Legendary Dragon Ball Editor Might Have Just Leaked a New Movie

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Things have been a little unclear with the future of Dragon Ball lately, but fans might be in for a treat! I saw a clip online – someone shared a recent interview with Kazuhiko Torishima, who used to be the editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen Jump. In it, he strongly hinted that a new Dragon Ball movie is actually being made. It’s potentially the best news fans have gotten all year!

It’s important to remember this comes from a former editor, so it shouldn’t be taken as definite. However, Torishima hints at a new project, which might mean the beloved series could be making a comeback.

The New Dragon Ball Movie Might Be Coming Next Year

Torishima, a longtime editor for the series, says fans shouldn’t have to wait too long for the next Dragon Ball project. He believes it will be released next year, though he doesn’t seem entirely confident about that timeline.

With the mess we’re in right now, we can’t expect much from next year’s movie, can we?

Naoki Torishima has publicly shared his criticisms of the current direction of Dragon Ball. He recently expressed his disappointment with the new Dragon Ball Store in Tokyo Station and previously voiced strong concerns about the latest series, Daima. Therefore, his negative views on the franchise aren’t a surprise; he’s been critical for some time.

This raises the question of how he found out about a new Dragon Ball movie. Since Torishima isn’t working on the series anymore, he probably wasn’t part of any planning. However, because he was so involved with Dragon Ball in the past, he likely still gets information from people in the know. While he isn’t an official source, he’s probably more informed than most fans.

In May, Toei Animation apparently postponed a film based on one of their international properties. Many series fall into that category, but recent speculation suggests it might have been the next big Dragon Ball project. However, this conflicts with comments from Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, who indicated a movie would arrive in 2026. The delayed film is now reportedly slated for 2027. This could suggest production is progressing faster than expected, or perhaps Toriyama’s timeline isn’t quite right.

Who is Kazuhiko Torishima?

I’ve always been fascinated by Torishima’s role in the creation of Dragon Ball. He started working with Akira Toriyama way back in 1980 on Dr. Slump, and then continued as Toriyama’s editor for Dragon Ball until 1995. From what I understand, Torishima had a huge impact on the series, helping to shape some of the most memorable characters and scenes. He was known as Toriyama’s most direct and critical editor during those years, and that strong feedback really seemed to push the series forward.

Torishima is known for being very direct and honest with his opinions, as you can see from his comments. This straightforwardness helped him become a great editor, but it’s also sparked debate among fans over the years. He hasn’t hesitated to critique the current direction of Dragon Ball, and his strong views aren’t limited to that series. Interestingly, he initially doubted the success of One Piece when it first began, a prediction that seems surprising given how incredibly popular it is today.

Torishima’s recent remarks seemed more like a simple observation than a direct criticism. While his comments about the franchise’s direction aren’t surprising – he’s often expressed similar concerns – his mention of a future movie is interesting. It’s possible he accidentally let something slip, perhaps information he heard in passing, or he might simply be mistaken about which Dragon Ball projects are official. It’s going to be a while before we have a clear answer.

Dragon Ball’s Future is Still Uncertain

Even if the recent comments from Torishima turn out to be inaccurate, fans are eager for news about a new Dragon Ball movie. The franchise hasn’t had a major release in a while. While Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero came out in 2022, and Dragon Ball DAIMA recently finished airing as a spin-off in February, the main Super anime has been paused since 2018. The manga is ahead of the anime, but hasn’t had a new chapter since February’s one-shot prequel to the High School Saga (which concluded in 2023). The surprising ending to the Granolah the Survivor Saga happened back in 2022, and fans have been hoping for the story to continue ever since.

Since the passing of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, on March 1, 2024, the series has faced difficulties. While some new Dragon Ball material has been released, disagreements between Shueisha and Akio Iyoku, who leads Capsule Corporation Tokyo, along with questions about the future of the series, have currently stalled production.

A new movie Torishima hinted at could be the key to reviving Dragon Ball. Now that the manga has moved past the Tournament of Power, there’s plenty of source material available. While many fans anticipated the Super anime would continue by adapting the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, it’s possible a movie is being planned instead. Could this movie then lead directly into the popular Granolah the Survivor Saga in the Super anime? Or, like Broly, might this be an entirely new story first released as a movie, with a manga adaptation following and acting as the launchpad for both the anime and manga’s return?

It’s easy to guess about future Dragon Ball plans, but the truth is, nobody knows for sure. Torishima, the creator, may or may not have details. However, he seems confident that a new movie is planned for next year. We might find out more at Jump Festa, possibly before the end of 2024.

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2025-12-05 02:35