and the final episodes of the DBZ anime, we see a Chi-Chi who has survived several world-ending events. She’s roughly 54 years old. She’s a grandmother to Pan. She has spent years raising Goten mostly as a single mother while Goku was, well, dead.
Think about that for a second. While Goku was off training in the Other World, Chi-Chi was managing a household in Mount Paozu. She wasn't just nagging; she was surviving. By the time the End of Z (EOZ) rolls around, her dynamic with Goku has shifted into something weirdly domestic yet predictably chaotic.
When Goku announces he’s leaving—again—to train Uub, the fan reaction usually centers on Goku’s "pure" desire to find a successor. But look at Chi-Chi's face. She’s been through this cycle for decades. The EOZ version of Chi-Chi represents the human cost of living with a Saiyan.
The Grandparent Era and the Pan Connection
One of the coolest things about Chi-Chi at the end of Z is how she interacts with Pan. Unlike her strict, almost militaristic approach to Gohan’s studies, she’s noticeably softer with Pan. It’s a classic grandparent trope, sure, but it also shows growth. She’s finally realized that you can’t fully suppress the Saiyan bloodlust for battle.
Pan is four years old at the tournament. She’s flying around the world and knocking out grown men. Chi-Chi isn't screaming. She isn't throwing a fit about Pan becoming a "delinquent." This is a massive departure from the woman who threatened to jump off a balcony if Gohan didn't finish his math homework during the Namek saga.
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Maybe she’s just tired. Or maybe, having seen Gohan become a successful scholar and a family man, she feels like she "won" her battle against the chaotic warrior lifestyle. She can afford to let Pan be a fighter because the family’s future is finally secure.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her "Nagging"
If you’ve spent any time in Dragon Ball forums, you’ve seen the memes. Chi-Chi is the villain. She’s the reason Gohan is "weak."
That’s a fundamentally flawed read on her character.
Chi-Chi’s motivation at the end of Z is purely based on the trauma of the previous sagas. Remember, she saw her husband die. Twice. She saw her five-year-old son kidnapped by a green demon (Piccolo) and then sent to a dying planet (Namek). Most parents would be in therapy for the rest of their lives. Chi-Chi just started cooking bigger meals and demanding better grades.
At the end of Z, her "nagging" isn't about being mean. It’s about normalcy. In a world where people can blow up the moon, Chi-Chi values a quiet dinner and a stable career. She is the only thing tethering the Son family to Earthling society. Without her, Goku and his sons would be little more than wandering nomads or galactic mercenaries.
The Contrast with Bulma
You can’t talk about Chi-Chi without mentioning Bulma. At the end of Z, Bulma is wealthy, technologically advanced, and married to a man (Vegeta) who actually stays home—even if he is brooding in a gravity chamber.
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Chi-Chi doesn't have Capsule Corp money. She lives in the mountains. She deals with a husband who literally forgets he has a family when a strong opponent appears. The tragedy of Chi-Chi at the end of Z is that despite all her efforts, her husband still leaves her for a kid he just met in a tournament.
It’s a brutal ending for her, honestly.
The "Goku Leaves" Moment: A Break for Chi-Chi?
When Goku flies off with Uub, the fandom usually focuses on the "Passing of the Torch." But let’s look at it from the perspective of the wife left behind.
Some fans argue that Chi-Chi is actually relieved. For the first time in years, she doesn't have to worry about the Earth being destroyed by a threat Goku attracted. She has Gohan nearby, she has Videl, she has Pan. She has Goten, though he’s becoming a bit of a lazy teenager by the end of the series.
But there’s a deeper nuance here. In the final panels of the manga, Chi-Chi is yelling at Goku, but it’s almost performative. She knows who he is. She married the boy who thought "marriage" was a type of food. Expecting him to settle down and be a traditional grandfather at age 50+ was always a losing game.
Why Her Design Matters
Notice her hair at the end of Z. She’s moved away from the bun and the traditional Chinese dresses of her youth. She looks like a standard Japanese housewife of the era. This visual shift is intentional by Akira Toriyama. He wanted to emphasize that the "adventure" part of her life was over, even if Goku’s was starting a new chapter.
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She represents the "End" in End of Z. She is the anchor that remains while the protagonist flies toward the horizon.
Debunking the "Bad Mother" Myth
The biggest misconception about Chi-Chi during this period is that she stifled Gohan's potential.
- Gohan wanted to be a scholar. He says this multiple times.
- By the end of Z, Gohan is happy. He has a wife, a child, and a respected profession.
- Chi-Chi facilitated the life Gohan actually wanted, not the one fans wanted for him.
If Chi-Chi had "failed," Gohan would be a shell of a man. Instead, he’s the most well-adjusted character in the series. That is entirely Chi-Chi’s doing. She fought the narrative of the series itself to ensure her son had a choice.
Actionable Insights for Dragon Ball Fans
If you're re-watching the end of Z or reading the final volumes of the manga, try looking at Chi-Chi through a different lens.
- Watch the background characters: In the final tournament arc, pay attention to Chi-Chi’s expressions when Goku isn't the focus. You’ll see a woman who is incredibly proud of her granddaughter.
- Analyze the dialogue: Notice how Chi-Chi talks about Goku’s departure. It’s less about anger and more about a weary acceptance.
- Compare to Dragon Ball Super: If you want to see how this character evolved (or regressed, depending on who you ask), compare the EOZ Chi-Chi to the version in Super. The EOZ version feels significantly more mature and settled.
Chi-Chi isn't the hero who defeated Buu. She didn't contribute a Spirit Bomb. But she did something much harder: she kept a family of demi-gods human. At the end of Z, she stands as a testament to the fact that even in a world of Super Saiyans, someone still has to make sure the bills are paid and the kids are fed.
Next time you see the ending of the series, don't just watch Goku fly away. Look at the woman standing on the ground, watching him go. She’s the strongest person in the show.