Dragon Ball fans have taken the recent months following Akira Toriyama’s passing to reflect on his legacy, while paying fanart tributes such as a charming rendition of Gohan and Trunks in the future. It is a devastating loss to the anime and manga fan community. Still, his legacy lives on thanks to his loving dedication to his signature art style and enduring beloved characters. Two such characters, Gohan and Trunks, had an incredibly dark future in the Cell Saga, with a viral fanart creator recently posting a more serene rendition of the two characters.
KAKERU‘s rendition on X (formerly Twitter) depicts Future Trunks and Future Gohan, significant characters in the Cell Saga. They function primarily as residents of the darker future where Dr. Gero’s creations defeat Earth’s defenders in Dragon Ball Z. Gohan, at this point, an adult man, trains Trunks.
At the same time, the pair try to survive in this dystopian future, with tragic losses soon to follow. However, KAKERU offers a precious glimpse at a more peaceful fanart interaction, highlighting their friendship and a sense of peace fans may never see in Dragon Ball.
The Cell Saga is introduced some especially brutal Dragon Ball characters, so this rendition of Future Gohan and Future Trunks relaxing under a tree is a much-needed respite. Fans often see more frequent glimpses of the two alone against the threat of Android 17 and Android 18, training at that point for their entire lives. Thanks to KAKERU, the two enjoy a restful moment, with no conflict and no loss, just napping Trunks and a studious Gohan. The surrounding wildlife and bright color pallet underscore a happy and unseen alternate timeline for the pair.
Despite the happy tones of this Dragon Ball fanart, there are still distressing signs that Future Gohan and Future Trunks aren’t safe. Gohan still wears his gi while reading and is missing his arm, indicating the bombing by the Androids still happened after all. But there’s also a sense of relief to this sight, as it means Gohan, even faced with the need to train and become stronger, never gave up on his studies, which Chi-Chi would surely appreciate.
Future Trunks grows up to become the adult half-Saiyan warrior to warn present-day Goku and his team that the Androids and, inadvertently, Cell are the next threat to Earth. Many of their friends in this timeline are dead, with Gohan training for roughly thirteen years while eventually taking Trunks on as his trainee. It’s a morose timeline in Dragon Ball Z and is even revisited in Dragon Ball Super, with indications of no lasting relief for Future Gohan or Future Trunks.
However, the most consequential event for this pair is when Gohan goes to fight the Androids in Pepper Town. Gohan is eventually overpowered by 17 and 18, and the sight of his lifeless body eventually found by Trunks triggers the young fighter to attain his Super Saiyan state. Future Trunks is the same elite sword-wielding fighter who saves Earth from Frieza and King Cold, but Future Gohan is a tragic figure in Dragon Ball lore, so even a tiny amount of art to render him in a relaxing light is an easy hit with the fans.
Source: KAKERU on X