2025 has been a rollercoaster year for Dragon Ball fans. While Dragon Ball DAIMA’s finale delivered an emotional farewell to one of the franchise’s most ambitious series yet, the rest of the year has felt rather quiet — even disappointing — for many longtime followers. Sadly, the first big update for 2026 doesn’t bring much relief either.
In a surprising announcement, the long-awaited “Dragon Ball Complete 42-Volume Double-Cover Box Set” — originally scheduled for early 2026 — has officially been delayed. This news marks yet another blow for fans still recovering from Dragon Ball Super’s ongoing manga hiatus, which has now stretched past a year and a half with no confirmed return date.
A Celebration Turned Delay: The Story Behind the 42-Volume Box Set
To commemorate Dragon Ball’s monumental 40th anniversary, publisher Shueisha planned a special collector’s edition featuring all 42 volumes of Akira Toriyama’s legendary manga — this time with dual covers drawn by some of the biggest icons in the manga industry.
Each cover was personally reimagined by legendary Shonen Jump creators, including Eiichiro Oda (One Piece), Tite Kubo (Bleach), Tatsuki Fujimoto (Chainsaw Man), and Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen). Fans worldwide were hyped for this project, which symbolized a creative reunion of the greatest mangaka paying tribute to the master who inspired them all.
The covers themselves became an instant hit online, with Shueisha even hosting an official fan vote ranking to determine which new designs resonated the most with readers. The results sparked spirited debates across social media, from nostalgic fans celebrating Goku’s early adventures to new readers rediscovering the series’ timeless art style.
Official Delay Announcement from Shueisha
Originally, the Dragon Ball Complete 42-Volume Double-Cover Box Set was set for release in Japan on February 4, 2026. However, both the V Jump Editorial Department and Saikyo Jump Editorial Department announced through the official Dragon Ball X (formerly Twitter) account that the release has been pushed back by two months.
“Thank you for reading and supporting Dragon Ball,” the statement read.
“Due to receiving an unexpected number of pre-orders, the release of the product below, originally slated for February 4, 2026, will be delayed to accommodate an increase in manufacturing time.”
The new official release date is now April 3, 2026, giving Shueisha additional time to meet the overwhelming global demand.
Global Fans Still Waiting for an International Release
At the time of writing, no official international release date has been announced. While collectors outside Japan remain eager to secure their copies, many are speculating that Shueisha might coordinate an English-language edition or limited import release later in the year — possibly aligning with future Dragon Ball DAIMA Blu-ray launches or Dragon Ball Super’s long-awaited manga return.
Even though the delay is disappointing, fans have taken comfort in the sheer level of passion behind this project. With some of the greatest manga artists in history joining forces to honor Toriyama’s legendary legacy, this box set may ultimately become one of the most treasured Dragon Ball releases of all time.
Until then, the countdown to April 2026 continues — and with it, the hope that Dragon Ball’s next era will begin stronger than ever.
