One of the more contentious topics within the DB fandom is whether or not Gohan was a SSJ or SSJ2 against Dabura. This argument mainly persists because Gohan was not drawn with the lightning around his aura that is typically indicative of the SSJ2 form. In spite of this, I think based on the narrative it is clear that Gohan was a SSJ2, so I’ll present some supporting points for my argument and see what you all think.

1. Dabura is roughly equal to Cell. We don’t know if Goku is referring to Perfect Cell or Super Perfect Cell. I think he is equal to SPC, but feel free to lowball him and say he’s equal to Perfect Cell.

2. Gohan is weaker in the Buu saga than he was when he fought Cell.

3. When SSJ Gohan fought Cell, he was weaker than Cell.

4. SSJ2 Gohan was much stronger than Perfect Cell, and stronger than SPC.

5. Gohan is roughly equal to Dabura when they fight.

So, Gohan is about equal to Dabura, who is about equal to Cell. Thus, Early-Buu Saga Gohan is equal to Cell. We know that this Gohan is weaker than “Teen” Gohan, and that “Teen” Gohan was weaker than Cell as a SSJ. Thus, if we all agree that Buu Saga Gohan is weaker than Cell Saga Gohan, there’s no way he could’ve only been a SSJ when fighting Dabura, because that would mean his strength had INCREASED between the Cell and Buu sagas.

Gohan being a SSJ2 while fighting Dabura is much more consistent with the narrative, as it shows that he is now struggling to beat an opponent he could’ve defeated easily 7 years ago. It wouldn’t make any sense for Vegeta and Goku to say that Gohan had become weaker if he was now Cell-level as a regular SSJ.

So I think the lack of lightning is just an animation error or oversight on Toriyama’s part.