Dragon Ball Super, the sequel anime series to the iconic Dragon Ball Z, burst onto screens in 2015 and ran until 2018, captivating fans with its multiverse-spanning battles, new transformations, and escalating power levels. The anime concluded with the epic Tournament of Power arc, leaving Goku, Vegeta, and the Z-Fighters on a high note—but also with plenty of untapped potential. Since then, the manga has continued under artist Toyotarou (with original creator Akira Toriyama’s oversight until his passing in 2024), delivering fresh stories that have kept the franchise alive in print. However, as of September 2025, there’s still no official announcement for a Season 2 of the anime.
Reports indicate the manga itself remains on hiatus with no new chapters planned for the rest of the year, though a special one-shot was released in February. This begs the question: Do we really need a Dragon Ball Super Season 2? In short, yes—and here’s why, along with what a potential adaptation could look like.
Why Dragon Ball Super Needs a Season 2
The Dragon Ball franchise has been a cornerstone of anime and manga for decades, influencing everything from shonen tropes to global pop culture. Super expanded the universe dramatically, introducing gods, alternate timelines, and inter-universal tournaments that pushed the series beyond its Earth-bound roots. But ending the anime after just 131 episodes feels premature, especially when compared to the longevity of predecessors like Dragon Ball Z (291 episodes) or even the original Dragon Ball (153 episodes).
First, there’s massive fan demand. Dragon Ball remains one of the most popular anime series worldwide, with millions of viewers still rewatching episodes and debating power scalings on social media. The movies Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) proved there’s appetite for more animated content, grossing hundreds of millions at the box office. Without a new season, fans are left piecing together the story through the manga, which, while excellent, lacks the dynamic animation, voice acting, and soundtrack that make Dragon Ball battles legendary. A Season 2 would bridge this gap, bringing high-octane fights to life with Toei Animation’s signature style.
Second, the story isn’t done. The Tournament of Power introduced concepts like Ultra Instinct and opened doors to deeper lore about the multiverse, angels, and gods of destruction. The manga’s post-anime arcs explore these further, introducing new threats that challenge Goku and Vegeta in ways that evolve their characters. Without animation, these developments feel incomplete—fans deserve to see Goku’s mastered Ultra Instinct or Vegeta’s Ultra Ego in full motion, not just static panels.
Finally, from a business perspective, it’s a no-brainer. Dragon Ball generates billions in merchandise, games, and licensing. A new season could tie into ongoing projects like Dragon Ball Daima (which wrapped its first season in early 2025 without a confirmed sequel) or future movies, keeping the franchise relevant amid competition from series like One Piece or Jujutsu Kaisen. Delaying further risks losing momentum, especially with the manga’s current hiatus leaving the narrative in limbo.
Potential Adaptations: How Season 2 Could Unfold
If Toei Animation greenlights Season 2, it would likely pick up right after the Tournament of Power, adapting the manga’s subsequent arcs while incorporating the canon movies. The anime has a history of expanding on source material—think how it fleshed out the Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ movies into full sagas. A similar approach could work here, adding filler episodes for character development or side stories to pad out the runtime.
Structurally, Season 2 might span 50-100 episodes, divided into arcs with training montages, escalating threats, and tournament-style climaxes. Voice actors like Masako Nozawa (Goku) and Ryo Horikawa (Vegeta) could return, with new additions for villains and allies. Animation quality has improved since 2018, as seen in the movies, so expect fluid fight choreography and vibrant visuals. Toei might even experiment with hybrid 2D/3D styles, like in Super Hero, for massive-scale battles.
One key decision: How to handle the movies. Broly and Super Hero are canon but occur in the timeline after the Tournament of Power. The anime could retell them as episodes (similar to earlier films) or reference them briefly, assuming viewers have seen the movies. This would allow seamless integration into the manga’s arcs.
Manga Arcs Ready for Animation in Season 2
The manga’s post-Tournament of Power content provides a roadmap for Season 2, offering enough material for multiple sagas. Here’s a breakdown of the key arcs, based on the manga’s structure:
1. Broly Arc (Potential Movie Adaptation)
- Chapters Involved: Briefly referenced in the manga (around Chapter 42), but primarily from the 2018 movie.
- Why Animate It?: The movie introduced Legendary Super Saiyan Broly as a canon character, pitting him against Goku and Vegeta in a brutal, planet-shattering fight. Animating this as episodes would allow for expanded backstories, perhaps exploring Broly’s integration into the Z-Fighters post-battle.
- Highlights: Fusion dances leading to Gogeta, Freeza’s scheming, and raw power displays that set the stage for higher stakes.
2. Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc (Moro Arc)
- Chapters: 42-67.
- Plot Tease: Goku and Vegeta team up with the Galactic Patrol to stop Moro, an ancient sorcerer who drains planets’ energy to regain his youth and power. This arc introduces magic-based threats, forcing the Saiyans to train in new ways—Goku refines Ultra Instinct with Merus, while Vegeta learns Spirit Fission on Yardrat.
- Why It Fits Season 2: It’s a fresh villain type (energy-absorbing wizard vs. typical bruisers), with galaxy-spanning action and cameos from past characters. Animation would shine in depicting Moro’s horrific transformations and the heroes’ desperate countermeasures.
- Episode Estimate: 20-30 episodes, with build-up to a multi-phase final battle.
3. Granolah the Survivor Arc
- Chapters: 68-87 (approximately, following Moro directly).
- Plot Tease: Enter Granolah, a bounty hunter seeking revenge against the Saiyans and Freeza for destroying his planet. Using Dragon Balls, he becomes the universe’s strongest warrior—but with a catch. The arc delves into Saiyan history, introduces the Heeters (a crime syndicate), and features intense duels where Vegeta unlocks Ultra Ego.
- Why Animate It?: It adds moral complexity, questioning the heroes’ past actions, and delivers some of the manga’s best fights. Visuals of Granolah’s sniper-style attacks and Vegeta’s destructive new form would be anime gold.
- Episode Estimate: 15-25 episodes, focusing on twists and alliances.
4. Super Hero Arc (Movie Adaptation and Beyond)
- Chapters: 88-103 (including prequel elements and the main story).
- Plot Tease: Adapting the 2022 movie, this arc shifts focus to Gohan and Piccolo battling the revived Red Ribbon Army’s androids, Gamma 1 and 2, and the monstrous Cell Max. Goku and Vegeta train off-planet, but the Earth-based story highlights “next-gen” fighters like Pan.
- Why It Fits Season 2: It balances high-stakes action with humor and character growth, reintroducing Gohan’s Beast form. The manga’s version expands on the movie, adding depth that animation could enhance with emotional flashbacks and explosive finales.
- Episode Estimate: 10-20 episodes, potentially as a climactic saga.
Beyond these, the February 2025 one-shot could serve as an epilogue or teaser, hinting at future threats like Black Freeza or multiversal gods.
Conclusion: The Power of Hope
Dragon Ball Super Season 2 isn’t just wanted—it’s needed to honor the series’ legacy and satisfy its devoted fanbase. With rich manga material waiting to be animated, a revival could reignite the franchise’s dominance. While 2025 has brought disappointing updates on the manga’s hiatus and no anime news, the one-shot proves the story isn’t over. Here’s hoping Toei listens to the fans and powers up for a return. Until then, the manga (and movies) keep the spirit bomb charging. What arcs are you most excited to see animated?
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