Dragon Ball GT was a continuation of the successful anime series Dragon Ball Z, which continues the story of Son Goku and his friends. Despite the franchise's iconic pedigree, the show was quite controversial and failed to achieve the same level of success. However, it had a fairly well-received series finale that brought the end of Akira Toiyama's work for years.
The ending of Dragon Ball GT saw Goku fighting with the end result of him and his friends constantly using the Dragon Balls. This led to an ending that celebrated the entire history of the franchise, all the way back to the original Dragon Ball. Most importantly, Goku's legacy was revealed to extend into the future, long after the original Z Fighters had ended.
The Last Episode of GT Saw Omega Shenron Defeated
The final episode of Dragon Ball GT was "Until We Meet Again..." and showcased the end of what was at the time Goku's final battle. This match was between Goku and Omega Shenron, who was one of the evil dragons created by overusing the Dragon Balls. The enemy was stronger than any enemy Goku had fought before, yet he was defeated in a surprisingly familiar manner. Summoning the energy of the entire world, Goku unleashed a Super Ultra Spirit Bomb against Omega Shenron. This killed the enemy and left the heroic Saiyan (who was still stuck as a child at Emperor Pilaf's wish) unconscious.
Goku and the other characters in Dragon Ball GT have gone from one bad situation to another before. Using the Black Star Dragon Balls, Pilaf accidentally wished Goku back to become a child, setting off a chain reaction that nearly destroyed Earth. This caused a spectacular journey across the galaxy that saw the remaining Saiyans (and humanity) nearly wiped out by the evil Baby, a Machine Mutant remnant of the Tuffle Empire. Other threats included villainous denizens of Hell who escaped from their afterlife and the birth of Super 17, the ultimate android. The Shadow Dragons were the last enemies Goku faced, but even in the last episode of Dragon Ball GT, that wasn't the end of his adventure.
Goku's Quest to Restore the Dragon Balls
Goku arrives, with him and the others greeted by none other than the true version of Shenron. A powerful dragon appears unsummoned and informs the Z Fighters that he will no longer be able to grant their wishes. This is due to his power being depleted, with frequent wishes over the past few decades abusing his wish-granting abilities. This was what had caused the Shadow Dragons to appear in the first place, and even though they had been defeated, Shenron's resources were now empty. Fortunately, Goku is able to convince him to grant the last wish, with the powerful dragon restoring everyone killed by Super 17 and the Shadow Dragons. Goku then leaves to restore the power of the Dragon Balls, leaving Vegeta as Earth's protector.
Goku and Shenron are seen by the former oldest allies, Tien, Puar, Yamcha and Chiaotzu also see them fly away. Goku even goes to Kame House to have one last match with his old friend Krillin. The latter actually wins the match, with Master Roshi seeing off Goku and Shenron. Elsewhere, Goku's granddaughter Pan wonders if her grandfather and the Dragon Balls will ever return, though Trunks assures her that they will. In the end, Goku left everyone behind and merged with the Dragon Balls, and the four-star Dragon Ball actually became his heart.
Dragon Ball GT Briefly Glimpsed at the Future
100 years later, the 64th World Martial Arts Tournament is held, with statues of both Goku and the cowardly Mr. Satan/Hercules on display in the stadium. Elder Pan is still alive, and a descendant of Bulma who closely resembles her ancestor has joined the tournament crowd. Her presence shows how things were still the same to some extent, with the original Bulma previously remembering when she met Goku when he was leaving with Shenron. The fighters in the tournament are further proof that the Saiyan blood still flows, with two fighters being obvious exp of their ancestors.
Son of Bulma Leigh Vegeta, Jr. he faces Goku, Jr., who is Pan's grandson. Despite being distant descendants of the full-blooded Saiyans Goku and Vegeta, the two young boys are able to transform into Super Saiyans rather effortlessly. Pan looks around and sees none other than Goku in the crowd watching the fight. She rushes to reunite with her grandfather (who is now an adult again), instead losing him in the crowd, wondering if he was really there. In fact, Goku walks through the crowd while looking back at scenes from the Dragon Ball franchise in the finale, specifically Grandpa Gohan finding Baby Goku. Goku flies off with his Power Pole for the last time and bids the audience goodbye... to his next series of adventures.
Dragon Ball GT Had One Movie
Before the final episode of Dragon Ball GT aired, the series had one movie tied to its events. Unlike most films for previous entries in the franchise, this was considered canon for the anime. It also aired on television instead of being released in theaters. Titled Dragon Ball GT: A Hero's Legacy, it showcased the future of Goku Jr. and his grandmother Pana. In the movie, Goku, Jr. depicted as far more cowardly than his ancestor, who has none of his adventurous and fearless spirit. That changes when his grandmother falls ill and sends him on a quest to find the Dragon Balls to wish her well.
The boy is mistaken about how items work, thinking that simply finding a four-star Dragon Ball is enough to summon a dragon. He throws it furiously and is surprised when it lands at the feet of his ancestor, the original Goku. True Goku informs the boy that he is stronger and braver than he thinks, and they are both greeted by the revelation that Pan has recovered. Goku Jr. he boards a helicopter and flies to his grandmother, with Goku confident that his offspring will become a worthy hero in his own right.
There is a theory among fans that at one point in the movie, Goku, Jr. basically possessed by the real Goku or become a direct reincarnation of the real Goku. This is supported by his general change in demeanor, his newfound ability to go Super Saiyan, and the fact that he finds the four-star Dragon Ball (which had previously fused with Goku to become his heart). It was never confirmed if this was the case, however Dragon Ball Super replaced Dragon Ball GT as the canonical sequel to Dragon Ball Z. GT was largely considered inferior to what came before, especially as it tried to emulate the adventurous, less action-oriented tone of the original Dragon Ball. However, many fans still liked the ending, with the conclusion of the story (at the time) mostly being nostalgic and satisfying.
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