Is a New Dragon Ball Movie Coming in 2027? Akira Toriyama’s Editor Sets the Record Straight
Dragon Ball may be powering up for a 2027 big-screen return, if the latest buzz is to be believed. Hype spiked after Akira Toriyama’s former editor Kazuhiko Torishima pressed veteran animator Tadayoshi Nakatsuru about his involvement—earning a coy, noncommittal response that sent speculation Super Saiyan.
If you have felt a faint rumble in the fandom lately, you are not imagining it. The latest rumor: a new Dragon Ball movie landing in 2027. And the spark that kicked the buzz into overdrive was a very casual, very public exchange between Akira Toriyama's former editor Kazuhiko Torishima and longtime Dragon Ball animator Tadayoshi Nakatsuru.
The exchange that got everyone talking
Torishima brought up the chatter about a 2027 Dragon Ball film and asked Nakatsuru point-blank if he was involved. Nakatsuru did not confirm anything, but he did not shut it down either. The moment was caught on video and shared widely, including a clip posted by @Venixys on October 27, 2025.
Torishima: "So, are you involved?"
Nakatsuru: "I do not know... if it is even real."
That is the kind of non-answer you give when you cannot actually answer. No denial, no debunking, just enough ambiguity to keep the radar pinging.
So what is the rumor, exactly?
The current scuttle is an announcement in 2026, with the movie dropping in 2027. Fans have been connecting dots, spreadsheets, and pure vibes to argue that this lines up with Toei Animation's rhythm. The studio has settled into a strategy where Dragon Ball films arrive with some breathing room, letting hype build between entries.
- Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' — 2015
- Dragon Ball Super: Broly — 2018 (3-year gap)
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero — 2022 (4-year gap)
- Rumored new Dragon Ball movie — 2027 (5 years after Super Hero)
Yes, the gaps have actually been widening, which makes 2027 feel plausible rather than late. Toei does not need a scouter to track Dragon Ball's power level either. The brand continues to crush at the box office, in games, in merch, and in meme-land. Another film does not just make sense; it feels inevitable.
Where the story could go
One reason this rumor hits harder than usual: we are still feeling the loss of Akira Toriyama. Anything new carries extra weight, and fans want the next project to reflect his mix of wild imagination and goofy charm. The film could pull from the manga's Moro or Granolah arcs, or it could go off-script with something brand new. Either way, the bar is high.
What happens next
If the timeline holds, expect a proper tease sometime in 2026. Honestly, it would not take much: Goku smirking in the dark, Piccolo disapproving, Vegeta yelling "Kakarot!", and Shenron materializing like he owns the place. The internet would crumble on cue.
Until we get anything official, we wait, we theorize, and we rewatch Broly punching reality in half. If 2027 really is the year, it could be a loud, fitting salute to Toriyama and the unstoppable machine he set in motion.
In the meantime, Dragon Ball anime is streaming on Crunchyroll if you need to top off your Ki.