The fate of Dragon Ball seems more uncertain than ever. After the end of the Dragon Ball Daima anime and a long hiatus from the Dragon Ball Super manga, fans are wondering. Where are Goku, Vegeta, and the other Z-Fighters? And as if that weren't enough, this new announcement reinforces the doubts.
Toyotaro is moving on
Indeed, we have learned that Toyotaro, the designated artistic heir to the saga, is launching a brand new manga. The announcement was made by Toyotaro himself at Japan Expo Paris. He presented the project alongside Kazuhiko Torishima, a famous manga editor and historical figure in Dragon Ball.
It would be an entirely original manga, independent of the Dragon Ball universe. The announcement is clear: it is neither a sequel nor a spin-off, it is something else. However, Toyotaro remained discreet about the details.
Why is it not good for Goku?
For several years, Toyotaro has played a central role in Dragon Ball Super. He drew and co-wrote the arcs with Akira Toriyama. He brought to life major sagas like the Moro arc, Granolah, or the Heaters. For many fans, he is Toriyama's rightful successor.
But with this new manga, priorities change. Toyotaro can't do everything. Working on an original creation requires time, focus, and total commitment. This means that Goku's return to the manga doesn't seem to be planned for the near future.
Furthermore, this new project comes at a time when Dragon Ball is already complicated. The manga has already been on hold since the publication of the Toriyama tribute chapter. The Dragon Ball Super anime has still not resumed since the end of the Tournament of Power. Then, the Moro and Granolah arcs have yet to be adapted for the screen. And to top it all off, no major animated projects have been confirmed, with the exception of Dragon Ball Daima, which has already been completed.
At the same time, Toei Animation is focusing its efforts on One Piece, with the Egghead arc and One Piece: Red. Goku is therefore taking a back seat, despite a still huge fanbase.
A transition after Toriyama
The death of Akira Toriyama in 2024 shook the manga universe. His influence was felt in every chapter, every scene. Since then, fans expected Toyotaro to naturally take over. But this new project changes the game.
By creating an original manga, Toyotaro seems to want to assert his own identity, and not just be "the artist of Dragon Ball Super".
Remember that Shueisha has stated that it wants to keep Dragon Ball alive for "decades to come". But without Toyotaro at the helm and without an ongoing anime, the future of the franchise remains unclear.
It is possible that a new team will take over the manga. A return of Toyotaro later, once his project is completed, is also possible. In any case, it's highly likely that there will be an extended break from the franchise, like between Dragon Ball GT and Super.
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