Dragon Ball GT

is the sequel to the anime Dragon Ball Z, but is the only series that is not based on a manga by Akira Toriyama. It is said to stand for Grand Tour in the American adaptation by FUNimation, but may also be interpreted as Galaxy Touring, Great Touring, or Gran Turismo, depending on the Japanese source. This is because the anime was originally envisioned as a "road trip" of sorts, with the main characters off in space.

Series history

Dragon Ball GT began on Fuji TV at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7, 1996, exactly one week after the final episode of Dragon Ball Z. It ran for 64 episodes, the last of which aired on November 19, 1997. It has also been aired across Japan by the anime television network, Animax, where it is currently being regularly broadcast. Unlike Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, it is not based on the Dragon Ball manga and as such is often considered non-canon. Akira Toriyama had only minor involvement in the show's early stages, setting forth the initial premise of the series, as well as designs for most of the main characters, including newcomer Giru. Early episodes are much more comedic in tone, reminiscent of early Dragon Ball. The later episodes, however, are action-packed and feature the same sort of dramatic tone that existed in Dragon Ball Z. However, the series was ended after less than two years on the air, a move many believe to be the result of waning popularity. There are no subsequent Dragon Ball anime or manga (rumors of new series, such as Dragon Ball AF', also rumored as "Dragon Ball April Fools"', have existed since the end of Dragon Ball GT in 1997 and are untrue).

There are two companion books to the series, called the Dragon Ball GT Perfect Files, released in May and December 1997 by Shueisha's Jump Comics Selection imprint. They include series information, illustration galleries, behind-the-scenes information, and more. They are now out of print.

On June 15, 2005, Toei Animation (in conjunction with distributor Pony Canyon) released the entire series (including the Gokū Jr.'' TV special) in an extremely limited-edition DVD boxed set (called "Dragon Box GT"), along with a Dragon Radar remote control and an exclusive booklet. While the set features remastered audio and video, there are no subtitles, English or otherwise. It's also unavailable to general public due to its scarce numbers and its huge cost.

English adaptations

US (FUNimation) version

The English adaptation of Dragon Ball GT ran on Cartoon Network between 2003 and 2005, but the version by FUNimation had a major alteration: the first 16 episodes of the series, the "Black Star Dragon Ball Saga", were cut and replaced by a single US-only "recap" episode which became the new series premiere. This edit was implemented by the producers of the English dub to prevent viewers from possibly being put off by the differently toned early episodes. The missing episodes have since been released as the "Lost Episodes", and many fans who had been following the situation now believe that the initial absence of the first 16 episodes was actually a carefully-orchestrated publicity stunt, using the technique of Succès de scandale to ensure that there was demand for the episodes when they were finally released.

International (Blue Water) version

Outside of the United States, a different English dub of the series was aired, featuring the voice talent of Canadian voice acting group Blue Water Studios. While the voices are different from both the American and International English dubs of Dragon Ball Z, the original background music was kept, the episodes were aired in their proper order, and the scripts were kept much closer to the original Japanese version.

Plot summary

The story picks up 5 or 10 years (according to varying sources) after the end of Dragon Ball Z. Son Gokū is wished back into a child again with the Black Star Dragon Balls, and they must be gathered within a year or the Earth will be destroyed, thus causing Gokū, his granddaughter Pan, and Trunks to embark into space and find them. However, the three travelers quickly become entangled in a plot by the last surviving Tsufuru-jin, Dr. Mu, to have his revenge on the Saiyans. The fruit of his labor, Bebi, is soon discovered to be the one in control of the situation, and after killing Dr. Mu, sets out for Earth after the heroes. He soon gains control over the planet by possessing a number of characters (mainly Vegeta), and eventually most of the Earth's population. The original Planet Tsufuru (before the interference of the Saiyans) is wished back using the Black Star Dragon Balls, but before Baby (now completely subsuming Vegeta's identity) can fully execute his plan, Gokū finally manages to kill him after attaining a new level of Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 4. Unfortunately, the Earth's fate is now sealed, and the entire population of Earth is moved to New Planet Tsufuru before the Earth's destruction. Piccolo, however, chooses to stay behind and die in the explosion. The Earth is eventually restored.

A brief period of peace follows, and a new Tenka-ichi Budōkai is held. However, this does not last for long, as Dr. Mu (now in Hell) joins forces with Dr. Gero to create a new Android #17, under their complete control. This new No. 17 returns to Earth, and merges with the original No. 17 forming Super #17. This new being subsequently kills Kuririn, and tries to make #18 join him, though he is unable to kill her when she refuses. Gokū is ultimately able to defeat Super #17 with the aid of #18, but not before Dr. Gero and Dr. Mu are killed by their rebellious creation.

When the Dragon Shen Long is summoned to revive those killed by Super 17, the Dragon Balls crack, and a different, cigar-smoking Dragon appears in its place. This "Black Smoke Dragon" promptly splits into seven evil Dragons, each with a cracked Dragon Ball in its forehead. Gokū and his companions fight valiantly to defeat these new Dragons. However, after six of the seven are defeated, the One-Star Dragon, Yi Xing Long, absorbs the other Dragon Balls into himself, forming Super Yi Xing Long. Gokū defeats him in a difficult battle, including a fusion that does not succeed in putting Yi Xing Long down permanently. Afterwards, the real Shen Long appears once again, saying that no more wishes will be granted for a long time. Gokū, in exchange for one more wish, decides to accompany the Dragon. As Gokū flies away, the seven Dragon Balls are absorbed into his body, and he vanishes.

A century later, an aged Pan sits in the stands of the Tenka-ichi Budōkai to cheer on her great-great grandson, Gokū Jr. As the young boy enters the ring, his opponent appears: it is a distant descendant of Vegeta's, Vegeta Jr. The two fight, and quickly astonish each other by becoming Super Saiyans. As Pan watches, she catches a glimpse of a familiar face in the stands: her grandfather, Gokū. When she tries to follow him, however, he disappears. The series ends with a montage of Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT, giving the franchise a proper send-off.

TV special

Japanese title

Gokū Sidestory! The Proof of his Courage is the Si Xing Qiu [Four-Star Ball]
*(悟空外伝! 勇気の証しは四星球 Gokū Gaiden! Yūki no Akashi wa Sūshinchū)

FUNimation Title

Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy

Theme songs

*Opening
*#
*#* Lyrics: Izumi Sakai, Music: Tetsurō Oda, Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama, Performance: FIELD OF VIEW
*#** Version 1: episodes 1-26
*#** Version 2: episodes 27-64
*Ending
*#
*#* Lyrics: Shûichi Ikemori, Music: Tetsurō Oda, Arrangement: Hiroto Furui, Performance: DEEN
*#* Used for the Black Star Dragonball Saga and beginning of the Bebi saga (1-26)
*# "Don't you see!"
*#* Lyrics: Izumi Sakai, Music: Seiichirō Kuribayashi, Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama, Performance: ZARD
*#* Used later in the Bebi Saga and the Beginning of the Super 17 saga(27-41)
*# "Blue Velvet"
*#* Lyrics: Aeri, Music: Hatake, Arrangement: Hatake, Performance: Shizuka Kudō
*#* Used for the Super 17 saga and beginning of the Shadow Dragon Saga (42-50)
*#
*#* Lyrics: Miho Komatsu, Music: Miho Komatsu, Arrangement: Daisuke Ikeda, Performance: WANDS
*#* Used for the Shadow Dragon Saga to the end of series (51-63)
*#
*#* Lyrics: Izumi Sakai, Music: Tetsurō Oda, Arrangement: Takeshi Hayama, Performance: FIELD OF VIEW
*#* Used for the final episode 64

Characters

Main characters

* Son Gokū
* Trunks
* Pan
* Giru (Gill)

Villains

* Pilaf
* Doctor Myū
* Doctor Gero
* Freeza
* Cell
* Bebi
* Super Jinzō'ningen #17
* Black Smoke Shen Long
* Yi Xing Long/Super Yi Xing Long (Dub: Syn Shenron/Omega Shenron)
* Liang Xing Long (Dub: Haze Shenron)
* San Xing Long (Dub: Eis Shenron)
* Si Xing Long (Dub: Nouva Shenron)
* Wu Xing Long (Dub: Rage Shenron)
* Liu Xing Long (Dub: Oceanus Shenron)
* Qi Xing Long (Dub: Naturon Shenron)

Supporting characters

* Jinzō'ningen #18
* Bra (Dub: Bulla)
* Bulma
* Kibitoshin (Dub: Kibito Kai)
* Kuririn (Dub: Krillin)
* Majin Buu
* Marron
* Muten Rōshi (Dub: Master Roshi)
* Dende
* Paris (Dub: Valese)
* Piccolo
* Mr. Popo
* Mr. Satan (Edited dub: Hercule)
* North Kaio (Dub: King Kai)
* Rō Dai Kaioshin (Dub: Elder Kai)
* Shusugoro
* Sugoro
* Son Gohan
* Gogeta
* Son Goten
* Uub
* Vegeta
* Videl

Cast list

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