A Calm Before the Next Big Chapter, Dragon Ball Super has been silent for a while. Fans are waiting, asking the same question — when will it return?
Recent updates from Japan finally give us a clearer picture. The manga will not return in 2025, and the next phase looks set for 2026.
This delay has reasons that go far beyond simple scheduling. It’s a mix of emotions, creative shifts, and new beginnings inside the Dragon Ball team.
The Loss That Changed Everything
When Akira Toriyama passed away, it created a deep gap in the heart of the series.
Toriyama was not only the creator, he was also the quiet guide behind every chapter of Dragon Ball Super. His notes, corrections, and story ideas shaped how Toyotarou continued the manga.
After his passing, the team had to step back. They wanted to decide how to move forward with respect, care, and balance.
It was never about rushing a new chapter. It was about protecting the world Toriyama built for more than 40 years.
Toyotarou Speaks: “Not Impossible, But Not Easy”
In an interview shared by Animehunch, Toyotarou said continuing Dragon Ball Super without Toriyama is “not impossible, but not easy.”
That one line says everything.
Toyotarou worked side by side with Toriyama for almost a decade. He used Toriyama’s outlines, drafts, and story notes.
Now, he faces the task of writing and drawing with his own judgment. It’s a heavy responsibility. The delay shows that he wants to get it right, not just fast.
A New Project in the Shadows
During this break, Toyotarou is also developing a new original manga.
According to multiple Japanese sources, the project is something personal — a story he has wanted to tell for years.
This new work doesn’t mean he has left Dragon Ball. It’s more like he’s recharging his creativity before returning with stronger ideas.
For Dragon Ball fans, this is good news. It means the artist is growing and preparing himself to lead the story into a new era, not just copying the old formula.
Editor Confirms: No Return in 2025
The editor of Dragon Ball Super confirmed through Diario AS that the manga will not come back in 2025.
He mentioned that the team is aiming for 2026, but without rushing the process.
This shows that Toei, Shueisha, and the production side are aligning everything for a bigger relaunch.
They want the story, art, and timing to match a possible new anime or film release window.
A Timeline of Events
2023: Super Hero Arc ends. Fans expect a new saga soon.
March 2024: Akira Toriyama passes away. The manga halts production.
Mid 2024: Toyotarou begins work on his new project.
Late 2024: Fans expect news, but editors confirm delay.
2025: Team focuses on restructuring and creative planning.
2026: Target window for the next chapter and possible anime revival.
This timeline makes sense when we see how major studios handle flagship series. Dragon Ball is too valuable to restart without the right story and message.
What This Means for Fans
Fans may feel impatient, but this pause could become the most important break in the history of Dragon Ball.
It allows the new generation of creators to build something that honors Toriyama while moving the story into the future.
When the next chapter arrives, it will likely carry a different energy — a mix of memory, respect, and fresh creative power.
For now, all we can do is wait, support the team, and keep the Dragon Ball spirit alive.
Final Words
The Dragon Ball Super pause is not a sign of the end. It’s a moment of reflection and rebuilding.
Toyotarou, the editors, and Toei Animation are preparing for a return that feels right, not rushed.
If 2026 is truly the comeback year, it could mark the start of a new era — one led by the next generation, built on Toriyama legacy.
