Dragon Ball GT was set up for success, but struggled to maintain the popularity and momentum of its predecessor, Dragon Ball Z. Dragon Ball GT began on a rocky note with questionable decisions that had the sequel series skewing more towards younger audiences, rather than building upon the action-heavy exploits that drew in a progressively more mature crowd. There’s nothing wrong with an anime sequel that attempts to rebrand itself and draw in a new audience, but Dragon Ball GT’s early identity crisis caused many fans to abandon ship and they ended up missing the confident show that it gradually grew into once it got out of its own way. There’s a lot to appreciate in Dragon Ball GT’s later story arcs and the series’ final Shadow Dragon Saga is genuinely engaging.
There’s a compelling narrative that pushes its characters to come to terms with decades of Dragon Ball abuse and the idea that maybe mankind doesn’t deserve such a treasure. Goku must battle against seven unique monsters – the Shadow Dragons – in order to resolve this mess. Goku is responsible for each of these villains’ destruction, which fits with Dragon Ball’s ongoing celebration of its central protagonist. Goku is Dragon Ball GT’s strongest character, but there are other characters who are just as deserving of attention. Dragon Ball GT’s Shadow Dragon Saga could have been even more compelling if each of these antagonists were defeated by a different hero instead of Goku claiming each and every victory.
7 Android 18 Is Uniquely Suited To Withstand Haze Shenron’s Toxic Attacks
Haze Shenron
Haze Shenron is the weakest of the seven Shadow Dragons and Dragon Ball GT‘s introduction to these recurring villains. Haze Shenron is easily the weakest of the Shadow Dragons, and he’s one of the two Shadow Dragons that Goku doesn’t have to resort to Super Saiyan 4 strength in order to defeat. In fact, Pan is able to comfortably hold her own against Haze Shenron and the only reason that he becomes a marginable challenge at all is because of his “poisonmancy” toxic pollution powers that fill the area and steadily drain individuals of their energy until they’re weak enough for him to defeat them. A curious detail about Haze Shenron’s pollution powers is that they’re powerless against non-organic beings, which gives Machine Mutant Giru a major role to play against this villain. A practical application of Giru is appreciated, but it’d be even more satisfying to see this concept carry over to Android 18 as she defeats the villain.
Admittedly, Android 18 does have organic elements, but Dragon Ball GT could explain that her Android status at least keeps her relatively immune to Haze Shenron’s signature attacks. Android 18 gets a brief opportunity to prove herself during Dragon Ball GT‘s previous Super 17 Saga, where she aids Goku against Super 17 in order to get vengeance for Krillin’s death. It’d be smart for the series to follow up this display of strength by having her involved in the series’ very next villain. Haze Shenron is ultimately defeated by a basic combined Kamehameha from Goku and Pan, so Android 18 is clearly strong enough to eliminate him. She utilizes stronger abilities in her assault on Super 17. A little more of Android 18 would go a long way, and it’d help establish that Krillin’s death reawakened her fighting spirit and has her ready to help Goku whenever it’s necessary, especially in a situation like this where her Android nature is specifically advantageous.
6 Goten Could Finally Prove Himself In Dragon Ball GT Against The Cocky Rage Shenron
Rage Shenron
Dragon Ball Z concludes with Goten as one of the series’ strongest characters and someone who is destined for greatness, which makes it all the more frustrating that Goten’s presence is barely felt in Dragon Ball GT. The series presents Goten as a slacker teen who is seemingly disinterested in martial arts and his only Shadow Dragon contribution is during the heroes’ collective efforts against Syn Shenron when Goku needs some help. Rage Shenron is still on the weaker side of the Shadow Dragons, especially when he’s in his base form. He might have been a worthy challenge for Goten, but he’s not someone who’s necessarily outside his power bracket. Rage Shenron turns to an electric-based attack arsenal and his Electric Slime technique is a powerful way to shock and paralyze his opponents. Rage Shenron can also use this ability to better insulate himself and become a more dangerous threat.
Rage Shenron, after he’s applied his Electric Slime Build to himself for protection, is able to easily withstand and reflect Super Saiyan 4 Goku’s 10x Kamehameha. This is no small feat, but all it takes is a standard Kamehameha to eliminate Rage Shenron once his electric defenses are removed. Goku and Pan being incapacitated by Rage Shenron’s Electric Slime would be a good excuse for Goten to intervene in an effort to help protect his father and cousin. Goten might prefer dating to fighting in Dragon Ball GT, but the sight of his family in peril would cause his instincts to kick in. Additionally, Rage Shenron is a duplicitous character who turns to dirty tactics to succeed. This feels aligned with Gotenks’ rambunctious and chaotic personality. This could have been a good excuse to introduce Gotenks in Dragon Ball GT, which never happens, as he helps topple this threat.
5 Pan Deserves The Opportunity To Properly Prove Herself & Earn Her Grandfather’s Respect
Oceanus Shenron
Pan is by Goku’s side for nearly all of Dragon Ball GT, and she experiences an encouraging character arc where she grows from a frail damsel in distress into a worthy warrior. Pan provides vital support against many of the Machine Mutants that Goku encounters during his quest for the Black Star Dragon Balls and her help is essential against Baby Vegeta. Pan is also Goku’s primary partner during his many Shadow Dragon battles and she helps him defeat most of these villains. That being said, Pan doesn’t celebrate any singular victories and her best efforts are always just treated as support for Goku. The one big element that’s missing from Pan’s arc in Dragon Ball GT is that she doesn’t become a Super Saiyan, which was more of an anomaly for female characters back during Dragon Ball GT‘s release.
A Super Saiyan transformation for Pan would be the perfect way for her to take out a Shadow Dragon and prove to Goku that he can rely on his granddaughter. Oceanus Shenron is a compelling character whose power pales in comparison to her brothers. Oceanus Shenron can create vicious hurricanes and tornadoes, but this doesn’t get her very far. She’s defeated rather easily by a one-two Kamehameha combo from Pan and Goku. This showdown would have stood out a little more if Goku were taken out of the equation and Pan defeated Oceanus Shenron on her own. Pan could believe that Goku’s life is in jeopardy and the traumatic sight pushes her to ascend to Super Saiyan status.
4 Trunks Is Another Promising Dragon Ball Player Who Recedes Into Dragon Ball GT’s Background
Naturon Shenron
Naturon Shenron is a rather curious individual whose true form is a weak pig-like creature who lacks impressive energy attacks. However, Nautron Shenron’s signature skill is that he can absorb creatures and individuals in order to become stronger. Naturon Shenron doesn’t become truly dangerous until he absorbs Pan. In this new state, Naturon Shenron possesses Pan’s abilities, like the Kamehameha, but his death would also mean the end of Pan. Goku is forced into a tense situation where he needs to trick Naturon Shenron to release Pan before he executes the creature. Trunks is another important Dragon Ball player who doesn’t get his due in Dragon Ball GT. Trunks accompanies Goku and Pan during their galactic quest for the Black Star Dragon Balls, but he appears to have regressed and is often treated like comic relief.
Naturon Shenron presents an emotional conflict as Pan accepts the fact that this might be her end. This battle instantly becomes more compelling if Trunks is the one who needs to eliminate this menace. Trunks and Pan form a strong connection during the Black Star Dragon Ball Saga and his desire to save her here makes a lot of sense. Perhaps Naturon Shenron attempts to absorb Trunks, only for Pan to block the attack and become his victim instead. There’s also a bit of a personal element involved with Naturon Shenron since he was born when Bulma and Yamcha wished for all of Majin Vegeta’s victims to be revived. It’s possible that Trunks could feel guilty over the sins of his father and wants to help right this wrong.
3 Majuub’s Character Development Feels Cut Short Through His Lack Of Major Victories
Nuova Shenron
Nuova Shenron is the most complex Shadow Dragon and it wouldn’t be hard to imagine him somehow coming back to assist the heroes if Dragon Ball GT lasted longer. Nuova Shenron is guided by a sense of honor and he refuses to aid his twin brother, Eis Shenron, when he suggests that they simultaneously attack Goku. In fact, Nuova Shenron goes out of his way to help Goku out and even the playing field against Eis Shenron. This empathy ultimately makes him a liability and he’s taken out by one of his own kind — Syn Shenron — which is one of the Shadow Dragon Saga’s more shocking moments. There’d be some welcome symmetry in Majuub — the fusion of Uub and Buu — defeating Nuova Shenron due to Buu’s own redemption arc. He’s a character who understands that evil individuals can turn themselves around and that no one is past the point of rehabilitation.
Majuub does lend a hand against Syn Shenron, but his contributions feel rather perfunctory. Majuub would actually be strong enough to take on Nuova Shenron and help curb his efforts. Dragon Ball Z concludes with Goku excitedly leaving the 28th World Tournament to train Uub. Dragon Ball GT follows up this plot development, but it still feels like this character goes overlooked. He’s absent during the introductory story arc and his help against Baby Vegeta and Super 17, while appreciated, still falls short. Majuub is one of the most deserving characters to take out a Shadow Dragon, whether it’s Nuova Shenron or someone else, as a true sign of how much he’s grown and everything that he’s learned from Goku through their training.
2 Gohan’s Regression In Dragon Ball GT Could Be Rectified Through A Shadow Dragon Duel
Eis Shenron
It hasn’t been easy to be a Gohan fan and there have been diminishing returns for this character ever since his iconic Super Saiyan 2 transformation against Cell. Dragon Ball Super has recently rectified this with Gohan’s Beast mode transformation, but it took the franchise decades to course-correct on this front. Dragon Ball GT also features a very passive version of Gohan whose most exciting moment is when he’s possessed by Baby and fights against Vegeta. Pan is in danger so much in Dragon Ball GT that it’s a little surprising that this doesn’t get Gohan’s attention and pull him into the fray. Eis Shenron is one of the most sinister Shadow Dragons. He’s aided by ice abilities and he temporarily blinds Goku.
Gohan himself is blinded by Lavender in Dragon Ball Super and the franchise could have created some appreciated symmetry if it were actually Gohan who gets blinded by Gohan, rather than Goku. Eis Shenron is so powerful that his defeat requires Super Saiyan 4 Goku’s Dragon Fist of Rage. However, this could have been a great opportunity for Gohan to surpass his Ultimate Gohan limits and selflessly rescue both his daughter and his father. Gohan fans patiently wait for Gohan to save the day in Dragon Ball GT, but this moment never happens. Gohan’s involvement against Eis Shenron could have helped fix this.
1 Vegeta’s Defeat Of The Final Shadow Dragon Would Help Dragon Ball GT Break Away From Tradition
Syn Shenron
Vegeta, while one of Dragon Ball’s strongest characters, is surprisingly absent during the Shadow Dragon Saga and he really just comes into play during the tail end of this conflict. Vegeta helps out against Nuova Shenron and Syn Shenron’s evolved form, Omega Shenron, complete with a Super Saiyan 4 transformation in tow. This also facilitates a thrilling Super Saiyan 4 fusion and a brief appearance of Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta, who completely decimates Omega Shenron before their incredible power forces the union to prematurely end. Omega Shenron’s Negative Karma Ball seemingly kills Goku, only for him to return and take out this ultimate evil with his Super Ultra Spirit Bomb. This is a cathartic finish, albeit a formula that’s rather predictable.
Dragon Ball GT could have concluded with a particularly powerful message if Omega Shenron’s Negative Karma Ball was effective and it’s up to Vegeta to truly eliminate this evil. An ending where Goku perishes is considerably more bittersweet, but Dragon Ball GT still has Goku bid his friends and family farewell as he says his final goodbye. There’d be a greater impact if Goku goes out protecting the planet, while Vegeta is so consumed with anger and sadness that he finally destroys Omega Shenron and swears to keep Earth safe in Goku’s absence. It’s an ending that’s not completely dissimilar to the approach that Dragon Ball GT ultimately takes, but it still hits a little harder and provides better resolution to Vegeta’s character arc.