Super Saiyan 2 (SSJ2) Gohan Dragon Ball Z - Figures

Dragon Ball is one of the most well-known and loved manga/anime series of all time for which there are a number of reasons. Of course, the action is over the top, exciting, and fast-paced, but there is also a broad variety of characters, each with their own development. Each character has their own motives, strengths, and weaknesses. It’s this mix of awesome fighting and story-driven character development that make Dragon Ball one of the most prominent series in the manga/anime world. One such character that made huge waves with fans is Son Gohan. Entering the story as a baby and growing through training, battles, and study, Gohan became a placid, calm teenager. Not a fan of fighting, Gohan tries everything he can to avoid conflict, yet in the end, is almost always forced to get physical. It’s only when he uses his Super Saiyan 2 form, his fighting instincts and bloodthirst gets the better of him. Here are three of the best Super Saiyan 2 Gohan figures; “Master Stars Piece’s Son Gohan”, “Banpresto’s Dragon Ball Super Chosenshi Retsuden: Chapter 6”, and the astounding “SCultures’ Big Figure Colosseum 7 Vol. 1: Son Gohan”.

Dragon Ball Z Master Stars Piece Son Gohan Figure (Super Saiyan 2)

Non-articulated but in a complete power pose, Super Saiyan 2 Son Gohan exudes confidence. After transforming, his demeanor was like night and day. Super Saiyan hair is the same gold color but is sharper and with a greater number of vertically ascending spikes. Typical of Gohan, the purple gi, blue bands, and brown shoes are a homage to his mentor, Piccolo. At 7.9” Banpresto’s Super Saiyan 2 Son Gohan is very well detailed, even down to the rips in Gohan’s gi and the shading that gives a real 3D pop to his muscles and clothes.

Product Name: Dragon Ball Z Master Stars Piece Son Gohan
Series: Dragon Ball Z
Product Line: Master Stars Piece
Manufacturer: Banpresto
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale PVC & ABS figure
Figure Height (Approx.): 20 cm | 7.9"

Dragon Ball Super Chosenshi Retsuden: Chapter 6 Figure (Super Saiyan 2)

Banpresto’s Super Chosenshi Retsuden Son Gohan is a little more on the cartoony side. The limbs are proportionally short when compared to the head and hair, and the colors are very dark and thick. The simple design offers something more though; a closer resemblance to the source material. Many other figures feature a more proportionally correct Gohan, but he was never drawn that way. The absence of blood and battle damage provides this figure a cleaner, more display-friendly look.

Product Name: Dragon Ball Super Chosenshi Retsuden: Chapter 6
Series: Dragon Ball Super
Manufacturer: Banpresto
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale figure
Height (Approx.): Super Saiyan 2 Gohan: 12 cm | 4.7"

Dragon Ball Z SCultures Big Figure Colosseum 7 Vol. 1: Son Gohan (Super Saiyan 2)

Elegant but powerful.SCultures’ Big Figure Colosseum 7 Son Gohan is a masterpiece. Coloring and shading offer an almost cel-shaded effect and rips and folds in clothes bring a more 3D effect. Furious facial expressions require just the right amount of detail to avoid the uncanny valley, and this figure gets it bang on. This is likely before Gohan saves Vegeta from Cell's blast and could even be when he is destroying the Cell Juniors with huge punches and kicks. 160mm and non-articulated, Gohan here is striking a classic pose for a classic arc.

Product Name: Dragon Ball Z SCultures Big Figure Colosseum 7 Vol. 1: Son Gohan
Series: Dragon Ball Z
Product Line: SCultures Big Figure Colosseum 7
Manufacturer: Banpresto
Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale figure with stand
Height (Approx.): 160 mm | 6.3”

About Super Saiyan 2 (SSJ2) Gohan

Son Gohan is the son of the main protagonist Son Goku. Initially, it was planned that he would take over the role as the main protagonist but amid backlash from fans, the plan was scrapped, and he continued his role as support to Goku and Vegeta. Gohan is fairly high in the hierarchy of power levels, but never displays the will to get stronger.

Background

Born with a pure heart, as a human-Saiyan hybrid, Gohan has all the power of a Saiyan but lacks the brutal bloodlust and desire to fight. Unlike his father Goku, who actively seeks out a challenge, Gohan would rather spend his time peacefully studying, or with friends and family. Chi-chi, his mother, pushed him strongly to study from a young age. This behavior ultimately stuck and post Cell saga, Gohan had lost a tremendous amount of power and had instead become a high school student and part-time superhero.

Special Abilities

Most Saiyans are born with almost unlimited potential for growth supposing the right conditions are met. Gohan is half human and half Saiyan, therefore it can be assumed he has such a potential too. Something is different with Gohan though, as compared to all other characters, Gohan has been shown to have an unmatched natural potential. Extreme instances of emotion would unlock this potential briefly demonstrating some of the most memorable scenes in the series, from headbutting (and winding) Raditz as a baby, to launching an all-out attack on Frieza and holding him back as a child. It was only when Elder Kai unlocked this potential for him did he become the strongest unfused character, named Mystic Gohan, in the entire series up until that point.

Other Important Dragon Ball Z Characters

Super Saiyan 2 Gohan, has a couple of characters to thank for his coming into existence. Both androids with but very different motives, Cell is the first and most important character on Gohan’s path to Super Saiyan 2, and Android 16 is the character that helps him finally reach the elusive form.

Cell

Cell was programmed to strive for perfection. He desired to fight the strongest opponents he could find, defeat them, and move on to the next. Thoroughly enjoying his fight with Goku, Cell was surprised when Goku tapped out in place of Gohan. Upon hearing about Gohan’s extreme power, Cell decided to try and draw it out of him by various nefarious means. Creating a host of Cell juniors to beat up his friends and father is one. Hurling abuse at Gohan and mocking him another. The last and final straw though was thanks to Android 16.

Android 16

Android 16 was a peace-loving entity. Nature and all life were captivating for Android 16, animals would come to him and small birds would even land on his shoulders. His programming to kill Goku was the only thing about him that wasn’t good. For this reason, Dr. Gero considered him malfunctional and deactivated him. Android 16 attempted to self-destruct while holding Cell and instead had his body torn apart when it was discovered that Bulma had removed the bomb from his body during repairs. After requesting Mister Satan throw his severed head over to Gohan, he made a speech about how it’s okay to fight when it's necessary, and that Gohan protects the nature and life that he loves so much. Then Cell stomps on his head. That was the moment that Gohan achieved the Super Saiyan 2 form.