The future of Dragon Ball Super remains uncertain, and a new move by Toyotarou, Akira Toriyama’s successor, has heightened fan anxiety. The series’ artist revealed his newest project: an official illustration for the famous Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. While Dragon Ball Super remains on a prolonged hiatus, the mangaka’s shift in focus raises questions about when (or if) the main series will return.
Toyotarou’s New Project: Gundam
The news broke with the reveal of a promotional illustration for the December issue of the Japanese magazine V-Jump. Toyotarou drew Mikazuki Augus, the protagonist of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, for a special collectible card. The artist himself commented on the work on his social media, confirming his involvement with Bandai’s “mecha” (giant robot) franchise.
This Isn’t His Only Project Outside of Dragon Ball
In addition to the Gundam card, Toyotarou is also working on a solo story. A one-shot (single-chapter manga) titled The Lost Samurai has already had its drafts released online. This move solidifies that the artist is currently dedicating his creative time to projects that don’t involve Goku and his friends, intensifying the debate about the fate of DBS.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Dragon Ball Super?
The fans’ anxiety is understandable. The Dragon Ball Super manga has been on an official hiatus since February 2025 (Chapter 104). Adding to the tension, Victory Uchida, an editor for V-Jump, has already publicly confirmed that the series will not resume its serialization in 2025, leaving the future of Dragon Ball Super completely up in the air for next year.
A Light at the End of the Tunnel: The ‘Genkidamatsuri’ Event
Despite the hiatus and Toyotarou’s side projects, there is hope on the horizon. A major event called “Genkidamatsuri” is scheduled for January 25, 2026, in Japan. The event promises “two major announcements” about the franchise, in addition to a new video game. The presence of Masako Nozawa (the Japanese voice of Goku) and producer Akio Iyoku is confirmed, signaling that big news is, in fact, on the way.
