Goku’s decision to give Cell a senzu bean before his fight with Gohan in Dragon Ball Z seemed foolish, but it actually guaranteed Gohan’s victory.

Check out all the Sparking Episode branches and what if story paths available in Goku's story mode campaign in Dragon Ball Sparking Zero.

Therefore, the only way Gohan could have truly replaced Goku as the Dragon Ball ‘s main hero was in a symbolic sense, had the series concluded with the Cell Saga.

Akira Toriyama wanted Gohan to replace Goku as Dragon Ball’s protagonist—but it didn’t work. Here’s why he changed his mind.

Goku Managed To Reverse Cell’s Absorption Despite its controversial status in the fandom, Dragon Ball GT is a thing that happened and it featured Cell for a spell.

One of my favorite parts of Dragon Ball Z is the bit where, while training for the Cell Games, Goku and Gohan are just hanging out all day in their Super Saiyan forms.

But on the other hand, characters like Beerus and Goku Black making it in before the likes of Frieza, Trunks, and Cell is a bit of a questionable decision.

Goku's story in the Cell Saga is explored further within this branching path. This can be started by accepting Gohan's request to help Piccolo in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber episode.