News

In April 2025, Japan saw the debut of Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback -- the latest theatrical entry in Tms Entertainment's hit mystery franchise. Two months later, the film has broken a major record previously held by Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Toei Animation's second-highest-earning Dragon Ball movie of all time.

Detective Conan: One-Eyed Flashback has earned a whopping 13.98 billion yen (roughly US$97.1 million) during the first 59 days of its domestic theatrical run. According to a detailed box office breakdown by Oricon, it is currently the 19th highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. In the first 38 days of its domestic release, it earned roughly 12.8 billion yen (or US$88.1 million), surpassing Broly's 38-day box office total of 3.75 billion yen (equivalent to US$34.23 million at the time) by an impressive margin. Additionally, One-Eyed Flashback hit the 10 billion yen milestone in only 19 days -- faster than any other Detective Conan film to date.

Toei Animation turns 70 next year, and the studio plans to celebrate in a big way. Eterna Animation has launched as Toei’s own brand dedicated to original in-house productions, the first of which will be an anime film titled Foxing: Kitsuné-tsuki . The official website is live for the feature along with official X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts. Takeru Shinozuka makes his commercial directorial debut with Foxing: Kitsuné-tsuki , which will premiere as a work in progress at Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 before a full release in 2026. Yoshihide Moriyama produces for Toei Animation. The story is said to explore “universal themes such as isolation, fantasy, and the confrontation of the self in contemporary society.” Shinozuka has handled direction, storyboard and character designs in varying capacities over the course of his tenure at Toei Animation. Some of his animation credits include anime ranging from Dragon Ball Super: Broly to One Piece Stampede...

Dragon Ball Super's future has been largely uncertain for some time. The hit anime series, which originally concluded all the way back in 2018, was kept alive by periodic movie releases like Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. However, many have wondered when the show might return to cover the events of the ongoing manga. The story continued far beyond the Tournament of Power in the monthly series by Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou, and as long as the manga continued, fans held out hope that the anime might as well.

Now, it seems that even that hope is fading, as the Dragon Ball Super manga is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in the next issue of V Jump while remaining on an extended hiatus. Following the passing of series' creator Akira Toriyama in March 2024, questions surrounding what was in store for the iconic franchise took...

Dragon Ball has often shown Bulma’s desire to become younger. By Dragon Ball Super, her role has been reduced to that of a minor character, but she still appeared to deliver some laughs. She humanized Vegeta and also talked about how she wanted to look just a bit younger.

To be honest, fans love the way Bulma looks, but she just wants to awe everyone who looks at her. She even tried to collect Dragon Balls to reverse her age and look five years younger. But why the sudden obsession with being young?

Bulma’s obsession with getting younger stems from her Dragon Ball Daima adventure

Before discussing Bulma’s desire to become younger, one needs to understand the timeline of Dragon Ball. Dragon Ball Daima takes place in the year 775, which makes her around 42 years old when she was suddenly turned into a younger version of herself.

Dragon Ball Super...

Recently at Puerto Rico Comic-Con, veteran voice actor Chris Sabat, known for his English dub roles as Vegeta, Piccolo, Yamcha, Shenron, and numerous other Dragon Ball characters, gave fans a glimpse of Vegeta's potential future in Dragon Ball Super.

Christopher Sabat, the English voice of Vegeta, gives a glimpse of Ultra Ego Vegeta’s dub.

The Dragon Ball series has evolved a lot and is a generational series, both within and without. For decades, the Z fighters have been seen defending the Earth. As the power scaling continues, the scope and expanse of the world increases a lot, as seen by the recent arcs in Dragon Ball Super.

The duo of Goku and Vegeta barely has time to stay on Earth. After connecting with the cosmic divine entities, they seem to have taken on the role of universal guardians, and might still be so in a Dragon Ball Super sequel.

What does this mean for Earth? As Goku and Vegeta continue their training with the Gods, who would protect Earth from dangers? This is where a new duo of Saiyans comes into the picture. Gohan and Broly will take up the mantle to safeguard Earth.

The two new Saiyan guardians of the Earth

Broly is...

One of the most fascinating details hidden in Dragon Ball Super: Broly is the galactic conqueror Frieza’s changed attitude. Frieza has been an uncaring superior who doesn’t care for the weak, which he believes is everyone working for him.

But in the movie, he noticeably restrained his callous attitude toward his own men. Fans of the Dragon Ball Z anime know him as the ruthless tyrant who executed subordinates without a second thought.

They lost? Execute. Did they fail to accomplish a mission? Execute. Frieza is in a bad mood? Execute again. But in the Broly movie, Frieza keeps his cool, and there is a really rational reason for this that is almost comical.

Even a galactic overlord has to pinch pennies sometimes

In the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie, Frieza seems to be more grounded. He doesn’t lash out irrationally, and even treats his crew...

Dragon Ball Super fans have officially been treated to Ultra Ego Vegeta’s voice for the first time by way of an exclusive performance by Vegeta’s English Va, Christopher Sabat.

Legendary English voice actor Sabat has had his hand all over the Dragon Ball franchise. Starting with his work on Dragon Ball Z, Sabat has voiced multiple Dragon Ball characters (often at the same time), from Piccolo, to Yamcha, Shenron and, of course, Vegeta. Most recently, Sabat dubbed the English voices of adult Vegeta, adult Yamcha and Shenron in the latest Dragon Ball series, Dragon Ball Daima. Dragon Ball Daima was embraced by critics for its beautiful animation and more lighthearted adventure storyline akin to that of Og Dragon Ball, but many in the fandom criticized it out of their desire to see the Dragon Ball Super anime return instead. Now, 7 years after Dragon Ball Super’s ending in...

Saiyans are the iconic race in the Dragon Ball series; the focus is mainly placed on Goku, Gohan, and their families. But there is one Saiyan character who was introduced in a movie and slowly worked his way up to being a fan favorite, and ended up being introduced in the canon version. There is something to Broly’s unique, once-in-a-million Saiyan talent that seems far more regal and intensive than Vegeta, Prince of all Saiyans.

Broly’s rise from forgotten and oft-ignored movie villain to franchise sensation rests on a foundation of raw, unbridled power. This is why the creator, Toriyama, had to nerf him to the extent that he lost all sense of individuality.

Toriyama had to rein in the Legendary Super Saiyan

His presence is outright oppressive, maybe even the definition of what it means to be a member of the warmongering Saiyan race. Despite the training...

Dragon Ball is hands down one of the most popular Shonen franchises ever created, and the way it is written is absolutely perfect. Akira Toriyama crafted this masterpiece the way he wanted to, and fans have loved and appreciated it ever since.

Its story or its protagonist does not need any needless changes or baseless modifications. Thankfully, this is also the sentiment of Sean Schemmel, the English voice actor of Son Goku.

Schemmel left some pretty direct statements about his views on anyone trying to change a masterpiece like Dragon Ball. This aspect of him also proves just how involved he is in his work and the level of respect he has for Akira Toriyama.

Sean Schemmel wants to keep Dragon Ball as original as possible

In an interview at Awesome Con 2022, Sean Schemmel became candid about his love for Dragon Ball and Goku. He also discussed his process of...

Dan Mora, an acclaimed comic book artist currently working on DC Comics’ biggest titles, has offered his rendition of Son Goku from Dragon Ball with the Man of Steel. Mora’s phenomenal artwork comes as Dragon Ball celebrates its 40th anniversary and Superman prepares to enter a new era under James Gunn with its July 2025 movie.

Mora shared his crossover fan art between Dragon Ball and Superman on X (formerly Twitter). "I've been watching too much Dragon Ball," Mora said online. The artwork features Goku as a child with his Power Pole in hand and the Eternal Dragon in the background. Superman is drawn in his traditional appearance -- red boxers and all.

Superman's Dan Mora Reveals His Take on Dragon Ball's Kid Goku I've been watching too much Dragon Ball 😅 pic.twitter.com/O3HZJrdwTe— Dan Mora (@Danmora_c) April 7, 2025

Mora’s most recent works include Superman,...

Did You Know Dragon Ball Z Nearly Had A Different Title? ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

There’s a universe out there, somewhere in the multiverse of anime dreams and “what ifs” where Dragon Ball Z never existed. Instead, it’s Gohan’s Great Adventure gracing lunchboxes, lighting up toy aisles, and blasting across TV screens with an entirely different energy.

In that alternate timeline, Goku steps into the background while his son Gohan takes the lead, and history, as we know it, spirals into uncharted territory.

The Post-Dragon Ball Dilemma: Who Takes the Lead?

However, we didn’t get Gohan’s Great Adventure. We got Dragon Ball Z, a title so simple and cryptic that it almost didn’t make sense at first. And yet, that lone letter, “Z,” would come to represent more than just a sequel; it would be the launch pad for one of the most powerful franchises in pop culture history.

One would be hard-pressed to talk about some of the most legendary anime series of all time without mentioning the massive phenomenon that was Dragon Ball Z. This Akira Toriyama creation is easily one of the most popular pieces of mass media of all time; it's easy to see why with just a bit of reflection on its reach and impact. Dragon Ball Z completely commanded the mainstream with its airing in the West, quickly turning it into a favorite of viewers worldwide and displaying a power fantasy that was truly unlike anything ever seen before it.

A major contributor to Dragon Ball Z's initial popularity is the English dub of the series, made and distributed by Ocean Productions and Funimation. These dubs brought engaging energy to Goku, Vegeta and the rest of the now-iconic cast. While not the most direct translations outright, the two dubs still amassed droves...

Much like cartoons, anime tends to have its characters wear the same outfit repeatedly as the series progresses. This has happened in series like Naruto and, of course, Dragon Ball. As much as fan-favorite characters running their signature outfits into the ground makes their wardrobes feel repetitive, it does allow fans to get excited for those rare moments when those characters can don a new outfit, giving the series a whole new vibe. Once every blue moon, Goku does this, wearing anything from a casual outfit on a summer's day to a constricting suit that doesn’t suit Goku at all.

Fans who have noticed the changes in some Dragon Ball outfits over the years know Akira Toriyama had an eye for fashion. Behind the numerous orange dogis in Goku's closet are clothes that stand out. Outside of the manga covers, from time to time, these outfits get a...

When most people in the anime community think about memorable anime that came out in the 2010s, plenty of examples come to mind. KonoSuba, No Game No Life, and Re:Zero were some of the best shows that made their debut within the past 10 years. However, this train of thought doesn't hold up for anime movies. Films like Dragon Ball Super: Broly or Your Name were popular during this time, but it's easy to overlook other hidden gems that were released in this era.

These underrated movies deserve much more love. At the time of their release, these were films that received critical acclaim from critics and fans alike. Unfortunately, these films haven't gotten the attention they deserved as time has gone on. These films will stand the test of time as modern classics for anyone who takes the time to watch them.

Weathering With You Delivers a Visually Stunning Emotional...

The Tournament of Power was one of the most exciting events in Dragon Ballhistory. It brought together the strongest fighters in the multiverse, introduced a plethora of fantastic new characters, featured some outstanding fights, and debuted one of the greatest transformations in the franchise, Ultra Instinct. Many fans would love to see a second Tournament of Power, but this may not be feasible, on account of how monstrously powerful Universe 7 has become.

Spearheaded by Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Broly, and Piccolo, Team Universe 7 would be unbeatable in a second Tournament of Power. The growth the Z-Warriors have undergone throughout their fights against Moro, Gas, & Cell Max can not be overstated, and they've even picked up new allies more than capable of fighting on their level. Even if another universe had a team consisting of 10 Jirens, they still wouldn't have a chance at winning.

Dragon Ball Super's Five Main Characters Are Complete Monsters Goku,...

Bardock, Goku’s father, has undergone major changes since his first appearance in the Dragon Ballfranchise was in Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku. Originally portrayed as a hardened warrior doomed by his Saiyan pride, Bardock’s characterization shifted significantly when Dragon Ball Super: Broly introduced a gentler, more introspective version. This rework surprised longtime fans, especially since Bardock’s original depiction was highly praised for adding depth to Goku’s lineage.

Despite the dramatic shift, Bardock’s redesign was not arbitrary. While Akira Toriyama had previously acknowledged the original Bardock, the decision to reshape his character stemmed from a deeper creative intent, according to @Venixys on X. By looking closely at the changes, it is possible to see how Toriyama’s vision evolved and why this new Bardock fits better into Dragon Ball’s ever-expanding mythology.

Q: Why did Toriyama create another Bardock? He's different from the one you designed,...

Akira Toriyama, the late and famous author behind Dragon Ball Z, was responsible for the canonical re-introduction of Super Saiyan 4 Goku from Dragon Ball Gt to Dragon Ball Daima. A famous animator and character designer for the franchise confirmed Toriyama’s involvement with the 2024 anime series.

Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, a key animator and character designer on countless Dragon Ball anime projects, was interviewed by @/SofianLeGEEK during his appearance at Made in Asia Spring 2025, which took place in Brussels, Belgium, from March 7 to 9, 2025. The interview was translated by social media user @/Venixys on X (formerly Twitter). Nakatsuru was asked numerous questions, such as his thoughts on the re-introduction of Bardock in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, a character he designed for Dragon Ball Z: Bardock – The Father of Goku. He was also asked about the serious continuity issues between Daima and Dragon Ball Super. However, one fascinating question from the interview involved...

Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, the "father" of Goku’s father, Bardock, has opened up about the character being portrayed differently from his original Dragon Ball Z special by the late Akira Toriyama in Dragon Ball Super: Broly. The 2018 anime movie also brought the legendary Super Saiyan Broly back to the mainline series alongside Goku and Vegeta's fusion form, Gogeta.

Nakatsuru, a renowned animator and character designer who’s also responsible for Super Saiyan 4 Goku in Dragon Ball Gt, was interviewed by @/SofianLeGEEK during his appearance at Made in Asia Spring 2025, which took place in Brussels, Belgium, from March 7 to 9, 2025. The interview was translated by social media user @/Venixys on X (formerly Twitter). In the interview, Nakatsuru is asked about his feelings toward Toriyama’s depiction of Bardock, which portrayed the brutal Saiyan warrior as more sympathetic than the one seen in the 1990 anime TV special. Additionally, the Dragon Ball Super: Broly...

The main characters in Dragon Ballhave always varied from arc to arc. The series originally followed the classic Dragon Team of Goku, Bulma, Yamcha, Oolong and Puar, but all of these characters except Goku have long been stuck in minor roles. While the Dragon Ball Super manga is currently on hiatus, the main cast for the upcoming Black Frieza Saga has just been revealed.

The cover of Dragon Ball Super Vol. 24 has sent shock waves through the fandom with one of the most exciting group shots in the franchise. Volume 24 depicts Ultra Instinct Goku, Ultra Ego Vegeta, Beast Gohan, Orange Piccolo and Legendary Super Saiyan Broly. These heroes have, separately, been the focus of Dragon Ball Super's most recent stories, but now they're finally coming together, and this outstanding piece of art makes it feel like their potential is limitless.

Dragon Ball Super Vol 24 Reveals the Five Main Characters...

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ballhas entertained and inspired audiences for over four decades. The collective Dragon Ball brand is stronger than ever, but this signature shonen series has produced more than 600 episodes between five separate anime. All these series contribute to the grander Dragon Ball narrative, but each anime is unique and caters to different ideas, themes, and tones.

Dragon Ball Super is largely considered to be a satisfying successor to Dragon Ball Z, introducing greater threats, an expanded universe, and stronger transformations. It's hard not to see Dragon Ball Z as the peak of the series, but Dragon Ball Super did some amazing work with its cast – in many cases, even outdoing how certain characters were written during Dbz's prime.

Master Roshi Overcomes His Most Problematic Issues Anime Debut: Dragon Ball, Episode 3, "The Nimbus Cloud Of Roshi"; Manga Debut: Dragon Ball, Chapter 3, "Sea Monkeys"

Master Roshi was one of...

Newly revealed artwork for Dragon Ball Super has re-confirmed Broly's Legendary Super Saiyan status. The fan-favorite character is pictured with Goku, Vegeta, Gohan and Piccolo for Volume 24 of Dragon Ball Super.

The official Dragon Ball website revealed the upcoming volume art of the Dragon Ball Super manga, formerly written by the late Akira Toriyama and illustrated by Toyotarou. It was revealed during a livestream for Japan's Dragon Ball Super Divers trading arcade card game. Among the announcements of new game updates, the cover art for Dragon Ball Super Volume 24 was revealed for its April 4, 2025, release date in Japan.

Related'No Matter What People Say, I'll Write What I Want to Write': Hit Isekai Series Creator Responds to Fan Feedback

Fans and critics of hit isekai series Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation have been put on notice by its original creator.

Dragon Ball Reveals New Art Starring Ultra Instinct Goku, Ultra Ego Vegeta,...

Dragon Ball may be the most popular anime franchise on Earth, but it hasn't been a stable one in decades. Since the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z in 1996, Dragon Ball has been plagued by underwhelming sequel series, disappointing side content, inconsistent release schedules, years when the only new content to be released has been video games, and the existence of Dragon Ball Evolution. Sad as it is to say, things look as bad now for Dragon Ball's future as they ever have. As of March 2025, Dragon Ball Daima is over, Dragon Ball Super is still on hiatus, and there is no longer anyone capable of guiding the franchise forward.

Akira Toriyama was the glue that held his humble story turned pop culture phenomenon together and, with him having passed away in 2024, it may not be possible for the series to continue in the way most fans would like. The...

One of Dragon Ball Daima'sbiggest and most talked-about moments has been the debut of Goku's new version of Super Saiyan 4 form. As is Dragon Ball tradition, the second the form debuted, fans took to the internet to debate how strong the form is and how SSJ4 stacks up against the numerous forms introduced in Dragon Ball Z's sequel series, Dragon Ball Super. However, one moment of Dragon Ball Daima's final fight suggests that Super Saiyan 4 may be similar in power to Super Saiyan Blue.

Dragon Ball Daima's final episode, "Maximum," sees Goku return to his Super Saiyan 4 form to battle with Gomah, who is growing increasingly strong thanks to the power of the Evil Third Eye. That said, all is not as it seems because Goku is aiming to distract Gomah long enough for Piccolo to sneak up behind the Demon King and hit him in...

Dragon Ball DAIMAhas been a wonderful adventure been full of comforting nostalgia and radical surprises for long-time fans. Dragon Ball is an anime occasionally dismissed for being too formulaic and overindulging shonen tropes, but Dragon Ball Daima has been careful on this front. Dragon Ball Daima hasn’t always made decisions fans like, but it’s an anime that started on its own terms and with Dragon Ball Daima Episode 20, “Maximum,” it definitely ends on them, too.

Dragon Ball Daima Episode 20, “Maximum,” is a fitting-if-not-predictable final episode that plays it surprisingly safe, considering the transformative trajectory of the past few installments. Dragon Ball Daima’s final episode is titled “Maximum,” but it really should have just been called “Goku.” This finale is a celebration of Goku’s heroic legacy and what he’s gone on to represent for the past four decades. Dragon Ball Daima Episode 20 may lack new transformations and game-changing plot twists,...

In the world of anime and mangas, one name keeps popping up, proving its undeniable passion from fans worldwide. Akira Toriyama's greatest title celebrated its 40th birthday last year, which we will be celebrating in this article. Dragon Ball Daima ended its 20-episode run a few minutes ago, but we couldn't have been happier to have new Goku-related content in 2025. What made Dragon Ball successful? How did it turn into this phenomenon? Why do we always want more stories with Goku, Vegeta and the rest of the fighters? Before we go all in with Toei Animation's anime, Bandai Namco's video games and even real life stuff, let's go back to the basics with the original work, Akira Toriyama's manga. Table of contents Celebrating 40 Years of the Manga The Evolution of Dragon Ball Dragon Ball's Worldwide Appeal The Anime's Impact on Pop Culture A Few Numbers to...

History was made on February 26, 1986, when Dragon Ball premiered with its first episode on Fuji TV in Japan. The anime debuted in what became known as the ‘Toriyama Time Slot’, Wednesdays at 7 Pm, just a week after the conclusion of Dr. Slump, Akira Toriyama’s previous blockbuster series.

A scene from Dragon Ball Daima. | Credit: Toei Animation

It was a huge hit, capturing a whopping 27.4% viewership rating. Fast forward to almost four decades, and now it is one of the most valuable and influential media franchises ever. Although few would have guessed its success at the time, this was the beginning of what would develop into a $23 billion global franchise.

The foundation of Dragon Ball: Breaking down $23 billion brand value

Akira Toriyama‘s Dragon Ball took inspiration from the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, specifically the figure of Sun Wukong, upon whom Son Goku was based. In...

The Dragon Ball website accidentally revealed the official name of Goku’s brand-new transformation. This information was prematurely revealed via a listing for a new Daima-related action figure.

Since the debut of Super Saiyan 4 Goku (Mini) in Daima Episode 18, Dragon Ball fans have wondered if the series will keep the name or give the formerly exclusive Dragon Ball Gt form a different moniker to rationalize the Super Saiyan God transformations that will follow in Dragon Ball Super. Based on concept art for Episode 18, the anime staff at Toei Animation were internally referring to Goku’s new Daima form as Super Saiyan 4, as it’s a clear tribute to the anime-original concept in Gt. However, the name “Super Saiyan 4” has yet to be used in the series and was intentionally avoided when Goku gave his classic introduction of Super Saiyan forms to King Gomah.

RelatedDragon Ball Daima Breaks a Major...

Dragon Ball franchise has had many installments, and not all of them were the work of Akira Toriyama. Even though these works were not canon and were only there to engage the fans and stir up interest, there were some things that the fans loved a lot.

Broly received the most changes in the franchise | Credits: Toei Animation

Broly is one of Dragon Ball‘s most iconic characters, and he was originally meant to be part of a spin-off tale about the Saiyan heritage. The fans loved Broly so much that he was incorporated into most of the Dragon Ball games, including Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and Xenoverse.

Broly even became canon in Dragon Ball Super through Dragon Ball Super: Broly, a 2018 movie. But his place in the franchise has always been a matter of discussion. He never seemed to be included in anything important and it felt like the creators were trying to desperately avoid Broly.

Dragon Ball DAIMAhas reintroduced Super Saiyan 4 to canon with a Toriyama twist to the form. As a complete celebration of the franchise, SSJ4 Mini Goku's callback to Dragon Ball Gt perfectly represents everything Gt was. With two episodes left, Dragon Ball Daima is pulling out all the stops to be one of today's best Dragon Ball stories. This new Super Saiyan 4 interpretation calls to Goku's monkey heritage with a bushy tail, fur, and a red color scheme resembling Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta. But there's one other major connection to a different Dragon Ball series that this new Super Saiyan 4 form brings.

Dragon Ball Super introduces the exclusive Super Saiyan God form which Goku unlocks in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, and Vegeta debuts in Dragon Ball Super Broly. Ssg allows the Saiyans to access God ki, an unreadable ki used by the Gods, coloring their hair a bright red while slimming their forms.

Dragon Ballhas been running for over 40 years, which Dragon Ball Daima is celebrating. Young kids, teenagers, and adults all love Dragon Ball, but that doesn't mean everyone has been able to experience the franchise in the same way. Nearly 10 years have passed since Dragon Ball Super exploded in popularity with the introduction of Ultra Instinct, and Goku's fights against Jiren.

Many fans currently watching Dragon Ball Daima weren't old enough to watch Dragon Ball Super as it was coming out, but this doesn't mean that they'll never be able to experience the same type of hype as fans in 2018. Goku turning Ultra Instinct for the first time in Dragon Ball Super was a massive moment, and Dragon Ball Daima Episode 18 has replicated it with Super Saiyan 4 Goku.

Related1 Line in Episode 18 Confirms Dragon Ball Daima's Super Saiyan 4 Isn't a God Form

Dragon Ball Daima finally introduced Super Saiyan 4 form,...

In the world of animation, anime has been one of the medium’s most prolific and revered contributors both domestically and overseas. Recent years have skyrocketed anime’s acclaim in the mainstream, changing its worldwide perception from a self-contained pop culture niche to a booming international phenomenon appreciated on a global scale.

No metric showcases anime’s flourishing popularity better than the box office success of its feature films. While many standalone anime features, like Your Name and Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away, have had remarkable runs on the big screen, it’s the medium’s most prominent franchises that got anime to its current heights of popularity. Some of the highest-grossing anime films of all time are parts of beloved long-running series - and serve as outstanding exemplars of what makes their franchises so favored.

Related10 Best Anime Movies Since 2020, Ranked

Hit movies like The Boy and the Heron...

Love it or hate it, Dragon Ball Super is the series that made Dragon Ball cool again for modern anime fans. Dragon Ball Z will always stand as the narrative triumph of Akira Toriyama’s masterwork, but even Dragon Ball Kai felt a bit dated around 2015 when Dragon Ball Super began airing. It wouldn’t be hyperbole to claim that Ultra Instinct Goku not only saved the multiverse during the Tournament of Power, he also saved the Dragon Ball franchise in the eyes of the next generation. Considering how instrumental Dragon Ball Super has been in repopularizing the series for a new wave of Dragon Ball fans, the complete lack of hype around the manga’s recently announced return should be utterly baffling.

It actually makes sense that no one would be talking about Dragon Ball Super's upcoming new one-shot story on February 20th, though, considering that most Dragon Ball...

A mangaka’s life is often characterized by severe deadlines, editorial constraints, and an industry that demands constant output with little room for creative flexibility. Akira Toriyama, the famed creator of Dragon Ball, knew this struggle all too well.

A scene from the Dragon Ball Daima | Credit: Toei Animation

From the early days of Dr. Slump to the global phenomenon of Dragon Ball, Toriyama spent decades navigating an industry that, despite his success, rarely granted him the freedom to tell stories on his own terms. However, Dragon Ball Daima, the special anime project celebrating the franchise’s 40th anniversary, offered something different.

The reason behind Akira Toriyama’s attachment to Dragon Ball Daima

Mangakas are often bound by an unforgiving cycle of weekly or monthly serialization. The need to consistently produce new chapters, to match editorial expectations, while maintaining the audience engaged provides little room for creative spontaneity. Toriyama, despite his renowned reputation,...

Dragon Ball Daima pays tribute to one of the most beloved films in the franchise. Episode 17 of Daima features an animated sequence that’s nearly 1:1 with a scene from Dragon Ball Super: Broly.

Dragon Ball Daima Episode 17 is earning widespread praise from fans and critics alike for its astonishing action sequences involving King Gomah, Goku and his friends. Unlike previous episodes where Goku or Vegeta were in control of a fight, King Gomah is giving the young Saiyan warriors a run for their money thanks to the Evil Third Eye. Even with the temporary alliance of Majin Duu, Majin Kuu and the Tamagami, King Gomah is too much to overcome. Because of the dire circumstances, Goku is forced to transform into Super Saiyan 3 as a child.

RelatedThe Official Voice of Goku Confirms She Won't Be Stopped Until She's 182 Years Old

Goku's iconic anime voice actor, Masako Nozawa, reveals her...

Dragon Balland One Pieceare two of the most recognizable anime series ever created. Millions of people tune into every new episode, keen to see where Goku and Luffy's adventures take them next. Naturally, as both franchises are often active simultaneously, many animators have worked on both shows in various amounts. One such person is Naohiro Shintani, who has played a massive role in One Piece and Dragon Ball history.

Naohiro has a long relationship with anime. In an interview published on the Dragon Ball website, Naohiro explained that:

"I watched the [Dragon Ball] anime from the time I was in elementary school. I believe the anime was what got me interested in it first, rather than the manga. Plenty of other people I knew liked Dragon Ball, too. I went to the theater with my big brother each year to watch the movies."

RelatedDragon Ball Daima Just Ripped Off...

With only four episodes left of Dragon Ball Daima, official toy manufacturer and distributor Bandai may have accidentally leaked a brand-new character through its latest merchandise. The reveal strongly hints at a brand-new fusion fighter that’s been teased since the beginning of the currently airing anime series.

Bandai Namco will release five new Dragon Ball Daima capsule toys in Japan under its Gashapon brand. An online user named Geekdom101 (@/EmperorBigD) shared the advertisement for the new capsule toys on X (formerly Twitter). The figures include the Supreme Kai Shin (Mini), Panzy, Super Saiyan 3 Vegeta (Mini) and King Gomah. However, the capsule toy set will also include a mysterious figure that has yet to appear in Dragon Ball Daima after 16 episodes.

RelatedDragon Ball Unveils Nearly 40-Year-Old 'Road-Movie' Artwork Starring Goku & Bulma

Dragon Ball revisits the manga's early days with hard-to-find calendar art depicting Bulma and Goku going for a spin in a classic Capsule Corp.

Dragon Ball has introduced countless iconic characters that have left a mark on the world. Everyone from Goku down to Yamcha has touched hearts and inspired millions throughout the series’ 30-year-run. Yet among these powerful warriors, one stands apart despite only appearing on the silver screen: the Legendary Super Saiyan, Broly. Though his first appearance lacked depth, Broly still impacted the Dragon Ball universe, quickly becoming a fan favorite thanks to his overwhelming power.

Broly’s popularity would lead to two additional movies centered around him in the 90s, although it's best to forget the third. Over two decades later, Broly would make his much-anticipated return in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, but this time with a completely new... everything. The two versions of Broly differ in many ways—each with a distinct set of experiences and motivations, and one (the Super version) being canon. So, in what other ways do...

An inconspicuous villain from Dragon Ball Z is referenced in the latest episode of Dragon Ball Daima. Episode 15 of Daima reveals the origin story of the Evil Third Eye and its connection with Dabura’s family.

With only a few episodes left, Dragon Ball Daima is speeding toward the finish line with non-stop action at the First Demon World of the Demon Realm. However, the latest episode also answered questions fans have argued over since Episode 1. The biggest takeaway from Episode 15 of Daima is the lore revolving around the Evil Third Eye -- now confirmed to be the strange belt buckle that Hybis has been wearing throughout the show.

Related Dragon Ball Daima Gets Tragic in a Bold But Imperfect Episode 15

Goku and friends' assault on the First Demon World prompts excellent action and enlightening backstory in a solid episode that spins its wheels.

Dragon Ball Z's Majin Ozotto...

February will be a sad month for Dragon Ball fans. Hulu, one of the largest streaming services in North America, is about to lose much of its massive catalog of Dragon Ball-related programming.

Although an official announcement has yet to be made by Hulu on its main page, subscribers have noticed that various Dragon Ball shows, like Dragon Ball Super, list an expiration date for when these programs will no longer be available to stream. The official Hulu support account on X (formerly Twitter) has directly acknowledged the upcoming purge of Dragon Ball content on its service. Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Gt and Dragon Ball Super will soon be unavailable to stream on Hulu on Feb. 1, 2025.

Related One of the Best Mecha Anime Franchises of All Time Finally Gets U.S. Streaming Home

One of the most iconic and beloved mecha anime brands of all time is finally heading...

In the wake of its previous accidental Dragon Ball Daima finale reveal, North American streaming service Hulu has made a quiet update to its list of releases coming to the platform this February.

Per its original Hulu February 2025 schedule, "Dragon Ball Daima: Finale (Subbed)" was scheduled to be released on Feb. 28, 2025. This was the first official confirmation of the series’ finale release date, although there had already been wide speculation that the series would be 20 episodes in length. However, only a few days after the inadvertent leak, Hulu has now removed "Dragon Ball Daima: Finale (Subbed)" from its list of February 2025 releases completely. As of writing, the streamer has not made any official comments about the title’s removal from the schedule or its streaming date of the Dragon Ball Daima season finale.

Related Dragon Ball Officially Acknowledges Power Levels for the First Time in 7 Years

For the first time in almost a decade,...

The latest episode of Dragon Ball Daima referenced a forgotten concept that hasn’t been mentioned in the franchise for almost a decade. Dragon Ball Daima Episode 14 acknowledged the system of power levels among the characters by introducing the Gendarmerie Force.

Episode 14 of Daima saw Goku and his friends finally reach the First Demon World of the Demon Realm, thanks to their new friend, the elder Namekian Neva. King Gomah, who tried to stop Goku’s progress in the Demon Realm by shutting down Warp-sama, summoned the Gendarmerie Force as a last-ditch effort to protect his newly acquired empire as the Demon King. The concept of power levels was again recognized through the unpredictable antics of these Ginyu Force-like mercenaries.

Related Dragon Ball Daima Episode 15 Release Date & Time

Dragon Ball Daima Episode 15 is the beginning of the end for the anime, and no fan will want to miss its release.

The canonicity of Dragon Ball movies is always up for debate. Some movies could fit into the series timeline, but others clearly can't. Films like Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might or Dragon Ball Z: Lord Slug can't work within the existing canon without breaking it. The Dragon Ball Z films usually introduce a new villain, similar to the villains the cast just fought, and have Goku and the Z-Fighters attempt to fight them off before Goku scores the defeat with a final move. They usually don't extend off of canon much more than that.

For many movies, that's fine, while fans like Turles, Slug, and Hirudegarn can live with these villains, who never appear in canon again. But some villains aren't like this, and with the success of Dragon Ball Super: Broly, some movie events could even be reintroduced into the canon. Villains like the fan favorite Cooler,...

Ah, the sweet agony of waiting for the next season of a show that has you hooked. It’s like you’re in a relationship with a TV series—one minute, you’re on top of the world, and the next, you’re left with nothing but cliffhangers and ‘to be continued’… Well, let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like the buzz that fills the air when a beloved anime confirms its return. The Apothecary Diaries has given us exactly that!

Maomao in The Apothecary Diaries |Credits: Toho

As Season 1 wrapped up in March 2024, fans were left reeling, their brains buzzing with questions and theories. Frustrating yet thrilling at the same time, right? But hey, isn’t that how the saying goes? Good things come to those who wait. Indeed, get ready to reap the rewards because Season 2 is on its way, and it’s gearing up to...

For decades, Goku’s rise through increasingly powerful transformations has defined the Dragon Ball series, captivating audiences worldwide. However, as the series progressed, this reliance on the protagonist, Goku began to raise questions among fans: Could the franchise thrive without him at the center at some point? Well, yes, they somewhat can, as Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the 2022 movie challenged this notion by shifting the spotlight to other characters — most notably, Piccolo.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie was made for Piccolo | Credit: Toei Animation

On 1st January, the executive producer of the Dragon Ball franchise, Akio Iyoku revealed the driving force behind the creation of Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, as he claimed the movie was developed to address a recurrent issue: the underutilization of Piccolo in terms of relevance and power.

Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero – Piccolo’s journey to relevance

For most of Dragon Ball‘s history,...

Akio Iyoku, the executive producer of the Dragon Ball franchise, has revealed the true purpose of creating Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. Iyoku, who is overseeing the production of Dragon Ball Daima, revealed how the critically acclaimed 2018 anime movie came to be.

Iyoku was a special guest for the "All Night Nippon - Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Special" radio show on Jan. 1, 2025. As one would expect from the name, the radio program celebrated the milestone anniversary of the Dragon Ball series by the late Akira Toriyama. Iyoku was one of many guests who appeared on the program. He spoke about recent developments in Dragon Ball Daima and shed some light on past projects, such as Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.

Related Dragon Ball Daima Producer Refuses to Confirm if Anime Will End With 20 Episodes

The Dragon Ball Daima anime staff refuse to confirm the number of episodes for the 40th-anniversary...

Dragon Ball fans had a rough year last year, with the loss of Akira Toriyama and the Dragon Ball Super manga going on hiatus for months. 2025 is looking to be a return to glory for the franchise, however, if producer Akio Iyoku's hints about the future pan out.

The executive producer of the Dragon Ball franchise paid a visit to a Japanese radio show, "All Night Nippon," for their Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Special, and took the time to answer a few questions, mostly about Daima and other existing projects. When asked about future projects, Iyoku was a bit more coy, but still provided fans with a tantalizing answer, implying that one or more Dragon Ball projects will be announced in 2025. The interview was translated by X (formerly Twitter) user @Peraperayume, and offers quite a few interesting pieces of information for fans.

Could a Dragon Ball Movie Be Announced...

Dragon Ball Super quickly became one of the anime franchise’s most rewarding additions. However, anyone who has just watched the anime is only getting half of the story. Dragon Ball Super’s ongoing manga has ventured far beyond the anime’s Tournament of Power conclusion, which has led to new transformations, fresh foes, and an exciting expansion to the franchise’s universe.

The Granolah the Survivor Saga started in December 2020, picking up after the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga’s events and running for 20 chapters. This new stretch of storytelling quickly resonated with audiences who were taken by Granolah the Cerealian and his compelling point of view. The Granolah the Survivor Saga features some of the manga’s biggest battles to date, but there’s also quite a bit of nuance that’s worth unpacking for those who have never actually read this pivotal story arc.

Related 10 Best Dragon Ball Super Manga Volume Covers,...

Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball introduced the iconic transformations that have become synonymous with anime shonen today. Transformations are described as a visual change a character undergoes, whether it's to get a new power-up or to unleash a hidden monstrous form. Characters like Naruto Uzumaki have different modes, like the Sage mode; Luffy has his Gears, and Eren can unleash his Titan form.

One of the many highlights of a transformation is the transformation sequence. An entire animated segment dedicated to showcasing a new power-up, highlighting the power of the animation style, or carrying a narrative theme that's so impactful it can still send shivers down people's spines. As the series that sparked the transformation craze in shonen, the Dragon Ball franchise has some of the best.

Broly's Rage For His Father Unlocks Super Saiyan Featured in the Dragon Ball Super Broly Film

Broly going Super Saiyan in Dragon Ball Super: Broly,...

Kohei Horikoshi explored various definitions of heroism in My Hero Academia through different heroes. While some were dedicated to the greater good, others were more intent on proving themselves to the world. Their varying motivations converged during the final war, as they managed to save the world. However, another aspect of the series that united the heroes was their shared admiration for All Might.

All Might in My Hero Academia | Credits: Studio Bones

Everyone in the My Hero Academia world either respected or feared his strength. While Deku’s journey was the central focus of the series, All Might’s character was a huge part of it. The story wouldn’t have been nearly as entertaining or engaging without him. Even the veteran character designer Yoshihiko Umakoshi agrees with the fact that All Might is the heart and soul of My Hero Academia, as he shared during an interview.

Veteran...