Following Its Newest Anime, Dragon Ball's Future Is More Open Than Ever Before
With the conclusion of Dragon Ball Daima, Toei Animation's sixth anime series based on Akira Toriyama's original manga, the long-running, incredibly successful Dragon Ball franchise has once again found itself in a drought. Since Dragon Ball Super came to an end in March 2018, two theatrical films and a 20-episode anime series have been released under the Dragon Ball name, and all have been met with a glowing reception from fans.
However, there are many within the franchise's ever-growing fan base who aren't totally satisfied with Dragon Ball's sporadic releases. And to make matters even more complicated, the passing of creator Akira Toriyama in March 2024 has left the series without its guiding light. It seems, for now at least, fans will need to get their fix from gacha and video games. Dragon Ball has been left in good hands though, and there is cause for optimism going forward, even if the future is uncertain.
Dragon Ball Has Entered a Period of Inactivity Following Daima's Completion
No Official Confirmation Has Been Given About Upcoming Dragon Ball Projects
Dragon Ball Daima offered fans of the series a masterful blend of all its defining qualities. Action, adventure, comedy, and lighthearted fun, the anime took the spirit of the earliest sections of Toriyama's original masterpiece manga and combined it with the flashy action of its latter half. After meddling with established canon and gifting fans a modern take on Super Saiyan 4, the anime spawned arguments and unending discussion within the fan base just in time to finish and bring forth another period of inactivity.
Despite Recent Oscar Loss, Dragon Ball's Studio Is Ready to Expand Its Reach In the U.S.
Although Toei Animation, the studio that created Dragon Ball, did not receive an Oscar this year, the company still has ambitious plans for 2025.
The Dragon Ball Super monthly manga series, the only ongoing entry in the franchise following the end of its anime counterpart, entered a hiatus with the passing of Akira Toriyama. Though a new one-shot chapter was released this past February, a lack of news regarding a full return seems to signal the hiatus will continue. Outside of games, the franchise currently has no confirmed upcoming projects scheduled for release. The current state of Dragon Ball may seem dark at a glance. However, there is cause for optimism.
Akira Toriyama Left Dragon Ball in Good Hands
Dragon Ball's Producer Believes the Series Will Continue On for Decades to Come
Dragon Ball's history without Toriyama at the helm is somewhat spotty. 1996's Dragon Ball GT is best known for bringing great ideas to the table and executing them poorly, while the 2009 American film, Dragonball Evolution, is infamously known as one of the worst live-action anime adaptations ever. In fact, Toriyama was so disappointed by the movie that he became heavily involved in 2013's Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, which kicked off the franchise's mid-2010's revival. During that period, important figures became involved in the production of the series.
Akio Iyoku served as editor-in-chief at V Jump during the production of Battle of Gods, and was eventually chosen to lead Shueisha's 'Dragon Ball room' in 2016. Becoming good friends with Toriyama, the two worked closely until Shueisha removed Iyoku from his position, which angered Toriyama and led to a new company being formed called Capsule Corporation Tokyo. The series' creator trusted Iyoku and wished to leave the series in his hands, which Shueisha disputed, leading to the current rights battle over the Dragon Ball Super manga.
However, Capsule Corporation Tokyo now oversees the production of Dragon Ball's anime, and Toriyama's trusted right-hand man is leading operations. Though the dispute with Shueisha likely means Dragon Ball Super's manga won't be adapted anytime soon, fans haven't seen the last of the series in an anime format. In an interview from February of this year, Iyoku stated that moving forward without Toriyama will be difficult, though they are diligently planning for the future, and he expects the series to continue for decades to come.
There Is Cause for Optimism About Dragon Ball's Future
More Dragon Ball May Be On the Way Soon
On the manga side of the franchise, the series is now in the hands of Dragon Ball Super illustrator Toyotarou, who was hand-picked by Toriyama and proved more than capable of taking on the series with its latest one-shot chapter. Though the manga's hiatus is ongoing, no confirmation of its ending is likely a sign that a full return is in the cards. In the meantime, Akio Iyoku has also hinted towards an announcement to come sometime in 2025, leading many to believe some form of an anime return may be coming sooner than it seems.
A recent report from Toei Animation also listed two unnamed anime films currently in production or planning stages, and fans believe they could be future Dragon Ball and One Piece releases. Though nothing has been officially confirmed at this time, Iyoku's statements regarding the future of the franchise, alongside rumblings like the Toei report, are difficult to ignore, and suggest that something of note is on the horizon in the near future.
When Dragon Ball Returns to TV, the Anime Needs to Keep Goku's Best Weapon on Hand
Dragon Ball Daima revisited the series' roots, and the return of one classic artifact proves Goku would benefit from using his most iconic weapon.
Dragon Ball Daima's conclusion may leave the fan base wanting more of the series in the immediate future, though confirmation of any future plans in general is a welcome development. And if one thing is certain, it's that Dragon Ball's ever-growing fan base isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Dragon Ball Isn't Going Anywhere
Inactivity Has Never Harmed the Series' Popularity Before
New Dragon Ball is certain to come some time down the road, and though fans may be disappointed with a lack of new content for the foreseeable future, droughts have never prevented the series' from becoming more popular before. Between the finale of Dragon Ball GT and the release of Battle of Gods, a period of nearly a decade and a half passed without any new entries into the franchise. Fans of the series have waited before, and it's likely they won't give up their support anytime soon.
Dragon Ball's Revival Has Been Nothing But Triumphant, But Its Creator Wasn't Thrilled About It
When the time came for Dragon Ball's revival in the early 2010s, it turns out Akira Toriyama wasn't all that interested in coming back to the series.
Dragon Ball Daima's conclusion has ushered in another dry period for the Dragon Ball franchise, and though times are uncertain now, the future is bright for the beloved series. Not only has the success of Daima notified executives of a continued desire for new adventures, but Goku and friends have been left in very capable hands. Until any upcoming project is revealed, fans can bide their time by checking out Dragon Ball Daima's English dub, which features both new and familiar voices.
- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- First Film
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- Latest Film
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
- First TV Show
- Dragon Ball
- First Episode Air Date
- April 26, 1989
- Latest Episode
- 2019-10-05
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
- Current Series
- Dragon Ball Super
