Dragon Ball Supermay be on hiatus, but there are plenty of reasons to think that the manga is closer to ending than not. But what happens whenSuperends, and catches up with the final episodes ofZ?
So far, all newDragon Ballcontent has been created in the gap between the defeat of Buu and the end ofDragon Ball Z, which is set 10 years later. It was specifically indicated thatSuper Herowas set only one year before the end ofZ, so there’s very little room left for new content without running overZ’s epilogue–and then there’sDragon Ball GTto consider. WhileToei continually insists thatGTremains canon, even with all its continuity problems withSuper, and nowDaima, the time is rapidly approaching when that will be put to the test. WhenDragon Ball Superends, and the next project begins, when will it be set?
Dragon Ball Super’s Ending Spells a Problem for GT
GT is a Problem for Future Installments of Dragon Ball
The fact of the matter is that betweenDaimaandSuper, the period between Buu’s defeat and the end ofZis basically fully filled in at this point. There’s simply no room to squeeze more stories into this era, so the only option is to set the next series, whatever it may be, after the epilogue ofZ. But that would immediately put the new series into conflict withDragon Ball GT, which is set a few years after the epilogue. While it’s possible that some more stories could fit into the gap between the end ofZand the beginning ofGT, doing so would only delay the issue a little longer.
As it stands,GTis almost impossible to reconcile withSuperand nowDaima. IfGTis set afterSuper, then what happened to everyone introduced inSuper, and especially the transformations and powers gained during that series? How canGoku go Super Saiyan 4 for the first time inDaima, and inGT? Despite Toei’s insistence thatGTremains canon, there’s simply no way that can be true. The only option left is to declareGTnoncanonical, but that’s a potential problem of its own. WhileGTwas not well-liked during its initial run, many fans have changed their tune on it in recent years.
Dragon Ball GTcertainly has its fans as well, and they will no doubt be upset when the series is declared noncanonical. But what, then, would those fans propose the solution to be?GTends pretty definitively, taking away both Goku and the Dragon Balls, ensuring that nothing new can happen after it. A remake ofGTcould be an answer, but it would feel quite repetitive sinceDaimaborrowed so many plot points (and Super Saiyan 4) fromGT. The only option that remains is to rule outGTand establish a new continuity in its place.
Dragon Ball Must Forge a New Path
The Franchise Can Only Continue By Forgetting GT
It’s clear by now that while Toriyama’s death has disrupted some plans forDragon Ball, the franchise itself won’t be dying with him. Setting asidethe legal issues thatDragon Ballis embroiled in, there will be a new series some day, to pick up from whereSuperleft off. That series will have to declare once and for all thatGTis no longer canon, finally settling an issue that has literally been debated for decades. ButDragon Ballfreeing itself ofGT’s constraints will ultimately be a good thing for the franchise’s future, and opens the way forward.
That doesn’t mean that everything fromGTmust be discarded, however. Ideas fromGT’s run could still be used, like having Pan go along on adventures. But this time, Pan could be more of a fighter herself, perhaps even becoming capable of being a Super Saiyan. Characters like Pan and Bulla don’t have to stick with their original characterization inGT, but could still exist and play a role in the story. EvenGTconcepts like the Black Star Dragon Balls could make a comeback, if so desired.The new creators could pick and choose the best parts ofGT, while forgetting what didn’t work.
GT Still Exists, Even If It’s Noncanonical
The Series Won’t Be Going Anywhere
One thing that’s important for fans ofGTto realize is that the series becoming noncanonical doesn’t mean all evidence of it will be deleted. It’ll still exist as a series, and its fans can always rewatch it any time they want.Being noncanonical didn’t stop some fans from watchingSuper Dragon Ball Heroes, after all, so why should it prevent anyone from watchingGTif they so wish?It will still be there, as it has always been, for those that love it to enjoy it.
With the conclusion ofDaima, the time has come for those at Toei to finallyreconsider theDragon Ballcanon and officially removeGT. It’s the final nail in the coffin thatSuperhas already built. It may be painful for some fans, but it’s what’s for the best if the franchise is to continue on into the future. Trying not to go againstGThas been a restraint on the potential for storytelling in the franchise, butDaimahas finally done away with that by outright contradicting it.
WithoutGT, the future ofDragon Ballis a blank slate followingSuper. The story can go in any direction it wants, and it can pick and choose elements fromGTthat might be worth keeping. For fans ofGT, the series will still exist and can be enjoyed just as well whether it’s considered canon or not. Eliminating it from official canon only affects future productions going forward, and they need the freedom to create a good story.Dragon Ball Super’s ending, whenever it comes, will ultimately force the issue, so they may as well go ahead and get it over with now.
