Ever since Akira Toriyama first created the Dragon Ball series, two characters have always been the center of attention, Goku and Vegeta. The latter went from being a one-time villain to one of the most important characters of the franchise. Since the beginning, it has been their story, one that fans have wholeheartedly followed.
They became two of the most well-known characters and still stand on top as compared to any other Shonen protagonist. After having followed two characters with such dedication, it would be rather peculiar if they perhaps one day just got replaced. Dragon Ball GT almost did exactly that. The anime having minimal involvement from Toriyama’s side could have taken it in a completely different direction.
Dragon Ball GT Almost Went Back in Time
Kozo Morishita, the producer of Dragon Ball GT revealed what the original ideas of the anime had been for the series’ Dragon Box release in 2005 (via Comic Book). The plans deviated almost in the opposite direction possible. Akira Toriyama’s story ended with a decade-long time skip. The idea that came into my mind was to go back in time instead.
“The last chapter of the original manga is set ten years after the battle with Majin Boo, so initially the idea was to have anime-original stories depicting the events of those ten years, and various such stories were planned out.”
The idea was to not focus on Goku at all. Instead, the premise of the original anime would have focused on the last ten years that fans couldn’t witness. That would showcase the lost time and all that happened.
It wasn’t just to focus on one character but many. Different perspectives would showcase different characters and all that they did throughout the decade.
Dragon Ball GT was All Ready to Go
Dragon Ball GT‘s idea was to hand over the mantle to a different generation of heroes, concluding Goku’s story once and for all. The plot was ready and so was everything else. Characters such as Pan and Trunks were meant to be the center of attention, unlike the approach it ultimately took with Goku and Vegeta.
“Content-wise it was thought that the plot would revolve around the exploits of characters such as Pan or Trunks; in other words, the next generation of children.”
The idea wasn’t to make Goku a child and have a new journey, but rather a way to establish other characters as possible protagonists in the future. The series is unfortunately not as appreciated because of the little hand Akira Toriyama had in the making of it.
The premise made Goku a younger version of himself, encompassed by his granddaughter Pan and Trunks traveling around space to get back what he lost.
