Dragon Ball Super Might Not Return the Way Fans Have Hoped (And One Piece Gives Us a Clue)

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Ever since the original anime finished, fans have been eager for a return of Dragon Ball Super. However, a comeback might look different than expected, especially considering the huge success and evolution of One Piece. Dragon Ball remains incredibly popular for Toei Animation, even without new TV episodes or movies. The recent passing of creator Akira Toriyama has created uncertainty about the franchise’s future, though those involved are committed to continuing it in some way.

The manga version of Dragon Ball Super continued the story after the Tournament of Power, and also included the events from the movies Broly and Super Hero. Fans are hoping these remaining story arcs will be adapted into an anime, but it likely won’t be a long, continuous series like the original Dragon Ball Super. Instead, it will probably be released seasonally over several years, similar to how One Piece is currently done.

Dragon Ball Super Won’t Come Back the Same Way

Wow, it feels like ages since 2018! That means when the Dragon Ball Super anime comes back, it’s going to be quite a bit different than what we remember. The team at Toei Animation has changed, and their whole approach to making anime has evolved too. And speaking of changes, One Piece really surprised everyone by announcing they’re switching things up! Instead of airing all year, they’re going to release just 26 episodes split into two parts, with some breaks in between. It’s a pretty big shift!

The decision to move One Piece to a seasonal release schedule starting in 2026 could pave the way for a continuation of Dragon Ball Super. This change is expected to improve the production workflow for the One Piece team and signals how Toei Animation plans to handle its biggest properties in the future. If Dragon Ball Super returns, it likely won’t be with the same weekly episode count as before; instead, it will probably be released in seasons of 12 to 26 episodes over several years. However, this could ultimately be a positive change.

Fans are incredibly excited about the possibility of a new Dragon Ball Super anime, but it’s almost impossible for any new series to live up to that level of anticipation. After eight years of waiting, expectations are just too high. However, if the series returns with a regular seasonal release, the creators will have more time to deliver the best possible product.

Dragon Ball Super Just Won’t Be the Same

This approach also addresses the challenge of developing new Dragon Ball Super content for these story arcs. With the manga currently on hold following Akira Toriyama’s death, there isn’t much source material readily available. If the anime were to adapt the Galactic Patrol Prisoner arc in 2026, adapting the Granolah the Survivor arc would likely be delayed until 2027 or later, given this new timeline.

The new anime could quickly reach the same point as the old series and movies, and importantly, give the manga artist, Toyotaro, time to develop new story content. Releasing the anime now would leave fans with an unresolved cliffhanger, which isn’t ideal for the franchise. The team behind Dragon Ball needs time to plan a satisfying conclusion, especially now that Toriyama is no longer involved.

Bringing back Dragon Ball Super presents a lot of challenges, so fans will likely need to adjust their expectations. A potential new series won’t have as many episodes or be released as quickly as some might hope, as anime production has changed. Plus, without Toriyama’s involvement, it just wouldn’t feel the same.

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2025-11-28 17:13