Few anime franchises have generated more speculation about their future thanDragon Ball. Even withDragon Ball Super’sanime ending years ago and the manga continuing sporadically, fans have never stopped asking what’s next. Now, the surprise decision to canonizeDragon Ball GTmay have finally opened the door for a new, thrilling direction that could arrive in the form ofDragon Ball Super 2.
WhileGThas long occupied an awkward place in theDragon Balltimeline, its canonization doesn’t just patch a hole, it creates potential. Specifically, the five-year gap between the end ofSuperand the beginning ofGTis now ripe for exploration. This window could provide the perfect setting forDragon Ball Super 2, allowing it to tell original stories while reconciling inconsistencies between the two series.
A New Frontier Between Dragon Ball Super and GT
Why Dragon Ball Super 2 Belongs Between Super and GT
The decision to placeDragon Ball Super 2in the brief but critical gap beforeGToffers more than just a timeline correction, it’s an opportunity. The existing contradiction betweenSuper’sdivine power scaling andGT’stoned-down approach has always left fans scratching their heads. That confusion could be addressed with purpose-built storytelling inSuper 2.
Just as the originalDragon Ball Superfilled the space between the defeat of Majin Buu and the “End of Z” episodes,Super 2could do the same betweenEnd of ZandGT. This stretch of time offers creative freedom, with five unexplored years during which beloved characters could evolve, fade, or find closure. By intentionally guiding the characters fromSuper’scosmic chaos toGT’searthbound tone, the series could tell a cohesive and compelling transitional tale.
Additionally, this isn’t just about fixing continuity errors. If handled well, this new entry could show how god-tier fighters like Goku and Vegeta lose their divine abilities, how Gohan and Piccolo retreat from the spotlight, and why Earth’s younger generation becomes more central. It could reframeGTnot as a departure, but as the next natural step.
The Black Frieza Saga as a Narrative Reset
Frieza’s Final Form Could Reshape the Dragon Ball Universe
One of the strongest candidates to kick offSuper 2is the long-anticipated Black Frieza Saga. While fans initially expected this arc to appear in the ongoing manga, its placement post-End of Zmakes more sense now. With Frieza’s new form and ambitions reaching godlike proportions, he’s the perfect antagonist to clear the board.
Frieza’s goal to rule the multiverse, and possibly surpass the gods, makes him a threat to not just Goku and Vegeta, but to the entire cosmic order. InSuper 2, Frieza could launch a war against the Gods of Destruction, Angels, and even the Omni-Kings. This cosmic conflict could be the mechanism through which characters lose access to God Ki, Ultra Instinct, and other divine powers.
For instance, a full-scale war could result in the destruction of Beerus, Whis, and the Zenos. Without their influence, God Ki might vanish entirely from the universe. This would makeGT’smore grounded power levels believable again. Broly could be swayed by Frieza, even if only temporarily, explaining why he disappears from the narrative by the timeGTbegins.
Additionally, this saga could serve a dual purpose by developing Uub.The End of Zteases his role as Goku’s successor, andSuper 2could dive deeper into their training. Letting Vegeta lead the main battles while Goku trains Uub in the background would echoZ’sstructure, setting the stage for a new era of heroes.
A Proper Farewell for Gohan and Piccolo
Giving Gohan and Piccolo the Closure GT Never Did
While the Black Frieza Saga can address divine power, it won’t explain why Gohan and Piccolo are so weak inGT. Their new forms, Gohan Beast and Orange Piccolo, are arguably on par with god-level fighters, and there’s no explanation inGTfor why these transformations are never used.Super 2can change that.
A follow-up arc could explore this power regression by introducing a new antagonist who uses a variant of the Black Star Dragon Balls to remove Earth’s mightiest powers. This would instantly handicap Gohan and Piccolo, making their raw power irrelevant. A villain like Bojack or a new cosmic foe could force them to rely on intellect, tactics, and heart, which are hallmarks of theirZ-era personas.
This arc could act as a swan song for both characters. Rather than overpowering enemies, they could win using strategy and sacrifice. It would provide a powerful emotional moment for long-time fans and explain why both characters retreat from battle inGT. Such a sendoff would be far more satisfying than simply ignoring their existence.
Additionally, this narrative move gives younger fighters a chance to shine. Goten, Trunks, and Pan could begin stepping up, taking over the mantle as Earth’s defenders, another smooth transition intoGT’snarrative focus.
Bridging the Gap to GT’s World
How Super 2 Can Smoothly Transition Into GT’s Tone
Even with two strong arcs setting the stage, a few more sagas would be needed inSuper 2to fully align withGT’sstatus quo. These arcs wouldn’t need massive villains or multiversal stakes, they’d just need to nudge characters into place emotionally and thematically. Character development, not just action, would be the key.
Vegeta, for instance, must let go of his rivalry with Goku. After losing God Ki and watching Goku focus entirely on training Uub, he might finally realize the pursuit of surpassing Goku is futile. This could motivate him to embrace his role as a father and mentor, highlighting his family life and strengthening his relationship with Bulla and Trunks.
Meanwhile, Gohan could happily retire from combat, comforted by the rise of a new generation of fighters. For once, he could focus on his family and intellectual pursuits, knowing Pan, Uub, and others have Earth’s back. Trunks’ evolution into Capsule Corp’s president could be seeded here too, with Bulma grooming him to take over.
Pan’s transformation intoGT’sbratty teen could also be fleshed out. Spoiled by her famous lineage, being the daughter of Gohan and granddaughter of Mr. Satan, Pan could grow up entitled, leading to herGTpersona. Goten, meanwhile, might struggle to find his identity separate from Trunks, explaining his obsession with dating and independence inGT.
The Right Dragon Ball Sequel at the Right Time
Now is the Right Time for Dragon Ball Super 2
WithDragon BallGTnow considered canon, the franchise is in a unique position to reconcile the past, present, and future.Dragon Ball Super 2doesn’t just make sense, it’s almost necessary. The unresolved threads betweenSuperandGTdeserve closure, and the franchise has both the narrative space and character depth to make it happen.
Most importantly,Super 2wouldn’t need to overshadowGTorSuper, it would exist to unite them. By telling bold, emotional, and transformative stories, it could pave the way for the beloved (and now validated)GTtimeline while satisfying fans still hungry for moreSuper-style storytelling. If done right, it could be the bridge that finally brings the entireDragon Ballsaga full circle.
Dragon Ball Super
Cast
Dragon Ball Super is an anime series set after Majin Buu’s defeat. It follows Son Goku, now a radish farmer, as peace prevails until Beerus, the God of Destruction, appears. Seeking to challenge a legendary warrior, the series revisits events from two Dragon Ball Z films before exploring alternate universes.
Dragon Ball GT
Dragon Ball GT is the third series in Akira Toriyama’s most famous anime franchise. However, it is the first one not to adapt a manga storyline. Set after the events of the Buu Saga, Dragon Ball GT sees Goku and the Z-Warriors battle powerful villains such as Baby, Super 17, and the Shadow Dragons. 18 years after the 64-episode show was met with a lukewarm reception, Dragon Ball Super replaced it in the anime’s official continuity.
