Unveiling the Truth: The Surprising Origins of Dragon Ball GT Revealed!

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Summary

  • DBGT was created due to pressure from Shueisha and anime companies not wanting Dragon Ball to end.
  • The “GT” in Dragon Ball GT stands for “Grand Turismo,” proposed by Toriyama for a space travel theme.
  • DBGT was a starting point for Dragon Ball Daima, as reintroduced elements were positively received by fans.

The animated series “Dragon Ball GT” is a spin-off that has sparked much debate within the “Dragon Ball” fanbase. While some fans have strongly criticized it, others have taken a liking to it. The release of “Dragon Ball Super” (known as “Dragon Ball Daimao” in some regions) brought joy to many GT supporters, as it revisited concepts initially introduced in this series.

One reason people find the Dragon Ball GT series controversial is because its creator, Akira Toriyama, had limited involvement, despite possibly providing a few concepts. As a result, some viewers see it as nothing more than a commercially-driven continuation of Dragon Ball produced by Toei Animation that strays from the original author’s vision. However, is there more to Dragon Ball GT than this?

Why Was Dragon Ball GT Created?

Recently, a Japanese podcast known as Kosokoso released an interview with Dragon Ball editors Kazuhiko Torishima, Yu Kondo, and Fuyuto Takeda. During this discussion, they shed light on several aspects concerning the making of Dragon Ball GT.

Enomis, better known as @Venixys, summarized the essential aspects of the interview. It appears that the creation of DBGT was largely due to Takeda sending ambiguous signals about the conclusion of the original Dragon Ball series, as its ending wasn’t definitive at the time. However, once it was made clear that Dragon Ball was nearing its finish, Shueisha and the anime production companies felt uneasy; they seemed reluctant to see the series conclude, likely because it had been a successful moneymaker.

Therefore, the primary reason behind the birth of Dragon Ball GT was this immense pressure. While it’s true that some argue the series was simply an extension of the franchise for additional commercial time, there is a grain of truth in that claim. However, it wouldn’t have been produced if Toriyama hadn’t consented to it; he was indeed under significant stress at the time.

What Does “GT” In The Title Mean?

It appears that there has been some confusion regarding the meaning of “GT”. Some enthusiasts, notably within the Japanese fanbase, would jestingly claim it signifies “Gomen ne, Toriyama-sensei” or “I’m sorry, Toriyama”. However, it was clarified during interviews that GT actually refers to “Grand Turismo” (or “Grand Tour”), a term coined by the creator himself.

I had the pleasure of overhearing Toriyama’s unique perspective, where he proposed crafting a tale about interstellar voyages, reminiscent of the Grand Turismo franchise. He suggested we title this exciting endeavor “GT.

Dragon Ball GT As A Starting Point for Daima

Although GT might not have been Toriyama’s initial concept, it doesn’t imply that he didn’t play a role in its creation. In fact, given that he is recognized as the author and supervised, to some extent, the production process, his contributions should not be underestimated.

From my perspective, it appears that Toriyama has a fondness for GT, as he often commends the series’ staff. Although he never explicitly declared whether GT is considered canonical, he once referred to the anime as a “great side-story” to the original series, sparking debate among fans. Some interpret this to mean it isn’t canon, while others believe that Toriyama was confirming that GT serves as a sequel to the manga.

In an interview, Akio Iyuko confirmed that Dragon Ball Daima is rooted in Dragon Ball GT, explaining why the show incorporates several aspects from GT. For instance, the atmosphere of a fresh space journey and the transformation of characters into children are reminiscent of GT. Additionally, the SSJ4 form also hails from GT. Despite possibly having some reservations about GT, it appears that Toriyama found many aspects of it appealing as well.

Could A DB Daima Sequel Be Coming?

As an observer, I’ve noticed that Dragon Ball Daima concluded its run in February, and so far, no official follow-up has been announced. Yet, in a recent interview, Akio Iyuko subtly hinted at potential plans to carry on the series. Even the post-credit scene seems to allude to the emergence of new adversaries down the line.

Dragon Ball GT is available to stream on Crunchyroll, subbed and dubbed in English.

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2025-04-04 15:26