Exploring Dragon Ball GT: 10 Hidden Gems of the Baby Saga

Dragon Ball GT: The Baby Saga’s Hidden Gems

"Dragon Ball GT," despite its mixed reception, offers an intriguing arc in the Baby Saga. This 24-episode storyline marks a pivotal moment where "GT" starts to find its rhythm. Here are ten aspects of the Baby Saga that enhance its significance and charm.

Origin of the Baby Saga in America

Dragon Ball GT’s English Dub and the Skipped Episodes

For North American audiences, "Dragon Ball GT" effectively began with the Baby Saga, bypassing the first 16 episodes known as the Black Star Dragon Ball Saga. This decision was due to the negative reception these episodes received in Japan, prompting the American release to introduce audiences directly into the more dynamic Baby Saga. To bridge this, an original episode titled “A Grand Problem” was created as a catch-up.

Creation and Contribution

The Minimal Involvement of Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama’s involvement with "Dragon Ball GT" was quite limited. He contributed to the design elements but not the story. Notably, even the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, a dramatic shift in design, was crafted by character designer Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, not Toriyama. This new form stood out due to its radical design, differing significantly from earlier transformations.

Transformational Challenges

Voice Actors and Super Saiyan Transformations

Recording "Dragon Ball" can be a strenuous task for voice actors due to the intense demands of the Super Saiyan transformations. Sean Schemmel, who voices adult Goku during the Super Saiyan 4 transformation, famously passed out while recording these scenes for the Baby Saga. This level of dedication showcases the passion behind the English dub.

The Unique Development of Dragon Ball GT

The Anime Comic Adaptation

Unlike previous series, "Dragon Ball GT" was not based on a manga. Its stories were original productions by Toei Animation, making it unique within the franchise. Years later, Shueisha’s "Saikyo Jump" adapted "GT" into an anime comic, starting with the Shadow Dragons Saga before circling back to adapt the Baby Saga, albeit not extending to subsequent arcs like the Super 17 Saga.

Tonal Shifts and Audience Reactions

From Adventure Comedy to Action

"Dragon Ball GT" initially reverted to the comedic tone of the original "Dragon Ball," which was a stark contrast to the more action-focused "Dragon Ball Z." This shift met with poor reception, prompting the anime to emphasize heightened combat in the Baby Saga—a move that retained audience interest and influenced the series’ continuation.

The Limitations of Goku’s Forms

Notable Transformation Developments

The Baby Saga sees Goku attempting to use his Super Saiyan 2 and 3 forms against Baby Vegeta, highlighting these forms' taxing effects on his child-sized body. This saga marks the last use of these transformations for over 15 years, demonstrating a shift towards new dynamics that offered refreshed visual storytelling opportunities.

Parallel English Dubs

The Blue Water Dub Experience

Besides the Funimation English dub, "Dragon Ball GT" also had an international English dub by Blue Water Studios for other regions, like the UK. This version retained the original Japanese music and closer script translations, providing a distinct experience from the widely known Funimation adaptation.

Musical Legacy

The Impact of the Original Score

Mark Menza composed an entirely new score for "Dragon Ball GT," different from Bruce Faulconer’s "DBZ" work. The series also introduced original English themes, although later remastered sets included English versions of the original Japanese songs, enhancing the viewing experience for English-speaking fans.

Collectible Legacy

Dragon Ball GT Memorabilia and Dragon Box GT

"Dragon Ball GT" has fostered a fascinating collectors’ market, with precious items such as the Dragon Box GT. This limited edition set includes remastered episodes, a Dragon Radar remote, and exclusive artwork from Toriyama, adding significant value for dedicated collectors.

Recut and Refined

The GT Recut: A Tighter Narrative

A "Dragon Ball GT" recut exists, streamlining the series to just 27 episodes. While the recut omits much of the Super 17 Saga, it preserves the Baby Saga's core essence and quality, which highlights this arc's significance and enduring appeal.

For more information on Dragon Ball and the Baby Saga, you can explore this guide on the Tuffle/Saiyan conflict and learn more about the original Dragon Ball GT's music scores.

Photo Credit by CBR