Future Gohan isn't inherently evil, but rather driven to drastic measures by the immense suffering and loss he experiences in his dystopian timeline. His actions, often perceived as evil, stem from a desperate attempt to protect what remains and prevent further devastation.
The Trauma that Shaped Future Gohan
Future Gohan's timeline is ravaged by the Androids, 17 and 18. This leads to a series of devastating losses:
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Death of Loved Ones: He loses his parents, his best friend, his adoptive family, and even his pupil, Trunks. These losses fuel his desperation. (Reference: "In this version of his life, he's lost his parents, best friend, adoptive family, and even his pupil Trunks in the timeline where he hails from. In order to save those close to him, Future Gohan has decided to destroy other worlds and timelines completely.")
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Desperation and Exhaustion: Facing seemingly insurmountable odds against powerful enemies for years, Gohan's spirit is broken. He has endured a relentless struggle with little hope.
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Extreme Measures: In his desperation to protect those he cares for – and possibly prevent the same tragedies from occurring elsewhere – he makes a deal with Aeos, willingly participates in the Super Space Time Tournament to eliminate other warriors, and takes other extreme actions that are considered villainous. (Reference: "In essence, this evil Future Gohan reveals that his deal with Aeos is to compete and eliminate warriors from the Super Space Time Tournament in...") This showcases a broken hero driven to the brink of despair.
The Nuances of Evil
It's important to distinguish between "evil" and "desperate." While Future Gohan's actions might be classified as villainous by some, his motivation stems from profound trauma and a desperate attempt at survival and redemption. He isn't inherently malicious; he's a victim of circumstance, driven to extreme lengths by his tragic reality.
(Reference: "This moment wouldve been the PERFECT way to show not only did Gohan snapped, it would've showed how willing he is to play along with the villain.") This indicates that even his willingness to seemingly align with a villain is born out of a desperate strategy to achieve his goal.
Conclusion
Future Gohan's actions are a consequence of his traumatic experiences, not an inherent evil nature. His story showcases the devastating impact of overwhelming loss and the extremes a hero might resort to when facing utter despair.
