Dragon Ball unveils a universe filled with iconic combat techniques. From Goku's Kamehameha to Vegeta's Galick Gun, these moves have become ingrained in the hearts of fans who witnessed these characters mature over time. As characters developed, their abilities also evolved, yet they retained their trademark moves that defined them from the start.
Among these iconic attacks lies Gohan's Masenko. Debuted early in Dragon Ball Z, Masenko has been a constant in Gohan's arsenal, despite his transformation from a young fighter to a more mature warrior. Let's delve into Masenko to understand why it remains Gohan's signature move and one of his most formidable attacks!
Decoding the Masenko
While Masenko is synonymous with Gohan, its origins trace back to Piccolo. Initially showcased in the Piccolo Jr. saga in the original Dragon Ball, this technique highlighted Piccolo's combat style when facing Tai's dog. Despite his young age, this attack hinted at the latent power Piccolo possessed.
Mastering the Masenko
Similar to the Kamehameha, the effectiveness of Masenko hinges on precise hand gestures and posture to unleash its full potential. The user must position their hands above their head (or at forehead level for Kid Gohan), with palms aimed at the target and fingers pointing in opposite directions. By vocalizing the attack's name, a yellow or orange energy blast erupts from the hands, mirroring the Kamehameha's execution.
Memorable Masenko Moments
The inaugural use of Masenko dates back to Dragon Ball, where a young Piccolo employed a rudimentary version to deter Tai's dog. Gohan's first display of Masenko occurred in the Saiyan Saga following Piccolo's demise at Nappa's hands. Enraged, Gohan unleashed Masenko at Nappa, although the Saiyan effortlessly deflected the blast.
Subsequently, in Episode 40 of Dragon Ball Z, Gohan deployed an incomplete Masenko to extinguish a blaze and safeguard a girl. Throughout the Namek Saga, Gohan utilized Masenko diversely, propelling himself from water in one instance by firing a single-handed Ki blast.
Gohan's mastery of Masenko shone in battles against the Ginyu Force and Frieza's third form, despite being restrained by the Frost Demon. Post his transformation, Frieza engaged Piccolo in a one-sided combat where Piccolo unleashed Masenko without the traditional stance, opting for a one-handed Ki blast that inflicted substantial damage on Frieza.
As the series progressed and characters grew stronger, Masenko's frequency waned. However, notable instances include Piccolo aiding Gohan with Masenko during the Cell Saga's Father-Son Kamehameha. In the Android Saga's alternate timeline, Future Gohan employed a unique Masenko against Androids 17 and 18.
The Buu Saga witnessed Ultimate Buu's Kamikaze Ghosts utilizing Masenko in the Vegito battle. Masenko resurfaced in Super's Goku Black Arc, where Trunks wielded it against the titular antagonist, and later in the Tournament of Power arc against Universe 6 Namekians and Dyspo.
Diverse Masenko Forms
- Double Masenko: Gohan's dual-handed variant to combat Garlic Jr's henchmen, Spice and Vinegar.
- Hyper Masenko: Super Saiyan Future Gohan's version against the Androids in his timeline.
- Full Power Masenko: Gohan's charged-up, massive Ki ball unleashed on Frieza.
- Ultimate Masenko: Gohan's most potent form, featuring a larger beam with a white flash, employed against Frieza's final form.
- Masenko Beam Canon: During the Tournament of Power, Gohan merged his Masenko with Piccolo's Special Beam Cannon.
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