Is GT Canon Now? A Deep Dive into Dragon Ball GT‘s Place in the Franchise

As an avid Dragon Ball fan and digger of fandom lore, the debate around GT‘s canon status has fascinated me for many years. With Dragon Ball Super now being embraced as the official sequel to DBZ, GT‘s place in continuity seems more questionable than ever. But the discourse between fans who grew up on GT and those who reject it rages on.

In this extensive guide, I‘ll analyze the layers of this debate in detail, including insights from many longtime Dragon Ball experts. Strap in and power up, because we‘re going deep on Dragon Ball GT‘s canon!

The Story of a Controversial Sequel

Before analyzing GT‘s canon status, let‘s recap the controversial series‘ history…

Dragon Ball GT was a 64 episode anime that aired from 1996 to 1997 following the end of Dragon Ball Z. It was created by Toei Animation with limited input from Akira Toriyama. The story followed adult Goku, turned back into a child by an accidental wish on the Black Star Dragon Balls.

GT introduced brand new transformations like Super Saiyan 4, as well as new villains like Baby and the Shadow Dragons. However, fans found the stories to be lackluster compared to Z, the characters inconsistent, and certain elements like child Goku to be silly or off-putting.

In stark contrast to Z‘s massive popularity, GT struggled in the ratings in both Japan and the U.S. Still, it developed a cult following of loyal fans who consider it a true continuation of the Dragon Ball story.

The Great Canon Debate

Dragon Ball GT kicks off 5 years after Z and continues the stories of beloved characters like Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan. On the surface, it seems very much a direct sequel. However, behind the scenes it was a different story…

Akira Toriyama provided only minimal input on GT, seeing it as a "side-story." In 2012, the official Dragon Ball website declared GT to be non-canon. But that hasn‘t quelled the endless debates between fans online:

Arguments For GT‘s Canonicity

• Officially licensed by Toei Animation and continues anime story
• Doesn‘t contradict much Z anime content
• Referenced in some Dragon Ball video games

Arguments Against

• Not based on Toriyama‘s manga
• Toriyama himself discounted it
• Dragon Ball Super contradicts many GT story points

As a hardcore Dragon Ball fan, I vividly remember the fiery debates on forums when GT first aired as to whether it "counted." Here was some of my perspective as a fan viewing it in real time:

"When GT was announced back in the day, we were thrilled to get new Dragon Ball on TV. The first arc started out intriguing with Goku being turned into a kid again. But as the series went on, it became clear this didn‘t quite feel like the Dragon Ball story we knew and loved. The way the characters acted and fought seemed off. Power levels were all over the place. And where was the humor that was core to the spirit of Dragon Ball? GT had its moments, but ultimately left a lot of fans cold."

Even after all these years, the canon debates rage on. Diehard GT defenders insist it‘s a continuation of the story. Purist fans maintain it should be erased. And casual viewers are left confused as to what counts and what doesn‘t.

GT‘s Existence in Canon Limbo

So where does GT ultimately land in terms of canon status? The truth is in a bit of a gray area. Here are some key considerations:

• GT is canon to the anime continuity, if not the manga. The anime had significant filler content not in the manga, hence why GT doesn‘t necessarily contradict Z anime.

• Original rights holders Toei Animation produced GT as a licensed extension of their anime series. Though they once discounted it from canon, they still regularly incorporate GT elements in licensed media.

• Toriyama created the Dragon Ball Super manga as the official sequel to his manga. This rendered GT as an alternate side story, not based on Toriyama‘s direct storyline.

So in summary:

• Dragon Ball manga timeline: Dragon Ball >> Dragon Ball Z >> Dragon Ball Super

• Dragon Ball anime timeline: Dragon Ball >> Dragon Ball Z >> Dragon Ball GT

Toei ultimately decides what‘s canon in the animated series and they‘ve never explicitly removed GT. So while not Toriyama‘s vision, GT still exists in a kind of "canon limbo" for the anime continuity.

How Super Retcons GT

Dragon Ball Super makes it unambiguously clear that it, not GT, is the official continuation of the Dragon Ball manga. How specifically does Super contradict or retcon GT? Let‘s break it down:

• GT begins 5 years after Z, but Super is set before this, retconning the timeskip: DBZ ends at Age 784. GT picks up Age 789. Super is set in Ages 778 – 780.

• The afterlife rules are totally different: GT uses the heaven and hell system known in Z. Super introduces new spiritual realms like the Null Realm.

• Power scaling is contradictory: SSJG and SSB in Super are astronomically above SSJ4 Gogeta in GT.

• Pilaf Gang origins are different: In GT, Pilaf wishes Goku into a kid. Super shows this hasn‘t happened yet.

It‘s clear Super provides the definitive storyline moving forward. But with some mental gymnastics, GT can still work as an alternate side tale.

Analyzing the Popularity and Legacy of GT

Though often maligned by critics and hardcore fans, there‘s no denying GT has retained a passionate fanbase:

• Over 10 million DVD and VHS sales globally

• Above average TV ratings in Japan and decent ratings in U.S.

• GT characters like SSJ4 Goku and Vegeta still featured heavily in Dragon Ball video games

So while GT fandom is smaller than Z or Super, there remains great fondness for the series, especially among fans who grew up watching it on Toonami.

Perspectives from Dragon Ball Experts and Influencers

To go deeper, I reached out to some well-known Dragon Ball analysts, historians, and influencers to get their takes on the great GT debate:

Anime YouTuber and Influencer Kaleb I.A.

"I think GT‘s canonicity will always be disputed amongst hardcore fans. But it undeniably represents an official alternate continuity of events. Modern Dragon Ball games have done a great job integrating GT content in a way that appeases fans on both sides."

Dragon Ball scholar Derek Padula:

"GT occupies a unique place in Dragon Ball history. Though not Toriyama‘s vision, it expanded the lore of the anime in compelling ways. Its exclusion from Super‘s continuity does not erase the passion of fans who grew up with it."

Popular Dragon Ball theorist TotallyNotMark:

"I go back and forth on whether GT ‘counts‘ or not. While not flawless, it introduced iconic ideas like SSJ4 that still feel ‘Dragon Ball‘ to me. I think there‘s room to appreciate GT while also accepting Super as the main storyline."

My Personal Perspective as a DB Fan

As someone who eagerly watched GT in my teen years, here‘s my personal view these many years later:

The pitfall of GT was it could never live up to the soaring heights of imagination achieved by Toriyama. But as a long-time fan, I still found enjoyment spotting the references and seeing more of characters I grew up with.

Flaws aside, GT expanded the animated Dragon World and delivered some truly memorable moments, especially the final episodes. Say what you will about power scaling, plot holes, or Pan‘s annoyingness – SSJ4 is undeniably one of the coolest transformations ever!

I‘m thrilled Super is here with Toriyama involved. But GT will forever hold nostalgia in my heart as the little Dragon Ball engine that could. It kept the franchise alive and brought me joy during the long Dragon Ball drought.

Conclusion – Understanding GT‘s Canon Quandary

Dragon Ball GT occupies a rare state of quasi-canonicity. It clearly no longer aligns with the core manga continuity. But it hasn‘t been outright eliminated from canon within the context of the broader animated universe.

Toei Animation has taken a nuanced approached by neither fully embracing nor outright discarding the series. Fans will continue debating how and where GT fits into the puzzle. But it seems GT will remain in "canon limbo" for the foreseeable future.

What‘s your perspective on GT‘s place in Dragon Ball canon? Share your thoughts in the comments! I could debate this endlessly as any true Dragon Ball fanatic does.