Ask John: Why is Dragon Ball GT So Different From Dragon Ball Z?

Question:
My question is about Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. Why is it that the GT story line does not seem to follow the Dragon Ball Z story line? I understand that the original writer or creator was not envolved but why was it changed so much? Even the ending to the Majin Buu story was not quite right. Vegeta never became SS3, Goten and Trunks did not defeat him, and more importantly Gohan did not win. From the very beginning, Gohan was made to take the place of Goku – from Frieza to Cell to the training he recieved from the Grand kai. why was this thrown out in creating Dragonball GT?

Answer:
There are two primary reasons why Dragon Ball GT is so drastically different from Dragon Ball Z. First, as you’re aware, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama had little involvement in the production of the GT series. Second, GT was intended to be an intentional departure from the characteristic style of Dragon Ball Z.

The Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z anime television series were both very faithful direct adaptations of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga. When Toriyama concluded his Dragon Ball story the Dragon Ball Z anime franchise was still very successful, so naturally Toei wanted to continue the franchise. Toriyama gave his blessing and provided character concept designs and a basic story idea, but had no other involvement with the GT series. It’s rather apparent that GT was designed to return to the action/adventure format of the original Dragon Ball anime instead of continuing the martial arts/fighting format of Dragon Ball Z. But seemingly viewers wanted more fighting and less adventure, so the GT series gradually evolved from an adventure series into a fighting series.

In regard to the conclusion of Toriyama’s original Dragon Ball manga and the end of the Dragon Ball Z anime, it may be true that the series seemed to groom Gohan as Son Goku’s successor, but the Dragon Ball story was always, from beginning to end, Son Goku’s life story. After spending so many years following Goku’s adventures, it seems only fitting to see Goku be the one to ultimately defeat the universe’s greatest threat. Likewise, Vegeta never achieving super Saiyajin 3 status allows Goku to remain unparalled and the central focus of the Dragon Ball saga.

The departure of Akira Toriyama, and quite possibly pressure from Toei’s decision making board obviously had a big impact on the Dragon Ball anime franchise. Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z were enjoyable because they were direct adaptations of Toriyama’ original manga. The GT series attempted to emulate Toriyama’s distinctive format and style, but clearly failed. Dragon Ball was Akira Toriyama’s creation, and evidently only Toriyama was truly capable of satisfactorily continuing its legacy. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise to see new writers put their own interpretation on the Dragon Ball story, and concentrate on story developments of their own creation. Toei Animation may also be to blame for attempting to significantly change an established formula. Just as the style of Dragon Ball Z was drastically changed for Dragon Ball GT, Toei likewise decided to dramatically alter the successful and popular format of its first two Pretty Cure television series. The result, like Dragonball GT, has been less popular and successful than its predecessors.

At times, it seems as if Toei Animation would be better served to just let popular franchises end naturally instead of trying to prolong them or dramatically retool them. But since Toei is such a massive business, it seems as though sometimes Toei seems to concern itself with attempts to sustain and increase profits at the expense of doing what’s actually in the best interest of its properties and fans.