Few manga or anime have achieved the enduring popularity and staying power ofDragon Ball. Following a nearly twenty-year hiatus,Dragon Ball Superquickly restored the franchise to its central position in the manga and anime universe — a place it dominated throughout much of the 1990s and maintained considerable influence after the conclusion ofDragon Ball Zjust before the turn of the century. However, this momentum was severely impacted bythe sudden passing of Akira Toriyamaon June 10, 2025.
The outpouring of tributes from fans, colleagues, and fellow manga artists sparked an immediate surge in interest in all thingsDragon Ball. However, fans were not the only ones deeply affected by Akira Toriyama’s passing. His collaborator Toyotarou, the publisher, and all the people who worked on theDragon Ballfranchise, needed time to process the loss and adjust their plans. This led to a natural and understandable period of silence and a slowdown in production. While most completed work continued as scheduled, any new or unfinished projects were temporarily put on hold.Yet one thing remained certain:Dragon Ballwould go on.
Dragon Ball Super Reminded Fandom of the Manga’s Greatness
Only Two Chapters Came Out After Toriyama’s Death, But They Are Some of the Best
While the slowdown was only temporary, it did cause fans to pause and wonder about the future ofDragon Ball. Although the franchise had grown into an IP-driven entity, Toriyama remained the heart and soul of theDragon Balluniverse, even when he was not actively involved in specific projects. Accordingly, more than a few fans began to wonder aboutthe franchise’s future without Toriyama’s creative input, vision, and guidance. In addition, questions arose about whether the franchise could honor his legacy while, of course, evolving in new directions.
To gauge the direction of the post-ToriyamaDragon Ballfranchise, the manga remains the most reliable indicator, being the definitive source of theDragon Balluniverse. While it’s certain thatDragon Ballwill continue to generate new content, the crucial question is whether this content will uphold Toriyama’s original spirit, which, by all accounts, was remarkably open and adaptable to diverse ways of continuing theDragon Ballstory.
Following Akira Toriyama’s passing,Dragon Ball Superhas published only two chapters, yet all signs indicate the series will persist. With a solid foundation in place, artist Toyotarou –Toriyama’s chosen successor and longtime collaborator of nearly a decade– is poised to carry the torch. As the ideal custodian of Toriyama’s vision, Toyotarou is uniquely equipped to translate the creator’s original spirit into futureDragon Ballmanga chapters. This continuation is explicitly confirmed by the concluding phrase ofDragon Ball SuperChapter #104: “To be continued.”
The bigger question iswhereDragon Ball Superwill go—narratively speaking— once it returns to a regular publication schedule. One of the most significant possibilities is a return to basics, specifically Dragon Ball’s original “evil boss,” Frieza. After the conclusion of the “Granolah Arc”, we know there’sa new Black Friezain town, and he appears to be far more powerful than anyone else. Revisiting such an iconic villain comes with several advantages.
It gives fans a villain they’re familiar with — one with a well-known story that could also serve as a vehicle for introducing fresh ideas into the narrative. Moreover, Frieza’s story would provide Toyotarou with an opportunity to ease into the “director’s seat,” allowing him to distinguish himself as a writer. Lastly, bringing Frieza back would be a fitting way to honor Toriyama’s legacy while setting the manga on a new course.
Dragon Ball DAIMA Shows That the Franchise Still Gots What It Takes to Be Successful
A Celebrated Anime Return
While the manga serves as the foundation of theDragon Ballfranchise, the anime acts as its global ambassador, providing the primary entry point for international fans. Concerns about the anime’s continuation following Akira Toriyama’s passing were alleviated with the October 2024 premiere ofDragon Ball DAIMA. Although Toriyama played a significant role in its production, his groundwork allowed the production staff to complete the project after his passing. Building upon Toriyama’s established framework, the team successfully brought the anime to fruition.
DAIMAhas, in a way, served a dual purpose. Firstly, it hasreminded long-timeDragon Ballanime fansof the series' inherent fun and irreverence, qualities prevalent before Goku’s role shifted to Earth’s champion and protector against planet-conquering, super-powered alien narcissists. Secondly,DAIMAhas proven to be an excellent entry point for newcomers, who were previously intimidated by the franchise’s extensive lore. As a result,DAIMAstands as theDragon Ballfranchise’s most significant offering in years.
The question for the anime department of theDragon Ballfranchise, much like with the manga, is not whether anime can be produced but whether they will continue to have that Toriyama vibe while also developing its own feel. On the one hand, if Toyotarou continues to generate manga content, there will always be source material for futureDragon Ballanime. In addition, over the decades, Toriyama has created a vast and detailed world that can further be explored by creators.
Indeed, asDAIMAdemonstrates, there are plenty of experienced anime teams that have successfully worked withDragon Ballcontent without Toriyama’s direct involvement. While Toriyama’s absence —and the lack of a chosen anime successor like Toyotarou— does create some uncertainty for theDragon Ballanime franchise, Toriyama’s foundational work, Toyotarou’s continued contributions, and the expertise of seasonedDragon Ballproducers like Akio Iyoku (behindDAIMA) suggest thatDAIMAwill not be the lastDragon Ballanime ever made.
The Dragon Ball Tale Is Far From Over
Since the return ofDragon Ballfrom its hiatus withDragon Ball Superin 2015, the franchise has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity. While some of this renewed interest is driven by nostalgia, a substantial portion of the franchise’s successful return can be attributed to the new content provided byDragon Ball Super, which offers a fresh chapter in the overall narrative. However, during this resurgence, the franchise suffered a devastating setback—the sudden passing of its creator, Akira Toriyama.
At the very least, fans wondered whether the franchise could maintain its excellence without its creator. At worst, some feared (and continue to fear) that Toriyama’s passing might mark the end of theDragon Ballsaga altogether. However, in the year since his death,Dragon Ballhas demonstrated that the story of Goku and his friends will endure. While Toriyama’s unique vision and creativity are irreplaceable, the foundation he built, combined with the dedication of his collaborators and the passion of the fanbase, ensures that the legacy ofDragon Ballwill live on.
