Dragon Ball Super had a lot of problems. Beyond animation woes, the series was framed as a prequel to the final episode of Z, resulting in what many perceived as a complete lack of tension. Even with it's relative success alongside other Toei properties, the series is going on hiatus after the current arc concludes, leading to a lot of speculation about the future of the Dragon Ball brand.
One of the most evident issues is a byproduct of the franchise's age: The Japanese cast isn't getting any younger, and it's becoming less likely that these characters will get closure with their original voice actors. Masako Nozawa, the voice of Goku and Gohan, is 81. Toshio Furukawa, Piccolo, is 71. Ryō Horikawa, voice of Vegeta, is comparatively young at 60, but when you consider that Hiromi Tsuru (Bulma) was only 57 when she passed away last year, it seems unwise to play chicken with fate for too much longer. Out of respect for the cast and characters, Dragon Ball should get the fitting finale it deserves.
My proposal is obvious: One final arc that serves as a conclusion to the stories of the original Z-fighters.
Something like this: Many years after the end of Z, the almighty villain who defeated Jiren in the past has succeeded in creating his own universe, free from the sovereignty of Zeno, and is planning an invasion. The Pride Troopers and Universe 6's Saiyans have been enlisted to stop him, and they've requested the aid of Universe 7 as well. A 12-person team comprised of Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, Jiren, Toppo, Dyspo, Cale, Caulifla, and Cabba along with Uub (trained by Goku) and Pan (trained by Piccolo) is transported to this mysterious new universe to stop this unprecedented threat. Not everyone will be returning. On Earth, the remaining heroes train with the multiverse's greatest warriors to stop the incoming threat.
Finally, this would be an opportunity to accomplish what Z, GT and Super never could: The building-up and establishment of new heroes that can take the series forward, finally stepping out of Goku's shadow. This is why Uub and Pan must absolutely be a part of this hypothetical final arc, to paint them as the future of Dragon Ball.
What do you think? What are your ideas for how DB should move forward, if at all?
One of the most evident issues is a byproduct of the franchise's age: The Japanese cast isn't getting any younger, and it's becoming less likely that these characters will get closure with their original voice actors. Masako Nozawa, the voice of Goku and Gohan, is 81. Toshio Furukawa, Piccolo, is 71. Ryō Horikawa, voice of Vegeta, is comparatively young at 60, but when you consider that Hiromi Tsuru (Bulma) was only 57 when she passed away last year, it seems unwise to play chicken with fate for too much longer. Out of respect for the cast and characters, Dragon Ball should get the fitting finale it deserves.
My proposal is obvious: One final arc that serves as a conclusion to the stories of the original Z-fighters.
Something like this: Many years after the end of Z, the almighty villain who defeated Jiren in the past has succeeded in creating his own universe, free from the sovereignty of Zeno, and is planning an invasion. The Pride Troopers and Universe 6's Saiyans have been enlisted to stop him, and they've requested the aid of Universe 7 as well. A 12-person team comprised of Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, Jiren, Toppo, Dyspo, Cale, Caulifla, and Cabba along with Uub (trained by Goku) and Pan (trained by Piccolo) is transported to this mysterious new universe to stop this unprecedented threat. Not everyone will be returning. On Earth, the remaining heroes train with the multiverse's greatest warriors to stop the incoming threat.
Finally, this would be an opportunity to accomplish what Z, GT and Super never could: The building-up and establishment of new heroes that can take the series forward, finally stepping out of Goku's shadow. This is why Uub and Pan must absolutely be a part of this hypothetical final arc, to paint them as the future of Dragon Ball.
What do you think? What are your ideas for how DB should move forward, if at all?
