In Dragon Ball Z's peaceful seven years between Gohan's world-saving victory over Perfect Cell and the appearance of Majin Buu, the young hero follows his mother's wishes for him to give up training and pursue his studies. Gohan receives a lot of flak for this decision, particularly from Vegeta during the World Tournament Saga and later, more consequently, in his battle against Dabura on Babidi's spaceship. More than once, Gohan himself laments his rustiness and his regret at not keeping his martial arts skills sharpened.

It's easy to look back in hindsight and say Gohan should've kept up his training, strived to reach the next level of Super Saiyan, etc. On the other hand, many other consequential parts of his life might never have come together had he not fully dedicated himself to his educational ambitions. Let's look at whether, in spite of Buu's subsequent universe-spanning terror, Gohan was right or wrong to stop training in the years following his victory over Cell.

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Dragon Ball Z Gohan Riding Nimbus

Despite Chi Chi's long-held desire for Gohan to become a scholar and not end up like Goku -- jobless, doing little else besides fighting and training -- it's still surprising that she wouldn't at least allow him to train once in a while. The threat of a new enemy is always possible. While he was only a boy, with Goku gone Gohan was the world's strongest fighter and its most likely savior. And what better way to honor Goku's lifelong legacy of protecting the Earth than by continuing to train to be ready to help others if necessary? Chi Chi even takes it upon herself to train Goten in martial arts, soon enough leading to him becoming a Super Saiyan as well.

On the flip side, Gohan's life may have turned out a whole lot differently had he not spent those seven years with his face buried in the books. It's noted by a teacher that he got perfect scores on his high school entrance exams. If Gohan had dedicated much or even some of his time to pursuing more strength, he may not have gotten in to Orange Star High School. If that had happened, he never would've met Videl, earned his diploma, or gotten married and started a family while working whatever the heck his actual job is. He also wouldn't have competed in the World Martial Arts Tournament -- Videl blackmailed him into doing it -- meaning the entire Majin Buu story arc would have been radically different.

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Likewise, no amount of training could've truly prepared any of the Z fighters for the enigma that was Buu, his transformations and bizarre powers. Even Super Saiyan 3 Goku, during both his first battle against Fat Buu and his final battle against Kid Buu, openly compliments the villain for being such a great fighter. Without his father's guidance, even if Gohan had kept up his training he likely wouldn't have reached the heights necessary to battle Buu without crucial aid from Elder Supreme Kai.

As they say, everything happens for a reason. Though heavily influenced by Chi Chi, Gohan's life choices led him to friends, relationships, and achievements that never would have happened if he'd followed purely in Goku's footsteps after the Cell Games. It may have been costly for the Z-Fighters a few times in the short term, but in the long run his decision to shelve his training in favor of studying allowed him to attend a highly respected high school and meet the love of his life. Hard to argue he was wrong, right?

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