Fans of Dragon Ball Super who have been patiently holding on for the next chapter might have to wait much longer than expected. The beloved manga has been in an extended period of silence with no real progress since the passing of Akira Toriyama in 2024. The only new content since then has been a short prequel story based on Super Hero. That chapter, guided by notes left behind by Toriyama, was the last major update the franchise received. And now, new developments suggest the series may not be returning any time soon.
A recent announcement on the official website of Japan Expo Paris has stirred speculation across the community. Toyotaro, the artist and spiritual successor chosen by Toriyama to lead Dragon Ball Super, is set to appear at the event with a major reveal. According to the event listing, he will be speaking about his first ever original manga project, something completely independent of the Dragon Ball universe.
This revelation opens up multiple possibilities. It could be a small project or a one shot he created just for the panel. If that is the case, fans can relax. But if it is the beginning of a full length original series, it may confirm that Dragon Ball Super is not returning in the near future. Toyotaro shifting his focus away from Dragon Ball could mean the manga will remain in limbo for even longer.
Since the release of the Super Hero prequel, the series has not seen any forward movement. This has left fans increasingly anxious about its future. While the manga's usual publication slot in the magazine remains reserved, there has been no clear update from Shueisha or Toyotaro on when the series might return. The lack of news, coupled with Toyotaro’s new focus, is raising more questions than answers.
Legal complications may also be part of the reason for the delay. There are reports of unresolved issues surrounding the rights to Dragon Ball that could be holding back production. These kinds of obstacles would explain the long silence, even if the publishers still intend to revive the manga eventually.
Even if Toyotaro releases a brilliant original work, it may still disappoint Dragon Ball fans who are waiting for more of Goku, Vegeta, and the stories left untold in the manga. The Granolah arc and other narrative threads remain unadapted, and the anime’s future is just as uncertain.
Until more information becomes available, fans will have to rely on small glimpses like the Japan Expo panel to understand what direction the franchise may take. For now, the message is clear. The return of Dragon Ball Super may not happen as soon as people had hoped.
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