The real story behind GT has more to do with executive anxiety than creator inspiration.
If you’ve ever wondered why Dragon Ball GT exists or why it feels so different from Dragon Ball Z, the real history behind has finally come to light and it’s a lot less about creative passion and more about behind-the-scenes pressure. Thanks to a great episode of the Kosok Koso podcast, we now know GT didn’t start with Akira Toriyama. It started with TV execs panicking.
GT Wasn’t Toriyama’s Idea
A lot of fans used to assume GT was just the next part of the Dragon Ball story from Akira Toriyama. But that’s not really true. The show was mostly handled by Toei Animation, with Toriyama stepping back after Z.
On Kosok Koso podcast, former editors Kazuiko Torishima, Yū Kondō, and Fuyuto Takeda, who all worked closely with Toriyama, explained how the whole thing came together. Spoiler: it was a mess.
Toriyama had been wanting to finish Dragon Ball for a while. He almost ended it with the Cell Saga, but the editors and network talked him into doing the Majin Buu arc. When Z finally wrapped up in 1995, he was done. But not everyone else was.
The Fuji TV Breakdown
Dragon Ball Z was a monster hit. It pulled in insane ratings and tons of money from merchandise, toys, and everything in between. So when Z ended, Fuji TV, the channel that aired the show, basically went into emergency mode.
During a company party, Kenji Shimizu, who was the president of Fuji TV at the time, straight-up told the editorial team, “Dragon Ball can’t end. It just can’t.” That one comment, full of stress and panic, set everything in motion. No clear plans, no big story pitch, just one goal: keep Dragon Ball going.
Why GT Happened
With Toriyama stepping back, Toei had to figure out what to do next. They couldn’t just copy Z’s formula again, so they went with something new: a space adventure. The “GT” in Dragon Ball GT stands for Grand Tour , the original idea was a journey across the galaxy.
Despite a popular fan theory, GT doesn’t mean “Goodbye Toriyama” or “Gomen Toriyama” (which means “Sorry Toriyama”). Fuyuto Takeda shut that down during the podcast. The name was just about the space-travel theme, nothing secret or emotional.
Even though Toriyama wasn’t actively involved in the day-to-day production, he did give them a few important things. He came up with the basic space travel idea and also designed Super Saiyan 4. Animator Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru adapted that design for the anime.
So yeah, Toriyama didn’t run GT, but he still helped shape a few parts of it.
Fans Had Mixed Feelings
When Dragon Ball GT aired in 1996, the fan reaction was… divided. Some people liked the different tone and space setting. Others hated the return of Kid Goku, the weaker villains, and the overall change in vibe.
GT felt more like a side adventure than a real sequel to Z, and a lot of longtime fans didn’t connect with it. Over time though, opinions have softened. Nostalgia kicked in. Some fans who grew up with GT now look back at it more fondly. The music, designs, and a few arcs like Baby and the Shadow Dragons have earned some love.
Even Akio Iyoku, the current head of the Dragon Ball franchise, recently said that GT was a big inspiration for the upcoming Dragon Ball DAIMA. He mentioned that they’re specifically aiming at fans who grew up watching GT, which shows how the series has gained more respect over time.
A Business Decision Disguised As a Sequel
The story behind GT is a clear example of how business pressure can shape a franchise. Fuji TV didn’t want to lose their top show. They didn’t care about story arcs or character development, they wanted viewers and profits. And to get that, they basically pushed Toei into continuing Dragon Ball without its creator leading the way.
Toriyama had seen this before. Like we said earlier, he was already pressured into extending the original Dragon Ball when he didn’t want to. This constant back-and-forth between creative freedom and business needs has been part of the series since the start. GT was just the most obvious case where the network won.
