Dragon Ball fans worldwide were treated to a major surprise during the Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri 40th anniversary event, as Toei Animation announced Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, an enhanced remake of the original Dragon Ball Super series set to premiere this fall on Fuji TV. According to Anime News Network, this ambitious project represents a complete reconstruction of the beloved series, featuring redrawn animation cuts and cutting-edge visual technology designed to bring creator Akira Toriyama’s true vision to life.
A Second Chance to Tell Toriyama’s Story
The announcement of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus comes as part of a broader celebration of the Dragon Ball franchise’s 40th anniversary, marking four decades since Toriyama’s groundbreaking manga first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump. Producer Akio Iyoku revealed that this enhanced edition has been in development for several years, with the explicit goal of delivering a more faithful adaptation of Toriyama’s original work. The project features extensive new animation cuts, revisions to existing scenes, complete re-rendering of all footage, newly recorded voice acting, and an overhauled musical score and sound design.
Voice actor Kōichi Yamadera, who returns to voice the God of Destruction Beerus, was on stage to announce the project at the Makuhari Messe event in Japan. The announcement emphasized that this “ENHANCED edition” employs the latest visual expression techniques to deliver greater power and immersion across all scenes, with particular attention paid to the battle sequences that define the franchise.
Addressing the Original Series’ Growing Pains
For longtime Dragon Ball fans, the announcement of an enhanced remake addresses one of the most persistent criticisms of the original Dragon Ball Super series: its inconsistent animation quality. When Dragon Ball Super first premiered in 2015, the early episodes—particularly the Battle of Gods and Resurrection ‘F’ arcs—faced significant backlash for subpar animation that paled in comparison to the theatrical films they were adapting.
The animation issues stemmed from tight production schedules and limited resources, with some episodes reportedly completed just days before airing. Fans pointed to awkward character designs, off-model frames, and lackluster battle choreography as evidence that the series was being rushed to market. Episode 5 of the original series became particularly infamous for its poor visual quality, sparking widespread criticism across social media and anime communities.
While the animation quality improved significantly as Dragon Ball Super progressed—particularly during the Universe 6 Tournament and Tournament of Power arcs—those early episodes left a lasting impression. The Battle of Gods arc, which introduces Beerus and the concept of Super Saiyan God, deserved better treatment given its importance to the franchise’s mythology.
What ‘Enhanced’ Really Means
According to the official Dragon Ball website, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus goes far beyond a simple remaster or upscaling project. The enhanced edition includes:
- Extensive new animation cuts: Brand-new scenes drawn from scratch to improve pacing and visual storytelling
- Redrawn existing scenes: Key moments from the original series completely reimagined with modern animation techniques
- Complete re-rendering: All footage processed using current technology for improved visual fidelity
- Newly recorded dubbing: Fresh voice performances with enhanced audio quality
- Overhauled score and sound effects: Updated music and sound design to match contemporary standards
- Reconstructed narrative: Story restructuring to better align with Toriyama’s original vision
This comprehensive approach suggests that Dragon Ball Super: Beerus will be significantly different from the 2015 original, potentially incorporating elements that were cut or altered during the initial production rush. The emphasis on “reconstructed narrative” is particularly intriguing, as it implies changes beyond mere visual upgrades.
Following Industry Trends
Toei Animation’s decision to remake Dragon Ball Super follows a growing trend in the anime industry of revisiting popular series with enhanced production values. The studio recently announced a similar project for World Trigger Season 1, aiming to bring early episodes up to the quality standards of later seasons. This approach allows studios to address past technical limitations while introducing classic stories to new audiences.
The strategy also makes business sense in an era where streaming platforms have made anime more accessible than ever. New viewers discovering Dragon Ball through services like Crunchyroll or Funimation might be turned off by the original series’ rough start, potentially missing out on the improved animation in later arcs. An enhanced version that maintains consistent quality throughout could serve as the definitive entry point for newcomers while giving longtime fans a reason to revisit the story.
Part of a Larger Dragon Ball Revival
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus is just one piece of an ambitious slate of projects announced during the Genkidamatsuri event. Toei Animation also revealed Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol, a new anime series adapting the Moro arc from the manga, scheduled to premiere in 2027. This represents the first time the Dragon Ball anime will adapt material from the manga that hasn’t already been animated, giving fans genuinely new content after years of waiting.
Additionally, Bandai Namco unveiled “Age 1000,” a mysterious new game project featuring original characters designed by Toriyama himself before his passing in March 2024. The game is set 300 years after the events of the main Dragon Ball storyline, promising an entirely new era for the franchise. These announcements demonstrate that despite Toriyama’s death, the Dragon Ball franchise continues to evolve with projects that honor his legacy while pushing forward into uncharted territory.
The Story Fans Will Experience Again
For those unfamiliar with the Battle of Gods storyline, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus takes place several years after the defeat of Majin Buu. Earth has finally achieved a period of peace, with Goku and his friends enjoying relatively normal lives. However, across the universe, Beerus—the God of Destruction—awakens from a decades-long slumber. Even the Supreme Kais fear his awakening, as Beerus possesses the power to destroy entire planets on a whim.
Upon hearing rumors of a Saiyan warrior who defeated the galactic tyrant Frieza, Beerus becomes intrigued and sets his sights on Earth. His search for the legendary “Super Saiyan God” from his prophetic dreams brings him into conflict with Goku and Vegeta, forcing the Z Fighters to confront a being whose power dwarfs anything they’ve faced before. The arc introduces concepts that become fundamental to Dragon Ball Super, including the multiverse hierarchy, the role of gods in the Dragon Ball cosmology, and the Super Saiyan God transformation.
A Testament to Toriyama’s Enduring Vision
The timing of this announcement carries particular emotional weight for the Dragon Ball community. Akira Toriyama’s passing in 2024 left fans wondering about the future of the franchise he created. The revelation that Dragon Ball Super: Beerus has been in development for years—presumably with Toriyama’s involvement and approval—provides reassurance that the late creator’s vision will continue to guide the series.
Producer Iyoku’s statement that this enhanced edition will “express Akira Toriyama’s original idea and worldbuilding more accurately” suggests that compromises were made during the original production that can now be corrected. Whether this means incorporating unused story elements, adjusting characterizations, or simply presenting the narrative with the visual polish it always deserved, fans can expect a version of Dragon Ball Super that better reflects Toriyama’s intentions.
What This Means for Dragon Ball’s Future
The announcement of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus raises interesting questions about Toei Animation’s long-term plans for the franchise. Will subsequent arcs of Dragon Ball Super receive similar enhanced treatments? The original series ran for 131 episodes, covering the Battle of Gods, Resurrection ‘F’, Universe 6 Tournament, Future Trunks, and Tournament of Power arcs. If the Beerus remake proves successful, it’s entirely possible that Toei could work through the entire series, creating a definitive “Dragon Ball Super: Enhanced Edition” that becomes the canonical version for future generations.
This approach would also provide Toei with content to fill the gap while new material is being developed. With Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol not arriving until 2027, the enhanced Beerus arc—and potentially the enhanced Golden Frieza arc—could keep fans engaged throughout 2026. It’s a win-win scenario: longtime fans get to see beloved stories reimagined with modern production values, while Toei maintains momentum for the franchise during a transitional period.
Reception and Expectations
Initial fan reactions to the announcement have been mixed but cautiously optimistic. Some viewers expressed fatigue at the prospect of rewatching the Battle of Gods story for the fourth time (counting the original movie, the 2015 anime adaptation, and the manga version). However, many others welcomed the opportunity to experience the arc with proper production values, particularly given how important these early episodes are for establishing Dragon Ball Super‘s mythology.
The key to success will be demonstrating substantial improvements over the original. If Dragon Ball Super: Beerus simply applies a fresh coat of paint without addressing fundamental storytelling or pacing issues, it may struggle to justify its existence. However, if Toei truly delivers on the promise of enhanced visuals, improved narrative flow, and a more faithful adaptation of Toriyama’s vision, this could become the definitive version of the story that fans recommend to newcomers.
Looking Ahead to Fall 2026
As fall 2026 approaches, anticipation will continue building for Dragon Ball Super: Beerus. The series will air on Fuji TV in Japan, with international streaming details likely to be announced closer to the premiere date. Given the global popularity of Dragon Ball, major streaming platforms will undoubtedly compete for distribution rights, ensuring that fans worldwide can experience the enhanced edition simultaneously.
For the Dragon Ball franchise, this represents more than just a remake—it’s a statement of commitment to quality and respect for Akira Toriyama’s legacy. By taking the time to properly reconstruct and enhance these foundational episodes, Toei Animation demonstrates that Dragon Ball’s future will honor its past while embracing new possibilities. Whether you’re a longtime fan who remembers watching the original Battle of Gods movie in theaters or a newcomer curious about what makes Dragon Ball such an enduring phenomenon, Dragon Ball Super: Beerus promises to be an experience worth waiting for.
The Dragon Ball saga continues to evolve, and this enhanced edition ensures that even familiar stories can feel fresh and exciting when given the treatment they deserve. As Goku would say, this is just another level to surpass—and the journey is far from over.
