Figuring out character ages in the Dragon Ball universe can be surprisingly tricky. Time skips are frequent, character ages aren’t always explicitly stated, and the various timelines can make things even more confusing. One character whose age is often questioned is Goten, the younger son of Goku. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the specifics of Goten’s age during the events of Dragon Ball GT, taking into account the established timeline and key events.
Understanding the Dragon Ball Timeline
To accurately determine Goten’s age in Dragon Ball GT, it’s essential to first establish a clear understanding of the Dragon Ball timeline. The original Dragon Ball series concludes with Goku defeating King Piccolo. Dragon Ball Z then picks up several years later, focusing on the arrival of the Saiyans and the various threats to Earth. Dragon Ball GT follows Dragon Ball Z, continuing the story with new adventures for Goku and his friends.
The Dragon Ball Z timeline is important because Goten’s birth occurs during this period. Knowing when he was born within Dragon Ball Z helps us project his age forward into Dragon Ball GT.
Goten’s Birth and Early Years in Dragon Ball Z
Goten is born shortly after the Cell Games saga in Dragon Ball Z. Goku sacrifices himself to defeat Cell, and while he’s in the Other World, Chi-Chi discovers she’s pregnant. Goten is born roughly seven years after Cell’s defeat.
The exact year of Goten’s birth isn’t explicitly stated, but it can be deduced based on the timeline. The Cell Games take place in Age 774. Therefore, Goten is born in Age 774 + 7 = Age 781.
This places Goten at 7 years old by the time of the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament, where he competes as a child. He also fuses with Trunks to form Gotenks during the Buu Saga, showcasing his potential as a young Saiyan.
The Time Skip to Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT begins approximately five years after the end of Dragon Ball Z (after the defeat of Kid Buu and Goku’s departure to train Uub). This time skip is crucial for calculating Goten’s age in GT.
Since Goten was born in Age 781, and Dragon Ball GT starts five years after the end of Z (the last episodes of DBZ take place around Age 789, or slightly after), Dragon Ball GT begins roughly around Age 794.
Calculating Goten’s Age in Dragon Ball GT
Now that we know the starting year of Dragon Ball GT and Goten’s birth year, we can calculate his age.
Goten was born in Age 781, and Dragon Ball GT begins in Age 794.
Therefore, Goten’s age at the start of Dragon Ball GT is 794 – 781 = 13 years old.
Throughout Dragon Ball GT, there is another significant time skip. After the Super 17 Saga, there’s about a year before the Shadow Dragon Saga begins. While not explicitly stated, it’s safe to say this is a minimum time gap.
Goten’s Age During the Shadow Dragon Saga
The Shadow Dragon Saga is the final arc of Dragon Ball GT. Given the one year time skip following the Super 17 saga, Goten is around 14 years old at the beginning of the Shadow Dragon saga.
It is important to consider that Dragon Ball GT spans roughly a year in total. Therefore, by the end of Dragon Ball GT, and as the series concludes, Goten is around 15 years old.
Goten’s Appearance and Development in GT
Goten’s appearance in Dragon Ball GT reflects his age. He’s no longer the small child fans remember from the Buu Saga. He has a more mature look, although he still retains some of his youthful characteristics. His hairstyle is different, and his clothing choices are more akin to a teenager.
In terms of character development, Goten plays a more supporting role in GT compared to Dragon Ball Z. He is eager to help fight threats but often gets sidelined. His relationship with Trunks remains close, and they frequently hang out together. He also shows signs of interest in girls, indicating a natural progression into adolescence.
Comparing Goten’s Age to Other Characters
Comparing Goten’s age to other characters provides further context. At the start of Dragon Ball GT:
- Goku is physically a child again due to being wished upon by Pilaf with the black star dragon balls. However, his chronological age is much older.
- Gohan is an adult, married to Videl, and has a daughter, Pan.
- Vegeta is also an adult and remains a key fighter.
- Trunks is approximately the same age as Goten, give or take a year. He plays a more significant role in Dragon Ball GT, traveling through space with Goku and Pan.
- Pan is a young child, Goku’s granddaughter.
Key Events and Goten’s Role in Dragon Ball GT
Goten is involved in several key events throughout Dragon Ball GT, but his role is often less prominent than in Dragon Ball Z.
He participates in the search for the Black Star Dragon Balls, though he doesn’t travel to space with Goku, Trunks, and Pan. Instead, he stays on Earth to protect it.
He is present during the battles against Super 17 and the Shadow Dragons. He tries to assist in the fights but is often outmatched by the powerful enemies.
While he doesn’t achieve any new transformations or significant power-ups in GT, he still demonstrates his Saiyan abilities and contributes to the overall effort to save the universe.
Potential Plot Holes and Discrepancies
The Dragon Ball timeline isn’t always perfectly consistent, and there can be some minor plot holes or discrepancies. Some fans have questioned the exact timing of events and the ages of certain characters. However, based on the information presented in the series and supplementary materials, Goten’s age of approximately 13 to 15 years old during Dragon Ball GT is the most accurate estimation.
The Legacy of Goten
Despite not having as central a role in Dragon Ball GT as he did during the Buu Saga in Dragon Ball Z, Goten remains a beloved character in the Dragon Ball franchise. He represents the next generation of Saiyan warriors and embodies the potential for future growth and development. While Dragon Ball GT is considered non-canon, Goten’s character design and personality have resonated with fans, cementing his place in Dragon Ball lore. Goten demonstrates the importance of family, friendship, and the unwavering spirit of the Saiyans.
Conclusion: Goten’s Age Defined
In conclusion, based on the established timeline and events in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT, Goten is approximately 13 years old at the beginning of Dragon Ball GT and around 15 years old by the end of the series. While his role in GT may not be as prominent as in earlier arcs, he remains a significant character, representing the future generation of Saiyans. His age reflects his stage of development, showcasing a transition into adolescence and a continued commitment to protecting Earth. He is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Dragon Ball universe.
How old is Goten in Dragon Ball GT?
Goten is approximately 19 years old in Dragon Ball GT. The series takes place roughly five years after the end of Dragon Ball Z. Considering Goten was born in Age 767, and Dragon Ball GT starts in Age 794, a simple calculation reveals his age during the events of GT. However, it’s important to remember that character ages in Dragon Ball can sometimes be a bit inconsistent due to time skips and other factors, but 19 is the most widely accepted and logical estimation.
This age places him in his late teens, explaining some of his personality and behavior throughout the series. He’s transitioning into adulthood, displaying a mix of youthful enthusiasm and a growing sense of responsibility. While he’s not as focused on training as some of the other Saiyans, he still possesses incredible power due to his Saiyan heritage and is a valuable asset in any fight, even if he often prioritizes dating and social life over rigorous training.
Why does Goten look different in Dragon Ball GT compared to Dragon Ball Z?
Goten’s appearance in Dragon Ball GT reflects his age and the change in art style adopted for the series. He is no longer the young child from the latter half of Dragon Ball Z. He is taller, his facial features are more mature, and his hairstyle is different. All these visual cues are meant to signify his progression into adulthood. The animators deliberately altered his design to make him distinct from his younger self.
Furthermore, the overall art style of Dragon Ball GT differs from that of Dragon Ball Z. The character designs are generally sharper, and the color palettes are slightly different. This change in art style contributes to the overall visual difference between Goten in Dragon Ball Z and Goten in Dragon Ball GT, impacting how viewers perceive his age and character.
Does Goten fight in Dragon Ball GT? If so, how often?
Goten does participate in battles during Dragon Ball GT, although not as frequently or prominently as his older brother Gohan or his father Goku. He does face off against some of the villains alongside Trunks and other Z Fighters. He demonstrates his power and abilities, showcasing his Saiyan lineage. However, his role in the major conflicts is often supportive rather than central.
One of the reasons for his less frequent involvement in battles might be attributed to his growing interest in other pursuits, such as dating and social life. While he remains capable of fighting and willing to defend the Earth, he doesn’t possess the same intense drive for training and combat as Goku or Vegeta. His priorities have shifted, which influences his involvement in the major battles of Dragon Ball GT.
Is Goten stronger in Dragon Ball GT than in Dragon Ball Z?
Generally, it is implied that Goten is stronger in Dragon Ball GT than he was at the end of Dragon Ball Z. While his overall power level isn’t explicitly stated, the natural progression of a Saiyan’s strength suggests that he would have continued to grow stronger through training and maturing. The five-year gap between the end of Z and the beginning of GT would allow him to develop his abilities further.
However, it’s important to note that Goten’s power is not a central focus of Dragon Ball GT. Other characters, like Goku and Vegeta, receive more attention in terms of power scaling and new transformations. Therefore, while it’s reasonable to assume he’s stronger, his increased strength isn’t directly showcased or emphasized as much as other characters’ power levels.
Why doesn’t Goten fuse with Trunks as often in Dragon Ball GT?
Fusion between Goten and Trunks, creating Gotenks, is significantly less frequent in Dragon Ball GT compared to Dragon Ball Z. This is primarily due to changes in the narrative focus and the roles assigned to the characters. The series prioritized other storylines and character arcs, diminishing the need for Gotenks to resolve conflicts.
Another contributing factor is the increased strength of other characters, particularly Goku in his Super Saiyan 4 form. Goku’s power level effectively rendered Gotenks less critical for overcoming challenges. The writers likely felt that focusing on Goku’s battles and new transformations provided more compelling narrative opportunities than relying on the Gotenks fusion.
What is Goten’s relationship with Trunks like in Dragon Ball GT?
Goten and Trunks maintain a close friendship in Dragon Ball GT, similar to their dynamic in Dragon Ball Z. They are still best friends and often seen together. However, their relationship evolves as they mature. They engage in more “adult” activities, like trying to impress girls and going on dates, while still retaining their playful and mischievous nature.
While they still share a strong bond, their focus shifts somewhat from training and fighting to navigating the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood. They support each other in their endeavors, whether it’s trying to find girlfriends or occasionally assisting in battles. Their friendship remains a constant in the Dragon Ball universe, providing a lighthearted and relatable element to the series.
Does Goten achieve Super Saiyan transformations in Dragon Ball GT?
Yes, Goten is able to transform into a Super Saiyan in Dragon Ball GT. He demonstrates this ability on several occasions throughout the series. He uses the transformation to enhance his power and speed during battles, although he doesn’t reach higher Super Saiyan forms like Super Saiyan 2 or Super Saiyan 3.
While he retains the ability to transform, it’s worth noting that his Super Saiyan transformations are not as prominently featured or emphasized as in Dragon Ball Z. This is consistent with the series’ focus shifting towards Goku and other characters, with less emphasis on Goten’s individual power progression. He still relies on the transformation when necessary, showcasing his Saiyan heritage and combat capabilities.