>>280314086
Being able to connect and identify with a character's motivations and struggles makes them realistic, which is something most of the Dragon Ball cast lacks. It's impossible to really identify with a superpowered alien freak that only lives to engage in universe-shattering battles because that's physically impossible. Gohan is capable of such feats, but he also has all-too-human personality flaws and beliefs that many in the real world share and struggle with. To straddle the fine line between eschewing violence and doing violence to prevent violence from befalling friends and loved ones poses an age-old question of morality, of what the boundary should be, or whether there should be a boundary at all. I personally believe such a boundary is a nebulous and intangible concept that constantly shifts and fluctuates with the needs of each unique situation.

To see Gohan not only shed his philosophical bearings, but move to the other side of the coin entirely, was nothing short of mesmerizing, and it was because it reflected real-world moral quandaries that plague society. In that moment, we connected with Gohan and fully understood and embraced his mindset, even if we recognized the dangers and flaws it entailed.