Dragon Ball Super: The Definitive Guide to Timeline, Sagas and Transformations

*Dragon Ball Super* is the official, canonical continuation of Akira Toriyama’s saga, a direct answer to the global demand for new Goku adventures. More than just a sequel, *Super* fundamentally redefines the franchise’s cosmology. The series introduces concepts such as Divine Ki, Gods of Destruction like Beerus, and the omnipotent being Zeno, expanding the battlefield from a single universe to twelve. If *Z* was about surpassing planetary limits, *Super* is about challenging the divine hierarchy itself.

## What Is Dragon Ball Super and Where Does It Fit in the Timeline?

*Dragon Ball Super* (DBS) is the official, canonical sequel to *Dragon Ball Z*, marking the franchise’s triumphant return under the direct supervision of original creator Akira Toriyama. Released in 2015, the series was designed to fill a crucial time gap in the original story, following the growth of Goku, Vegeta and their allies after the greatest battle of their lives. Here you will understand the chronological placement of *Super*, its canonical status compared with other sequels (such as *Dragon Ball GT*) and the unique production structure behind the anime and the manga.

### The exact placement: the 10-year gap (Post-Buu Saga, Pre-DBZ epilogue)

Timeline confusion is the most common question among fans. *Dragon Ball Super* does not take place after the end of *Dragon Ball Z*. Instead, the story fits entirely inside the 10-year gap that occurs *after* Majin Buu’s defeat (Year 774) and *before* the 28th World Martial Arts Tournament, where Goku meets Uub (Year 784).

The series begins about six months after the battle against Buu. Every event in *Super* — from the Battle of Gods Saga, through the Tournament of Power, to the canonical films *Broly* (Year 780) and *Super Hero* (Year 783) — takes place inside that lost decade, recontextualizing the peaceful ending seen in *DBZ*.

### Canon vs. Filler: Where Does Dragon Ball GT Fit?

In the *Dragon Ball* universe, canon means material directly written, illustrated or supervised by Akira Toriyama. *Dragon Ball Super* is considered the canonical continuation because Toriyama provided the main story outline and the designs for the new characters.

That places *Dragon Ball GT* (Grand Tour), the popular 1990s anime sequel, as a side story. *GT* was a Toei Animation-only production without Toriyama’s direct involvement in the main script. Therefore, the *Dragon Ball Super* chronology completely ignores the events of *GT* (including Super Saiyan 4), establishing a new official path for the franchise’s future.

### The Role of Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou (Anime vs. Manga)

*Dragon Ball Super* followed an unusual production model. Akira Toriyama did not write the weekly scripts or draw the manga; he provided the main story outline, defining the narrative arcs, the new characters and the major turning points.

That outline was delivered simultaneously to Toei Animation (for the anime) and to Toyotarou (Toriyama’s chosen successor, for the manga). This produced two canonical versions of the same story. The anime and the manga follow the same arcs but differ significantly in fights, transformations and even the outcome of certain events, because each team filled Toriyama’s gaps in different ways. Today, Toyotarou’s manga has moved far beyond the end of the anime, continuing the story with brand-new arcs.

## Complete Breakdown of the Dragon Ball Super Sagas (Anime and Manga)

The narrative structure of *Dragon Ball Super* is built around distinct arcs, or sagas, that progressively raise the stakes from planetary threats to universal and divine challenges. While the first two arcs readapted the canonical films (*Battle of Gods* and *Resurrection ‘F’*) for television, the franchise quickly introduced all-new threats. It is important to note that the anime and the manga, although following Toriyama’s same core beats, diverge significantly in details, fights and even rules. This section covers each major saga in chronological order.

### Battle of Gods Saga: The Introduction of Beerus and Whis

This opening arc sets the new power status quo for *Dragon Ball*. Beerus, the God of Destruction of Universe 7, awakens from a long slumber in search of a prophesied rival: Super Saiyan God. His arrival on Earth forces Goku and the Z Warriors to discover the ritual to reach that divine form. The saga is essential because it introduces Divine Ki and establishes that beings such as Beerus and his Angel mentor Whis stand on a power level far above Goku.

### Resurrection ‘F’ Saga: Frieza’s Revenge and the Golden Form

Marking the return of the franchise’s most iconic villain, this saga details Frieza’s resurrection through the Dragon Balls. For the first time in his life, the galactic tyrant trains hard (for only four months), unlocking a devastating new transformation: Golden Frieza. To fight him, Goku and Vegeta reveal the next stage of their own training with Whis: Super Saiyan Blue, the form that applies Divine Ki to the Super Saiyan state.

### Universe 6 Saga: Champa’s Tournament and Hit’s Debut

This saga formally expands the lore into a multiverse. Champa, the God of Destruction of Universe 6 (the twin Universe of Universe 7) and Beerus’s brother, proposes a martial arts tournament between his five best warriors. The prize: the Super Dragon Balls. The arc is key for introducing recurring characters such as the Universe 6 Saiyans (Cabba, Caulifla and Kale) and the legendary assassin Hit, whose Time-Skip technique forces Goku to evolve his combat tactics.

### Goku Black / Future Trunks Saga: The Zamasu Threat

Considered by many the darkest and most complex arc in *Super*, this saga brings the desperate return of Future Trunks. His timeline was devastated by a mysterious new enemy who looks like Goku, known as Goku Black. The investigation reveals an intricate divine conspiracy involving Zamasu, a Supreme Kai apprentice from Universe 10 with a deep hatred for mortals. The saga explores time travel, Time Rings, the Potara fusion (with the return of Vegito Blue) and ends with one of the most drastic resolutions in franchise history.

### Tournament of Power Saga: Survival of the Universes and Jiren

This is the climactic arc of the *Dragon Ball Super* anime. At Goku’s suggestion, Zeno, the omnipotent being, organizes a survival tournament: a battle royale with 80 warriors from the 8 weakest universes. The rule is absolute: the losing universe is instantly erased from existence. The saga introduces a wide cast of new characters, notably Jiren of Universe 11, a mortal stronger than a God of Destruction. The existential threat forces Goku to break every limit and awaken the divine technique known as Ultra Instinct.

### Not Yet Adapted for Anime: The Galactic Patrol Prisoner (Moro)

After the Tournament of Power and the *Broly* film, the *Dragon Ball Super* manga continued with all-new arcs. The first is the Moro saga, about an ancient sorcerer who escapes Galactic Patrol Prison. Moro does not rely only on ki, but on ancient magic, letting him drain the life energy of entire planets and opponents. The saga forces Goku and Vegeta to train separately — Vegeta learns Instant Transmission and Spirit Fission on Yardrat, while Goku trains with Merus to master Ultra Instinct.

### Manga-Exclusive Sagas: Granolah the Survivor

The next arc follows Granolah, the last survivor of the Cerealians, wiped out by the Saiyans serving Frieza decades earlier. Consumed by revenge, Granolah uses his planet’s Dragon Balls to become the strongest warrior in the universe, but at a terrible cost. The saga deepens the canonical past of Bardock (Goku’s father) and introduces the opposite technique to Ultra Instinct: Ultra Ego, a divine form achieved by Vegeta.

## Central Characters: New Gods, Angels and Warriors

While *Dragon Ball Z* focused on a core group of heroes defending Earth, *Dragon Ball Super* massively expands the cast, adding new power hierarchies and beings from multiple universes. The series not only raises the Z Warriors to divine levels, but also builds a cosmic pantheon that reframes their place in the cosmos. Parallel universes bring an influx of powerful rivals, allies and complex villains.

### The Divine Pantheon: Gods of Destruction, Angels and Zeno

*Super* introduces a clear divine hierarchy ruling the multiverse. At the top stands **Zeno**, the Omni-King, a childlike being with the absolute power to erase any or all of the 12 universes instantly. Right below him is the Grand Priest. Each universe is overseen by a pair of gods: a **God of Destruction** (like Beerus), who destroys planets to keep balance, and a **Supreme Kai**, who creates. Serving as each God’s attendant and master is an **Angel** (like Whis), beings who are actually stronger than their gods but must remain neutral.

### The Evolution of the Z Warriors (Goku, Vegeta, Gohan and Piccolo)

The arrival of Divine Ki forced the Z Warriors to evolve. **Goku** and **Vegeta** spend most of *Super* training under Whis, mastering Super Saiyan God and Super Saiyan Blue. Their paths eventually diverge: Goku begins mastering **Ultra Instinct**, a divine technique of subconscious movement, while Vegeta (in the manga) develops **Ultra Ego**, a form that thrives in combat and absorbs damage. After falling behind, **Gohan** and **Piccolo** triumphantly return in the *Super Hero* film with unique, massively powerful forms — **Beast Gohan** and **Orange Piccolo** — putting them back on the level of the gods.

### New Allies and Rivals (Jiren, Hit, Cabba, Caulifla and Kale)

Exploring the multiverse, mainly through the tournaments, introduced characters who are powerful rivals rather than villains. From Universe 6 came **Hit**, the legendary assassin with the Time-Skip technique, and Saiyans **Cabba**, **Caulifla** and **Kale** — who form the warrior **Kefla** through Potara fusion. The ultimate rival is **Jiren** of Universe 11, a mortal whose raw power exceeds a God of Destruction, serving as the main antagonist of the Tournament of Power and the catalyst for Goku’s Ultra Instinct awakening.

### The Central Antagonists (Zamasu, Moro and the Red Ribbon Force)

*Super* delivered some of the franchise’s most complex villains. **Zamasu** (and his alternate version, **Goku Black**) led the Future Trunks Saga; a Supreme Kai who saw mortals as a plague to be eradicated, taking his twisted justice to genocidal extremes. In the manga, **Moro**, the Galactic Patrol Prisoner, made magic a threat able to drain the life energy of entire planets. More recently, the **Red Ribbon Army** returned in *Super Hero*, using advanced technology to build the Gamma Androids and the bio-monster Cell Max, proving mortal threats still matter.

## Transformation and Power Level Guide in DBS

*Dragon Ball Super* redefined power levels. The series left numeric scouters behind and introduced Divine Ki (God Ki), an energy on a completely different existential plane that mortals cannot sense. The new *Super* transformations are not simple multipliers like Super Saiyan 1, 2 and 3; they are evolutions based on mastering Divine Ki or celestial-level techniques. This section breaks down the main forms introduced in the series.

### Super Saiyan God (SSG): The Ritual and Divine Ki

This is the gateway to the divine realm. First reached by Goku through a ritual involving six pure-hearted Saiyans, Super Saiyan God grants Divine Ki. It features a flaming red aura, a slimmer body and remarkable calm. Unlike other forms, SSG is highly efficient, using little energy while offering immense power, letting the user fight on the level of a God of Destruction (even if briefly).

### Super Saiyan Blue (SSB): Controlling Divine Ki

If SSG is the *acquisition* of Divine Ki, Super Saiyan Blue is its *application* in combat. Formally known as Super Saiyan God Super Saiyan, this form is essentially the Super Saiyan transformation *layered over* the SSG state. With its iconic blue hair and aura, it combines the explosive power of a Super Saiyan with the control and strength of Divine Ki, becoming Goku and Vegeta’s default battle form for most of *Super*.

### Ultra Instinct (Sign, Omen and Completed): The Angels’ Technique

Crucially, Ultra Instinct is not a Saiyan transformation, but a divine technique mastered by the Angels (like Whis). It is a mental and physical state where the body reacts and fights on its own, separate from conscious thought.

– **Ultra Instinct Sign (Omen):** The early, unstable form (dark hair, silver eyes), where the body masters subconscious defense, but the user still mentally interferes with attacks.
– **Completed Ultra Instinct (Mastered):** The perfected state (silver hair), where both attack and defense are automatic, requiring a completely calm mind. It is the peak of martial skill in the multiverse.

### Ultra Ego: The Gods of Destruction Technique

Ultra Ego is the direct counterpart to Ultra Instinct and a technique used by the Gods of Destruction (like Beerus). Awakened by Vegeta during his training with Beerus (in the manga), this form is not about dodging, but about *taking* damage. Ultra Ego thrives on pure fury and battle heat; the more damage and fighting spirit Vegeta shows, the stronger he becomes. It feeds on ego and the desire for combat, the exact opposite of the serene calm required by Ultra Instinct.

### Recent Forms: Beast Gohan and Orange Piccolo

Revealed in *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero*, these forms show that paths other than Divine Ki can reach similar power levels.

– **Orange Piccolo:** A massive transformation granted to Piccolo after Shenron unlocked his full latent potential, finally putting him on the same power level as Goku and Vegeta.
– **Beast Gohan:** Gohan’s unique, wild evolution, awakened by extreme rage. With outsized silver hair and red eyes, the form appears to evolve his Ultimate state, with power able to rival divine techniques.

## The Canonical Post-Tournament of Power Films

With the *Dragon Ball Super* anime ending at the Tournament of Power, the canonical story moved to theaters, with films written and supervised directly by Akira Toriyama. These are not filler or side films like the *DBZ* era, but essential chapters of the official timeline, adding new transformations, characters and developments that directly affect the universe’s status quo.

### Dragon Ball Super: Broly (Reintroducing the Legendary Saiyan)

Released in 2018, this film takes one of the franchise’s most popular non-canonical characters, Broly, and fully reinvents him for the *Super* timeline. The plot explores the Saiyan past, the exile of Broly and his father Paragus, and their devastating clash with Goku and Vegeta. The film makes Broly official (now a complex, tragic character instead of a one-dimensional villain) and reintroduces the canonical fusion Gogeta, who uses Super Saiyan Blue to subdue Broly’s uncontrollable Legendary Super Saiyan power.

### Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (Gohan and Piccolo Take the Lead)

This film deliberately shifts focus away from Goku and Vegeta to headline Gohan and Piccolo. The plot brings back the evil Red Ribbon Army, which builds powerful new Androids (Gamma 1 and Gamma 2) and its ultimate bio-weapon, Cell Max. Forced to defend Earth without Goku or Vegeta, Gohan and Piccolo are pushed to their absolute limits, awakening their own massive, unique transformations: Orange Piccolo and Beast Gohan.

### How the Films Affect the Official Anime and Manga Timeline

Both films are essential and fit the timeline perfectly. *Dragon Ball Super: Broly* takes place right after the Tournament of Power Saga (and before the Moro Saga in the manga). *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero* takes place several years later, after the Granolah Saga in the manga (with visibly older Pan, Goten and Trunks). The *Dragon Ball Super* manga acknowledged both events: it briefly adapted *Broly* and is now publishing a prequel arc leading directly into *Super Hero*, cementing it as the latest chapter of the official chronology.

## Where to Watch and Read Dragon Ball Super Officially

With the franchise’s global popularity, watching *Dragon Ball Super* through official channels is essential to support the creators and get the best translation and picture quality. Fortunately, both the anime and the manga are widely available on legal platforms, simulcast with Japan, so fans can follow the story legitimately and up to date.

### Streaming Platforms for the Anime (Crunchyroll)

The definitive way to watch all 131 episodes of the *Dragon Ball Super* anime is **Crunchyroll**. The platform holds the series streaming rights, offering the full catalog with original Japanese audio (with English subtitles) and, in many cases, the official English dub. Beyond the main series, Crunchyroll also carries the latest canonical films, such as *Dragon Ball Super: Broly* and *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero*, making it the central hub for the anime.

### Where to Read the Manga (Manga Plus)

For the manga, which continues far beyond the anime finale, the official free platform is **Manga Plus** from Shueisha. Manga Plus releases the newest *Dragon Ball Super* chapters simultaneously with Japan, fully translated into English (and other languages). The platform keeps only the most recent chapters free (the latest three), so fans can follow the current story without delay. To read earlier chapters, pick up the collected volumes (tankobon) released in English by VIZ.


### The Correct Watch Order (Anime, Films and Specials)

To watch *Dragon Ball Super* in the correct chronological order, follow this viewing sequence:

1. **Anime: Battle of Gods Saga (Episodes 1-14)** and **Resurrection ‘F’ Saga (Episodes 15-27)**
– *(Note: alternatively, watch the films “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” and “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’” and skip these arcs, although the anime expands the events).*
2. **Anime: Universe 6 Saga (Episodes 28-46)**
3. **Anime: Goku Black / Future Trunks Saga (Episodes 47-76)**
4. **Anime: Tournament of Power Saga (Episodes 77-131)** [End of Anime]
5. **Film: *Dragon Ball Super: Broly*** (Takes place right after the Tournament of Power)
6. **Manga: Galactic Patrol Prisoner (Moro) Saga** [Start of post-anime content]
7. **Manga: Granolah the Survivor Saga**
8. **Film: *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero*** (Takes place after the Granolah Saga)

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dragon Ball Super

This section gives short, direct answers to the most common questions fans have about the current status of *Dragon Ball Super*, its future and its expanding universe.

### Will the Dragon Ball Super Anime Continue?

So far, Toei Animation has not announced a direct continuation of the *Dragon Ball Super* anime series, which ended in 2018 with the Tournament of Power. Although the manga has moved well ahead with the Moro and Granolah Sagas, the studio has focused on theatrical releases (such as *Broly* and *Super Hero*) and, more recently, the new anime *Dragon Ball Daima*. A Season 2 adapting the manga remains a strong fan expectation, but it has no official confirmation.

### What Is Dragon Ball Daima and Where Does It Fit?

*Dragon Ball Daima* is a new commemorative anime series made with Akira Toriyama’s direct involvement in script and character design. The original story has Goku, Vegeta and other characters mysteriously turned into children by a conspiracy. Chronologically, *Daima* appears to sit before *Dragon Ball Super*, between Kid Buu’s defeat (*DBZ*) and Beerus’s arrival (*DBS*).

### What Is the Power Difference Between Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego?

The main difference is combat philosophy. **Ultra Instinct** (mastered by Goku) is an Angel technique requiring a calm, serene mind, letting the body subconsciously react to and dodge attacks. **Ultra Ego** (awakened by Vegeta) is a God of Destruction technique that does the opposite: it thrives in battle heat, letting the user take damage and convert it into power, feeding on ego and combat ferocity. In short: Ultra Instinct focuses on evasion, and Ultra Ego focuses on endurance and counterattack.

### Has the Dragon Ball Super Manga Ended?

No. The *Dragon Ball Super* manga, illustrated by Toyotarou, is still active and has moved far beyond where the anime stopped (the Tournament of Power). It completed two major anime-unseen sagas: the Moro, the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga and the Granolah the Survivor Saga. It recently adapted the *Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero* film and, after a hiatus, is expected to continue with new stories.