30 Years Later, Dragon Ball's New Era Is Now Better Than DBZ Ever Was

Dragon Ball has undergone a few transformations throughout its celebrated 40-plus year history. From its beginnings, following a young and energetic Goku on largely whimsical adventures in a fantasy world, to its high-flying battles on other planets against terrifying tyrannical forces, and, in recent years, fights between mortals and deities, there's little Earth's mightiest heroes haven't done, and few corners of the universe they haven't traversed.

Throughout its many forms and phases, ups and downs, including a couple of mostly failed projects after creator Akira Toriyama stepped away from the series, Dragon Ball has managed to retain its status as one of the most successful and influential anime and manga franchises in history.

That isn't likely to change, as a number of future projects were just announced earlier this year, giving fans assurance that their favorite heroes aren't done doing battle just yet. Dragon Ball is officially entering a new era in 2026, and it isn't a stretch to believe the series is far more interesting now than it ever was before.

Dragon Ball Is Setting Off in a Different Direction as It Enters a New Era

Dragon Ball Super Is Distancing Itself from the Past Entries

Dragon Ball has always been the Goku show, as it very well should be. He is the iconic mascot of not just the franchise, but of anime and manga as art forms, recognized around the world by millions. However, as Dragon Ball Super gears up for its TV return, the series will be doing something a bit different with its fighters. In the past, Goku was typically above the rest of the cast in terms of strength and fighting ability, and the rest of Earth's heroes were often stuck playing catch-up. The higher numbered Super Saiyan was best, and Goku was usually leading the pack.

In modern Dragon Ball, that's changed. No longer are the likes of Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo left helpless, waiting for Goku to arrive on the scene and save the day, breaking through his limits and setting a new standard of power. Dragon Ball Super has instead taken its fighters on their own separate but intersecting paths towards greater strength.

Goku is making use of the Angels' Ultra Instinct technique, while Vegeta is instead tapping into the Destroyers' Ultra Ego. Gohan is on his own path entirely, harnessing the rage that's defined his character throughout Dragon Ball and releasing it with his unique Beast transformation. Piccolo's Orange form is tied to his Namekian heritage and granted to him by Shenron, the dragon himself being a Namekian creation. The group's newest addition, Broly, has his own unique version of Super Saiyan that, like Gohan's Beast form, is tied to his uncontrollable rage.

Each of Dragon Ball's most powerful fighters are breaking through their limits in their own unique ways, a welcome change from past trends that will allow the four-decade-old series to remain fresh, even with the same characters hogging the spotlight.

Dragon Ball's New Era Cannot Truly Begin Until It Makes Its Manga Return

Dragon Ball will enter its post-Toriyama era this fall with the airing of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, a quasi-remake of the TV series' first arc that is expected to eventually lead into all-new content. The franchise's most popular video game series, Xenoverse, will also return with its third entry. However, this most recent revival cannot truly begin until Toyotaro and Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball Super manga returns. Despite the number of announcements, a Dragon Ball story written without the creator's involvement has yet to surface.

Until one does, Dragon Ball's future remains somewhat uncertain. Nevertheless, the franchise's upcoming anime productions will be a departure from past entries in a number of ways, and fans won't want to miss the beginning of a new era later this year, when Dragon Ball Super: Beerus makes its TV premiere.