Dragon Ball GT, the often-overlooked sequel to the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, has been a subject of debate since its debut in 1996. While some dismiss it it non-canonical or inferior to its predecessors, GT has a unique charm and several redeeming qualities that make it worthy of appreciation. This series, which follows Goku and his friends on new adventures across the galaxy and beyond, offers a fresh take on the Dragon Ball universe while still maintaining the core elements that fans have come to love.
Despite its controversial status, late Toriyama sensei’s Dragon Ball GT has much to offer to both longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise. These are five compelling reasons why Dragon Ball GT deserves more love and recognition from the Dragon Ball community.
5. Continuity of Character Development
DBGT shines in its portrayal of characters and their continued growth. Vegeta, in particular, undergoes significant character development. No longer clad in Saiyan armor, he embraces Earth as his home, sporting casual clothing that symbolizes his integration into human society. His relationship with Goku evolves into a genuine partnership, setting aside his pride.
The series also brings back familiar faces from the previous saga, including a team-up between Cell and Frieza, while pushing the narrative forward. New characters like Baby are given complex motivations, adding layers to the conflict and encouraging viewers to empathize with the antagonists.
4. High-Quality Animation Style
While DBGT‘s animation style differs from its predecessors, it has impressive technical quality. The series features more detailed character design, additional shading, and vibrant color palettes. The attention to detail in this animation is evident in the fluid action sequences and expressive character moments. The visual upgrade helped it to stand out and gave it a unique aesthetic identity within the franchise.
3. Outstanding Musical Score of Dragon Ball GT
One of DBGT‘s unsung heroes is its musical score, composed by Akihito Tokunaga. Despite being a newcomer to the franchise, he created one of the most memorable soundtracks in Dragon Ball history. His composition captures the tone of each scene, from light-hearted adventures to intense battles. The recap music, in particular, stands out as a catchy and iconic piece that enhances the viewing experience.
2. Blending Nostalgia with Fresh Adventure
DBGT brings the franchise full circle, a strong match to the adventurous spirit of the original Dragon Ball series. The story follows Goku, Pan, and Trunks as they set on a space-faring quest to collect the Black Star Dragon Balls. This setup cleverly combines elements of the original series’ exploration with the high-stakes action fans have come to expect from Dragon Ball Z.
As it progresses more into serious territory, introduces formidable villains like Baby Vegeta or just Baby, Super 17, and the Shadow Dragons. These antagonists are not just powerful foes, they are tied to the history of the Saiyan race and the consequences of overusing the Dragon Balls.
1. Power Scaling of Innovative Transformation
DBGT introduced one of the most visually striking and conceptually interesting transformations in the entire franchise, Super Saiyan 4. This form not only looks unique with its red fur and long hair but also ties into the Saiyan’s primal Great Ape roots. Unlike the recolors and slight variations seen in some of the newer transformations in Dragon Ball Super, Super Saiyan 4 offers a fresh and exciting design that many fans consider one of the best in the series.
Moreover, it handles power scaling more conservatively than later entries in the franchise. Instead of constantly introducing new forms, it focuses on making SSJ4 the pinnacle transformation, while still utilizing earlier forms like Super Saiyan and Super Saiyan 3.
Dragon Ball GT offers a unique blend of nostalgia and innovations that deserves more recognition from the Dragon Ball community. By giving it a chance with an open mind, one may discover a series that, while different, captures the spirit of Dragon Ball in its special way.
Dragon Ball GT is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
