The Dragon Ball franchise has always been about momentum — new arcs, shocking transformations, and endless rivalries. But for the first time in years, that momentum has come to a halt. Following the passing of creator Akira Toriyama in March 2024, the Dragon Ball Super manga is now officially on hiatus until at least 2025, with no new chapters in sight. For fans used to monthly doses of Goku, Vegeta, and the Z-Fighters, this pause feels like the longest drought in the series’ history. So, why did it happen, and when can we expect Dragon Ball to return?
Why the Hiatus Happened
The Dragon Ball Super manga, drawn by Toyotarou, has been running since 2015, adapting Toriyama’s outlines into arcs like the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga and the Granolah Survivor Saga. After Toriyama’s passing, the franchise was left in uncharted waters. Toyotarou is now said to be focusing on a new original manga project, while Shueisha and Toei carefully evaluate the future of Dragon Ball without its legendary creator at the helm.
Editor Victory Uchida confirmed what many feared: there will be no new Dragon Ball Super chapters throughout 2025. This means that fans won’t see fresh storylines until 2026 at the earliest.
What This Means for Dragon Ball
This break leaves the Dragon Ball franchise in a strange position. For decades, the manga and anime worked hand-in-hand, with one fueling the other. Without the manga, a full-scale anime continuation becomes less likely, as studios often wait for consistent source material before adapting.
Still, Dragon Ball has survived long pauses before. After Dragon Ball GT ended in 1997, the series disappeared for nearly two decades before Super revived it in 2015. The current hiatus might be history repeating itself — a pause before a major comeback.
How Fans Are Reacting
Across Reddit, Twitter, and anime forums, the news has left fans divided. Some are devastated, fearing that Dragon Ball will lose its identity without Toriyama’s direct input. Others are more optimistic, arguing that the pause may give the team behind the franchise time to regroup and return stronger.
One Reddit user wrote:
“It hurts to see Dragon Ball Super on hold, but maybe this break is exactly what’s needed for the series to find a new path.”
Despite the disappointment, most agree on one thing: Dragon Ball is too iconic to simply vanish.
When Could It Return?
If the hiatus does end in 2026, the first storyline likely to appear is the much-anticipated Black Frieza arc. This saga, already teased in the manga, promises to give Goku and Vegeta their toughest challenge yet. Some insiders speculate that Shueisha might also consider bringing in new artists or collaborators alongside Toyotarou to ensure Dragon Ball’s legacy continues.
In the meantime, fans may have to rely on Dragon Ball movies, video games, and merchandise to keep the spirit alive until the manga picks up again.
Conclusion
The Dragon Ball Super manga hiatus is undeniably frustrating, but it does not mark the end of the franchise. Instead, it represents a turning point — a pause to decide what Dragon Ball should be in the post-Toriyama era. With massive global demand, unadapted manga arcs, and decades of history proving that this series always finds a way back, the question isn’t if Dragon Ball will return… but when.
👉 Do you think Dragon Ball will come back stronger in 2026, or is this pause the beginning of the end? Share your thoughts below and keep the conversation going.
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