Goku and Vegeta look incredibly surprised, with their mouths hanging open.
By
Evan D. Mullicane
Published 23 minutes ago
Evan Mullicane is the senior editor and founder of Screen Rant's anime section. Having started as a writer for the Comics Team at the beginning of the Pandemic, Evan was swiftly promoted from writer to editor, and then from editor to lead of Screen Rant's newly established anime vertical.
Throughout his time with Screen Rant, Evan has made a handful of appearances at conventions such as Anime Expo and San Diego Comic-Con, and has interviewed some of the biggest names in Anime and Comics history.
In addition to editing anime and manga articles for Screen Rant, Evan is also a science fiction and fantasy author. In 2018 and 2019, his short story "The Demon's Mother" won honorable mentions from the Writers of the Future contest.
You can find Evan on Twitter @EvanDM and BlueSky @evandmu.bsky.socia
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Dramatic transformations are a large part of what makes Dragon Ball the iconic franchise that it is. From legendary moments like Goku's first time going Super Saiyan, to more modern examples like Vegeta unlocking Ultra Ego, Dragon Ball characters unlocking new forms have consistently ranked among anime's most epic moments ever.
One hero who's had a mixed history with transformations, however, is Gohan. This is why no one was happier to see Goku's son level up to Beast than adult Gohan's English voice actor, Kyle Hebert.
At Anime Pasadena 2025, ScreenRant spoke to Hebert to ask him for his reaction to Gohan Beast. Hebert's response highlighted how the transformation wasn't just cathartic for him as a performer, but was also gratifying for fans who had waited years to see Gohan finally develop a new weapon in his arsenal.
I’ve been voicing Gohan since 2000 — so, a quarter of a century — and fans have always told me, “Gohan’s my favorite character.”
Whether it’s Kid Gohan, Teen Gohan, or Adult Gohan, they’ve stuck with him. So when this transformation happened, it felt like a payoff not just for him, but for everyone who believed in him.
And sure, now the debates start — “Is he really stronger than Broly?” — but it’s nice to finally let him have his moment. He’s earned it!
Beast Gohan Has Been Decades In The Making
Beast Gohan yelling and surrounded by red lightning as he is about to launch his special beam cannon in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Though it's easy to forget in the wake of Gohan's explosive power surge in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the iconic hero had been sidelined for years. Fans might peg Super as the start of problems, but Gohan being sidelined dates all the way back to Z's Buu Arc.
Though Gohan was initially the hero of that arc, his performance during it was less than impressive.
The new form he unlocked during the Buu Arc, Ultimate Gohan, was certainly powerful, but didn't come with a new design, robbing it of the visual flair and grandeur previous new forms had.
After that, Gohan was effectively replaced by a newly resurrected Goku, and he was subsequently relegated to a side character in Dragon Ball follow-ups such as GT and Battle of Gods.
Unfortunately, Resurrection F and the first handful of Dragon Ball Super arcs would only exacerbate the issue. Gohan sported his infamous tracksuit during this era and his power level seemed far below what fans would expect.
Dragon Ball Super Came Close To Redeeming Gohan For Exactly One Arc
Gohan and Piccolo fighting the Universe 6 Namekians.
Dragon Ball Super's Universal Survival arc proved to be a turning point for Gohan, as he would be Team Leader for Universe 7 and play a pivotal role during that arc.
Not only were Gohan's skills as a fighter put on display during the Universal Survival Saga, but so were his capabilities as a leader and tactician. For all of Super's faults, the Universal Survival Saga represented the sequel at its best, and that was evident with its handling of Gohan.
Far from a joke or even just a copy of Goku, Gohan during the Universal Survival Saga was an impressive fighter who made tough calls and lasted longer than many thought he would.
Unfortunately, for as good as Gohan's role was during the arc, he wouldn't develop a new form. His development there, however, could have been the pebble that led to the avalanche that was Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Gohan Finally Became The Fighter He Was Always Meant To Be In Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
Beast Gohan stands in front of younger versions of himself.
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero finally gave Gohan fans the moment they'd been waiting for more than two decades for.
During the film's climax, as Gohan believes that Piccolo is dead, he absolutely loses it, finally unlocking the Beast transformation.
With piercing red eyes and an impressive amount of white hair, Beast Gohan is an attention-grabbing design that is unique to the character. Akira Toriyama declared Gohan stronger than any other Dragon Ball character as a result of Beast, and it's easy to see why given his performance against Cell Max.
As Hebert points out, there's a certain level of catharsis to seeing Gohan unlock such a ridiculously powerful form after years of being ignored. It finally puts him on the same level as the series' other powerhouses like Goku, Vegeta, and Broly, making Gohan part of Dragon Ball's five strongest heroes.
Gohan Has The Most Character Development Of Any Dragon Ball Hero
Part of the reason fans were so bummed out by the years of Gohan disrespect is just how much development the character saw throughout Dragon Ball.
Gohan has an actual definable arc throughout the series as he goes from a quiet and kind kid afraid of his own abilities to someone capable of beating threats like Cell.
This development sets him apart from much of the series' cast. While Goku does develop a little bit throughout his time in Dragon Ball, he's mostly a static character who just wants to grow stronger and live with his family.
In addition to the development, Gohan is a victim of hype. Dragon Ball spends much of the Saiyan, Frieza, and Cell arcs hyping up Gohan's ability. Dragon Ball pretty clearly states several times that it's pretty much Gohan's destiny to surpass his father as the strongest Saiyan.
There's a reason Gohan was initially set to replace Goku as Dragon Ball's hero.
Given all this, it was disappointing for many to see Gohan's development peter out right alongside his power and gratifying to see both return in such a spectacular fashion.
For this reason, Gohan Beast really does stand as Dragon Ball's best transformation. While other new forms had built up, no other form had literal decades of build-up and an explosive payoff like Beast did.
Beast Has Ensured That Gohan's Dragon Ball Future Is Bright
Screenshot from Dragon Ball Super Hero movie shows Beast Gohan raising his arm into the air while white and red lightning forms around him before he launches the special beam cannon.
Right now, the Dragon Ball franchise's future is uncertain. The Super manga is on indefinite hiatus, and while Toei has hinted at a 10-year plan for Dragon Ball, what that looks like isn't clear.
Still, whatever happens with Dragon Ball, Beast has ensured that Gohan will be a part of it. With the threat of Frieza Black looming, it appears that Gohan's power will be needed to take down the tyrant once and for all.
When Super Hero showed Gohan unlocking Beast, it wasn't just giving the character a powerful new form; it was ensuring his relevance in Dragon Ball's next era and, hopefully, every future era to come.
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8.4/10
Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed PG-13 Action Animation Adventure Release Date August 18, 2022 Runtime 99 minutes Director Tetsuro Kodama Writers Akira Toriyama Prequel(s) Dragon Ball Super: BrolyCast
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Mayumi Tanaka
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Christopher R. Sabat
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Anime Pasadena
Location
Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA
Dates
November 8-9, 2025
Website
https://www.animepasadena.com/
Held each November at the Pasadena Convention Center in California, Anime Pasadena is an annual two-day convention celebrating anime and pop culture. It offers diverse attractions, including gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, live music, artist alley, and vendor areas, along with family-friendly features like a kids’ cosplay competition and interactive entertainment.
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Anime
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Dragon Ball
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