Dragon Ball Is Officially Switching Genres In 2027, And It Will Be Epic

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Dragon Ball Super The Galactic Patrol with Goku Merus and Moro

Published May 29, 2026, 9:00 PM EDT

An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.

His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.

One of the coolest aspects about Akira Toriyama's creative flexibility with Dragon Ball was always in how it'd produce utterly game-changing developments, even for the silliest of reasons from behind the scenes. Fortunately for Toriyama, these creative shake-ups were eventually not simple time-savers like Super Saiyan hair coloring or removing Saiyan tails, and by the time of Dragon Ball Super, his creative successor, Toyotaro, took some bold, exciting swings in the name of worldbuilding and lore. But next year, with the return of Dragon Ball Super's anime, fans will soon see a true genre evolution readers know all too well.

Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol is the long-awaited televised return of new Dragon Ball Super adventures set to follow the Beerus movie re-cut. Announced earlier this year, it was easily the most well-received reveal from January 2026's Genkidamatsuri event, animating the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga for the first time ever, which was coincidentally the first arc Toyotaro created. But while it's shouted out for crucial qualities like bringing great character development for Goku and particularly Vegeta, as well as letting other Z-Fighters shine, Dragon Ball Super's big anime return marks a big genre shift that'll affect the next couple of arcs for the series.

Dragon Ball Super's Anime Is Making A Big Genre Change For Its Return

Super Saiyan Blue Goku as seen in Dragon Ball Super

Following the release of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus later in 2026, the anticipated 2027 release window for The Galactic Patrol will launch an exciting new era for the anime. While fans have certainly enjoyed the series as it improved its narrative stability following the disappointing ending of the "Future" Trunks Saga into some truly viral moments by the end of the Tournament of Power. In addition to enjoyable experiences brought by the Broly and Super Hero movies from recent years, Dragon Ball Super has remained comfortably enjoyable as a battle shonen series with confidence in its martial arts elements and use of multiverse gimmicks.

However, for those perhaps seeking something new, and especially as a way to inspire confidence in Toyotaro should Dragon Ball Super continue, the next arc the anime adapts will firmly step into Space Opera territory. While longtime Dragon Ball readers and viewers are familiar with its use of sci-fi aspects, particularly during the Namek Saga, the series' soft sci-fi components were often just window dressing to add the gravitas of interplanetary conquerors. Goku and the Z-Fighters didn't really linger in other corners of the galaxy between, aside from minor/filler detours such as Fake Namek or a Frieza 79 pit-stop. Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol is a true interstellar adventure.

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Following Android 17's salvation of the multiverse as they knew it, Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol kicks off with the kidnapping of Majin Buu and capture of Goku and Vegeta by the eponymous Galactic Patrol. Fans familiar with Jaco will be delighted to see him play a greater supporting role in this arc, but it'll also include the key introduction of Merus, as they recruit Goku and Vegeta in their efforts to subdue and recapture a dangerous, ancient, planet-eating alien wizard who escaped the Galactic Prison.

This interplanetary saga lends itself to classic space opera tropes, particularly of interstellar adventure, classic good vs. evil conflicts, and a blend of soft sci-fi and mysticism, particularly with a key return of Yardrat mentioned back in Dragon Ball Z's Trunks Saga. Even this arc isn't the only one ahead to feature space opera elements, with the Granolah the Survivor Saga stacking a revenge aspect on top of it. While the initial beats of this arc include familiar plot beats like a race against the villain to track down the Namekian Dragon Balls, it feels deeply unique, especially as battles take place both on planets and across the stars, as Goku and friends face a truly monstrous enemy.

The Galactic Patrol Pursues The Most Ghoulish Dragon Ball Villain Since Cell

Warning: Minor Spoilers Ahead for Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol!The nightmarish introduction of Dragon Ball Z's Imperfect Cell was truly the closest the franchise ever approached to a horror villain, leaving a hauntingly empty Gingertown with nothing but its citizens' clothes behind as Cell absorbs their bodies into his. Now, in the case of Planet-Eater Moro, Dragon Ball Super brought a high-concept, multiversal-level threat capable of absorbing life energy not just from sentient beings, but also turning 320 planets into lifeless husks.

Initially meant to be imprisoned after terrorizing the universe 10 million years ago, Moro is the perfect space opera villain, a wizard who could cause interplanetary devastation while replenishing on the life force of others. Moro felt far more imposing than any Dragon Ball Super villain before, and although some characters like Zamasu came close, Moro's combined ability to absorb Ki and, in the case of Seven-Three, various abilities including power mimicry, made him as powerful as he was ghoulish. Happy to absorb the life of even the most defenseless creatures up close, Moro is a perfectly evil, imposing Dragon Ball villain anime-only viewers will positively love.

Happy to absorb the life of even the most defenseless creatures up close, Moro is a perfectly evil, imposing Dragon Ball villain anime-only viewers will positively love.

But what's more interesting, in using Moro to prop up a great, interplanetary clash of good and evil, is in who this particularly sets up among the "good guys" in Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol.

Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol Uses Its Supporting Characters Brilliantly

It's easy to love Dragon Ball, particularly for Goku fans, as he's generously endowed with enough plot armor to withstand a nuclear apocalypse. But in this arc, Goku gets to demonstrate fairly succinctly that his growth, particularly a return of his Ultra Instinct form, were all possible by conditioning his body to be able to handle it. It's plot armor, for sure, but it also feels earned, especially in the face of an enemy who can absorb power on a cosmic scale akin to drawing ki like a Spirit Bomb. But Goku hardly feels like the only star worth recognizing in Dragon Ball Super's Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga.

Vegeta easily gets some of his best moments in the entire franchise in this arc, so fans will be ecstatic to see how much he has grown. It's not even subtle, with Piccolo precisely spelling out to Goku that not only is Vegeta a better fighter, he's a better person, willing to atone for the atrocities he committed up to and including the Frieza Saga. Instead of cruelty in the face of Namekians, Vegeta not only showed mercy, but an active, dutiful dedication to preventing any further harm to their race. It's frankly awesome to see, and he also gets one of the most rewarding training arcs in Dragon Ball history, even if the abilities he gains aren't nearly as flashy as usual.

It's not even subtle, with Piccolo precisely spelling out to Goku that not only is Vegeta a better fighter, he's a better person, willing to atone for the atrocities he committed up to and including the Frieza Saga.

Beyond Goku and Vegeta, though, characters like Merus will quickly shine for what they bring to the table, and for longtime Dragon Ball fans, the Z-Fighters return in a big way as they help take down Moro's allies. Even Yamcha gets a moment to redeem himself in the eyes of fans, confirming once again he's one of the three strongest earthlings around, and he has the audacity to say it while still not winding up face-down in a crater.

Dragon Ball · Character Profile Which Dragon Ball Character Are You? “Power comes in response to a need, not a desire.”

👊 Goku The Fighter

👑 Vegeta The Prince

🧘 Piccolo The Mentor

POWER UP →

A powerful new enemy appears. What’s your first reaction?

AThis is amazing! I can’t wait to fight them and see how strong they are! BI’ll defeat them myself. No one else is worthy of the challenge. CWe need a plan. Rushing in blindly is how people get killed.

How do you train for an upcoming battle?

AFind the strongest sparring partner I can and push myself past my limits every day BTrain alone in isolation — I don’t need anyone holding me back CMeditate, study the enemy’s weaknesses, and train the younger fighters so they’re ready too

Your team is losing a fight. What do you do?

AJump in front of everyone — I’ll take the hits so my friends can regroup BGet angry. I refuse to lose — my pride won’t allow it. I’ll surpass my limits right here. CFall back and coordinate — someone needs to think clearly while everyone else is panicking

A rival challenges you to a one-on-one fight. How do you respond?

AAbsolutely! Let’s go right now — no holding back! BFinally, a chance to prove I am the strongest. I accept — and I will crush you. CIf it serves a purpose, fine. But pointless fighting is a waste of energy.

An old enemy offers to join your side. What do you do?

AI don’t trust them — once an enemy, always an enemy. They’ll betray us. BSure! Everyone deserves a second chance. The more friends the better! CI’ll allow it, but I’m watching them closely. Trust is earned, not given.

What’s your biggest weakness?

AI’m too trusting and sometimes let enemies power up just for the thrill of the fight BMy pride — I’d rather die than accept help from someone else CI keep everyone at arm’s length — caring about people is a liability I struggle with

You sense a massive power level approaching Earth. What’s your move?

AFly straight toward it — I want to meet them first and see what they’re made of BPrepare myself — if this threat is real, I’ll be the one to destroy it CGather the fighters, assess the threat, and make sure the people I protect are safe first

What drives you more than anything?

AProtecting those who can’t protect themselves — someone has to be the responsible one BThe thrill of getting stronger — there’s always a new level to reach, a new challenge to find CProving my worth — I am the Prince of all Saiyans, and I will surpass everyone

REVEAL MY CHARACTER →

Power Level Scanned Your Dragon Ball Identity

👊

Goku

“I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace.” You’re a pure-hearted warrior who lives for the thrill of the fight. Every challenge is an opportunity, every enemy a potential friend, and every defeat just fuel to come back stronger. People are drawn to your infectious optimism and unbreakable spirit, even when your naivety drives them crazy. You’d give your last Senzu Bean to a stranger and charge headfirst into a battle you can’t win — not because you’re reckless, but because you genuinely believe that pushing past your limits is the only way to grow. Like Goku, your greatest power isn’t your ki — it’s your ability to inspire everyone around you to be better.

Pure-Hearted Fearless Limitless Inspiring

👑

Vegeta

“I do not fear this new challenge. Rather like a true warrior, I will rise to meet it.” You carry yourself with the pride of royalty and the ferocity of a born warrior. Second place is not in your vocabulary, and you’d rather break your body than your spirit. People might call you arrogant, but beneath that iron exterior lies someone who has learned to fight not just for themselves, but for the people they’ve quietly grown to love. Your journey is one of evolution — from cold-blooded conqueror to Earth’s fiercest protector — and every scar you carry is proof that pride and love can coexist. Like Vegeta, you don’t just want to be the strongest — you need to earn it on your own terms.

Proud Relentless Fierce Evolving

🧘

Piccolo

“Sometimes, we have to look beyond what we want and do what’s best.” You’re the one everyone depends on when things fall apart — the calm center in the middle of chaos. While others charge in recklessly or let their ego do the talking, you see the bigger picture and make the hard calls that need making. You didn’t choose to care about people, but somewhere along the way it happened, and now you’d sacrifice everything for those you’ve taken under your wing. Stoic on the surface, deeply loyal underneath, you’re the mentor, the strategist, and the last line of defense all in one. Like Piccolo, your true strength is wisdom — and the courage to do what’s right even when no one is watching.

Wise Tactical Protective Stoic

↻ PLAY AGAIN

But, as is usually the case in great Dragon Ball arcs, the supporting cast eventually will throw their support behind the biggest players, with a final clash sure to visually rival the greatest Dragon Ball Super moments so far, namely Goku's Ultra Instinct moment. It's a rewarding clash between good and evil, with the good guys genuinely feeling sympathetic, heroic, and empowered by hard work and tenacity, against an eldritch menace bent on consolidating his might and consuming planets across the universe. Dragon Ball Super will return in a massive way soon enough for fans, with The Galactic Patrol representing the best-possible way forward should Toyotaro finally resume the manga.

Dragon Ball Super

7/10

Release Date 2015 - 2018

Network Fuji TV

Masakazu Morita

Whis (voice)

Masako Nozawa

Son Goku/Goku Black/Son Gohan/Son Goten (voices)