Dragon Ball Super is the official continuation of Dragon Ball Z, produced by Toei Animation and first aired in Japan on July 5, 2015. Based on the original concept by Akira Toriyama—the creator of the Dragon Ball series—Dragon Ball Super expands the Saiyan universe with 131 episodes and an ongoing manga (as of chapter 103 in 2023). Set after the defeat of Majin Buu, the series takes Goku and the Z Fighters into battles far beyond Earth, facing gods and warriors from across the multiverse, reigniting the legacy of this iconic franchise.
The Multiverse Saga of Dragon Ball Super
The story takes place during the 10 peaceful years following Dragon Ball Z. It unfolds across several major arcs:
- Battle of Gods: Beerus, the God of Destruction from Universe 7, awakens and challenges Goku—leading to the birth of Super Saiyan God (Episodes 1–14).
- Resurrection ‘F’: Frieza is resurrected in his Golden form, forcing Goku and Vegeta to team up once more (Episodes 15–27).
- Universe 6 Saga: A tournament between Universe 6 and Universe 7 introduces Hit, a formidable assassin (Episodes 28–41).
- Future Trunks Saga: Trunks returns from the future to battle Goku Black and Zamasu—beings determined to wipe out humanity (Episodes 47–76).
- Tournament of Power: A survival battle between eight universes, where Goku achieves Ultra Instinct to confront Jiren, the mightiest warrior of Universe 11 (Episodes 77–131).
The manga goes even further with arcs like Moro (an energy-absorbing sorcerer) and Granolah (a Saiyan-hunting sniper), expanding the story beyond what the anime has covered.
What Makes Dragon Ball Super Stand Out
Visuals and Soundtrack
Dragon Ball Super features a more modern art style compared to DBZ, with vibrant colors and smoother animation—especially noticeable from the Tournament of Power arc onward (Episode 77+), thanks to improvements by Toei Animation. The soundtrack, composed by Norihito Sumitomo, along with the opening theme “Limit-Break x Survivor” by Kiyoshi Hikawa, creates a heroic atmosphere. Still, many longtime fans remain nostalgic for Shunsuke Kikuchi’s iconic DBZ music.
New and Familiar Characters
The core Z Fighters—Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, and Piccolo—remain central, while new characters make a huge impact:
- Beerus & Whis: The God of Destruction and his angelic attendant from Universe 7, who introduce divine-level combat.
- Jiren: Universe 11’s powerhouse, Goku’s toughest rival in the anime (Episode 130).
- Goku Black: A dark version of Goku, whose body is taken over by Zamasu (Episode 57).
- New transformations like Super Saiyan Blue, Ultra Instinct, and Vegeta’s Ultra Ego elevate battles to new heights.
Cosmic Scale
Unlike DBZ, where Earth and Majin Buu marked the limits, Dragon Ball Super expands the scope to all 12 universes. Characters like Zeno—the King of All—and the Grand Priest push the story to an entirely new cosmic level.
The Impact of Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super revived the franchise nearly two decades after DBZ (which ended in 1996), earning high ratings on Fuji TV and global streaming platforms like Crunchyroll. The anime boosted manga sales (over 40 million copies worldwide), inspired hit movies (Battle of Gods, Resurrection ‘F’, Super Hero), and spawned games such as Dragon Ball FighterZ. It also launched cultural trends—Ultra Instinct became a meme phenomenon and cosplay staple—bridging generations of fans old and new.
The anime wrapped in 2018, but the manga continues with arcs like Granolah and Super Hero (2022). Meanwhile, rumors of a new anime persist. The latest film, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022), focuses on Gohan and Piccolo, offering a fresh narrative path for the series.
Why You Should Watch Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super is a visually thrilling journey packed with divine battles, multiversal storylines, and the continuous evolution of Goku and friends. Whether you’re a longtime DBZ fan or a newcomer, this series delivers epic scale and unforgettable emotion. Catch Dragon Ball Super on platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix—or dive into the manga—to witness the Saiyans break their limits once again!
