A number of Dragon Ball Super storylines could be revisited when the franchise releases its next installment. On the heels of the Japanese release of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, it was confirmed that Toei Animation is already working on a new Dragon Ball project.
Dragon Ball Super producer Akio Iyoku explained that franchise creator Akira Toriyama and the studio are currently developing the next entry in the series, but didn’t reveal the nature of the project. Dragon Ball Super, the fourth anime in the franchise and the third in canon, ended in 2018, meaning that it’s been a four-year wait for another Dragon Ball show. Since then, Toei has continued Dragon Ball Super’s story through two theatrical films and a manga series. Its latest movie, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, is due for a worldwide release on August 19 and could be followed by either a sequel or a new anime series. The latter is something the fanbase has been clamoring for since Dragon Ball Super came to an end.
Regardless of whether the next project is a show or a movie, it will most likely take place after Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero’s time skip. As for what the story could offer, it could tie into events that occurred in the movie while also exploring plotlines from the Dragon Ball Super anime. Some characters, such as Gohan, Piccolo, and Pan, are having their Dragon Ball Super stories continued in Super Hero, but of course one movie can’t resolve every loose end. Here’s every arc from the show that could be brought back when Toei Animation releases its forthcoming Dragon Ball installment.
The Z-Warriors vs. Frieza
Whether agreeing to resurrect Frieza was a bad idea or not, Goku kept his promise and made sure the villain was back among the living after the Tournament of Power. Dragon Ball Super: Broly followed up this story by having Frieza use the Legendary Super Saiyan as a tool of revenge against Goku and Vegeta, but didn’t put to an end to their rivalry. Since Frieza survived Broly’s rampage, the character is still on the loose. Presumably, he hasn’t given up on his ambitions of beating his Saiyan adversaries, which means it’s only a matter of time before he and the Z-Warriors come to blows again. And since Frieza is capable of increasing his strength at a faster rate than any of the heroes, he could be stronger than ever when he makes his Dragon Ball return. Goku was more powerful than him in Dragon Ball Super, but their situations could be flipped if Frieza starts training again.
Goku’s Mastery of Ultra Instinct
It took Goku most of the Tournament of Power to figure it out, but Goku finally managed to unlock the completed Ultra Instinct state during the tail end of the event. However, Goku’s fight with Jiren doesn’t mean that he’s mastered the ability. That’s why he only went as far as Super Saiyan Blue in Dragon Ball Super: Broly. It’s true that Goku’s mastery of Ultra Instinct was fully explored in the manga continuation, but it’s hard to imagine that Dragon Ball will allow such an important development in Goku’s journey to happen off-screen. The next anime will have a chance to show its own take on Goku learning how to make the most out of Ultra Instinct.
Goku vs. Vegeta
Various moments in Dragon Ball Super heavily implied that Goku is still ahead of Vegeta (though not by too much). His superior performance against Universe 11’s Jiren, his victory over Hit, and the fact that he beat Vegeta’s evil clone were all signs that the Saiyan Prince has yet to achieve his ultimate goal in the franchise. That being said, the anime never let the two have a proper rematch or provide a definitive answer to the question of which one would win in a no-holds-barred fight. Aside from a few sparring sessions, Goku and Vegeta haven’t fought seriously since Buu Saga (even though their rivalry was very much a part of Dragon Ball Super’s story). It’s possible that in the next anime, Vegeta will decide that he’s finally ready to fight Goku and prove once and for all that he has what it takes to win.
Yamcha’s Tournament of Power Snub
One of the side stories set on Earth during the lead-up to the Tournament of Power revealed that Yamcha was desperately wishing for a team invite from Goku. Since this was playing out at the same time that Goku was putting together his Universe 7 roster, it looked like Yamcha was being set up as a potential recruit. But the story ultimately went nowhere and ended with Yamcha watching as the rest of the Z-Warriors went off to save the world without him. Why Goku didn’t even consider inviting him was never explained onscreen, but it’s possible that Dragon Ball will find a way to pay off its Yamcha story in the future by having the character recommit to his training and perhaps prove that he deserved to be included.
Goku’s Plan To Surpass Beerus
Goku never came close to actually beating Beerus in the Battle of Gods Saga, but Dragon Ball Super dropped hints that indicated that the power gap between the two characters isn’t so great anymore. During the time he’s spent training with Whis, Goku has made no secret of his intentions to have a rematch with Beerus. He hasn’t followed through yet, but the time for that could come at last when Dragon Ball returns with a new anime or movie. Goku may not have the power required to beat Beerus yet, but the God of Destruction’s worried reaction to finding out about Goku’s plans is a sign that even he doesn’t know who would win.
What Happened To Future Trunks?
So far, there have been two sagas centered on Future Trunks in Dragon Ball canon. When the anime left off with the character, he and Mai had gone to live in a new timeline that isn’t plagued by Goku Black or Future Zamasu. This was a happy ending for the character, but since the franchise already brought him back once, it can do so again by launching a third Future Trunks saga. If so, the anime can reveal what happened to Trunks and Mai in the future and diving into some of the challenges they experienced after Dragon Ball Super ended. If that happened, Future Trunks can come back for another team-up with the Z-Warriors.
Caulifla and Kale’s Super Saiyan 3 Tease
Dragon Ball Super’s ending gave Universe 6’s female Super Saiyans a new goal to work toward now that the Tournament of Power. Though the two didn’t even figure out how to go Super Saiyan until shortly after their introduction in the anime’s final saga, Caulifla and Kale already unlocked the Super Saiyan 2 and Legendary Super Saiyan forms respectively. When the tournament ended, Caulifla declared that the two will try to hit Super Saiyan 3 next. Looking at the rate in which they’ve progressed, it’s not hard to imagine one or both of them pulling it off if and when the franchise revisits its Universe 6 characters.
More: DBZ: Are The Human Z-Warriors Stronger Than Super Saiyans Now?
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