Unveiling the Truth: Is Dragon Ball Magic Worthy of the Pre-announcement Backlash?

Fans are eagerly, yet anxiously, awaiting the announcement at this month's Comic-Con regarding the highly anticipated Dragon Ball Magic. Leaked information has only intensified their excitement, as it suggests a potential connection to the rumored upcoming anime. However, some fans expressed their discontent with the speculative nature surrounding the series, promptly criticizing its premise. Following the conclusion of Dragon Ball Super in 2018, fans were left with only movies and promotional anime from Toei Animation. Yet, with the rumored upcoming anime, a brand new series will soon be available for fans to indulge in.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Dragon Ball Magic anime and reflects the author's opinions.

What is Dragon Ball Magic?

The anime image shows Goku from the popular Dragon Ball franchise, which is produced by Toei Animation.

There have been rumors circulating about the upcoming Dragon Ball Magic web anime series. However, there have been no official confirmations regarding this information. Instead, two well-known leakers in the Dragon Ball community, @DBSHype and @SupaChronicles, have mentioned this on X platform. As a result, fans are highly confident in the accuracy of this leak.

Supreme Kai, as depicted in Dragon Ball Z (Image courtesy of Toei Animation)

The leak reveals that the narrative unfolds at the conclusion of the Dragon Ball Z timeline. In this storyline, Goku and Supreme Kai undergo a transformation, regressing to their childhood form due to the influence of a demon. Determined to reverse this unforeseen predicament, they embark on an extensive search across the universe, aiming to restore their original bodies. During their adventurous quest, they venture to numerous unexplored planets and confront unfamiliar adversaries. Alongside the familiar faces returning from previous installments, the series will introduce a plethora of fresh characters.

What are the pros and cons of Dragon Ball Magic?

Goku as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The rumored Dragon Ball Magic brings the exciting prospect of a long-awaited new series for fans who have been eagerly anticipating it for the past five years since Dragon Ball Super concluded in 2018. Depending on the release of this rumored anime, fans may have the opportunity to indulge in a fresh Dragon Ball experience after a hiatus of five to six years. Furthermore, in terms of the storyline, the series has the potential to offer a more lighthearted approach, featuring beloved characters such as Goku and Supreme Kai in a slice-of-life anime style.

Supreme Kai from Dragon Ball Z (Image via Toei Animation)

Regarding the drawbacks of Dragon Ball Magic, there are several to consider. Firstly, the creation of an original series would result in a significant delay for a potential canon anime. Fans have long awaited the animated adaptation of the Granolah arc. However, due to the preference given to an original anime, the release of the Dragon Ball Super sequel could be pushed back by several years.

Additionally, the plot of the alleged anime bears a striking resemblance to Dragon Ball GT, where Goku embarks on a cosmic quest for the elusive Black Star Dragon Balls after being unexpectedly transformed into a child by the notorious Emperor Pilaf. Furthermore, the majority of enthusiasts found the utilization of a youthful Goku as a narrative device to be lackluster, perceiving it as a blatant indication that the production studio is attempting to appease its audience through the inclusion of nostalgic elements.

Is the hate for Dragon Ball Magic online justified?

This is Goku's appearance in the anime, as depicted by Toei Animation.

Given the anticipation for the official announcement of Dragon Ball Super 2, it's understandable that fans would be disappointed if they were instead presented with an entirely new anime. Moreover, according to leaked information, the supposed storyline of the rumored series may not deviate significantly from that of Dragon Ball GT, potentially resulting in a lack of enthusiasm from fans.

Dragon Ball Magic has not been officially announced, so it is unfair and unwarranted for the anime to be receiving hate.

Fans can look forward to the official announcement of the anime at New York Comic-Con on October 12, 2023.