The Great Saiyaman arc remains one of Dragon Ball Z's most polarizing storylines among fans. Some view Gohan's transformation into a goofy superhero as a natural evolution of his character - showing his desire to help people while maintaining a normal life and protecting his identity. The phase demonstrated Gohan's growth into someone who could balance his Saiyan heritage with his human values, creating his own unique path separate from his father's constant battle-seeking nature.

However, critics argue that the Saiyaman persona marked the beginning of Gohan's decline as a fighter and character. After reaching incredible heights during the Cell Games, many fans felt that reducing him to comedic superhero antics undermined his potential and previous character development. This debate continues to divide the Dragon Ball community, with valid arguments on both sides about whether this phase represented character growth or regression.