The Canon Status of Dragon Ball GT: Unraveling its Connection to Daima

The upcoming release of Dragon Ball Daima in the Fall 2024 anime season has led to comparisons with Dragon Ball GT by fans of the franchise. Dragon Ball Daima has been confirmed as canon with the involvement of series creator Akira Toriyama, leaving fans uncertain about the status of Dragon Ball GT. So, is Dragon Ball GT considered part of the canon? The Dragon Ball franchise, created by Akira Toriyama, tells the story of Son Goku, a Saiyan from planet Vegeta who is sent to Earth as his home planet faces destruction. Although his mission is to take control of Earth, a fateful accident leads him to take on a new role as its protector.

Is Dragon Ball GT canon to the franchise?

Goku as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Dragon Ball GT is not considered canon to the franchise, as it is the only anime in the series without a corresponding manga. In addition, manga creator Akira Toriyama had limited involvement in its production, focusing mainly on character design. Therefore, Dragon Ball GT should be viewed as an original anime story and not as a sequel to either Dragon Ball Z or Dragon Ball Super.

Trunks and Goku are depicted in the anime (Image via Toein Animation).

The series received widespread popularity among fans overseas, but faced criticism from Japanese fans who felt that it lacked the novelty and enjoyment of the previous two series, earning it the title of the "black sheep" of the franchise.

How is Dragon Ball GT related to Dragon Ball Daima?

Toei Animation initially presented the concept to Akira Toriyama with the aim of restoring the true essence of Dragon Ball to the franchise. The original Dragon Ball anime revolved around Kid Goku's adventures in search of the Dragon Balls, and Toei Animation sought to create a similar storyline. However, the series ended up overly focused on Goku, leading to the neglect and underdevelopment of the other characters.

Goku and Vegeta as seen in Dragon Ball Daima (Image via Toei Animation)

In terms of storyline, there is no direct link between Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Daima. However, fans have drawn comparisons between the two series due to their similar plots. In both series, Goku is transformed into a child by the wish-granting Eternal Dragon, leading him and his friends on an adventure to restore everything to its original state.

Previously, the wish was mistakenly made by Emperor Pilaf, but this time it will be an evil magician. In DBGT, only Goku turned into a child, but in Dragon Ball Daima, it appears that Goku's friends and family will also be transformed. These similarities and minor differences have led fans to compare the two series and label Dragon Ball Daima as a reimagining of the original anime series Dragon Ball Grand Tour.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of the Dragon Ball franchise, I have always been intrigued by the canonicity of Dragon Ball GT and its connection to the upcoming Dragon Ball Daima. The news that Dragon Ball Daima has been confirmed as canon, with the involvement of series creator Akira Toriyama, has left me both excited and curious about how it will relate to Dragon Ball GT.

While Dragon Ball GT is not considered canon due to its lack of a corresponding manga and limited involvement from Toriyama, it holds a special place in my heart as an original anime story. Despite its mixed reception among fans, I enjoyed the series for its nostalgic feel and the opportunity to see Goku and his friends embark on new adventures. The concept of restoring the true essence of Dragon Ball to the franchise was a commendable effort by Toei Animation, and I appreciate the attempt to recapture the magic of the original series.