Among the Saiyans, Gohan has long been celebrated as a prodigy in His potential was unlocked early with his first transformation into a Super Saiyan arriving at nine years old. This achievement solidified his place as one of the most promising fighters among his friends and family.

However, there is another half-Saiyan who demonstrates a potential that may one-day rival Gohan’s. Coming from a powerful lineage of his own, Trunks’ early accomplishments hint that he may become a warrior equally as gifted as Gohan. His mix of intellect and physical prowess is inherited from his parents, making him stand out as a character brimming with potential.

Trunks Achieved Super Saiyan At A Much Younger Age Than Gohan

Trunks is the Second Youngest to Achieve the Super Saiyan Transformation

Trunks’ ability to achieve Super Saiyan by age eight stunned even Vegeta, who held incredibly high expectations for his son. When he casually transformed in front of Vegeta, it wasn’t born from any trauma or desperation like those that had triggered Gohan and Goku’s first Super Saiyan form. Instead, it was as effortless as any basic technique, setting Trunks apart as a prodigy and a potential powerhouse.

While Trunks may not be the youngest Super Saiyan on record, as Goten claimed that title, his early transformation is impressive because he was not faced with any world-ending adversaries or intense losses. In a way, it hints at Trunks’ untapped well of strength by naturally occurring in battle and training rather than being triggered. His ability to reach these heights at a young age hints at his exceptional potential and emphasizes that half-Saiyans like him and Gohan may one day outmatch their predecessors.

Trunks Inherits His Mother's Brains and His Father's Braun

Out of All the Saiyans Trunks is the Most Rational and Practical

Trunks has a unique combination of his parents’ strengths, including Vegeta’s strength and Bulma’s sharp intelligence. Even at a young age, Trunks shows that he is a versatile fighter who is also strategic and pragmatic in battle. This is demonstrated in the Junior Division of the World Martial Arts Tournament when he cleverly tricks Goten into a false sense of security by saying he won’t transform or use his left hand. While slightly underhanded, it shows Trunks’ ability to outsmart his opponents and take the most logical course of action.

Trunks’ pragmatic approach sets him apart from the other Saiyan hybrids and positions him as one of the most level-headed characters in the series. His actions in the Junior Division align with his future counterpart due to the fact that Future Trunks has also been shown to make the most logical decisions based on the information available to him. This level-headedness is vital in high-stakes situations and reflects the best traits of his lineage.

The Potential Of Trunks' Power Has Already Been Hinted At By His Future Counterpart

With the Right Mentorship and Training, Trunks May Just Sur Future Trunks’ Power

Future Trunks showcases the incredible potential that Trunks may one day achieve. Future Trunks also transformed into a Super Saiyan at a young age and was trained by Gohan until his death. From then on, Future Trunks was left to train on his own, but it begs the question as to just how powerful he could have become if he was able to continue his training with other powerful and experienced fighters. when he meets Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super, Future Trunks becomes a lot stronger, unlocking a transformation that no other Saiyan has (even if it's only in the anime).

Trunks, on the other hand, has the opportunity to train alongside his father, who will continuously push him to reach his strongest potential, and other fighters like Goten and Gohan. He has already been shown to reach Super Saiyan earlier than Future Trunks and has been teased in Dragon Ball Super and the film Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon to one day have a sword. These hints show that Trunks’ power may mirror his future counterpart and might even go beyond the levels Future Trunks achieves. This positions Trunks as one of the most promising figures in the Dragon Ball universe.