LayarHijau – Nearly three decades after its release, Dragon Ball GT remains one of the most divisive entries in the Dragon Ball franchise. Many fans have long viewed the series as an unnecessary continuation created to keep Dragon Ball alive after the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z.
The anime was frequently criticized for its storytelling, pacing, and visuals, with some viewers even calling it the weakest Dragon Ball series. After Dragon Ball Super was released with direct involvement from the late Akira Toriyama, many fans became even more comfortable dismissing GT as non-canon because of the contradictions between the two stories.
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However, a recent revelation has given fans a new perspective on why Dragon Ball GT existed in the first place. According to former Dragon Ball editor Kazuhiko Torishima, the anime was created partly to help protect the anime industry during a difficult period in the 1990s.
Speaking during an appearance at Napoli Comicon in Italy, Kazuhiko explained that Dragon Ball GT was produced to keep the Dragon Ball franchise running after Dragon Ball Z ended. Beyond maintaining the popularity of the series, the continuation was also intended to keep people working in the anime industry employed.
At the time, the endings of the Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk manga had caused Weekly Shonen Jump’s readership to decline significantly. The impact was also felt across the anime industry, especially because Dragon Ball’s anime adaptation had been running for years and involved a massive production staff.
Kazuhiko stated that without another Dragon Ball series continuing immediately afterward, many people connected to the anime industry could have lost their jobs. Because of that, Toei Animation decided to move directly from Dragon Ball Z into Dragon Ball GT.
Despite its reputation, Dragon Ball GT still introduced elements that became fan favorites over the years. One of the biggest examples is Super Saiyan 4, a transformation that many fans still consider one of the franchise’s best character designs.
Some viewers also believe GT successfully brought back the adventurous spirit of early Dragon Ball stories, especially through its emotional finale, which continues to be praised by parts of the fandom today.
With this new information about the series’ origins, some fans are beginning to reevaluate Dragon Ball GT. While the anime remains controversial, its role in helping the industry survive during a difficult era has added a new layer to its legacy.
