How Dragon Ball Super revived a legendary franchise after an eighteen-year television hiatus
In short: Returning to screens in 2015, Dragon Ball Super bridged a massive gap in the iconic franchise. By blending original story outlines from creator Akira Toriyama with modern animation techniques, the series expanded the universe of Son Goku, introducing gods, alternate timelines, and high-stakes tournaments that captivated a global audience.
Dragon Ball Super served as the first new television installment for the franchise in 18 years, acting as a midquel set during the ten-year timeskip following the defeat of Majin Buu. Produced by Toei Animation, the series debuted on Fuji Television in July 2015 and concluded its 131-episode run in March 2018. The narrative began by retelling the events of the films Battle of Gods and Resurrection 'F' before venturing into entirely new story arcs, including the Champa, Future Trunks, and Universe Survival sagas.
The production relied on original plot outlines provided by Akira Toriyama, which were then adapted into individual episodes by various screenwriters. This collaborative process allowed for significant expansion, though it was not without challenges. The series faced notable criticism regarding inconsistent animation quality, particularly in early episodes, which producer Norihiro Hayashida attributed to industry-wide pressures on post-production timelines. Despite these technical hurdles, the series was praised for its ambitious storytelling, such as the Goku Black narrative and the introduction of Ultra Instinct, a transformation that allowed Goku to fight with unconscious precision.
Beyond the screen, the series became a cultural phenomenon, with public screenings of the final episodes drawing tens of thousands of viewers in Latin American stadiums. While some fans noted a shift in tone—specifically the reduction of blood and gore due to modern television censorship—the series maintained its massive appeal. It successfully integrated new characters like Beerus and Whis while exploring the complex hierarchy of twelve universes governed by Zeno. As of 2026, the franchise continues to evolve, with a remastered version titled Dragon Ball Super: Beerus and a new project, Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol, currently in development.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Dragon Ball Super (TV series)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-dragon-ball-super-tv-series.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in TV series · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
