Finished the Dragon Ball Super anime and wondering where the story goes next? You’ve watched Goku master Ultra Instinct in the Tournament of Power and now face the void of no new episodes, eager to find out what happens.
The Dragon Ball Super anime concludes at the beginning of Chapter 42 of the manga. To continue the story without missing a beat, you should start reading from this chapter, which immediately kicks off the manga-exclusive “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc.”
Based on a direct analysis of the official manga and anime timelines, this guide provides the definitive starting point. You’ll discover the manga-only arcs, the key differences between the anime and manga you’ve already seen, and exactly how the movies fit into the new continuity.
Key Facts
- Definitive Starting Chapter: The anime’s story, which ends with the Tournament of Power, is picked up in Chapter 42 of the Dragon Ball Super manga.
- First Manga-Exclusive Arc: Starting with Chapter 42, the manga introduces the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc,” featuring the powerful new villain, Moro.
- Broly Movie Placement: The Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie is canon and takes place after the anime, but its story is skipped by the manga, making it essential viewing before you start reading.
- Super Hero Movie Adaptation: The events of the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie are fully adapted and expanded upon in the manga, beginning with Chapter 88.
- Manga’s Current Status: The manga’s story has progressed far beyond the anime but is currently on an indefinite hiatus as of 2026.
Where Does the Dragon Ball Super Anime End in the Manga?
The Dragon Ball Super anime, which concludes with the Tournament of Power saga (Episode 131), ends at the beginning of Chapter 42 of the manga. To continue the story without interruption, you should start reading from Chapter 42, which kicks off the manga-exclusive “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc.” This chapter serves as the perfect bridge, using its opening pages to wrap up the conclusion of the tournament before diving into a brand new adventure for Goku and Vegeta.
For fans who want the most seamless transition, the exact point is unambiguous. The anime’s finale sees Android 17 emerge as the winner of the Tournament of Power and wish for the restoration of the erased universes. The manga respects this conclusion and builds directly from it, ensuring that you are not re-reading material you have already watched. This makes Chapter 42 the universally agreed-upon entry point for all anime viewers.
By starting here, you dive straight into fresh, canonical content that has not been adapted into the anime series. You join the Z-Fighters as they are recruited by the Galactic Patrol, setting the stage for a conflict against an ancient and powerful magic user who threatens the entire universe in a way no previous villain has.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Anime and Manga Before Chapter 42?
The Dragon Ball Super anime and manga have notable differences, with the manga being more concise and featuring different character forms and fight outcomes. While they follow the same major plot beats, they are best viewed as two separate versions of the same story. The manga, written and illustrated by Toyotarou with oversight from Akira Toriyama, often condenses events and skips anime-only filler content entirely.
These variations are a primary reason many fans recommend reading the manga from the very beginning. You get a fresh perspective on major events like the “Future” Trunks Saga and the Tournament of Power. For example, the manga introduces a concept called “Perfected Super Saiyan Blue,” a form that allows a user to maintain 100% of their power without the stamina drain of regular Super Saiyan Blue. This replaces the anime’s famous Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken, which does not appear in the manga at all.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most significant differences in a direct comparison:
| Feature / Arc | Dragon Ball Super ANIME Version | Dragon Ball Super MANGA Version |
|---|---|---|
| Power Forms | Goku uses Super Saiyan Blue Kaioken. | Goku uses “Perfected Super Saiyan Blue.” Kaioken is not used with Blue. |
| “Future” Trunks Saga | Trunks achieves a unique “Super Saiyan Rage” form. | Vegeta uses Super Saiyan God; Trunks is trained as a Supreme Kai apprentice and uses healing powers. |
| Tournament of Power | Gohan is eliminated relatively early. The final fight involves Goku, Frieza, and Android 17 vs. Jiren. | Gohan fights to a draw against Kefla. Roshi displays incredible evasive skill based on a pseudo-Ultra Instinct. |
| Pacing & Filler | Includes full retellings of Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ movies, plus anime-only filler arcs like the “Copy-Vegeta Saga”. | Briefly recaps movie events in a few pages and contains no filler, leading to a much faster pace. |
What Manga Arcs Come After the Dragon Ball Super Anime?
After the Tournament of Power, the Dragon Ball Super manga introduces several major arcs not seen in the anime: the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc,” the “Granolah the Survivor Arc,” and the “Super Hero Arc.” These storylines are entirely new territory for anime-only fans, introducing powerful new villains, game-changing character transformations, and deep dives into Saiyan history. Knowing where to start is just the first step; these arcs are the reward.
Each arc builds upon the last, raising the stakes and expanding the Dragon Ball universe in exciting ways. You’ll see characters like Goku and Vegeta pushed beyond their limits, forcing them to develop new techniques and forms to overcome threats that raw power alone cannot defeat. This is where the manga truly comes into its own, delivering the continuation of the story fans have been waiting for.
What Is the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc?
The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc (chapters 42-67) introduces Moro, an ancient sorcerer who can absorb the life energy of planets and fighters, nullifying traditional Super Saiyan transformations. This arc follows Goku and Vegeta as they join the Galactic Patrol to recapture the escaped prisoner, Moro. Moro’s magic forces the heroes to seek new training methods, with Vegeta learning Spirit Control on Yardrat and Goku working to master Ultra Instinct with the help of a mysterious patroller named Merus. The unique challenge Moro presents is that he grows stronger the more his opponents fight, creating a fascinating strategic battle that is less about power levels and more about technique.
What Is the Granolah the Survivor Arc?
The Granolah the Survivor Arc (chapters 67-87) introduces Granolah, the last of the Cerealian people who were wiped out by Frieza’s Saiyan army. He makes a wish on a new set of Dragon Balls to become the universe’s strongest fighter to exact his revenge. The story delves into Saiyan history, revealing a surprising connection to Goku’s father, Bardock. This arc is a fan favorite because it culminates in Vegeta unlocking a powerful new form unique to the manga: Ultra Ego. The story’s conclusion also features the shocking return of Frieza, who unveils his own terrifying new transformation, Black Frieza.
How Do the Dragon Ball Super Movies Fit Into the Manga?
The two newest Dragon Ball Super movies have different relationships with the manga, which is a common source of confusion. One is required viewing to understand the story, while the other is fully adapted into the manga’s pages. Understanding this distinction is key to following the correct chronological order.
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly: The manga does not adapt this movie. Its events are considered canon and happen between the end of the anime (before Chapter 42) and the start of the Moro arc. It should be watched for the full story, as characters will reference the fight with Broly.
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero: The manga fully adapts this movie’s story in the “Super Hero Arc” (Chapters 88-103). It not only covers the film’s events but also includes new prequel content, making the manga version an expanded take on the movie.
FAQs About where does the dragon ball super anime end in the manga
So, I should start reading at Chapter 42 after the anime?
Yes, Chapter 42 is the definitive starting point to continue the story right after the anime’s Tournament of Power. The first few pages of this chapter wrap up the tournament, and the latter half immediately kicks off the manga-exclusive “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc.” You will not miss any canonical story by starting here, provided you have seen the Dragon Ball Super: Broly movie.
Is the Dragon Ball Super manga finished?
No, the Dragon Ball Super manga is not finished, but it is currently on an indefinite hiatus as of 2026. The story has progressed far beyond the anime, covering the Moro, Granolah, and Super Hero arcs. The hiatus began after the conclusion of the Super Hero arc adaptation in 2026, following the passing of original creator Akira Toriyama.
Is the Dragon Ball Super manga considered canon?
Yes, the Dragon Ball Super manga is considered canon. It is written and illustrated by Toyotarou with direct supervision, story concepts, and edits from the original creator, Akira Toriyama. Both the manga and the anime are considered official continuations of Dragon Ball Z, though they take different paths to tell the same major stories.
Who writes and illustrates the Dragon Ball Super manga?
The Dragon Ball Super manga is illustrated by Toyotarou, with the original story concept and editorial supervision provided by Akira Toriyama. Toyotarou is a long-time Dragon Ball fan and was hand-picked by Toriyama to be his successor. This collaboration ensures the manga aligns with Toriyama’s vision for the series.
Where can I officially read the Dragon Ball Super manga?
You can read the latest chapters for free on official platforms like VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump website and Shueisha’s MANGA Plus app. To read the entire back catalog, including the arcs immediately following the anime, you will typically need a paid subscription to the Shonen Jump digital vault or purchase the physical manga volumes published by VIZ Media.
What is “Black Frieza” and is he in the manga?
Yes, Black Frieza is in the manga, debuting at the end of the Granolah the Survivor Arc. After secretly training for 10 years in another dimension, Frieza appears and unveils this overwhelmingly powerful new transformation. He defeats both Ultra Instinct Goku and Ultra Ego Vegeta with a single blow, instantly establishing himself as the new strongest warrior in the universe.
Are Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo in the manga?
Yes, both Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo appear in the manga during the Super Hero Arc. The manga adapts the Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero movie, where these transformations debut. The manga’s version of the arc shows these forms and the fight against Cell Max, similar to the movie, and even includes some prequel material.
Will the Dragon Ball Super anime return to adapt the manga arcs?
There has been no official announcement from Toei Animation about the return of the Dragon Ball Super weekly anime series to adapt the Moro and Granolah arcs as of 2026. While there have been many rumors and a new web series (Dragon Ball Daima) was announced, the continuation of the main television series remains unconfirmed.
Is it worth reading the manga from the beginning instead of starting at Chapter 42?
Yes, many fans recommend reading from the beginning due to the significant differences in story pacing, fight choreography, and character abilities. While the main plot points are the same, the manga offers a different and often more concise version of events like the “Future” Trunks Saga and the Tournament of Power, making it a fresh experience even for those who have seen the anime.
What is Vegeta’s Ultra Ego form?
Ultra Ego is a powerful transformation unique to Vegeta that he develops during the Granolah the Survivor Arc in the manga. Unlike Goku’s serene Ultra Instinct, Ultra Ego is powered by the thrill of battle and the nature of a God of Destruction. It allows Vegeta to grow stronger the more damage he takes, making him a perfect counterpart to Goku’s evasive style.
Final Thoughts
Making the jump from the Dragon Ball Super anime to the manga is an exciting step for any fan. You’re not just getting a continuation of the story; you’re diving into a wealth of new, expertly crafted arcs that expand the lore and challenge the characters in ways you haven’t seen before. By starting at Chapter 42, you position yourself perfectly to experience the next chapters of the saga as they were intended.
The journey through the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc, the Granolah the Survivor Arc, and beyond is filled with the high-stakes action, surprising character development, and world-building that define Dragon Ball. Now that you know exactly where to begin, the next great adventure is waiting for you in the pages of the manga.
