The Dragon Ball Super manga has faced a complex situation in recent years, regardless of the quality of recent storylines. Despite some standout moments in the Moro and Granolah arcs, fans have become frustrated with the franchise due to the lack of consistent Dragon Ball content since the anime's conclusion in 2018.
With the recent announcement of Dragon Ball DAMAI, set to be released in fall 2024, now is the perfect opportunity to delve into the Dragon Ball Super manga. The series has felt somewhat stagnant as of late with the Super Hero storyline, and it would be beneficial for the franchise to progress with more compelling plot developments.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Dragon Ball Super manga.
The Dragon Ball Super manga and its current state of affairs
The Dragon Ball Super manga may not appeal to everyone, but it has been the primary source of content for fans of the series over the past five years. Since the conclusion of the Super anime with the Tournament of Power in 2018, this manga has been instrumental in keeping the franchise relevant and capturing the attention of the audience, despite some valid criticisms.
With the announcement of the Dragon Ball DAMAI project, now is the perfect opportunity to inject more ambitious narratives into the manga. The current storyline has revolved around adapting the Super Hero movie, causing some to feel that the franchise has become stagnant.
Only after the conclusion of the anime did the Dragon Ball Super manga manage to surpass it in terms of story content. The anime makers introduced exciting elements like the Moro and Granolah arcs, even surprising viewers with Black Frieza. However, the latest storyline feels lackluster and detracts from the overall narrative.
The future of the Dragon Ball Super manga
Expand Tweet
The manga's clear direction is hindered by various factors, such as the Super Hero movie and Dragon Ball Z's original ending. As a result, the Super manga lacks a well-defined identity and necessitates Toriyama and Toyotaro to incorporate numerous storylines into their series.
For instance, Super is set after the final battle with Kid Buu and before the conclusion of Z. Hence, the timeline gradually approaches the point where Goku encounters Uub, imposing certain limitations on the authors' creative freedom. This is why many fans desire a more significant storyline to unfold during this crucial moment.
Final thoughts
The intriguing aspect of the Black Frieza predicament lies in his newfound status as the mightiest being in Universe 7, compelling Goku and Vegeta to strive for his level of power to prevent any potential chaos. However, this captivating development has been overshadowed by the Super Hero storyline, thereby causing the primary source of canon content to appear somewhat lackluster. Undoubtedly, avid fans yearn for a change in this regard as we progress further.
The Dragon Ball Super manga is set to continue, but it is crucial for Toyotaro and Toriyama to deliver something that can reignite the enthusiasm of fans following a lackluster arc. Dragon Ball DAIMA must earn the approval of its supporters, while Super must make a strong comeback going forward.