Wondering if the Dragon Ball Super manga will continue after Akira Toriyama’s passing? You’re not alone, as fans worldwide are concerned about the future of the series. The sudden halt in new chapters has created significant confusion and uncertainty.
Yes, the Dragon Ball Super manga is expected to continue, but it is currently on an indefinite hiatus with no confirmed return date for its main story as of 2026. Following the death of creator Akira Toriyama, illustrator and designated successor Toyotaro has stated his intention to continue the series, though the decision ultimately rests with the publisher, Shueisha.
Based on official announcements and verified industry sources, this article breaks down the manga’s current status. We will cover the timeline of the hiatus, Toyotaro’s official statements about the future, and how the manga’s situation differs from the upcoming anime revival.
Key Facts
- Manga Will Continue: Official sources confirm the manga is on an indefinite hiatus, which is a pause in production, not a cancellation.
- Hiatus Start Date: The break officially began after the release of Chapter 103, “A Legacy Toward the Future,” in March 2024.
- Designated Successor: Akira Toriyama’s hand-picked successor, Toyotaro, who has illustrated the manga since 2015, has expressed his commitment to continuing the story.
- Anime Is Separate: The Dragon Ball Super anime is a different product and is confirmed to return in Fall 2026, a schedule independent of the manga’s hiatus.
- No Return Date: As of March 2026, there is no official release date for the next main story chapter of the Dragon Ball Super manga.
Will the Dragon Ball Super Manga Continue After Akira Toriyama’s Passing?
Yes, the Dragon Ball Super manga is confirmed to continue, but it is currently on an indefinite hiatus following the passing of creator Akira Toriyama. Toyotaro, Toriyama’s chosen successor, has expressed his intention to continue the series. However, no official return date for new story chapters has been announced as of early 2026, leaving fans in a state of hopeful anticipation. This situation means that while the creative will to move forward exists, the production pipeline is paused for the foreseeable future.
The primary reason for this uncertainty is the monumental loss of Akira Toriyama, the creative force behind the entire Dragon Ball franchise. He was not just a consultant; he was the primary story provider for the Dragon Ball Super manga, which is illustrated by Toyotaro. The “indefinite hiatus” provides a necessary period for Toyotaro and the publisher, Shueisha, to determine the best creative path forward without Toriyama’s direct guidance. It’s a time for restructuring the creative process and ensuring the new chapters will honor the legacy he built.
It is crucial for fans to distinguish between a “hiatus” and a “cancellation.” In the manga industry, a hiatus signifies a temporary break, often due to the health of the author, creative planning, or other production issues. Cancellation, on the other hand, is a permanent end. The official communication from Shueisha has consistently used the term “hiatus,” signaling their intent to resume serialization at a later, unannounced date.
What is the Official Status of the Dragon Ball Super Manga in 2026?
The Dragon Ball Super manga is on an indefinite hiatus as of early 2026. This break began after Chapter 103 was released in March 2024. A special one-shot prequel chapter (Chapter 104) was published in February 2025, but official sources like V-Jump magazine have since confirmed the hiatus is ongoing with no return date set for the main story.
To provide clarity and separate fact from rumor, here is a timeline of the key events surrounding the manga’s production status:
- March 2024: Chapter 103, “A Legacy Toward the Future,” is published. This chapter serves as an epilogue to the Super Hero arc and ends with a touching tribute to Akira Toriyama. An editor’s note in V-Jump announces the manga will go on an indefinite hiatus following this release.
- December 2024: During the Jump Festa 2025 event, a special one-shot chapter of the manga is announced for early 2025, sparking excitement and speculation about a full return.
- February 2025: A special one-shot, sometimes referred to as Chapter 104, is released. This chapter is a prequel to the Super Hero arc, focusing on Goten and Trunks. Importantly, this release did not mark the end of the hiatus for the main storyline.
- July 2025: At a public event, key editor Victory Uchida confirms that the manga would not be returning with new chapters in 2025, managing fan expectations for the near future.
- January/March 2026: Updates from official sources and V-Jump magazine confirm that the Dragon Ball Super manga remains on hiatus, with no new information regarding a potential return date.
This sequence of events shows that while there has been some new content, the core narrative of Dragon Ball Super remains paused. The release of the one-shot chapter was a special event, not a return to the regular monthly serialization schedule that fans were accustomed to.
Why Did the Dragon Ball Super Manga Go on Hiatus?
The indefinite hiatus for the Dragon Ball Super manga was announced in March 2024, directly following the death of the franchise’s original creator, Akira Toriyama. As Toriyama provided the story outlines for illustrator Toyotaro, the break was necessary to address the future creative direction of the series without its primary author.
The creative process for the Dragon Ball Super manga was a collaborative effort. Akira Toriyama was responsible for creating the major story beats, character designs, and plot outlines. He would then pass these notes to Toyotaro, who would expand them into full chapter drafts with detailed panels and dialogue. Toriyama would review these drafts, suggest corrections, and give his final approval. His sudden passing disrupted this entire workflow, leaving a significant creative void. The hiatus allows the production team, including Toyotaro and the editors at Shueisha, the necessary time to respectfully and carefully plan how to continue the story in a way that aligns with Toriyama’s vision.
How Will Akira Toriyama’s Passing Affect the Manga’s Future Story?
Toyotaro, Akira Toriyama’s hand-picked successor, will be responsible for the Dragon Ball Super manga’s future story. Before Toriyama’s passing, Toyotaro was already writing story drafts for his review, and he has expressed confidence in his ability to continue. The ultimate authority to approve new stories, however, involves publisher Shueisha and Toriyama’s estate.
The future creative direction will be a blend of Toyotaro’s ideas and his deep understanding of Toriyama’s narrative style. For years, Toyotaro worked as an apprentice under Toriyama, absorbing his storytelling philosophies. This was not a simple illustrator-for-hire relationship; it was a mentorship designed to prepare Toyotaro to one day carry the torch. This long-term collaboration is the main reason for optimism among fans.
However, continuing a franchise as iconic as Dragon Ball is not solely a creative decision. It’s also a major business consideration involving multiple stakeholders:
* Toyotaro: The creative lead for the story and art.
* Shueisha: The publisher of V-Jump and the manga volumes, which holds significant editorial control.
* Akira Toriyama’s Estate: This includes Bird Studio and Capsule Corporation Tokyo, which manage the intellectual property and have a say in how the legacy of the franchise is handled.
Any new story arc will require alignment and approval from all these parties. This corporate structure is a key reason why a return date is not a simple matter to announce. The team must not only craft a story worthy of the Dragon Ball name but also navigate the legal and business framework that protects the franchise.
What Did Toyotaro Say About Continuing the Manga?
During a panel at Japan Expo on July 3, 2025, Toyotaro stated that continuing Dragon Ball Super without Akira Toriyama is “not easy, but not impossible.” He explained that he was already responsible for writing story drafts for Toriyama’s approval, meaning a large part of the story already came from him.
His public statements provide the clearest insight into his mindset and the future of the series. Speaking to fans, he shared details about his collaborative process with his mentor, which sheds light on why he feels capable of moving forward.
“A good portion of the story already came from me… a lot of the dialogue, for example. The fact that Toriyama-sensei would say ‘Okay’ to my ideas gives me confidence.”
This quote is significant because it confirms that Toyotaro was more than just an illustrator; he was a co-writer. He was not simply drawing what Toriyama told him to draw. He was actively contributing ideas, writing dialogue, and shaping the narrative, all under the watchful eye of the original creator. This experience has prepared him for the immense challenge of continuing the saga. While he has expressed humility and the weight of the responsibility, his words signal a clear determination to continue the work he and Toriyama started together.
What is the Difference Between the Manga and Anime’s Status?
The Dragon Ball Super manga is on hiatus, while the anime is scheduled to return. The manga has no confirmed date to resume its main story. Conversely, the anime will return in Fall 2026 with a remake of the ‘Battle of Gods’ story and will then adapt the manga’s ‘Galactic Patrol Prisoner’ arc.
This is a major point of confusion for many fans, but the manga and anime are separate products with different production teams and schedules. The manga is published by Shueisha, while the anime is produced by Toei Animation. Here is a clear breakdown of their statuses in 2026:
| Feature | Dragon Ball Super MANGA | Dragon Ball Super ANIME |
|---|---|---|
| Current Status (2026) | Indefinite Hiatus | Confirmed to Return |
| Next Content | Unknown (Awaits new story arc) | “Beerus” Saga Remake, then “Galactic Patrol” Arc |
| Return Date | Not Announced | Fall 2026 |
| Creative Lead | Toyotaro (Story & Art) | Toei Animation (Production) |
| Recent Release | Chapter 104 (One-Shot in Feb 2025) | Original series ended in 2018 |
Furthermore, it’s important not to confuse the return of the Dragon Ball Super anime with Dragon Ball Daima. Daima is an entirely new anime series with an original story conceived by Akira Toriyama before his passing. It features a new plot where Goku and the other characters are transformed into children. It is a separate project and exists outside the Dragon Ball Super continuity. The return of the Super anime is focused on adapting the existing manga arcs that have not yet been animated.
FAQs About will dragon ball super manga continue
Is the Dragon Ball Super manga cancelled?
No, the Dragon Ball Super manga is not cancelled. It is officially on an “indefinite hiatus.” While there is no set return date, illustrator Toyotaro and publisher Shueisha have expressed intentions to continue the series in the future. The term “hiatus” signifies a pause, not a permanent end to the manga’s publication.
When will Dragon Ball Super manga chapter 105 be released?
There is no official release date for Dragon Ball Super Chapter 105. The manga’s return was not announced at major 2026 events, and V-Jump magazine has confirmed the series remains on hiatus. Any potential release date is currently speculation until an official announcement is made by Shueisha or Viz Media.
What was the last chapter of Dragon Ball Super before the hiatus?
Chapter 103, titled “A Legacy Toward the Future,” was the final chapter before the indefinite hiatus began in March 2024. This chapter concluded the epilogue of the Super Hero arc. A special one-shot, sometimes referred to as Chapter 104, was released in February 2025, but it was a prequel story, not a continuation of the main plot.
Is Dragon Ball Daima replacing the Dragon Ball Super manga?
No, Dragon Ball Daima is a separate anime project and is not replacing the Dragon Ball Super manga. Daima features a new, original story from Akira Toriyama and has a different focus than the Super storyline. The manga’s continuation is an independent issue handled by Toyotaro and publisher Shueisha.
What story arc will the manga cover when it returns?
The next story arc is widely expected to be the “Black Frieza Saga.” The end of the Granolah the Survivor arc featured the shocking debut of Black Frieza as the new strongest warrior in the universe. While not officially confirmed, this is the primary unresolved plotline that fans anticipate will be the focus when the manga returns.
Did Akira Toriyama leave any notes for the manga’s future?
It is not publicly known how many specific story notes Akira Toriyama left for the future of the manga. However, his successor Toyotaro worked closely with him for years and was already heavily involved in the story creation process. This collaboration ensures that Toyotaro has a deep understanding of Toriyama’s vision for the series moving forward.
Has the Dragon Ball Super manga officially gone past the anime?
Yes, the Dragon Ball Super manga has progressed far beyond the original anime series which ended in 2018. The manga has completed several entire arcs that have not been animated yet, including the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner (Moro) Arc” and the “Granolah the Survivor Arc.” The returning anime in 2026 will begin adapting these manga-exclusive arcs.
Who owns the rights to Dragon Ball Super now?
The rights to the Dragon Ball franchise are complex and shared. The publisher Shueisha holds the rights for the manga publication. Toei Animation is responsible for anime production, and a company named Capsule Corporation Tokyo manages other aspects of the IP. Toyotaro does not personally own the rights and requires approval from these entities to continue the manga.
Will the manga’s quality decrease without Toriyama?
This is a major concern for fans, but there are reasons to be optimistic. Toyotaro was hand-picked by Akira Toriyama as his successor and has been illustrating and co-writing the series since 2015. He has expressed his deep respect for the source material and his desire to create exciting battles, giving fans hope that the quality will be maintained.
Where can I read the Dragon Ball Super manga officially?
You can read the Dragon Ball Super manga officially and for free on VIZ Media’s website and the Shonen Jump app. These platforms release the latest chapters simultaneously with Japan. They also provide access to a back catalog of previous chapters for subscribers.
Key Takeaways: The Future of the Dragon Ball Super Manga
- The Manga Will Continue, But is on Hiatus: The Dragon Ball Super manga is NOT cancelled. It is on an indefinite break following Akira Toriyama’s passing, with no official return date for the main story announced as of early 2026.
- Toyotaro is the Designated Successor: Akira Toriyama’s chosen protégé, Toyotaro, who already co-wrote and illustrated the manga, will carry the series forward. He has publicly stated that continuing is “not impossible.”
- The Anime and Manga are on Different Tracks: The manga remains on hiatus, while the Dragon Ball Super ANIME is confirmed to return in Fall 2026. The two are separate products, and the anime’s return does not affect the manga’s schedule.
- No New Chapters Are Expected in the Near Future: Despite a special one-shot chapter in February 2025, official sources confirmed the hiatus would continue, with no new story content announced for the rest of 2025 or early 2026.
- The Decision is Corporate: While Toyotaro is willing to continue, the final decision and timing for the manga’s return rest with the publisher Shueisha and other rights holders, complicating the timeline.
- The Next Arc is Likely “Black Frieza”: The last major unresolved plot thread introduced Black Frieza as the universe’s new strongest warrior, which is the widely anticipated next saga for the manga.
Final Thoughts on the Dragon Ball Super Manga’s Continuation
The future of the Dragon Ball Super manga, while filled with uncertainty, is far from over. The consensus among official sources is that the series will return. The indefinite hiatus is a period of mourning, reflection, and careful planning. With Akira Toriyama’s hand-picked successor, Toyotaro, at the helm—a creator who was already deeply involved in the story’s development—the creative core of the series remains in trusted hands. The question is no longer if the manga will continue, but when and how. For now, the legacy of Dragon Ball is secure, and fans can look forward to the day when Goku and his friends return to the page.
