Dragon Ball in Summer 2025

Dragon Ball is currently at a point of many question marks regarding its future. Let me share some of my thoughts about what's going on and not going on recently.

With no update regarding legal battle between Shueisha and Iyoku – as well as no longer having Toriyama with us – things seems stuck. Out of curiosity I wanted to check where that new company actually is and it's actually not that far from Shueisha. A big office building near Kudanshita station and not far from the Nippon Budokan where the the "DBS Broly" premiere in 2018 was held – around that period I was commuting to work in that area actually quite often. In August was in the area again and walked a bit around. That building has a nice lounge on the first floor and also terraces accessible for anyone. Office area of course has restricted entry, so I couldn't actually see the company name written on a sign or something.

What I didn't know until recently though is that "Capsule Corporation Tokyo" appears in the credits of Sparking Zero as "Supervision". Akio Iyoku and two of his employees are mentioned. The same ones which appeared with him in previous games like Sand Land or Kakarot DLCs (but still under Shueisha). The announcement for the next Battle Hour in April next year actually mentions CC Tokyo as well. Are things going forward or just some deal they could find for time being?

Anyway, while that's going on the DBS manga remains to be on break. But at least Toyotarou is in the public eye more than ever. In May I could actually see him for the first time at an autograph session for a Super Divers event in Makuhari. I knew I had to be early in the morning to be one of the 40 people in line, but was hard to judge for a little event at an Aeon Mall. I just returned from a trip from Kyoto the night before, but still made it for 7AM at the line, but "number 40" seemingly only arrived like 10-15 minutes earlier according X posts of people waiting in line. Anyway, I could join the "Kasai line" and got his shikishi at least. For Toyotarou's session me and a friend found a nice spot from a few floors up, where we could also see the backstage area with Toyotarou arriving there with Uchida (who I first didn't recognize without the yellow hat and he was completely dressed in black).

In Juli I went to JUMP Victory Carnival and again had a chance for getting a drawing from Toyotarou. In the morning you could pick a number and in the afternoon you could check on a board whether your numbers was drawn. Out of 3000 people only around 110 got the chance, the chances were low anyway. While signing the shikishis one by one I followed the session from distances. Along with Toyotarou also Victory Uchida and Victory Asada were on stage talking about each Dragon Ball Super manga cover one by one. I actually met Victory Uchida for a photo earlier – which Victory Asada taking it.

My overall impression is that the manga is intended to continue at some point. The spine image is current stuck at Shimorekka which Toyotarou mentioning had drawn it already for a few volumes ahead. And other vague comments appear like things should continue. But for various reasons they seemingly can't at the moment. And I do hope that Toyotarou actually gets the chance to finish it. The "limbo" right now is not ideal though. It could be a good chance to complete the "Resurrection F" portion, doing "Broly" or finally bringing out Victory Mission a collected volume with some extra pages. Or are they even not allowed to do that?

The interesting thing is that Toyotarou seemingly avoids anything with Daima. No special illustrations or comments (except that he watched it). His monthly drawings would be a good chance to do so, but it seems purposely avoided. Personally I'd like to see a Daima manga as well to have Toyo's take on it and possibility to fix some things, but that ship probably has sailed as well.

So what's next then? I could imagine Iyoku pushing for the next movie for which possibly already a script exists. If so, when would it take place? I could see it being after the original manga ending and Goku already training with Uub. Or even a continuation of Daima? There are many options, plus of course still the adaptation from the manga original DBS arcs.

Here's a rough idea what I would do (if the rights are clear):
- bringing DBS anime back in 2026, starting with an extended version of Broly and a Jaco TV special before heading to Moro
- Manga to return with a bigger arc involving many universes, Frieza, Zalama etc. 
- new movie in 2027 with a story involving Goku and Uub
- manga to reach the 28th tournament in 2028/29 (doing it from Uub's perspective) and then adapt the movie. 
- manga to follow DBO timeline as a base with additional content going forward
- anime should have plenty of content for a few years (including all adaptations and additional filler etc).
- Bonus: a DB Legends movie or mini-series about Saiyan history

I doubt things will go that way, but I'm not that negative about possible breaks. The last arc in Slam Dunk took about 25 years to get adapted, with Bleach more than 10 years ... Not the same respective situations, but things will come eventually. 

Thanks for reading.

Daima History and DBS Future

A lot of things are happening regarding the lore recently, so let me go through my current thoughts.

Let's start with Planet Kaishin (界芯惑). I think it's very cool seeing lore from the Super Exciting Guide (2009) used in the actual series. In the guidebook it's seemingly rather placed somewhere in the "universe ball", but in Daima it's part of the second Demon World. Also having the world trees (界樹) from which the Shin-jin/Glinds are born. Was nice to see some images, let's hope to get more soon.

A look at the timeline

Alright, let me try to put the new information into the official timeline:
When did Rymes created the universes? Based on information we have at least several 100 million years ago. Several Glinds must have been appointed to their God positions throughout the universes back then. North Kaio's planet is confirmed to have existed 100 million years ago and Beerus claims to be several hundreds of million years old (except he exaggerated in DBS Episode 5). At least he has been alive 75 million years ago when he sealed away the Old Kaioshin from 15 generations ago. And that Old Kaioshin seemingly told Namekians then to only use the Dragon Balls for their own planet... So I guess he meant their original planet in the Second Demon Realm?

Then 10 million years ago the Daikaioshin and the South Kaioshin were fighting Moro. Actually Moro coming from the Demon Realm makes now even more sense, as they could move freely between the worlds back then. During the manga serialization I wondered about his backstory, but in hindsight probably a clever move to keep it for the possible anime return (if that ever happens). Fans who didn't read the DBS manga but watched Daima are already familiar with the Demon Realm and it could be nice having some flashback or extra dialogue for the anime version.

Then at some point the demon king Abura decided to put some stricter travelling rules in place, leading to the remaining Glinds leaving their planet in the Second Demon World (also because their trees were no longer good). Following these events Shin/Nahare arrived in U7 and got appointed as the East Kaioshin. We can say for certain that at least the South Kaioshin was already there with the Daikaioshin, maybe even as an apprentice? Possibly the other two joined together with Nahare and the Daikaioshin introduced a South/North/East/West system for the time being?

5 million years ago, Marba created Buu at Bibidi's request which led to big damage in the Demon Realm. Then Bibidi and Buu moved further to Universe 7 where also planets got destroyed. Following that Buu attacked the Kaioshins in their realm - killed two and absorbed two. Nahare survived and ultimately managed to kill Bibidi and hide the sealed away Buu on Earth. That entire Kaioshin story would be an interesting flashback Toyotaro could give us in manga form one day.

Then we have the Namekians who escaped seemingly a few ten thousand years ago. Suffering from slavery and no longer wanting to be rules over, they went to Universe 7 (and possibly Universe 6).

Piccolo's father Katatz was also among them, meaning he was also older than we expected Namekians to be (so far it was like 300 - 500 years). Maybe the Namekian Grand Elder was a similar generation and also experienced the transition to Universe 7 in younger years. 

I guess it makes sense so far, but I'm a bit worried that they may didn't consider Shin/Nahare's age of being at least 5 million years (based on the Buu events). Sometimes it sounds like the Namekians escaped the Demon Realm at a similar time as Shin, but that doesn't match with their lifespan. It's actually already longer. Let's see if we can some explanations later on, but yeah, things to keep an eye on.

Piccolo forgetting Namekian language

About languages you sometimes say "if you don't use it, you lose it". But Piccolo not knowing Namekian anymore does seem a bit strange. Especially since he used it at the 23rd Tenkaichi Budokai - same as his then-"other half" God, who even remembered after almost 500 years. He fused with Nail, who certainly spoke it as well. With Daima taking place about 10-15 years after these events, it's interesting that he suddenly forgot. Of course he spent more time on Earth in recent years... Or let's just say he is not confident enough getting a wish phrasing together or he purposely wants to bring Neva along. We'll find out I guess.

Where is the story heading?

Now with all three Demon Realm Dragon Balls collected a confrontation is inevitable. Dr. Arinsu with her own goals and Gomah probably having to intervene. We will probably head to the First Demon Realm soon and the parties will clash. And Hybis seemingly having the "Third Eye" could become a target for Gomah, who certainly has some hidden powers. The last few episodes had some quite quick progress, so I'm curious if even more characters could get involved. And a bug fusion will certainly happen, but I don't expect Vegetto, rather Goku with Shin possibly. The last trailer actually already told us: Neva will summon the dragon "Dorusie", but that doesn't mean anything, as nobody in the other parties speaks Namekian, so he may got even forced.

And what's up with the DBS manga?

I feel like there would have been a break after Chapter 103 last March anyway, but with Toriyama's death it may became a longer one than expected - or maybe also related to the rights situation (Iyoku vs Shueisha) in the background. Anyway, the DBS manga will be back in February with a story about Trunks and Clean God - basically a prequel of the Super Hero prequel. It is advertised as a one-shot, so it's not Chapter 104, but probably the quickest way to get Vol. 24 out for now. But why? Wanting to make a clear cut for Dragon Ball Super without Toriyama-involvement? If a new arc was coming soon, it would have made more sense getting one chapter from that into Vol. 24 instead.

Or is Toyotaro gonna start a Daima adaption from March/April which would ensure that Super won't continue this year. Personally I wouldn't mind getting Toyotaro's take on Daima, but after the reception of the Super Hero manga adapation it might not be a popular call - but it would keep Daima alive beyond its initial run (if it's actually ending in March with 20 episodes in total).

The DBS manga itself is at an interesting place right now. Certainly another arc can be added before connecting it with the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai. Especially with Frieza being alive, open questions about Zalama or even Yamoshi. Or more from other universes like Sadala in U6 for example -  the possibilities seem endless. 

And rumors about a final Toriyama movie are still there, it certainly plays a role when that one takes place. We should know more in the upcoming months, especially with Iyoku having teased stuff last week.