Stuck in the Drought – How Long Can DragonBall Fans Keep Waiting?

A personal reflection on the franchise’s silent stretch, its potential, and the uncertainty that’s testing our patience

The Wait Is Getting Heavy — And I'm Starting to Feel It

I never thought I’d see a day where the franchise would feel... this still. No new manga chapters. No new anime episodes. And outside of the DLC hype surrounding Sparking! ZERO, we’re in the middle of what I can only describe as a full-on content drought. It’s not that I expect weekly drops or nonstop fan service — I’ve always appreciated the pacing that Dragon Ball usually takes. But this? This feels different. This feels like waiting in a dark tunnel with no light at the end... and I’m starting to wonder how long we can sit in the dark before the flame of fandom starts to flicker.

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No Anime. No Manga. No Answers.

Let’s talk facts. Since the Super Hero arc wrapped up in the manga, there’s been radio silence. No Moro arc. No Granolah arc. No new manga announcements tied to Dragon Ball Super. And worst of all? No anime continuation. For a series that’s been a global phenomenon since the 80s, you’d think we’d have some sort of consistent road map. But instead, what we have are leaks, rumors, and speculation — with no solid confirmation that the arcs we loved in manga form will ever be animated.

Now, I get it. A big part of the delay is due to the rights struggle between Shueisha and Akio Iyoku’s new company, Capsule Corporation Tokyo. That “custody battle” over who gets to move Dragon Ball forward is a real issue. But as a fan, knowing the legal logistics doesn’t make the silence any easier to deal with. All it does is confirm the uncertainty. That’s what hurts the most — not knowing if the continuation we’ve been craving is even possible right now.

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Toyotarō’s New Manga and the Panic That Followed

Recently, we learned that Toyotarō is working on his own original manga. And the fanbase did what the fanbase always does — split right down the middle. Some folks started panicking, claiming he’s abandoning the Super manga entirely. Others see it as him flexing his creative muscles now that Toriyama is no longer around to guide the direction.

My take? I think Toyotarō is trying to carve out his own identity, which I respect. But I’d be lying if I said the timing didn’t feel strange. We’re already starving for new Dragon Ball content. We’re desperate to see where the Moro and Granolah stories go in animated form. And here comes the lead artist of the manga announcing a completely separate project — without a peep about Dragon Ball Super’s future. It’s not betrayal... but it does feel like being left on “read” by someone you trusted.

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What About Moro and Granolah?

I can’t overstate how much potential these arcs have — especially in animation. The Moro arc gave us one of Goku’s most spiritual evolutions as a character, not just in terms of power, but in growth. And Uub? He finally had a meaningful, canon moment that tied back to the end of Z! The Granolah arc introduced layers of history, personal vengeance, Saiyan legacy, and cosmic politics that could give any anime fan chills.

These arcs could have been the moments that redefined Dragon Ball for modern viewers. But with no sign of adaptation in sight, I can’t help but wonder — are we going to lose them to time? Are we just supposed to be okay with letting some of the most interesting developments in years stay trapped in manga panels?

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Sparking! ZERO Can’t Fill the Void

Now, don’t get me wrong. Sparking! ZERO looks amazing. The gameplay is sharp, the visuals are clean, and the nostalgia factor is hitting hard with every new trailer. I’m excited. I was playing since Day 1. But a game — no matter how good — isn’t going to satisfy the hunger that comes from wanting to see the story continue. I want to watch Goku and Vegeta’s growth after Broly. I want to see Gohan Beast animated with the same care and intensity we saw in Dragon Ball Super: Broly or Super Hero. I want arcs, consequences, drama, lore, and yes — incredible fights with insane stakes.

Video games enhance the universe, but they don’t expand the canon in the way an anime does. And right now, all we have is DLC news and trailers. That’s not enough.

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How Long Can We Keep Waiting?

At what point do fans start tuning out? Dragon Ball has an incredibly loyal fanbase — I mean, we’ve survived long gaps before. We waited from GT until Battle of Gods, and we’ve come through every rebrand and retcon with open arms. But we’re in a different era now. The internet makes everything move faster. Expectations are higher. And competition is fierce. Other anime are pumping out content at record speed, building momentum while Dragon Ball is stuck in a holding pattern.

It’s not about being entitled. It’s about feeling forgotten. I don’t want Dragon Ball to become a brand that lives off nostalgia alone. I want it to evolve. I want it to keep inspiring. And most of all, I want the creators behind it to recognize that the fandom is still here — waiting, but not forever.

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Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Fire Die

This isn’t a rant. This is a callout from someone who loves this series deeply. Dragon Ball shaped my childhood, influenced my creativity, and brought me closer to friends and fellow fans from around the world. And that’s why I can’t sit quiet while the future remains so cloudy. I’m still hopeful. I still believe there’s a path forward — one where the Moro and Granolah arcs get the justice they deserve, and where Toyotarō steps up with vision and clarity after Toriyama’s passing.

But Dragon Ball needs to move. It needs to speak. And it needs to let us know we’re not just waiting in vain.

The drought is real. The passion is still here. Now it’s time for action.