Dragon Ball will continue about 50 years more

[Goe]

Dragon Ball Has No Plans to End Anytime Soon, But What's On the Horizon?

For nearly four decades, Dragon Ball has remained one of the most iconic and beloved anime franchises in the world. From Akira Toriyama's original manga to multiple anime series, video games, and merchandise, the franchise has continually evolved, finding new ways to capture the imaginations of fans. With Dragon Ball Super maintaining its relevance and Dragon Ball Daima constantly creating new excitement, it is clear that the series is far from over.

While some long-running anime franchises eventually reach a natural endpoint, Dragon Ball continues to expand in multiple directions. A recent statement from Dragon Ball Daima producer Akio Iyoku, a close collaborator of Akira Toriyama, suggests that they envision the franchise thriving for another 50 years.

Basically, Daima is viewed as an anime, but depending on the country and region, Dragon Ball is as big as live-action dramas, so how do you launch it there? I care about that. I'm not thinking within the framework of only anime.

Anime and video games can't be made quickly, so it still takes time. While preparing the future, we are trying to develop it. Dragon Ball will continue. It should be a beloved work for 50 more years and beyond."

This commitment to longevity raises an important question about what the future holds for Dragon Ball. Between anime projects, video games, and global expansion strategies, the franchise’s next steps promise to be just as thrilling as its past.

Dragon Ball Daima and the Future of the Anime

The Evolution of Dragon Ball’s Anime Legacy

The current anime series Dragon Ball Daima has been a huge success. Unlike previous series like Dragon Ball Super, which continued Goku’s adventures in a straightforward fashion, Daima appears to take a different approach. With Toriyama himself closely involved, the project is attempting to deliver a fresh take on the Dragon Ball universe. Its worldwide launch strategy suggests that the franchise is evolving to appeal to a new generation of fans.

One of the biggest challenges in launching a new Dragon Ball series is balancing nostalgia with new content. Daima aims to have a storyline that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. To do this, the series has introduced new characters and power-ups while revisiting familiar themes that made Dragon Ball legendary. By continuing to push creative boundaries, Daima could redefine the anime’s direction for years to come.

Video Games and Expanding the Franchise

Dragon Ball’s Video Game Legacy Continues

Beyond anime, Dragon Ball has a strong presence in the gaming industry. Titles like Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dragon Ball Xenoverse have kept fans playing after years, while new projects like Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero continue to push the boundaries of what the franchise can achieve in interactive entertainment. With game development requiring significant time and resources, the franchise's producers are ensuring that upcoming titles maintain the series’ legacy of exciting gameplay.

A key factor in Dragon Ball’s video game success is its ability to reinvent itself while staying true to its roots. Games based on the franchise often introduce fresh mechanics, expanded rosters, and refined combat systems, keeping fans invested in both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Future releases are likely to focus on enhancing open-world exploration and deeper character interactions, building upon the foundation laid by Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero and other recent titles.

Dragon Ball's gaming appeal also expands far beyond the anime fan base. Fighting game communities worldwide have embraced Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, solidifying the franchise's place in competitive gaming. As technology advances, it only makes sense that Dragon Ball will take their games to new gaming platforms and virtual reality, improving on their online capabilities. Video games have been a huge help in bringing the Dragon Ball universe to life in ways never seen before, and that can only be expected to continue.

The Global Future of Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball’s Worldwide Appeal and Expansion

One of the most interesting aspects of Dragon Ball's longevity is its ability to transcend cultural barriers. While originally created for a Japanese audience, the series has become a global phenomenon, with passionate fan bases across North America, Latin America, Europe, and beyond. The franchise’s producers recognize this international appeal and are developing strategies to ensure Dragon Ball remains a global powerhouse for decades to come.

This approach involves more than just anime and video games, it extends to merchandising, theatrical releases, and even live-action Dragon Ball adaptations. Dragon Ball has become a cultural icon, akin to major Hollywood franchises. All of that, paired with the statement that Dragon Ball is planned to last another 50 years, suggests a long-term commitment to expansion. Whether through collaborations with major streaming platforms, international dubbing efforts, or theme park attractions, Dragon Ball is set to continue evolving in ways that keep it relevant for future generations. The franchise is not just growing, it is adapting to an ever-changing entertainment landscape.

A Franchise with No End in Sight

What Is Next for Dragon Ball?

Dragon Ball has proven time and time again that it has the staying power to remain one of the most influential anime franchises in history. With Dragon Ball Daima introducing a new chapter, video games expanding the interactive experience, and a dedicated global strategy in place, the series shows no signs of slowing down. Its ability to create new content while maintaining the core elements that made it a classic ensures that Dragon Ball will continue to thrive.

As long as there is demand for high-energy battles, character growth, and an ever-expanding universe, Dragon Ball will remain at the forefront of anime and pop culture. With plans already in motion for the franchise to last another 50 years, one thing is certain and that is that Goku’s journey is far from over, and fans can look forward to many more adventures to come.

Summary

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.

Source: https://screenrant.com/dragon-ball-futu ... ars-op-ed/

Personal opinion: I would have preferred them to stop it, although I always end up giving everything a chance, as I don't like the nostalfan attitude at all. I always be against nostalfan attitude but anyway, I feel that since Z ended in the 90s, almost everything has been highly criticisable for one thing or another.

I didn't like GT at all, and it may be a general thing as I said here

Apart from my experience, there is an article in this web saying it was an absolute failure. This article started a debate in another thread but I guess is true because it fits with my personal experience.

Then with Super, well... the first chapters of the anime are very badly animated, the humour doesn't work (for me, humour in DB worked when Goku is an ignorant kid, but when as an adult he's still a joke character, I feel it's no longer appropriate when he's become a mass idol), and the transformations seem ridiculous to me. In the 90's Toriyama came up with the blond transformation that made you stronger and it was an original idea, but ‘now red and he's stronger than blond, now blue and he's even stronger, now white and even more, and Vegeta gets purple hair and he's even stronger’... seriously, it's tiring and unoriginal. I still liked it better than GT on a script level, but for me the worst thing about Super was contradicting Bardock's special, which is beautiful. Before it wasn't canon but it wasn't a lie either... now it's a lie... I have been a great Bardock fan since 90s so that disappointed me a lot. Apart from my personal preferences, there are 2 inconsistencies between what we see in Minus/DBSB and the 90's manga:
1) Bardock doesn't have the same clothes
2) In DBSB Freezer doesn't see Bardock because they're too far apart and he only sees a dot, and in the manga you can see that he saw him.

And then with Daima, the canon contradicts itself again: we no longer know if after SSJ3 comes SSJ4 or SSJGod, nor do we know why he didn't transform into SSJ4 against Beerus if he had transformed into Daima.

My favourite era, as a fan, is the 2000s. There were no new manga or anime that could do things to expand the lore in a way that we didn't like, but there were video games coming out that were very faithful to the original anime, sometimes with cool what ifs or expanding the story to give more play time, but without adding significant lore (example of what significant lore would be: new transformations. They werent in games). For example in BT2 the what if of Zarbon and the beauty is very funny, the one of Raditz is emotional and the one of Goku Vs Vegeta because Bu doesn't appear is something we all wanted to see in one way or another.

As far as I'm concerned, they could have done nothing else, because since Goku left with Oob I find a lot of flaws with everything that's come after. But I'm not the centre of the world. Despite of that, I might start the post-Toriyama manga or anime they keep creating, or I might not, depending on what I feel like. I stopped GT at episode 43, I stopped the Super anime at episode 5 but I read the manga until the Universal Survival Tournament and, about Daima, I've watched the whole thing and I specially enjoyed the last 3 chapters. What makes me follow it or leave it is if I still want to watch it or if I don't want to. I guess that's how I'll keep going.

This is how I see this but as I have already pointed, I am not the center of the world, what do you think about, mates of DB-love?

[JulieYBM]

Maybe it's because the article is just weirdly written, but I feel like there...just wasn't really anything new being said? Popular franchises go on forever—it's the evil woes of our capitalistic society. There was never any question to whether we would get new Dragon Ball. We will. When? Probably within a few years, people just need to be patient and wait. Check back around major anniversaries. Go do something else with your time, it's worth it!

[Dragon Ball Ireland]

Popular franchises go on forever—it's the evil woes of our capitalistic society.

Dragon Ball is like the antidote to my depression. It's been better than any amount of medication or therapy (though those have helped too) and always got me through the worst of times so for me new content will always be a delight. Of course there will be times I need to take a break and experience other things, but I will always come back to Dragon Ball and welcome more of it with open arms.

[Vegeta th3 4th]

I think Dragon Ball as a brand name will continue forever. By that I mean merchandise, video games, cards, etc... As for new story content, I think that's up in the air right now following Toriyama's tragic passing. Considering how no one has said anything since Toriyama's passing last year, they may be hesitant to move ahead without him. Toei and Bandai wanted to make a new anime all the way back in 2008, but they scrapped the idea when Toriyama wouldn't get involved. Although I think we will get new story content, I also believe there is a chance we won't.

[sangofe]

To me it's obvious they will keep Dragon Ball alive. How long, however, who knows? They might kill it off themselves by doing sub par content. I hope Kanzenshuu will make an article about all these interviews with Iyoku. A podcast would be nice, too. A serious, french youtuber that actually cross checked the english translation with japanese to french posted a video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuSUMan ... aikyoDevin

[GurixDr34]

There was a time when i dreamed of seeing a new Anime of Goku and his friends fighting new Villains seeing new transformations that seemed like something impossible so I'm happy to see more Dragon Ball content yes some things arent perfect but its always good to have more adventures from this Universe there is not other Anime or franchise like Dragonball in fact i would like Goku and Vegeta to never age something similar to the Simpsons facing new Villains to always see how far they can go but i would have also liked to see Goku and Vegeta retire die or give the leading role to their successors Gohan Goten Trunks Pan Uub but i think we would all be happy with just having Goku and Vegeta as the Main Heroes forever

[Vegeta th3 4th]

To me it's obvious they will keep Dragon Ball alive. How long, however, who knows? They might kill it off themselves by doing sub par content.

They need to take time off to plan things out and figure out the best direction for the franchise. I believe GT would've been far better had they taken a few years off to plan it out more properly rather than rushing it out a week after Z's ending. I really hope this doesn't happen again.

[taikufuru]

When talking about Dragon Ball, I will always refer to Akira Toriyama's original work and the animated adaptation that aired between 1986 and 1997. What comes after that is a fun and fascinating bonus in many ways, but I don't treat these two eras of the franchise the same way.

It's like Harry Potter: the seven books are what really matter. If they make a new game, a play or something like that, it doesn't interfere in any way with the original work for me.

If more Dragon Ball content comes, I just hope it's good and wins over new fans, as it has been for the most part since 2008.

[Thanos]

I don't find that particularly difficult to believe. Dragon Ball was doing okay in the post-GT, pre-BoG era. There's been an insane amount of new content since then; the recent films did well, Daima did well, and Sparking Zero just did gangbuster numbers. Even if it isn't always active per se, I'm sure it will still be in the public consciousness in 50 years. Every generation since its debut has found an audience of children who became obsessed with it in a way that never really leaves you.

[Vegeta th3 4th]

When talking about Dragon Ball, I will always refer to Akira Toriyama's original work and the animated adaptation that aired between 1986 and 1997. What comes after that is a fun and fascinating bonus in many ways, but I don't treat these two eras of the franchise the same way.

I never understood how anyone could look at the two eras and claim they're one and the same. It makes even less sense when you take into account the 15+ year gap separating the two.

[taikufuru]

I think it's because no one has ever officially talked about it. Also, Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F' carry over the same name of the TV series, as well as Dragon Ball Super trying hard to be a "legitimate sequel" to Dragon Ball Z, taking the place of Dragon Ball GT and referencing characters and events from the original series. Which doesn't mean it's exactly that, but it leaves room for interpretation.

In retrospect, I think Dragon Ball Daima does a better job than Dragon Ball Super as a standalone sequel to the Buu Saga without clinging to the original brand and content of the older TV series.