The Dragon Ball franchise has a hand in everything from brutal action to screwball comedy. It's only natural for the characters to reflect that. One of the more intriguing figures in the manga and anime is Gohan. The son of main protagonist Goku, he gradually goes from a frightened child to a confident fighter. The journey isn't smooth, though, as it's rife with twists and turns.
This becomes clear in the dialogue. Gohan has a plethora of lines which have stuck in fans' hearts. Sometimes, it's for how ridiculous they are. Other times, the satisfaction stems from the passion on display. Above all, though, these lines are endlessly entertaining, as they reaffirm the character's strengths and punctuate his moments of triumph. That's why Gohan continues to be a favorite in the Dragon Ball fandom.
5 "Leave My Dad Alone!"
Gohan starts out as a timid crybaby. At the outset of Dragon Ball Z, he's scared of everything and always wants his dad's help. This is the basis for Goku's fight with Raditz: rescuing his son.
When the villain begins fighting his dad, Gohan jumps out in a fit of rage and severely wounds his assailant. It's the first demonstration of the kid's power. How appropriate that it's also the first time he truly asserts himself. The contrast with his normal behavior is shocking, surpassed only by the supreme show of strength. The scenario establishes him as a wild card in the DBZ fighting pantheon, and it leaves fans eager to see what else he's capable of.
4 "I Won't Watch This Anymore!"
This is another moment where Gohan snaps, and it stems from his fight with Cell. The insectoid android seeks to unlock the kid's true power by angering him, so he sends his demented offspring to kill the other Z-fighters. The last straw comes when the benevolent Android 16 tells Gohan to let go of his inhibitions to protect those he loves. Cell mercilessly crushes the humble robot, and the young warrior refuses to sit by any longer.
Viewers know this line comes from a place of rage and caring. They feel that, not only through the line itself, but also through Stephanie Nadolny's phenomenal voice acting. She lets out a primal scream which outshines any other in the show. It's absolutely flooring, easily selling the moment as Gohan's emotional breaking point. The result is both poignant and terrifying.
3 "Let Him Suffer For A Little While."
Though he's a good person at heart, Gohan's anger comes with a bit of sadism. If an enemy does him wrong or hurts those he cares about, he takes pleasure in a little revenge. Fans see this in his battle with Cell. After transforming into a Super Saiyan 2, Gohan surpasses the villain's strength and begins picking him apart. Goku warns him against this, stressing that he should finish Cell before it's too late. Better safe than sorry, after all.
Unfortunately, Gohan refuses, opting to torture his enemy for a bit. It's a chilling line, and the fact that it comes from one of the most altruistic characters shows just how far the hero has been pushed. The moment is even more significant since it's the first time Gohan is openly defiant of his dad. His arrogance makes him almost unrecognizable. However, viewers can still tell it's the same kid, and that knowledge is uncomfortably effective.
2 "I Am The Great Saiyaman!"
When he gets to high school, Gohan couldn't be more of a dork. That's probably due to the strict homeschooling by his mother. At least he still sports the same heroism, which is why he can't turn a blind eye to people in trouble. To protect his anonymity, he dons a colorful costume and announces his noble intentions in a series of flamboyant speeches (complete with fruity poses).
He's the Great Saiyaman, and he makes sure no one forgets it. The routine is jarring and somewhat embarrassing. That said, it's easy to see what creator Akira Toriyama is trying to do. His early work thrives on satire, and the Great Saiyaman is his take on superhero stories. In other words, it's supposed to be cringeworthy. With that in mind, one can respect it. Gohan goes all in on the silliness, exuding more enthusiasm than he has any business doing. In the end, his new persona is equal parts memorable and ironically amusing.
1 "Fight You? No, I Want To Kill You."
After going through the aforementioned dork phase, Gohan gets back down to business for the conflict with Majin Buu. The Elder Kai eventually unlocks his hidden potential, and he's a cold and uncompromising warrior once again. He demonstrates that as he heads straight for Buu. The pink menace asks if he wants to fight, to which Gohan responds with this one-liner.
Not only does this hearken back to his sadism during the Cell Saga, but it comes with the cockiness of age. His delivery is so casual that it's unsettling. Viewers don't expect to hear such homicidal intentions conveyed so calmly, and it's radically distinct from the screaming rage that the show is notorious for. However, that difference makes the threat more impactful and believable. Subtlety does wonders for a convincing intimidation.