Is 'Dragon Ball The Next' A Direct Sequel To 'Dragon Ball Super'?

'Dragon Ball The Next' dives deep into uncharted territory by exploring the legacy of Goku and Vegeta through their descendants. The story introduces fresh Saiyan hybrids with untapped potential, blending classic Dragon Ball combat with modern storytelling. New planets and civilizations emerge, revealing cosmic threats that push the characters beyond their known limits. The series also revisits older techniques like Ultra Instinct, refining them with下一代's unique twists. A major expansion comes from the lore—hidden Saiyan histories and forgotten gods resurface, adding layers to the Dragon Ball mythos. The show reimagines the Dragon Balls themselves, introducing variants with different rules or consequences. Supporting characters from past arcs return with evolved roles, bridging generations. The animation style evolves too, mixing traditional hand-drawn fights with dynamic CGI for epic interstellar battles. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a bold step forward.

The new villains in 'Dragon Ball The Next' are a fascinating mix of cosmic threats and ancient evils. The primary antagonist is Lord Zargoth, a being from a dying universe who seeks to harvest Earth's energy to recreate his own world. His power eclipses even the gods of destruction, and his army of Void Knights can manipulate space-time, making them nearly invincible. Zargoth’s motives aren’t just destruction—he’s a tragic figure driven by loss, which adds depth to his character. Another major threat is the Eclipse Syndicate, a group of rogue Saiyans who abandoned their warrior code. They’ve mastered forbidden techniques like the Dark Kamehameha, which drains the life force of opponents. Their leader, General Vexar, has a personal vendetta against Goku, blaming him for the downfall of their race. The syndicate’s brutality and unpredictability make them a constant wildcard in the story. Lesser but equally dangerous are the Shadow Androids, biomechanical hybrids created by a mysterious entity. Their ability to adapt and copy fighters’ moves mid-battle keeps the Z Fighters on their toes.

In 'Dragon Ball The Next', the power levels are absolutely insane compared to earlier arcs. Goku and Vegeta have pushed beyond Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego, reaching something called 'Cosmic Dominion', where they can manipulate energy on a universal scale. Their battles create shockwaves that destabilize dimensions, and their speed is beyond measurable—think instant teleportation combined with time manipulation. New antagonists like Zeroth, a rogue Angel, operate at 'Transcendent Tier', wiping out galaxies with casual energy blasts. Even supporting characters like Broly and Piccolo have evolved; Broly’s 'Primal Rampage' mode lets him absorb ki from planets to grow endlessly stronger, while Piccolo’s 'Elder Kai Fusion' grants him reality-warping shouts. The scale is so vast that power levels are now logarithmic—each tier multiplies destructiveness by 1,000x. Fights aren’t just about strength but conceptual dominance, like erasing opponents from timelines or rewriting physics mid-combat.

Rumors about 'Dragon Ball The Next' have been swirling, and the possibility of crossover characters is a hot topic. Considering the franchise's history, it wouldn't be surprising if they included familiar faces from other series. The Dragon Ball universe has always been expansive, and crossovers like 'Dragon Ball Heroes' show fans love seeing their favorite characters interact. Imagine Goku teaming up with someone from 'One Piece' or 'Naruto'—it would be epic. However, Akira Toriyama's team might keep it self-contained to preserve the story's integrity. Crossovers can sometimes feel forced, and 'Dragon Ball The Next' might focus on introducing new villains or allies within its own lore. The anime industry thrives on surprises, so whether it happens or not, the speculation alone is thrilling. If they do include crossovers, it’ll likely be a well-executed cameo rather than a full-blown storyline.

'Dragon Ball The Next' does bring fresh twists to the Super Saiyan legacy, though it doesn't outright introduce entirely new forms. Instead, it evolves existing transformations with unique variations. Goku and Vegeta's Super Saiyan Blue gets a refined version, focusing on energy efficiency—less flashy aura waste, more concentrated power. The manga also teases a 'Saiyan Instinct' state, blending Ultra Instinct's precision with raw Saiyan aggression, creating a hybrid form that feels distinct from previous iterations. Side characters like Broly get expanded lore; his Legendary Super Saiyan form now has controllable phases, avoiding the mindless rage pitfall. The series experiments with situational adaptations too—environmental factors or emotional triggers can temporarily amplify forms beyond their usual limits. These tweaks keep the power scaling dynamic without reinventing the wheel. The emphasis shifts from mere transformations to mastering their nuances, making battles more strategic than ever.

I've been following 'Dragon Ball' since the original manga days, and 'Dragon Ball Alternative' feels more like a creative spin-off than canon material. It borrows the core elements—Saiyans, energy blasts, multiverse threats—but twists them into new directions that don't align with Akira Toriyama's established timeline. The character designs are flashier, and power scaling goes wild in ways that contradict official lore (like mortals surpassing Angels casually). Toei Animation hasn't endorsed it, and the absence of Toriyama's direct involvement seals the deal for me. It's a fun what-if story, but stick to 'Super' or the movies for canon events. If you enjoy alternate takes, try 'Dragon Ball Heroes'—it's non-canon too but embraces its chaos with time-traveling clones and demon gods.

Well, if I had to choose, I'd definitely say I'm most like Goku. Always striving for the best, embracing challenges head-on, and never backing down, no matter how tough the situation might be. Being just as persistent, optimistic, and loyal as Goku is something I aspire to every day. Besides, I have a soft spot for food, just like him. I'd never back down on a food challenge. So, in essence, I see Goku as an embodiment of resilience and tenacity, characteristics I try to incorporate in my daily life. I find that 'Dragon Ball' continually inspires me to push beyond my limits and explore the bounds of my potential.

As someone who's followed 'Dragon Ball' for decades, I can confidently say 'Dragon Ball Enlisted' isn't part of the official canon. It's a fun spin-off with cool character designs and alternate storylines, but Akira Toriyama never confirmed it as part of the main continuity. The events don't align with established lore—Goku's power scaling is inconsistent, and some characters appear in timelines where they shouldn't. That said, it's worth reading for its creative takes on battles and team-ups. If you want pure canon, stick to the original manga and 'Dragon Ball Super'. For similar non-canon but entertaining content, check out 'Dragon Ball Heroes' or 'Dragon Ball SD'.