Dragon Ballis one of the most successful and storied franchises ever, having left Japan to become a worldwide phenomenon in the early 2000s, and eventually transcending the medium of anime and manga altogether decades later. Fans turn out to every new release in droves, thankful for any opportunity given to experience Goku and company in action, never shy to voice their undying support. But as successful asDragon Ballhas been over the better part of 40 years,the franchise has taken its share of missteps.
Since Akira Toriyama relinquished full control of the franchise with the end of hisDragon Ballmanga,the IP has had a difficult time pleasing everyone. A large period of inactivity led toa live-action adaptation of the seriesso laughably unfaithful, it motivated the legendary manga artist to step in and provide a large amount of the writing for 2013’sDragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. The resultingDragon Ball Superenjoyed both highs and lows, with its more recent films garnering wide-spread acclaim.
However, noDragon Ballproduction has ever been more divisive than 1996’sDragon Ball GT. The franchise’s first venture into a world without Toriyama at the helm,GTaimed to recapture the early adventurous spirit of the series while embracing the action which defined it in its latter half. The Toei-led anime would go on to make quite a few lasting contributions to the franchise, though it landed with a thud upon airing. The years since have not been kind toGT, thoughit’s become difficult to say the series is deserving of its overwhelmingly negative reputation.
GT Isn’t Perfect, but It Also Isn’t Bad
The Series Has Its Flaws, but Isn’t Worthy of Its Overwhelmingly Negative Reputation
Dragon Ball GT’s flaws are well documented. Pacing issues plagued a large portion of its early goings, while the writing continuously stepped all over itself. Fights were often needlessly dragged out, and the series' downtime was spent meandering through unnecessary conflict or exposition. Goku is firmly in the spotlight, which might offend some fans of the franchise’s many other iconic characters, while the heavy inclusion of Trunks and Pan is well documented for rubbing other fans the wrong way.
The series is in no way perfect, but many of the major complaints lobbied against itare concerning the execution rather than the narrative itself.Dragon Ball GTis packed to the brim with fantastic ideas, and whether they land or not is where the majority of the anime’s issues stem from. Attempting to return to the franchise’s roots is seemingly an ongoing theme, as seen in the most recent, currently airingDragon Ball Daima.
However, asDragon Ball GTprogresses, it quickly becomes apparent that Toei wasn’t entirely married to the concept. Nevertheless, the series' opening Black Star Dragon Ball Saga is a mixed bag that, in its best moments, is a highly entertaining journey through worlds which could only belong toDragon Ball.The shift to action which follows during the Baby Saga is arguably the highlight ofGT, introducing the fan-favorite Super Saiyan 4 into a showdown with one of the franchise’s very best villains.
Every time the form appears on-screen, the series comes alive.Epic, memorable moments are scattered throughout the Baby Saga, which can stand among the bestDragon Ballhas to offer.The brief Super #17 Sagathat follows is largely hit or miss, while the Shadow Dragon Saga that closes the series offers far more good than bad. And what lies at the heart of these story arcs is also a strength ofGT.
GT Is Home to Excellent Villains
Goku’s Opponents Are a Major Highlight of the Anime
Dragon Ball’s heroes are iconic, but many of its villains are just as instantly recognizable. Frieza, due in large part to his revival inDragon Ball Super, has made himself integral to the series, joining Goku and Vegeta as a core member of the cast. Though none ofDragon Ball GT’s main villains are quite as popular as those featured in Akira Toriyama’s original manga, they are entertainingly evil.And none are better than Baby.
The prototype for what would becomeSuper’s Goku Black,Baby encapsulates everything which makes aDragon Ballvillain excellent. The last of the Tuffle race exacting his revenge on the Saiyans who exterminated his kind is a backstory that takes a little from Cell and Broly respectively, to create a villain that is twistedly sympathetic. His abilities also make for incredibly entertaining action, and his demise while parading around in the body of a Saiyan prince makes Baby an unforgettable addition to the franchise’s cast of bad guys.
Super #17, while headlining one of the more divisive sections of the series, is a wonderful contrast to Android #18, and her assimilation into the main cast of heroes.The Shadow Dragonsaren’t all memorable, though the main trio of Eis, Nuova, and Syn all have their moments of greatness. Omega Shenron is a formidable final enemy for the series, addressing the negatives that come with the excessive use of the Dragon Balls for often selfish wishes.And if nothing else, we’re treated to Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta during the battle.
GT’s Spirit Lives On In Dragon Ball Daima
Goku’s Newest Adventure Attempts to Right GT’s Wrongs
Dragon Ball Daimapremiered in October 2024, and from the series' very first episode,its similarities toDragon Ball GTwere clear. This time around, however, Goku is joined by the rest of the main cast in becoming a child due to a wish. Like its predecessor,Daimaintroduces new worlds in which Earth’s heroes search for the Dragon Ballsin order to reverse that wish. The series has enjoyed a successful run, and is approaching its finale in the coming weeks.
What has allowed forDaima’s success in the areasGTfailed can largely be chalked up to pacing and focus. The latest anime has only 20 episodes to work with, not allowing for anywasted time on plot threads which aren’t immediately integral to the plot. Though it is alsoGT’s influence which has led toDaima’s best attributes, proving that the anime offered moments of greatness, even if it takes enduring some lows to find it.
Dragon Ball GT May Be Controversial, But It Did One Thing Better Than Daima (So Far)
Daima is putting the focus back on the search for Dragon Balls like GT did, but the pursuit thereof so far is so much better in the latter series.
SinceDragon Ball’s revival in the 2010s, the perception ofDragon Ball GThas shifted within the franchise’s fan base, and is largely regarded as a dismissable, non-canon entry that is better off forgotten. However, if fans are willing to look for it, there is gold to be found withinDragon Ball’s most divisive anime, and its influence is still being felt today.
Dragon Ball GT
Cast
Dragon Ball GT is the third series in Akira Toriyama’s most famous anime franchise. However, it is the first one not to adapt a manga storyline. Set after the events of the Buu Saga, Dragon Ball GT sees Goku and the Z-Warriors battle powerful villains such as Baby, Super 17, and the Shadow Dragons. 18 years after the 64-episode show was met with a lukewarm reception, Dragon Ball Super replaced it in the anime’s official continuity.
