Dragon Ball’s roar is back. On January 25, 2026, the franchise used its big anniversary event to unveil a slate of new projects. Oricon reported that the chief among them is a brand-new TV anime titled Dragon Ball Super: Galactic Patrol, signaling that Dragon Ball will be an active, headline-making series again this year.
The reveal landed during the “Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri” celebration in Chiba and came with first-look footage of Goku, Vegeta, and the promise that the story is entering a “new arc.” For many fans, that single announcement turned 2026 into the year when the series rejoins the same active line-up that already features One Piece, Naruto-related projects, and Tite Kubo’s Bleach.
Dragon Ball’s Return Puts Shonen’s Biggest Names Back Together
The franchise’s January announcements weren’t small. The Beerus project was described as a reworked, enhanced edition of the Super saga that aired between 2015 and 2018. It is rebuilt with new animation and sound and aimed at delivering a tighter, more cinematic version of the story. The production team also confirmed Galactic Patrol, the next major saga in DBS and a cross-media push, so 2026 won’t be just one show but a full slate of Dragon Ball activity.
This will include an anniversary game project called AGE 1000. The U.S. pop-up tour and official events will bring the celebration to American fans in early 2026. Bandai Namco and the official franchise channels have been clear that the Dragon Ball brand is being pushed across multiple media in 2026 as part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
In 2026, all four tentpole shonen properties are active in ways they haven’t all been at once for years. One Piece will return from its planned winter break with a new major arc. The anime is scheduled to start the Elbaph arc in April 2026, marking the next big stretch of the Straw Hats’ ocean-spanning journey.
Bleach’s long-awaited final run is also in the 2026 roster. The fourth and final cour of Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War is set to premiere in mid-2026. This new segment will bring the final arc of Tite Kubo’s manga to animated form. Meanwhile, the Naruto universe is returning with new special episodes planned for later this year.
What Is Dragon Ball Super: Beerus About?
Beerus and Goku in Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods. [Credit: Toei Animation]
Beerus is the God of Destruction who first arrived in the series during the Battle of Gods movie and the early Dragon Ball Super episodes. He wakes from a long sleep, looks for the legendary “Super Saiyan God,” after learning that someone defeated Freiza. Then ends up fighting Goku.
The battle changes the tone of Dragon Ball because Beerus is not just a villain who wants to destroy everything. In fact, he is a lazy but terrifying god who can also be amused, curious, and oddly protective of Earth after meeting its people. And he is always with Whis, his calm and stronger attendant and teacher. The announced story starts in a time of peace after Majin Buu, then Beerus wakes up, and his arrival forces Goku and friends into a huge conflict.
For viewers who grew up with Dragon Ball Z, this return has both nostalgia and forward motion. The footage and statements shown at Genkidamatsuri kept familiar faces like Goku, Vegeta, and returning voice talent central, while promising fresh story beats.
Having these four giants active in the same year changes the rhythm of anime fandom. Instead of stretches where only one major franchise dominates the conversation, 2026 promises a steady flow of high-profile releases. Each franchise has a slightly different plan, but together they make 2026 a special year for fans of classic shonen.
TitleIMDb RatingStreamingNaruto: Shippuden8.7/10Crunchyroll, NetflixOne Piece9.0/10Crunchyroll, NetflixBleach8.2/10HuluDragon Ball: Super8.3/10Crunchyroll
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