The Dragon Ball franchise is one of the most popular and influential anime and manga series in the world, with millions of fans spanning decades. Since its creation by Akira Toriyama in the 1980s, the series has expanded through multiple adaptations, sequels, movies, and spin-offs. One of the most debated topics among fans is: “Is Dragon Ball GT canon?”
This question has been asked countless times because Dragon Ball GT is very different from Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. It has unique storylines, transformations, and characters not found in Toriyama’s manga. In this article, we’ll explore what “canon” means in this context, the history of Dragon Ball GT, and why the answer is more complex than a simple yes or no.
Table of Contents
1. Understanding the Term “Canon” in Anime
Before deciding whether Dragon Ball GT is canon, it’s important to understand what “canon” means. In storytelling, canon refers to events, characters, and storylines that are officially recognized as part of the main continuity created or approved by the original author.
In the Dragon Ball franchise:
- The manga written by Akira Toriyama is the primary canon.
- Anime adaptations that follow the manga closely (Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z) are generally considered canon to the extent they match the manga’s storyline.
- Material not based on the manga or not directly overseen by Toriyama often falls into the “non-canon” category.
2. The History of Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT first aired in Japan in 1996 and ran for 64 episodes. Unlike Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, which adapted Toriyama’s manga, Dragon Ball GT was an original anime-only sequel produced by Toei Animation.
Key facts about Dragon Ball GT:
- It was not based on Toriyama’s manga—instead, it was a new story created by Toei.
- Toriyama provided some minor character designs and suggestions, but he did not write the story or script.
- The plot takes place after the events of Dragon Ball Z and follows Goku, who is turned into a child by the Black Star Dragon Balls and must travel the universe to gather them.
Because it’s an anime-original production, its place in the official timeline is often debated.
3. Reasons Some Fans Consider GT Non-Canon
There are several arguments for why Dragon Ball GT is generally viewed as non-canon:
- Not Based on the Manga – Canon stories in the Dragon Ball universe are usually those adapted from Toriyama’s original manga.
- Contradictions with Later Material – The release of Dragon Ball Super introduced events and transformations (like Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct) that do not align with GT’s storyline.
- Author Involvement – Toriyama himself has stated that GT was a side project by Toei, and while he supported it as a fun continuation, it was not part of his intended storyline.
4. Reasons Some Fans Still See Value in GT
While it may not be canon, Dragon Ball GT has a dedicated fanbase and unique features that many enjoy:
- Super Saiyan 4 Transformation – This form is one of the most visually striking and iconic in the franchise.
- Interesting Villains – Characters like Baby, Super 17, and the Shadow Dragons offer unique challenges to the heroes.
- Emotional Endings – GT’s final episodes are widely praised for their emotional impact and sense of closure.
For many fans, GT exists as an alternate timeline or a “what if” continuation of Dragon Ball Z.
5. Where GT Fits in the Timeline
If we place Dragon Ball GT within the franchise’s release order:
- Dragon Ball – Adapts early manga content.
- Dragon Ball Z – Adapts later manga content, ending with Goku leaving with Uub.
- Dragon Ball GT – Anime-only sequel starting after Goku trains Uub.
- Dragon Ball Super – Follows the end of Dragon Ball Z manga but before the 10-year time skip’s final moments.
Because Dragon Ball Super contradicts GT’s events, both cannot logically occur in the same timeline.
6. Akira Toriyama’s Position on GT
Toriyama has given mixed but telling comments over the years:
- He has said GT was “like a grand side story” rather than a main part of the series.
- He contributed some design sketches (like the GT logo and certain outfits) but left the storytelling to Toei.
- In interviews, he has praised GT’s creativity but acknowledged it wasn’t his work.
From this, it’s clear that GT is officially licensed but not core canon to Toriyama’s Dragon Ball storyline.
7. Dragon Ball Super’s Impact on GT’s Canon Status
When Dragon Ball Super debuted in 2015, it told a story set immediately after the defeat of Majin Buu but before the final scenes of Dragon Ball Z. This left no room for GT’s events to fit naturally without contradictions.
Some key differences:
- Transformations – GT has Super Saiyan 4, while Super has Super Saiyan God and Blue, which don’t appear in GT.
- Villains – Super’s major threats (Beerus, Zamasu, Jiren) do not exist in GT’s continuity.
- Tone and Focus – GT is more space-adventure oriented, while Super is tournament- and multiverse-focused.
This divergence has solidified GT as a separate, non-canon story in most fans’ eyes.
8. Canon vs. “Official”
It’s important to note that while GT is not canon to Toriyama’s manga storyline, it is still an officially licensed Dragon Ball product. That means it’s not fanfiction—it was professionally produced by Toei Animation with Toriyama’s blessing, just not as part of the main timeline.
This is similar to how certain movies (Dragon Ball Z: Broly before the 2018 film) were official but not canon until reimagined within Super’s storyline.
9. The Modern View of GT
Today, the majority of the fanbase treats GT as:
- Non-canon to Toriyama’s storyline.
- An alternate continuity or “parallel universe” story.
- A nostalgic piece of the 1990s anime era with unique ideas worth revisiting.
Even though it’s not canon, elements from GT—such as Super Saiyan 4—continue to appear in games like Dragon Ball Heroes, which blends multiple timelines and non-canon characters.
10. Summary
To directly answer the question “Is Dragon Ball GT canon?”—No, Dragon Ball GT is not considered canon to Akira Toriyama’s official Dragon Ball storyline. It is an anime-original sequel created by Toei Animation, licensed and partially supervised by Toriyama, but not part of the manga’s continuity.
However, GT remains an important part of the franchise’s legacy, offering unique stories, beloved transformations, and a distinct tone that continues to appeal to many fans.
FAQs About Dragon Ball GT’s Canon Status
Q1: Is Dragon Ball GT canon to Dragon Ball Z?
No. While GT is set after Z, it is not based on Toriyama’s manga and has been overridden by Dragon Ball Super’s storyline.
Q2: Did Akira Toriyama create Dragon Ball GT?
No. GT was created by Toei Animation, though Toriyama provided some character designs and approved the project as a side story.
Q3: Can I watch GT without watching Super?
Yes. GT exists as a separate timeline and does not require knowledge of Dragon Ball Super.
Q4: Is Super Saiyan 4 canon?
No, Super Saiyan 4 is exclusive to GT and non-canon spin-offs like Dragon Ball Heroes.
Q5: Should I watch GT if it’s not canon?
Yes, if you enjoy Dragon Ball and want to explore alternate takes on the characters, GT offers a fun, nostalgic experience.
