Shueisha, Japanese publisher currently serializing the "Dragon Ball Super" manga, announced they will be expanding the "Dragon Ball" brand in a presentation in Tokyo on Oct. 12. The company recently created a new department called "Dragon Ball Room" which will focus solely on new content ideas for Akira Toriyama's "Dragon Ball" series.
Shueisha's V Jump magazine editor-in-chief, Akio Iyoku, will head the department, whose goal is to optimize and expand the brand. "Dragon Ball" creator Toriyama said he has trust in the ability of the team, and even joked that he has nothing to do now. "It's really great that I don't have to do anything now," he said, as cited by Anime News Network.
"Dragon Ball" was published from 1984 to 1995 in the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, also by Shueisha, with 42 volumes and 519 individual chapters. It has sold over 240 million copies, and has since been adapted into different media, including a long-running animation series by Toei Animation, "Dragon Ball" and "Dragon Ball Z," which aired from 1986 to 1996.
The franchise spawned other series as well, such as "Dragon Ball GT," which aired from 1996-1997," a faster-paced version of "Dragon Ball Z," titled "Dragon Ball Kai," which was released from 2009 to 2015, and the currently airing "Dragon Ball Super." The story was also adapted to anime films, video games, and more.
On the other hand, the brand's latest installment, the "Dragon Ball Super" anime, has been confirmed for international release, according to Forbes. "Dragon Ball Super" is scheduled to air in Italy, Europe, France and Africa sometime this Fall. However, there is no news as of yet regarding a U.S. release.
"Dragon Ball Super" currently has 61 episodes. Episode 62, which will air on October 16, will feature Future Trunks transforming into a new form of Super Saiyan in a deadly battle against Goku Black and Zamasu, while Goku and company are recovering in order to fully defeat the evil duo.
