The iconic and enduringDragon Ballfranchise entered unknown territory following Akira Toriyama’s passing in March of last year, and has remained largely silent apart from the release ofDragon Ball Daima, which was already nearly completed at the time. The series has appeared somewhat directionless without its creator,but that may not be the case for long.
In a recent financial statementreleased by Toei Animation itself, the studio reported that it would be delaying a previously scheduled unnamed full-length film. It might seem like a bad thing on the surface, but when taking into account the rumblings surrounding the series, as well as what other franchises Toei has in the wings, it’s fair to assume that the movie will beDragon Ballrelated.
Toei’s Unnamed Film Is Likely Dragon Ball
The Dormant Series Might Be Returning Sooner Than Fans Think
Toei Animation has avariety of big-name franchises under its belt, includingDragon Ball,One Piece,Sailor Moon,Digimon, and more, and its mysterious planned film could realistically belong to any of those titles. However, there’s strong reason to believe thatDragon Ball, with its behind-the-scenes rights troubles and unstable foundation,would be the likeliest series in need of a delay.
There’s alsoOne Piece, which remains one of the biggest and most profitable anime franchises ever. Neither it norDragon Ballhave had a turn on the big screen since 2022, and there’s little reason Toei wouldn’t want to revisit their biggest moneymakers as soon as they can.
IfDragon Ballis set to return with a full-length movie, it’s likely to be an all-new project from the team at Toei, led by Capsule Corporation Tokyo’s Akio Iyoku, a long-time friend and collaborator of Toriyama’s and the producer ofDragon Ball’s multimedia projects.
However, consideringOne Piecehas a variety of projects in the works, including its ongoing anime series, live-action adaptation,and remake, it would only make more sense thatDragon Balland its lack of activity would be next in line. And even if fans must wait until the tail-end of 2026 to see its return, no one is likely to complain.
What Can Fans Expect From a New Dragon Ball Movie?
The Anime Has a Number of Roads It Can Travel
Though fans would love a full continuation ofDragon Ball Super, and nothing is ever impossible,it’s highly unlikely the series returns any time soon. The ongoing dispute over its rights between Shueisha and Bird Studio, as well as friction between Shueisha and Toei Animation would make any cooperation between the parties difficult.
IfDragon Ballis set to return with a full-length movie, it’s likely to be an all-new project from the team at Toei, led by Capsule Corporation Tokyo’s Akio Iyoku, a long-time friend and collaborator of Toriyama’s andthe producer ofDragon Ball’s multimedia projects. It’s possible the film might be a continuation ofDaima, as there’s still some gap left between its finale and Beerus' arrival.
However, if the franchise wants to make a statement and assure fans that it’s here to stay, it might be best to go in an all-new direction and establishDragon Ballbeyond Akira Toriyama’s guidance. There hasn’t been much optimism surrounding the series in recent months, but Toei’s recent quiet announcement might just be a sign of life.
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
