It’s Time to Admit Dragon Ball Super is Worse Than Dragon Ball GT

Both Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super have flaws. They both struggle with unclear storylines, inconsistent animation quality, and a tendency to focus too much on Goku and Vegeta (or, in GT‘s case, Goku and Pan). However, while Super often relies on nostalgia and moments designed to appeal to fans of the original DBZ, GT takes more risks with its plot and isn’t afraid to try new things.

While Dragon Ball GT isn’t always consistent, its best moments are more impressive than anything in Dragon Ball Super. GT feels like a natural continuation of Dragon Ball Z, whereas Super often relies on nostalgia. Both sequels have flaws, but GT truly expands on Goku’s story and stays true to what made the original Dragon Ball so special. When it comes to character development and showing the effects of time, Dragon Ball GT is the stronger series.

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Drago Ball GT Was Brave Enough to Shake Up the Status Quo

Dragon Ball Super Lives in the Past

One of the biggest weaknesses of Dragon Ball Super is its tendency to rely too heavily on past storylines. Aside from the Goku Black and Granolah the Survivor arcs, most of the series’ story arcs feel unoriginal – they either bring back old villains like Frieza and Cell, or simply retread familiar ground from DBZ and the movies, especially the Moro Saga. While Dragon Ball GT wasn’t perfect, it at least tried to do something different and explore new territory, even if it meant challenging established parts of the series.

Dragon Ball GT borrows most noticeably from the original Pilaf Saga during the Black Star Dragon Ball Hunt. However, it quickly sets itself apart by sending the quest into space, shrinking Goku back into a child, and giving Pan and Trunks significant roles. The first few episodes are surprisingly charming and capture the adventurous spirit that Dragon Ball had earlier in the Red Ribbon Army saga. Plus, the Baby Saga is arguably stronger than anything in Dragon Ball Super, boasting a fantastic villain, memorable transformations, and a truly well-crafted storyline.

What truly sets Dragon Ball GT apart is its acknowledgement of time passing. Characters have aged, Vegeta has matured beyond his rivalry with Goku, and the story feels like a natural continuation of the Majin Buu Saga. In contrast, Dragon Ball Super feels stuck in the past, as if it never moved on from the final battle of DBZ. While Dragon Ball Super can be enjoyable, it often lacks the depth and meaningful storytelling that Dragon Ball GT possesses.

Super Saiyan 4 Made Transformations Emotional Again

Dragon Ball Super’s Forms Are All Style, No Substance

The way Goku achieves Ultra Instinct in the Dragon Ball Super manga is surprisingly effective, drawing on his past training and his connection with Master Roshi to reach his most powerful state. However, it feels a bit forced because it requires Goku to disregard much of what he’s learned throughout the Dragon Ball and DBZ series – essentially undoing his growth. In contrast, the way Goku obtained Super Saiyan 4 in Dragon Ball GT was much better handled and felt more natural.

When Goku understands how serious the threat of Baby is, he asks Old Kai to bring his tail back, reawakening his Saiyan instincts. Throughout this, Goku insists he identifies as an Earthling, creating a compelling connection between his inherent Saiyan nature and his upbringing – a theme that feels new despite callbacks to previous sagas involving the Saiyans and Frieza. To achieve Super Saiyan 4, Goku must first transform into a Golden Great Ape, then overcome his own aggressive impulses, finally regaining control thanks to Pan’s intervention.

The final result is a powerful and moving change for Goku, where he reaches his full potential through his relationships and personal growth. This is a stark contrast to how Ultra Instinct appears in the Dragon Ball Super anime – Goku simply unlocks it by chance while enduring Jiren’s Spirit Bomb. Later, in Dragon Ball GT, Vegeta achieves Super Saiyan 4 through artificial means, but even this transformation is linked to him overcoming his rivalry with Goku, finding trust in his wife, and embracing his identity as an Earthling with Saiyan heritage.

Dragon Ball GT’s Ending is a Masterpiece

Dragon Ball Super Will Be Lucky if the Series Goes Past the End of Z

While Dragon Ball GT has some issues with its pacing and story, particularly in the Super 17 and Shadow Dragon arcs, the final episodes are truly excellent. Episode 64 stands out as a highlight. When Goku is defeated by Omega Shenron, the Z Fighters are left to face an impossible battle. In a powerful and memorable scene, Vegeta vows to protect Earth – determined not to let it suffer the same fate as Planet Vegeta – and bravely asks everyone else to flee while he fights Omega alone.

Everyone fondly remembers the episode’s hopeful ending, with Goku defeating Omega Shenron using the Universal Spirit Bomb. However, a particularly powerful moment is Vegeta declaring Earth his home and vowing to protect it, even if it means sacrificing himself. Later, Vegeta shares a touching scene with Pan, urging her to treasure Goku’s gi after he departs with Shenron, demonstrating a unique understanding of Goku’s fate. This connection between Goku and Vegeta is arguably their strongest and most meaningful interaction throughout the entire Dragon Ball Super series.

The ending of Dragon Ball GT, with a glimpse into the 64th Tenkaichi Budokai featuring Goku Jr. and Vegeta Jr.’s battle, beautifully reinforces the series’ core idea: each new generation will exceed the last. It demonstrates that even after Goku and Vegeta are gone, their influence will continue to thrive. Currently, Dragon Ball Super has a long way to go to reach the same level of impact as the end of Dragon Ball Z. While the series is finally approaching the introduction of Uub, it took ten years to get here, and it’s quite possible Dragon Ball Super will conclude with the Black Frieza Saga without ever reaching the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai.

The ending of Dragon Ball GT is truly exceptional, and arguably the best conclusion in the entire Dragon Ball franchise – even better than what the original creator, Akira Toriyama, envisioned. This strong finish helps the series overcome its weaknesses and makes it more compelling than Dragon Ball Super. While Dragon Ball Super is enjoyable and has great moments, it doesn’t explore themes or move the story forward with the same depth as Dragon Ball GT. Hopefully, the Dragon Ball Super remake will address its issues, but regardless, Dragon Ball GT deserves to be remembered more fondly.

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2026-04-13 13:35