Dragon Ball GT
General Info
| Genres | Animation, Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
|---|---|
| Music By | Bruce Faulconer, Izumi Sakai（ZARD） |
| Starring | Masako Nozawa, Yuko Minaguchi, Takeshi Kusao, Bin Shimada, Atsushi Kisaichi, Ryou Horikawa, Toshio Furukawa, Miki Ito, Hiromi Tsuru, Daisuke Gôri, Joji Yanami, Mayumi Tanaka |
| Languages | ja |
| Directed By | Minoru Okazaki |
| Produced By | Kouzou Morishita |
| Release Date | 1996-02-07 |
| Running Time | 25 |
| Screenplay By | Akira Toriyama |
| TV Series Name | Dragon Ball GT |
| Content Rating | 7.683 |
| Distributed By | Fuji TV |
| Original Title | ドラゴンボールGT |
| Country of Origin | JP |
| Number of Seasons | 1 |
| Number of Episodes | 64 |
| World Premiere Date | 1996-02-07 |
| Production Company Name | Bird Studios, Toei Animation, Toei Company, Fizz Sound Creation |
| Production Company Website URL | http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/dragongt/ |
Trailer
Episodes
Overview
This saga brings back the transformation of the Great Ape and adds another level to the series' transformation story. It features villainous characters like Baby, Super 17, and Shadow Dragons, each of whom poses a unique and formidable threat to Earth. While its predecessor DBZ has evolved, GT offers viewers a surprising evolution of the series' traditional blend of high-octane fight scenes, power-ups and teachable moments.
GT features a brave Goku who never refuses to sacrifice himself for his loved ones and maintains his integrity that is characteristic of the Dragon Ball series. Despite initially receiving mixed reviews, the series has grown to be revered by fans over time, especially with its thrilling final scene and transformation into Super Saiyan 4, making it an important part of Goku's ever-fascinating story.
Plot
As they travel through space, they encounter many adventurous and challenging enemies, such as Baby, Tufel's parasite, who is determined to avenge the destruction of his race by the Saiyans. He has an insidious agenda to create a new Tuffle Empire by taking control of the Saiyans and Earth. Goku's battles with Baby create a huge twist in the story, revealing the next level of Goku's Super Saiyan transformation: Super Saiyan 4.
At the end of the "Baby" saga, there is an equally intriguing arc, with the re-emergence of evil dragons born from the negative energy accumulated through excessive use of Dragon Balls. Goku and his friends must fight these dragons, each of whom has a corrupted Dragon Ball, to save Earth and restore the natural order.
Dragon Ball GT offers a mix of action-adventure and comedic relief reminiscent of the previous series while introducing new story elements. This unusual journey showcases Goku's childlike innocence mixed with his hardened Saiyan spirit as he battles formidable foes, highlighting an interesting dynamic of fragility and raw strength. The series is a testament to the uniqueness of the Dragon Ball franchise and offers an alternate timeline where even the extraordinary face extraordinary challenges.
Production
The original plan was to continue Dragon Ball Z's narrative structure and character design elements, but the series' producers decided to change direction. Instead of continuing the intense and serious nature of Dragon Ball Z, they wanted to capture the sense of adventure and comedy of the original Dragon Ball. A striking example of this change is the return of the main character Goku to his childhood character, which greatly surprised the audience. However, the series received mixed reviews from fans and critics. The absence of original Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama from the main run was reflected in the plot and character development, which changed drastically from its predecessors. Nevertheless, Dragon Ball GT introduced SSJ4's transformations and memorable characters like Baby, Super Android 17, and Shadow Dragons that have since been incorporated into the larger Dragon Ball universe.
In terms of production techniques, the team stayed true to the hand-drawn cell animation style common in the 1990s. However, this would be the last Dragon Ball series to use this method before moving to digital coloring with Dragon Ball Super. Despite the controversy, Dragon Ball GT played an integral role in shaping the future path of the Dragon Ball franchise, and its legacy continues to reverberate through the fan community.
Release
Reception
The series has been praised for bringing back the adventure aspect that was prominent in the original Dragon Ball series, allowing the beloved characters to explore different planets and face intriguing challenges. Of particular note was the recreation of Goku's youthful form, providing a nostalgic feel that resonated with longtime fans. However, some fans were unhappy with the character's development. Critics pointed out the questionable evolution of Vegeta and the underutilization of the characters that were essential in the previous installments. New characters introduced in GT, such as Shadow Dragons and Baby, received a lukewarm response, considered unusual compared to villains from previous series.
The shorter length of the series was a point of disappointment for fans who wanted more and a relief for those who felt the saga was over. Despite mixed reviews, Dragon Ball GT has definitely carved out its place in the annals of anime, adding to the rich tapestry of the Dragon Ball universe. This sparked passionate debate about storytelling and character development, ensuring the franchise's continued relevance.
Cultural impact
Despite mixed reviews and opinions, Dragon Ball GT marked the pinnacle of the original Dragon Ball story, which held strong nostalgia for many fans. Created using a unique fusion of traditional and digital art techniques, the character designs have influenced a generation of artists and captivated millions of animation fans around the world.
Additionally, the series continued the saga's tradition of exploring ethical and philosophical issues through an action-packed, sometimes quirky storyline. It presented complex dilemmas interspersed with humor, encouraging critical thinking and emotional intelligence, traits now seen in many animated series and films. GT merchandise, including toys, video games and collectibles, has carved out a niche for itself in the pop culture memorabilia industry, and the Super Saiyan 4 transformation has become a fan-favorite icon. Despite its initial mixed reception, the series has grown in appeal over time due to an influx of nostalgia and a greater appreciation of its various qualities.
Dragon Ball GT continues the legacy of Goku's adventures, promoting a franchise known for its enduring characters, epic combat, and deep morals. As part of the larger Dragon Ball phenomenon, it adds to the saga's cultural influence, attracting new audiences and reminiscing with older fans.
In fact, Dragon Ball GT's contribution to popular culture proves the old adage that even the glow of the moon can affect a huge ebb and flow, as this anime series has done in the broad narrative of modern Japanese animation history and the world at large.