Live action TV
Description
In the 2009 live-action film Dragonball Evolution, the character of Grandpa Gohan is an adaptation of the martial artist who serves as the adoptive grandfather and primary guardian of the young protagonist, Goku. In this version of the story, Gohan is portrayed by Randall Duk Kim. He is depicted as an elderly, wise, and kind-hearted man who lives a relatively secluded life with his grandson, for whom he cares deeply.
The background of Grandpa Gohan in this film establishes him as a skilled martial artist who was once a student of the venerable Master Roshi. The orange and blue gi that Goku wears throughout the film is implied to have originally belonged to Gohan from his own days of training under Roshi. Long before the events of the movie, Gohan discovered Goku as an abandoned infant in the wilderness and decided to raise him as his own family, training him in the martial arts and instilling in him a strong moral code. As part of this upbringing, Gohan taught Goku the legend of the evil Lord Piccolo and the monstrous Oozaru, two powerful alien beings who had nearly destroyed the world two thousand years prior.
In terms of personality, Grandpa Gohan is defined by his profound love and patience for his grandson. He respects Goku's individuality, reassuring him that he is "special" rather than "weird" and encouraging him to believe in himself. He maintains a code of discipline, having taught Goku to never use his martial arts abilities to bully others or to fight at school. One of his most significant rules is a warning for Goku to never look at a full moon, a precaution against the boy's hidden potential for a monstrous transformation.
Grandpa Gohan's primary motivation is the protection and proper upbringing of Goku. His most pivotal action in the story occurs on the morning of Goku's eighteenth birthday, when he gifts the boy with a Four-Star Dragon Ball, a mystical orange sphere, explaining that it is his only other treasure besides Goku himself. This gift sets the film's central quest into motion. Later that day, while preparing Goku's birthday dinner, Gohan is attacked by the villainous Mai and Lord Piccolo, who is seeking the Dragon Ball. Piccolo uses his telekinesis to bring the roof down on Gohan, mortally wounding him. Sensing that something is wrong, Goku rushes home and finds his grandfather dying. With his final breath, Gohan instructs Goku to seek out Master Roshi for guidance.
The relationship between Grandpa Gohan and Goku is the emotional core of his character. He is Goku's sole parental figure and martial arts master, and his death serves as the primary catalyst for Goku's journey to become stronger and stop Piccolo. Though physically gone, Gohan's influence continues. He appears one more time in the film during a pivotal moment when Goku is shot and suffers a near-death experience. In this spiritual vision, Gohan confronts his grandson, telling him that it is not yet his time to die, effectively giving Goku the resolve to return to the land of the living and continue the fight. This development cements his role as a guiding spirit for Goku.
Concerning notable abilities, Grandpa Gohan is a proficient martial artist, having trained under Master Roshi, and he passed on this knowledge to Goku. In the narrative of the film, his most significant abilities are his wisdom and his knowledge of the Dragon Balls and the threat posed by Piccolo. In the video game adaptation of the film, his martial arts prowess is expanded upon, where he is depicted as a playable character capable of performing special attacks. These include a Ki Blast Cannon, a short-range burst of energy, and several combo attacks utilizing the Power Pole, a weapon he carries on his back.
The background of Grandpa Gohan in this film establishes him as a skilled martial artist who was once a student of the venerable Master Roshi. The orange and blue gi that Goku wears throughout the film is implied to have originally belonged to Gohan from his own days of training under Roshi. Long before the events of the movie, Gohan discovered Goku as an abandoned infant in the wilderness and decided to raise him as his own family, training him in the martial arts and instilling in him a strong moral code. As part of this upbringing, Gohan taught Goku the legend of the evil Lord Piccolo and the monstrous Oozaru, two powerful alien beings who had nearly destroyed the world two thousand years prior.
In terms of personality, Grandpa Gohan is defined by his profound love and patience for his grandson. He respects Goku's individuality, reassuring him that he is "special" rather than "weird" and encouraging him to believe in himself. He maintains a code of discipline, having taught Goku to never use his martial arts abilities to bully others or to fight at school. One of his most significant rules is a warning for Goku to never look at a full moon, a precaution against the boy's hidden potential for a monstrous transformation.
Grandpa Gohan's primary motivation is the protection and proper upbringing of Goku. His most pivotal action in the story occurs on the morning of Goku's eighteenth birthday, when he gifts the boy with a Four-Star Dragon Ball, a mystical orange sphere, explaining that it is his only other treasure besides Goku himself. This gift sets the film's central quest into motion. Later that day, while preparing Goku's birthday dinner, Gohan is attacked by the villainous Mai and Lord Piccolo, who is seeking the Dragon Ball. Piccolo uses his telekinesis to bring the roof down on Gohan, mortally wounding him. Sensing that something is wrong, Goku rushes home and finds his grandfather dying. With his final breath, Gohan instructs Goku to seek out Master Roshi for guidance.
The relationship between Grandpa Gohan and Goku is the emotional core of his character. He is Goku's sole parental figure and martial arts master, and his death serves as the primary catalyst for Goku's journey to become stronger and stop Piccolo. Though physically gone, Gohan's influence continues. He appears one more time in the film during a pivotal moment when Goku is shot and suffers a near-death experience. In this spiritual vision, Gohan confronts his grandson, telling him that it is not yet his time to die, effectively giving Goku the resolve to return to the land of the living and continue the fight. This development cements his role as a guiding spirit for Goku.
Concerning notable abilities, Grandpa Gohan is a proficient martial artist, having trained under Master Roshi, and he passed on this knowledge to Goku. In the narrative of the film, his most significant abilities are his wisdom and his knowledge of the Dragon Balls and the threat posed by Piccolo. In the video game adaptation of the film, his martial arts prowess is expanded upon, where he is depicted as a playable character capable of performing special attacks. These include a Ki Blast Cannon, a short-range burst of energy, and several combo attacks utilizing the Power Pole, a weapon he carries on his back.