It has been nearly two years since the passing of Akira Toriyama, the legendary manga creator behind the beloved series Dragon Ball (who passed away on March 1, 2024). His final project before his death was Dragon Ball Daima, a series that sparked controversy due to its narrative inconsistencies with Dragon Ball Super. Reports suggest that Toriyama was not involved in the writing, contributing only to the character designs. Since the conclusion of Dragon Ball Daima and the hiatus of the Dragon Ball Super manga—which halted at Chapter 103 on February 20, 2024 (Note: corrected date from Feb 19)—we haven't seen any new manga or anime releases. However, news has recently surfaced that a new Dragon Ball Super arc is finally on the way!
Before diving into the details, let’s first understand why there haven't been any new Dragon Ball Super manga or anime releases lately (excluding Dragon Ball Daima, which was in production before Toriyama's passing). To put it simply, the Dragon Ball franchise is governed by three major copyright holders. First is Shueisha, the publisher of the manga since its inception. Second is Toei Animation, the studio that has held the rights to produce the anime from the very beginning. And third is Capsule Corp Tokyo—no, not Bulma's company, but the real-life corporation established by Akira Toriyama to oversee the creative vision and management of his works
The reason we haven't seen new chapters or episodes of Dragon Ball Super is due to Akira Toriyama's company, Capsule Corporation Tokyo, seeking a greater share of the franchise's rights, which has led to an ongoing legal stalemate. While everything ran smoothly during Toriyama's lifetime, his passing changed the landscape. He entrusted Akio Iyoku—his long-time producer and close confidant—to lead Capsule Corporation Tokyo. Iyoku aims to bring all rights, including both manga and anime, under the company's umbrella, resulting in a legal battle for control. However, there is a glimmer of hope: recent signals suggest that the rights holders—Toei Animation and Capsule Corporation Tokyo—are nearing a mutual agreement to finally move forward with new Dragon Ball Super anime content.
This update comes from Kazuhiko Torishima, the former manga editor who helped build the Dragon Ball series into a global phenomenon. During a recent interview, he revealed, 'If nothing goes wrong and everything continues as planned, a new Dragon Ball movie will be released next year.' This news immediately caught the fans' attention, as it implies that we will almost certainly see a new Dragon Ball film in 2026 if all goes well. It is truly fantastic news for the community. As for the Dragon Ball Super manga, however, it looks like fans will still have to wait a little longer
Many fans are speculating whether this could be a sequel to Dragon Ball Daima, especially since its finale left the door open for further adventures. It is also possible that this upcoming movie might serve as a bridge connecting the story back to the Dragon Ball Super anime. Only time will tell, and we will have to wait and see. Rest assured, if there are any further updates, we will bring them to you immediately
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