Few manga or anime have achieved the enduring popularity and staying power of the sudden ing of Akira Toriyama on March 1, 2024.

The outpouring of tributes from fans, colleagues, and fellow manga artists sparked an immediate surge in interest in all things Dragon Ball. However, fans were not the only ones deeply affected by Akira Toriyama’s ing. His collaborator Toyotarou, the publisher, and all the people who worked on the Dragon Ball franchise, needed time to process the loss and adjust their plans. This led to a natural and understandable period of silence and a slowdown in production. While most completed work continued as scheduled, any new or unfinished projects were temporarily put on hold. Yet one thing remained certain: Dragon Ball would go on.

Dragon Ball Super Reminded Fandom of the Manga's Greatness

Only Two Chapters Came Out After Toriyama's Death, But They Are Some of the Best

While the slowdown was only temporary, it did cause fans to pause and wonder about the future of Dragon Ball. Although the franchise had grown into an IP-driven entity, Toriyama remained the heart and soul of the Dragon Ball universe, even when he was not actively involved in specific projects. Accordingly, more than a few fans began to wonder about the franchise’s future without Toriyama’s creative input, vision, and guidance. In addition, questions arose about whether the franchise could honor his legacy while, of course, evolving in new directions.

To gauge the direction of the post-Toriyama Dragon Ball franchise, the manga remains the most reliable indicator, being the definitive source of the Dragon Ball universe. While it's certain that Dragon Ball will continue to generate new content, the crucial question is whether this content will uphold Toriyama's original spirit, which, by all s, was remarkably open and adaptable to diverse ways of continuing the Dragon Ball story.

Following Akira Toriyama's ing, Dragon Ball Super has published only two chapters, yet all signs indicate the series will persist. With a solid foundation in place, artist Toyotarou – Toriyama's chosen successor and longtime collaborator of nearly a decade – is poised to carry the torch. As the ideal custodian of Toriyama's vision, Toyotarou is uniquely equipped to translate the creator's original spirit into future Dragon Ball manga chapters. This continuation is explicitly confirmed by the concluding phrase of Dragon Ball Super Chapter #104: "To be continued."

The bigger question is a new Black Frieza in town, and he appears to be far more powerful than anyone else. Revisiting such an iconic villain comes with several advantages.

It gives fans a villain they’re familiar with — one with a well-known story that could also serve as a vehicle for introducing fresh ideas into the narrative. Moreover, Frieza’s story would provide Toyotarou with an opportunity to ease into the “director’s seat,” allowing him to distinguish himself as a writer. Lastly, bringing Frieza back would be a fitting way to honor Toriyama’s legacy while setting the manga on a new course.

Dragon Ball DAIMA Shows That the Franchise Still Gots What It Takes to Be Successful

A Celebrated Anime Return

While the manga serves as the foundation of the Dragon Ball franchise, the anime acts as its global ambassador, providing the primary entry point for international fans. Concerns about the anime's continuation following Akira Toriyama's ing were alleviated with the October 2024 premiere of Dragon Ball DAIMA. Although Toriyama played a significant role in its production, his groundwork allowed the production staff to complete the project after his ing. Building upon Toriyama's established framework, the team successfully brought the anime to fruition.

DAIMA has, in a way, served a dual purpose. Firstly, it has reminded long-time Dragon Ball anime fans of the series' inherent fun and irreverence, qualities prevalent before Goku's role shifted to Earth's champion and protector against planet-conquering, super-powered alien narcissists. Secondly, DAIMA has proven to be an excellent entry point for newcomers, who were previously intimidated by the franchise's extensive lore. As a result, DAIMA stands as the Dragon Ball franchise's most significant offering in years.

The question for the anime department of the Dragon Ball franchise, much like with the manga, is not whether anime can be produced but whether they will continue to have that Toriyama vibe while also developing its own feel. On the one hand, if Toyotarou continues to generate manga content, there will always be source material for future Dragon Ball anime. In addition, over the decades, Toriyama has created a vast and detailed world that can further be explored by creators.

Indeed, as DAIMA demonstrates, there are plenty of experienced anime teams that have successfully worked with Dragon Ball content without Toriyama’s direct involvement. While Toriyama’s absence —and the lack of a chosen anime successor like Toyotarou— does create some uncertainty for the Dragon Ball anime franchise, Toriyama’s foundational work, Toyotarou’s continued contributions, and the expertise of seasoned Dragon Ball producers like Akio Iyoku (behind DAIMA) suggest that DAIMA will not be the last Dragon Ball anime ever made.

The Dragon Ball Tale Is Far From Over

Since the return of Dragon Ball from its hiatus with Dragon Ball Super in 2015, the franchise has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity. While some of this renewed interest is driven by nostalgia, a substantial portion of the franchise's successful return can be attributed to the new content provided by Dragon Ball Super, which offers a fresh chapter in the overall narrative. However, during this resurgence, the franchise suffered a devastating setback—the sudden ing of its creator, Akira Toriyama.

At the very least, fans wondered whether the franchise could maintain its excellence without its creator. At worst, some feared (and continue to fear) that Toriyama’s ing might mark the end of the Dragon Ball saga altogether. However, in the year since his death, Dragon Ball has demonstrated that the story of Goku and his friends will endure. While Toriyama’s unique vision and creativity are irreplaceable, the foundation he built, combined with the dedication of his collaborators and the ion of the fanbase, ensures that the legacy of Dragon Ball will live on.