"Dragon Ball GT" and "Dragon Ball Super" were created as sequels to "Dragon Ball Z". Both depict events after the original manga's conclusion, but there are significant differences in the production periods, the involvement of the original creator, and story development.
This article will provide a thorough explanation from the basic information on GT and Super, their chronological relationship, positioning within the official timeline, specific differences, to recommendations on viewing order. If you're unsure which one to watch or want to know the relationship between the two works, this will be helpful.
Both Dragon Ball GT and Super are stories set after the end of the original work, but there are major differences in their production backgrounds. Here, let's take a closer look at the basic information and production history of each work.
Dragon Ball GT is an original television anime that aired from February 1996 to November 1997. Set ten years after the finale of the original manga, the story begins with Goku being transformed back into a child and embarking on an adventure to find the Ultimate Dragon Balls.
The "GT" in GT is said to be an abbreviation for Grand Tour (Epic Journey), emphasizing strong adventure elements across the universe. While Akira Toriyama was involved as the original creator in character design and concept oversight, he did not directly participate in the story creation. Comprising 64 episodes, it features unique transformation forms like **Super Saiyan 4** and imaginative story arcs like the Baby Arc, Super 17 Arc, and the Evil Dragon Arc. At the time of airing, it received mixed reviews, but it is characterized by an adventure-focused style and a nostalgic atmosphere.
Dragon Ball Super is a legitimate sequel that aired from July 2015 to March 2018, with the original creator, Akira Toriyama, deeply involved in the concept, story, and character design. The story unfolds between the final chapter of the original manga and the last episode of Z, taking place after the defeat of Majin Buu.
A major feature of Super is that Akira Toriyama devised the main storyline, and the anime and manga versions were produced simultaneously. It centers around large-scale battle developments, including the God of Destruction Beerus saga, Resurrection 'F' saga, Universe 6 saga, Future Trunks saga, Universe Survival saga, and Galactic Patrol Prisoner saga. **New transformations such as Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue, and Ultra Instinct emerge, with the concept of multiverses** introduced, greatly expanding the Dragon Ball universe. The manga version is still being serialized, continuing as the current work in the Dragon Ball series. (【Related article】: Types of Super Saiyan in Dragon Ball Super｜A complete explanation of transformation forms)
One of the most important differences between GT and Super is their chronological positioning within the original work and their treatment as canonical. Understanding the relationship between the two works provides a clearer picture of the Dragon Ball world.
Dragon Ball Super is positioned in the timeline before the final chapter of the original manga (the scene where Goku meets Uub at the World Martial Arts Tournament). Specifically, it depicts a period 4 years after Majin Buu's defeat, which is 6 years before Goku meets Uub. In other words, the story of Super unfolds by filling in the
Dragon Ball GT starts **10 years after the final episode of the original series**. Since it begins with the setting that Uub, who was a child in the original series, has grown up and trained with Goku, it depicts a future timeline that is after Super. This difference in timelines is a factor that causes contradictions in the worldviews and settings of the two works. (Related article: Complete explanation of the Dragon Ball timeline | Summary of the story flow and chronology)
To conclude, **Dragon Ball Super is regarded as the official canon**. The primary reason is that the original creator, Akira Toriyama, is directly involved in the story. Toriyama himself positions Super as the official sequel, and it is treated as the canon by official sources such as Shueisha and Bandai Namco.
In contrast, GT is an anime original work that Toriyama was not deeply involved in the story creation. While he supervised character designs and gave advice on some settings, the main story was handled by the staff of Toei Animation. Therefore, GT is treated as a side story that unfolds in a different timeline, designated as an if world or a parallel world, separate from Super. In official game works, GT and Super are often distinguished as different world lines.
GT and Super are sequels to the same Dragon Ball Z, yet because there are contradictory settings between them, **they are considered to be in a parallel world relationship**. For example, in Super, Goku acquires powerful transformations like Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct, but these forms do not appear at all in GT.
Additionally, the ages of the Pilaf Gang, the relationship between Gohan and Videl, and the character depiction of Vegeta also differ between the two works. These contradictions indicate that GT and Super are separate stories unfolding in different timelines. Among fans, it is commonly interpreted that there exists an official route of original → Super → original final episode and a parallel route of original → GT. Both are officially produced works and can be enjoyed as independent worlds. （【Related Articles】: Dragon Ball Viewing Order | Beginner's Chronology and Watching Guide）
GT and Super have significant differences not only in their production backgrounds but also in the content of the works. Here, we will compare the characteristics of both works from four perspectives: story, characters, combat depiction, and enemy characters.
Dragon Ball GT features a story progression focused on adventure reminiscent of **early Dragon Ball**. The setting where Goku is reverted to his child form and travels through space with Trunks and Pan was intended as a return to the origin. After the Baby Saga, it transitions into serious battle developments, but overall, it maintains a nostalgic and sentimental atmosphere. Particularly in the final arc, the Evil Dragons Saga illustrates the theme of the cost of relying too heavily on the Dragon Balls, leading to a story that evokes a sense of the series' conclusion.
On the other hand, Dragon Ball Super is defined by its **thoroughly battle-focused style. The hierarchy of gods, such as the God of Destruction, Angels, and Zeno, is revealed, and the story unfolds on a grand scale with the multiverse.The Tournament of Power** features a tournament where warriors from all universes gather, and the pursuit of pure strength is at the core of the theme. Super directly inherits the lineage of "there are even stronger enemies after the battle" from Dragon Ball Z, featuring a story structure where Goku's growth and new limits are repeated.
In GT, Goku has an overwhelming presence as the main character and ultimately reaches the unique transformation form known as **Super Saiyan 4which is characterized byred body hair and black hair**. It is seen as a form that controls the power of the Great Ape. Vegeta also becomes Super Saiyan 4 later, but the success of next-generation characters such as Gohan and Trunks was limited. Pan appears as a co-lead character, but her contribution to battles was minimal, leading to some dissatisfaction among fans.
In Super, **Goku and Vegeta are treated as double protagonists** and their growth while competing with each other is depicted. Various transformation forms such as Super Saiyan God, Super Saiyan Blue, Ultra Instinct, and Egoistic Instinct emerge, stepping into the realm of the gods. Additionally, characters from the past like Gohan's revival, 17's reappearance, and teamwork with Frieza are carefully explored. Vegeta's tsundere portrayal and his love with Bulma are also depicted, giving a deeper impression of the characters' humanity.
The animation and direction of GT were produced with **1990s anime technology**, so there are parts that feel old when viewed by modern standards. Battle scenes are relatively simple, with more emphasis on the flow of the story rather than flashy effects. However, there are also impressive battle scenes such as the first appearance of Super Saiyan 4 and battles with Super 17. The background music features many adventurous tracks reminiscent of the original Dragon Ball.
Super utilizes **modern anime production technologyto showcase dynamic battle depictions. Especially in the climax scenes of the movie "Broly" and the Tournament of Power, there are overwhelming animation quality and fast-paced action. However, there were also points where the early TV anime version was criticized for animation decay. In terms of music, intense battle BGM is frequently used,with battles between Goku and Jiren** notable for their tense direction.
The main enemy characters in GT are **Baby (the grudge of the Tuffles), Super 17 (a fusion of androids), and the Evil Dragon (negative energy from the Dragon Balls)**.
These enemies are powerful, but the strength inflation is relatively restrained compared to Z, maintaining a relatively realistic power balance. In particular, the evil dragons are depicted not just as simple combatants, but as unique enemies with special abilities.
The enemies in Super, such as Beerus the Destroyer, Golden Frieza, Goku Black, and Jiren, are **beings boasting overwhelming strengthonly. In particular, Jiren was portrayed as a formidable opponent that Goku before mastering Ultra Instinct could not match. Super introduces concepts like "greater than the Destroyer" and "angel level,"which accelerates the inflation of strength**. On the other hand, the charm and background stories of the characters are also carefully depicted, providing depth beyond mere power inflation. (【Related article】: Dragon Ball Strongest Character Ranking | Comparing Combat Power and Strength)
For those who are unsure whether to watch GT or Super first, I will explain recommended orders and reasons based on different viewing patterns. The optimal order varies based on viewing purpose and preferences.
For those watching the sequel to Dragon Ball Z for the first time, I strongly recommend starting with **Dragon Ball Super**. The main reason is that Super is the official canon and a legitimate sequel directly involved by the original creator, Akira Toriyama. By watching Super first, you can enjoy the main storyline of Dragon Ball without interruption.
Additionally, since Super is a work from after 2015, its animation quality and direction are modern, making it easier to accept for first-time viewers.
New transformation forms such as Super Saiyan God and Ultra Instinct are portrayed as a natural evolution from Z, making them enjoyable without any sense of incongruity. Furthermore, Super is currently still being serialized in manga form, which adds to the excitement of following future developments. It’s best to enjoy GT after watching Super as a 'parallel world.'
By watching GT after Super, one can objectively compare the differences between the two works and gain a deeper understanding of their respective charms. The nostalgic atmosphere of GT and the design of Super Saiyan 4 can also be enjoyed as unique appeals that differ from Super.
For those who want to thoroughly enjoy both works, I recommend watching in the order of **Super → GT**. The main advantage of this order is that it allows you to understand the flow of the official storyline and enjoy GT as a parallel world. By watching Super first, you can grasp the 'official continuation' of the Dragon Ball world and then experience GT’s 'another possibility'.
Moreover, watching Super first makes it easier to notice differences and contradictions in the settings with GT, allowing for a comparative enjoyment of both works from the perspective of 'why are these settings different?'. Conversely, watching in the order of 'GT → Super' may lead to the concept of gods and multiverse settings introduced in Super feeling abrupt.
However, there is also the option to deliberately choose to watch in the order of GT → Super. In this case, you can experience the conclusion of Dragon Ball in GT and then enjoy the surprise of 'actually there was still a continuation' in Super. Both orders have their pros and cons, but for beginners, 'Super → GT' can be considered the more understandable sequence.
Those Recommended to Watch Dragon Ball GT:
Individuals who enjoy **adventurous elements like early Dragon Ball** or want to experience a nostalgic atmosphere. It's suited for those who find appeal in the unique design of Super Saiyan 4, as well as fans of distinctive enemy characters like the Evil Dragons. It's also recommended for those seeking an emotional conclusion as the finale of the Dragon Ball series.
Those Recommended to Watch Dragon Ball Super:
Those looking for **intense battle developments like Dragon Ball Z or wish to enjoy battles with new transformation forms and strong foes.It's particularly suited for those who want to see a legitimate sequel involving the original creator, and those wanting to follow an ongoing story. It's ideal for those who wish to see new sides of popular characters like Vegeta and Frieza, as well as those interested in the grand world of the multiverse.
GT and Super have gone through different evaluations from the reactions at the time of airing to the current assessments. Let's take a chronological look at fan opinions on both works.
Dragon Ball GT received mixed reviews at the time of airing: the setting of Goku being turned back into a child and the initial adventure route faced criticism for being
It has generated such a tremendous enthusiasm. In the manga version, stories that have not been broadcast in the anime, such as the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc and the Granolah Arc, are unfolding, attracting continuous interest from fans. New developments, such as Vegeta's ultimate selfishness and battles with Gas, are also well-received. On the other hand, in recent years, there has been a movement to re-evaluate Dragon Ball GT. More than 20 years have passed since its broadcast, and fans who were critical at the time have started to reassess the unique atmosphere of GT and the quality of its ending. In particular, the final episode, "Goodbye Goku... until we meet again," is highly regarded as an emotional conclusion to the Dragon Ball series. The design of Super Saiyan 4 has also been accepted as "the coolness unique to GT,” becoming a popular transformation form in games and figures. The assessment that GT is "not part of the official history, but holds value as an alternative ending" is becoming established. This article has provided a detailed explanation of the differences between Dragon Ball GT and Super, focusing on aspects such as production background, chronology, relation to the official history, specific content, viewing order, and fan evaluation. In terms of its positioning as official history, Super, in which the original creator Akira Toriyama is directly involved, is considered the official sequel. Chronologically, Super takes place before the final episode of the original story, while GT takes place after it, making the two works part of a parallel world relationship. In terms of content, Super emphasizes battles with large-scale developments that step into the realm of gods, while GT features elements of adventure and a nostalgic atmosphere. Regarding viewing order, if prioritizing official history, it is recommended to watch in the order of “Super → GT,” but both can be enjoyed as independent works regardless of the starting point. GT and Super are both wonderful works with distinct charms. Beyond the debate of whether they are part of official history or side stories, enjoying both allows for a deeper appreciation of the Dragon Ball universe. For those who haven’t seen them yet, be sure to check out both works and find your own favorites. (Related Article: Complete Guide to Dragon Ball | All Information on Characters, Stories, Goods, and Anime)Summary: Both GT and Super are Attractive Works
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