Episode 184 – Cell Juniors Attack!/The Tragedy of No. 16!! Super Gohan’s Anger Explodes

It was a tough call between this episode and episode 191: “Save The World,” but I think Gohan’s (and the series’) first Super Saiyan 2 transformation has more weight to it than the end of the battle with Cell, especially considering how the episode builds to the transformation. After watching his friends and father get beaten mercilessly by Cell’s Cell Juniors, Gohan’s rage began to rise up, and with the encouragement of Android 16, he understood that, even when he doesn’t want to fight, even when he doesn’t want to give in to his rage, sometimes it is necessary—he has a power and he should unleash it.

Then BOOM, a moment as epic and impactful as Goku’s first Super Saiyan transformation, the impact now given to his son as the new center of the series (something Toriyama would reel back on, but a big moment nonetheless). It’s raw, it hits hard, and the original Japanese insert song, “Unmei no Hi: Tamashi tai Tamashi,” perfectly captures the somber, solemn mood of Gohan’s dilemma as a young warrior. It’s both beautiful and badass, earning it an undeniable spot in the top 10 list.