Dragon Ball GT
Director
Minoru Okazaki
Production
Bird Studios, Fuji TV, Toei
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
64 episodes
Year
1996
Dragon Ball GT
By Rob Argent
28th Apr 04 Released way back in 1996, Dragonball GT is the last series in the Dragonball phenomenon, following the eponymous original series and Dragonball Z. However, whereas the first two were based on Akira Toriyama's comics, this series was created specifically for TV, so shouldn't this be the best of the bunch? Unfortunately, no. One of the major problems was that Toriyama decided he didn't want to do another series, wanting to end on a high note. The TV company he worked with, though, thought differently. A new set of writers was commissioned to further the exploits of Goku and his friends. So instead of getting the fresh, original ideas that Toriyama is known for, we get a watered down set of episodes that veer from comedy to all out fighting and back again. The animation and sounds are all on a par with the best of the previous Dragonball outings and all of our favourite characters are back! (A wise choice considering what people would have thought if they had abandoned the likes of Piccolo and Gohan). The series begins with Goku being turned into a child again due to a mix up with the Dragonballs - a neat idea that brings a new spin on things. Gohan and Videl's daughter, Pan is introduced, and Goten and Trunks are now a bit older too. Unfortunately for the good guys, the evil Black Star Dragonballs have been scattered across the universe and if they aren't recovered within one year, the Earth will be destroyed� Ok, so it doesn't make much sense, but it provides an excuse for Goku, Trunks and Pan to trek across space, getting into adventures on each planet they land on. In these opening episodes the emphasis was on humour, with the whole affair taking a laid back, comical approach, but when the ratings started to drop, the makers played it safe and started to go back to the old fighting of the previous series. So, after a dozen or so episodes, there is a noticeable change in tone, which - in all honesty - is a change for the better. The problems with GT are numerous: the fact that Goku is so strong no-one else fights, the repetitive fight scenes (particularly during the last 20 or so episodes) and the music which is your average American cheese music. Despite the welcome reappearance of old enemies such as Cell and Freeza, there is always the knowledge that Goku never loses (he even says it a few times) and that the fights go on for just a little bit too long. As the series closes, a surprising, if rather bland enemy appears and then it's a Z style ending all over again. Due to the lack of interest by viewers, GT faded away after 64 episodes (which is nothing compared to Z's 200-odd episodes), ending Goku's adventures in a satisfactory way but still leaving it open for a possible new series - episodes of a show called Dragonball AF were allegedly created but not much else has been said. So, in consideration, this could have been a great ending to an already classic franchise. Some of the old Dragonball themes are still here, and Goku fans will get to see more of him doing his best things, namely fighting and shouting a lot while powering up. However, poor stories and unoriginal ideas prevent it from being anywhere near as good as it could, or should, have been. If you're a hardcore fan though, you can add another mark onto the overall score. Otherwise, enter with caution, this is just a nostalgia trip. This review relates to the dubbed version. 4/10
-- Rob Argent 28th Apr 04
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