After eight years of waiting, the Dragon Ball Super anime is officially coming back. The new series is titled Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol. The announcement happened on January 25, 2026, during the Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri event in Japan, which celebrated the franchise’s 40th anniversary. The show will continue the story directly after the Tournament of Power arc, which ended the original TV run in March 2018. The expected release window is 2027.
The new series marks a major change for the franchise. For the first time, the anime will adapt a story that only manga readers have seen. The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga, also called the Moro arc, was the first major story written by Toyotaro, Akira Toriyama’s chosen successor. This arc is very different from previous Dragon Ball stories because it moves away from tournament fights and Earth-based threats. The show is shifting into a space opera genre.
The Moro Arc Takes Goku and Vegeta Across the Galaxy
The Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga introduces Moro, an ancient wizard who eats planets. Ten million years ago, the Grand Supreme Kai stopped Moro and locked him away in the Galactic Prison. At the start of the story, Moro escapes. He is old, weak, and looks like a goat-like demon with blue skin and horns. But as he absorbs energy from planets and living beings, he grows younger and more powerful.
The story begins when Majin Buu gets kidnapped. Goku and Vegeta try to stop the kidnapping but get captured too. The kidnappers are the Galactic Patrol, a space police force. Their top officer is Merus, a mysterious elite fighter who moves faster than both Saiyans can see. The Patrol needs Buu because the Grand Supreme Kai lives inside him. Only that ancient god’s power can stop Moro.
The arc sends Goku and Vegeta across the universe. Vegeta goes to Planet Yardrat to learn new techniques from the people who taught him Spirit Control. Goku trains with Merus to master Ultra Instinct. Meanwhile, Moro sends his army of escaped prisoners to Earth. This brings back Piccolo, Gohan, Krillin, Tien, Yamcha, and even Chiaotzu into the fight. For the first time in Dragon Ball Super, the supporting Z-Fighters get meaningful action scenes.
Why This Arc Changes Everything for Dragon Ball
The Moro arc is different from previous Dragon Ball stories in several key ways. The main villain does not rely on punching harder than Goku. Moro uses magic. He absorbs life energy from entire planets. He can drain Goku and Vegeta’s strength just by standing near them. The heroes cannot win by transforming into a new hair color.
The arc also gives Vegeta some of his best character moments in the entire franchise. Piccolo tells Goku directly that Vegeta is not only a better fighter now, but also a better person. Vegeta shows mercy to Namekians and actively works to protect their race. He trains to atone for the crimes he committed during the Frieza Saga. This is not the same Vegeta who blew up a planet full of Namekians years ago.
Merus becomes a fan-favorite character during this arc. He appears to be just a very skilled Galactic Patrol officer. His true identity is much bigger. Merus is actually a Trainee Angel, the younger brother of Whis. He cannot use his full power because Angels disappear if they fight seriously. His training helps Goku finally understand Ultra Instinct. Merus also makes a huge sacrifice at the end of the arc that changes the entire battle.
Galactic Patrol Airs After the Beerus Remake in Late 2026
Before Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol arrives in 2027, fans will get another project first. Dragon Ball Super: Beerus will debut in Fall 2026. This is not a new story. It is an enhanced remake of the Battle of Gods arc with updated animation and closer alignment to Akira Toriyama’s original drafts. The Golden Frieza arc will also get the same treatment.
The production schedule means 2026 focuses on the remakes while 2027 delivers the brand new story. Toei Animation is producing the series, and Masako Nozawa will return as the voice of Goku. An exact premiere date for The Galactic Patrol has not been announced yet. Industry sources point to a 2027 release window.
Moro Brings a Horror Feel Back to Dragon Ball
The Moro arc brings back a feeling that Dragon Ball has not had since the Imperfect Cell saga. When Cell first appeared, he left empty towns with only clothes on the ground. Moro creates a similar horror atmosphere. He does not just blow up planets. He drains every living thing on them slowly, turning worlds into dead rocks. He has already destroyed 320 planets by the time Goku and Vegeta learn about him.
Moro’s design comes from western demons, specifically goat-like imagery. Toyotaro created him with the intent of making a villain who could never become good. Unlike Vegeta, Piccolo, or even Frieza in later stories, Moro has no redemption arc. He is pure evil who views all life as his food.
The arc also introduces new characters like the Macareni siblings, Saganbo, and several other prisoners who get power boosts from Moro. These weaker villains give the supporting Z-Fighters someone to fight. Yamcha even gets a moment to prove he is still one of the three strongest Earthlings. He says this while standing up, not lying face-down in a crater.
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The Manga’s Future Remains Unclear
While the anime is coming back, the Dragon Ball Super manga has been on hold. The last chapter came out in February 2025. It was a one-shot special that arrived 11 months after the Super Hero arc ended. There is currently no confirmed return date for the manga.
Toyotaro has said that continuing without Akira Toriyama is “not easy, but not impossible.” Toriyama passed away in 2024. Before his death, he personally chose Toyotaro as his successor. Toyotaro designed several characters including Belmod, Heles, Mule, Rumsshi, Iwan, Giin, Moro, Merus, and Granolah.
The anime now faces a problem. The Moro arc will air in 2027. The Granolah the Survivor arc, which comes after Moro in the manga, would likely follow in 2028 or 2029. That story ends with a major cliffhanger. The manga has not continued past that point. Unless the manga returns soon, the anime will catch up with no source material to adapt.
Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol will stream on Crunchyroll when it releases. The original Dragon Ball Super anime is currently available on Crunchyroll as well.
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