Dragon Ball is often regarded as one of the most significant anime franchises in history. Its impact is so profound that it has essentially become synonymous with the anime genre itself. The journey began with the original series, followed by the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, and subsequently Dragon Ball GT. The franchise continued its evolution with Dragon Ball Super, culminating in the recent release of Dragon Ball Daima, which reintroduces Goku in a central role. Among all the installments, Dragon Ball GT is frequently considered the weakest entry.
While GT has its merits, it also suffers from notable shortcomings. This series includes several areas where it faltered compared to its predecessors, diverging significantly from the strengths of earlier works within the franchise. Although it may not be the worst anime out there, and some fans might not view it as a complete failure in the inventive universe crafted by Akira Toriyama, its missteps are still significant.
Emulating the Original: The Tone of Dragon Ball GT
The Challenge of Recapturing Dragon Ball’s Whimsy
Upon its release, Dragon Ball GT’s creators, TOEI Animation—who were not Akira Toriyama himself—struggled to find a fresh direction following the success of Dragon Ball Z. In an attempt to capture the charm and lightheartedness of the original series, they made the controversial decision to revert Goku back to his childlike state, using a wish from Pilaf on the Dragon Balls. This forced transformation created a frustrating divergence that many felt the series did not need. It underscored a lack of original ideas and reliance on previous works as inspiration.
Recycling Villains: A Missed Opportunity in Dragon Ball GT
Over-Reliance on Dragon Ball Z’s Villains
In addition to mirroring the tone of the original series, Dragon Ball GT also drew extensively from the villain roster of Dragon Ball Z. Although the series introduced original antagonists, including characters like Dr. Myuu, Super 17, and Baby, many felt reminiscent of previous villains. For example, Dr. Myuu has parallels to Dr. Gero, both being mad scientists with vendettas against Goku, technology-focused destruction, and villainous ambitions. Super 17, while a formidable presence, recycled elements from Android 17’s own arc, raising questions about the freshness of character development.
Moreover, the character Baby, despite possessing intriguing traits, created an uncomfortable echo of the Majin Vegeta storyline when he took over Vegeta’s body. The overuse of existing character archetypes reinforced GT’s identity as a derivative work rather than a standalone series, ultimately drawing attention to the superiority of its predecessors.
Strengths Amongst the Flaws
Unique Constructs: Shadow Dragons and Super Saiyan 4
Despite its drawbacks, Dragon Ball GT also presents notable strengths, particularly through its engaging villains and new transformations. The introduction of the Shadow Dragons, each possessing distinct personalities and powers, offered a refreshing twist. For instance, Haze Shenron represents pollution, while Rage Shenron embodies fire, showcasing creative diversity in villain design.
The standout antagonist, Omega Shenron, originates from the misuse of the Dragon Balls—a concept that deviated from their traditionally benevolent nature. This narrative pivot emphasizes the potential negative consequences of overusing these magical artifacts, pushing heroes like Goku and Vegeta to significantly elevate their abilities. Notably, the series introduced the iconic Super Saiyan 4 transformation, which distills the Great Ape form into a more agile and powerful state, empowering them to face the formidable Shadow Dragons.
The Impact of Toriyama’s Absence
A Missing Element in Storytelling
Akira Toriyama’s reputation as one of the most influential figures in manga is well-established. His visionary storytelling and artistic brilliance have elevated the Dragon Ball franchise to be a cornerstone of the anime industry. Toriyama’s continued involvement in subsequent series such as Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima has garnered enthusiasm among fans.
However, his limited contribution to Dragon Ball GT, which involved only the design of a few characters, showcased a significant gap. His absence from the creative process is often cited as a factor contributing to GT’s shortcomings. A greater involvement from Toriyama could have led to a more cohesive narrative, as removing the original creator from a successful series generally diminishes its allure.
Two decades after its original airing, Dragon Ball GT remains a unique entry in the franchise, reflecting many of the challenges faced when an iconic creator is not at the helm.
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