The current situation of Dragon Ball remains uncertain. With Dragon Ball DAIMA completed, Dragon Ball Super has concluded, and the Dragon Ball Super manga is currently on hold, there is no guarantee that the series will return this year or next. However, the anticipation for its return is quite palpable among devoted fans. This ongoing hiatus is not surprising. Dragon Ball has been “silent” for more than a decade. Yet, this time, the excitement created by the manga is greater than ever before. Just as the current battle with the antagonist concludes, a familiar name resurfaces: Frieza.
Frieza makes a grand reappearance, showcasing a new form called “Black Frieza” and demonstrating formidable power against Goku and Vegeta, while also employing strategies that catch everyone off guard. This revelation of Black Frieza’s overwhelming strength has heightened expectations within the fan community, eagerly awaiting the Black Frieza Saga. Below is essential information regarding the Black Frieza Saga that fans should know.
1. The main characters will be Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Broly, and Piccolo
While it is clear that Goku and Vegeta will be the primary protagonists in the Black Frieza Saga, fans were surprised when Toyotaro introduced other main characters such as Gohan, Broly, and Piccolo, who will play significant roles alongside these two characters. The latest chapter hints that these characters will be the future of Dragon Ball Super, and with their incredible strength, they will become the strongest warriors capable of confronting any plans from Frieza.
Goku wields his Ultra Instinct form, while Vegeta takes on his Ultra Ego form as seen in the manga, with Gohan adopting the Beast form. Following closely are Broly in his Legendary Super Saiyan form and Piccolo in his newly acquired Orange form granted by Shenron.
Each of these characters has their own reasons for battling Frieza, whether it’s to protect Earth, seek revenge, or simply to prove their own strength against a formidable foe. All characters possess comparable power levels, and fans even speculate about who is the strongest among them. However, the gap in strength could be quite significant.
Other characters may also appear, including Z Fighters, notably Goten and Trunks, or Krillin, and even key characters from the prequel, Granolah, who may have personal motives to confront Frieza or need to prepare for conflicts against the Saiyans that he instigates.
2. The primary antagonist is Black Frieza
Frieza, as the main antagonist in the series, is not a new figure. He has previously been a pivotal character in one of the most significant sagas of Dragon Ball Z, the Frieza Saga, and is set to return as the main antagonist in the Black Frieza Saga. His plans may involve taking revenge on the Saiyans due to the humiliation he faced on Namek and Earth. Following this, Frieza may attempt to reclaim his position in the universe’s hierarchy.
The last time fans saw Frieza was in Dragon Ball Super: Broly, where Vegeta warned Goku and even the audience about Frieza’s potential. Black Frieza represents the culmination of his latent power and the warning given. While the reason behind why Black Frieza has not yet targeted the Z Fighters remains unclear, this may be resolved in the Black Frieza Saga, though Frieza has declared that Goku and Vegeta are not his main targets. This could indicate Frieza’s arrogance, as he perceives Goku and Vegeta as too weak to warrant concern over his actions.
3. The Black Frieza Saga occurs after the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
The precise timeline of the Black Frieza Saga is set after the events of the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. This means that Gohan and Piccolo have just faced off against Cell Max and the latest forces of the Red Ribbon Army while striving to defeat the Z Fighters. This also implies that the characters have aged and are closer to the conclusion of Dragon Ball Z. At the end of Dragon Ball Z, ten years have passed since the conclusion of the Buu Saga.
Dragon Ball Super takes place within that time frame, while Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero shows the gap between the two parts being much smaller as Goten and Trunks have grown up, and Pan is nearing the age of the girl who starts the Peaceful World Saga. Any subsequent part of Dragon Ball Super may “cut” the Peaceful World Saga from canon while the Black Frieza Saga could be the final saga of the entire series.
4. Black Frieza is significantly stronger than any Z Fighter
Frieza attained the Black Frieza form after discovering a Hyperbolic Time Chamber on a planet he had previously conquered. In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Frieza could train for years, pushing himself to his limits. This training process has unlocked Black Frieza’s transformation, allowing him to surpass Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Broly, and Piccolo according to Toyotaro. This assertion raises many questions, particularly regarding how Frieza could be stronger than main characters, leading some to believe he should be more powerful than any other character introduced in the Black Frieza Saga.
5. The Black Frieza Saga is currently in a state of “hiatus” as Dragon Ball is in a “suspended” state
Dragon Ball is currently facing a legal dispute. Akiyo Iyoku, the editor-in-chief of V Jump, has been the driving force behind the “Dragon Ball Room,” but he stepped down in 2022 to establish a company called Capsule Corporation. This company was founded in 2023 and has initiated a legal battle between Shueisha and Capsule Corporation regarding distribution and development rights for Dragon Ball. The dispute continues to this day, with no clear victor emerging, causing the franchise to enter a “suspended” state.
Fans are disappointed that no manga characters, including Morro or Ultra Ego Vegeta, have appeared in any subsequent works, including the mobile game Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. This legal situation is the reason behind this stagnation. The characters are currently in a state of limbo. This has led many to question whether Dragon Ball should continue or not. With a series slated to begin like the Black Frieza Saga, it is unsettling to know that the series may not conclude this arc in the near future.
Source: CBR
