The global hit anime franchise Dragon Ball continues to level up its power, with several major announcements from Toei Animation coming out of the Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri event in Japan this weekend (db-genkidamatsuir.com). The confab celebrated the show’s big 40th anniversary this year.
Based on the original manga, story and character design by Akira Toriyama, the newly announced anime story arc Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol is set for production. The project was revealed during the opening session, which welcomed Masako Nozawa (voice of Son Goku) and series executive producer Akio Iyoku to the stage.
The Galactic Patrol will follow the Universe Survival arc of the anime Dragon Ball Super, which aired between 2015 and 2018. It also appears in the Dragon Ball manga as the “Galactic Patrol Prisoner Arc.” The main character, Son Goku, and Vegeta work together with the members of the Galactic Patrol, the peacekeepers of the galaxy, to begin a SUPER scale battle against a new enemy, “Planet-Eater” Moro!
The teaser visual for this title was also revealed globally for the first time during the “Exclusive Announcements GENKIDASTAGE Part 1.” Along with the logo for Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol, Goku and Vegeta are seen wearing a uniform and battle armor with the Galactic Patrol symbol on the chest. With stern expressions on their faces and a large Galactic Patrol emblem in the background, the visual offers an exciting first look at the two warriors standing side by side.
Also during Part 1 of the festivities, it was announced that the Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Special Video was released simultaneously worldwide, bringing Toriyama’s illustrations to life in a dynamic new animation combining a wide range of visual techniques, each carefully employed and blended according to the unique characteristics of his works.
The video is produced by Toei Animation and directed by Naoki Miyahara, who served as general animation director for titles such as Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT, as well as sequence director for The First Slame Dunk and Director for Pretty Cure! The Movie. The animation was completed with a focus on faithfully translating the textures and colors of Toriyama’s illustrations into motion, resulting in dynamic visuals that express Son Goku’s growth and journey.
The music for the Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Special Video was created by globally-acclaimed film composer Hans Zimmer, known for iconic works such as Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lion King, and the recipient of numerous major composition awards, including Academy Awards.
Zimmer provided a greeting to Dragon Ball fans for the event: “Happy 40th anniversary, Dragon Ball! It was truly a joy to be part of this special anniversary project. Drawing inspiration from Akira Toriyama’s incredible illustrations and the stunning animation in this video, I thoroughly enjoyed composing the music — making it an exciting and unforgettable experience. To Dragon Ball fans around the world, I sincerely hope you enjoy watching it!”
Ramping up the excitement in the Part 2 panel that a supercharged version of the Dragon Ball Super series is underway, titled Dragon Ball Super: Beerus. Coming in Fall 2026, Genkidamatsuri attendees were the first to see the brand-new launch trailer and debut key art for the project. This announcement was presented with Nozawa, Iyoku and Koichi Yamadera (voice of Beerus, the God of Destruction) in attendance to share their excitement with fans.
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is the enhanced edition of Dragon Ball Super, for which Toriyama created the original work, story and character design. The project features extensive new cuts, revisions to existing scenes, a complete re-rendering of all footage, newly recorded dubbing with added score and sound effects, and a full reconstruction of the story. This edition employs cutting edge visuals to deliver greater power and immersion across all scenes — especially the battle sequences — expressing Toriyama’s original idea and worldbuilding more accurately and in the highest broadcast quality.
The super launch trailer opens with the God of Destruction Beerus in a long, deep sleep. Targeted by Beerus, the strongest being in the universe, Earth is in grave danger, thus Goku and his allies must rise up to protect it. Where will this epic battle between Super Saiyan God Goku vs. Beerus end up? The trailer shows not only Beerus and Goku, but also Vegeta and Whis, and the rest of Goku’s allies. The launch visual depicts Beerus and Goku, with space and Earth in the background.
Additionally, the project’s official website has launched at dragonball-super.com!
Synopsis: Several years have passed since the fierce battle against Majin Buu, and Earth has finally regained a brief moment of peace. At the same time, Beerus, the God of Destruction, awakens from his long, deep sleep. Even Kai and Supreme Kai, aware of Beerus’s overwhelming power to destroy entire planets, watch his awakening with great fear … Meanwhile, Beerus hears rumors of a Saiyan who defeated Frieza —and suddenly appears before Goku.
Targeted by Beerus, the strongest being in the universe, Earth is in grave danger. Thus begins an Earth-shattering cosmic battle between the God of Destruction and Goku and his allies — a conflict that will shake the entire universe.
