The Legacy of Dragon Ball and the End of an Era
Dragon Ball has remained a cornerstone of anime and manga culture for over four decades. Its enduring appeal has kept it alive through countless iterations, even when it seemed like the series had reached its natural conclusion. However, with the passing of Akira Toriyama in 2025, the landscape of the franchise has changed dramatically. It’s time to reflect on what Dragon Ball has been and what it might become moving forward.
Fans Still Want to See a Lot of Things Happen in Dragon Ball Super
Despite the end of the Dragon Ball Super manga, fans continue to express their desire for more stories within the universe. The final arc, the Super Hero Saga, was an adaptation of the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, but it left many plotlines unresolved. This saga focused more on secondary characters like Gohan, Pan, and Piccolo rather than the main protagonists, Goku and Vegeta. It didn’t address the lingering questions about Black Frieza, Broly, or the Saiyans’ potential to surpass Beerus. As a result, fans are eager for the return of the series, hoping for a more satisfying conclusion.
The Dragon Ball Super Manga Didn’t Wrap Up Its Story
The lack of closure in the Dragon Ball Super manga has left many fans feeling unsatisfied. While the Super Hero Saga was well-received, it did not serve as a proper climax for the story. The narrative remains open-ended, with several unresolved arcs that fans would love to see addressed. There is a strong desire for the long-anticipated Black Frieza Saga to be the defining arc of the series, bringing closure to Frieza and Broly’s storylines while allowing Goku and Vegeta to surpass Beerus. Additionally, there is a hope that the timeline will catch up to the epilogue of Dragon Ball Z, offering a sense of completion for long-time fans.
Dragon Ball Super Never Needed to Exist in the First Place
While Dragon Ball Super has a large fanbase, it was never essential to the original Dragon Ball story. The series was created primarily as a commercial venture following the success of Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’. Unlike the original Dragon Ball manga, which was driven by passion and creativity, Dragon Ball Super felt more like a business decision. It lacks the depth and character development that made the original series so beloved. The focus on action and humor often overshadowed meaningful storytelling, making it feel hollow compared to its predecessor.
Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Will Always Be Able to Stand on Its Own
Akira Toriyama’s contributions to the Dragon Ball franchise are unparalleled. His work on the original manga and anime set a high standard that subsequent projects have struggled to meet. Without his involvement, it’s difficult to imagine how the Black Frieza Saga could live up to the expectations of fans. The series has shown little interest in exploring new storylines or developing its characters beyond surface-level interactions. With Toriyama no longer around, it’s challenging to see how the franchise can continue in a meaningful way.
There Shouldn’t Be a New Dragon Ball Anime or Manga Made Without Akira Toriyama
With the passing of Akira Toriyama, it’s clear that the original Dragon Ball story has come to an end. While the franchise is too popular to disappear entirely, it’s time for it to move in a new direction. The future of Dragon Ball doesn’t necessarily need to include Dragon Ball Super. Fans should recognize that the original series has already provided a complete and satisfying narrative. Any new content must honor the legacy of the original manga and anime, rather than simply capitalizing on nostalgia.
Dragon Ball is Too Popular to Ever Stop Receiving New Content in General
Even if the manga is over, Dragon Ball will continue to thrive as a cultural phenomenon. The franchise has proven that it can remain active without new stories being told. The 2000s saw a variety of successful video game releases, and the decade also featured remakes like Dragon Ball Z Kai and special events such as Yo! Son Goku and His Friends Return!!. These examples show that Dragon Ball can still engage fans without new narratives. The next decade could bring even more exciting developments, including a long-awaited remake of the original Dragon Ball and new video game titles that honor the legacy of the series.
The End of an Era
Ultimately, Dragon Ball Super has run its course, and with the passing of Akira Toriyama, it’s time to say goodbye to the ongoing adventures of Goku and his friends. The series has always had open-ended conclusions, and there will never be one true, final battle. Like the original anime, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT before it, Dragon Ball Super has reached its natural conclusion. While fans may miss the stories and characters, it’s important to remember that the legacy of Dragon Ball lives on, and its impact will continue to inspire generations of fans.