Dragon Ball Super is a well-known installment in the iconic Dragon Ball franchise, grabbing fans worldwide with its thrilling adventures. Penned by Akira Toriyama and brought to life by Toyotaro’s illustrations, this series picks up six months after the defeat of Majin Buu, plunging Goku and his companions into a fresh array of escapades.

However, a significant distinction between Dragon Ball Super and its predecessors lies in their anime adaptations.

While there was a Dragon Ball Super anime series, it concluded in 2018, leaving fans reliant on the manga to continue enjoying the story. But how do American fans access it, and when can they expect new chapters?

Currently, Dragon Ball Super finds itself at an intriguing juncture. Since chapter 91, the manga has been unfolding an expanded narrative based on the 2022 film, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. The climax of this storyline arrived in Chapter 100, titled “Burst Forth!—Light of Death!”

Many fans anticipated a new arc to commence in the subsequent chapter, yet chapters 101 through 103 served as an epilogue to the Super Hero plotline.

The grand finale of the Super Hero arc unfolded in chapter 103, culminating in an intense battle royale between Saiyans sparked by Goku and Gohan’s long-awaited sparring match. It served as a fitting conclusion to the Super Hero Saga and a poignant homage to the late Akira Toriyama, whose passing continues to reverberate among fans.

Though the direction of the series remains uncertain post this point, fans find solace in the capable hands of Toyotarou, whom Toriyama once praised in a joint interview with V-Jump, stating, “maybe there are people who can imitate my pictures, but not many artists can pull off an entire chapter the way you can!”

Updated by Brett Cardaro, March 22, 2024: The passing of the legendary mangaka Akira Toriyama on March 1st, 2024, left fans worldwide grieving and cast uncertainty over the future of the Dragon Ball franchise.

In a time of reverence for Dragon Ball’s cherished creator, the Dragon Ball Super manga has entered a hiatus, with no confirmed return date announced yet. However, fans need not fret; despite the hiatus, the official V-Jump website urges patience, assuring readers to “wait for it resuming.”

How Dragon Ball Super is Released

With the recent conclusion of Super Hero’s epilogue, fans are eagerly anticipating the next saga in the Dragon Ball Super manga, with hints dropped suggesting it could be the final arc.

Akira Toriyama’s mention of the storyline nearing the time-skip seen at the end of Dragon Ball Z has added to the excitement, fueling speculation about what’s to come. As the manga remains the sole medium for experiencing the story due to the absence of a weekly anime adaptation, fans are gearing up for its continuation.

Dragon Ball Super differs from other popular shōnen manga series in its serialization pattern. Instead of being featured in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine, it finds its home in V Jump magazine, where it has been since its launch in 2015.

Unlike the weekly releases of Shōnen Jump, V Jump follows a monthly publishing schedule. Typically, issues of V Jump hit Japanese store shelves on the 21st of each month, though this date may be adjusted slightly if the 21st falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or public holiday.

In some cases, V Jump may alter its release date to coincide with major events like Jump Festa, ensuring the magazine is available for fans. Fortunately, any such changes are communicated in advance through V Jump’s social media channels and within the pages of the previous issue.

Dragon Ball Super’s Routine Hiatuses: Understanding the Norm

After the relealing of Dragon Ball Super Chapter 103, titled “Legacy Toward the Future,” the series declared its intention to enter a hiatus. For followers of the series, this hiatus doesn’t come as a complete shock.

Historically, Dragon Ball Super manga tends to take breaks following the conclusion of major story arcs, making the hiatus after Chapter 103 entirely customary.

These pauses in publication are a regular feature of the Dragon Ball Super manga’s schedule. Previous hiatuses have left enthusiasts awaiting new chapters for extended periods.

The most recent hiatus before the current one occurred in August 2022, lasting four months after the release of Chapter 87, titled “The Universe’s Strongest Appears.” Toriyama himself stated that this break was necessary for planning the upcoming arc. When Chapter 88 debuted in December 2022, it marked the beginning of the High School Saga.

Given the recent passing of series creator Akira Toriyama and the conclusion of the Super Hero arc, it’s understandable that the series might take a brief hiatus. Such pauses not only allow the staff time to mourn but also provide an opportunity to meticulously plot the next arc.

Fortunately, announcements regarding these hiatuses are typically made well in advance on Dragon Ball Super’s official social media platforms, ensuring fans are informed ahead of time.

Where and When to Catch the Dragon Ball Super Manga

When Dragon Ball Super makes its anticipated return, American fans will have no trouble accessing it. Thanks to Viz Media’s partnership with Shueisha, most titles featured in V Jump magazine are available through Viz Media’s Shōnen Jump website and app.

This means American enthusiasts can conveniently follow the series without hassle. An added perk of the app is its swift release of new chapters, often within hours of their Japanese debut, sparing fans from the dreaded social media spoilers.

It’s worth noting that Viz Media typically uploads new chapters just after midnight in Japan. Given the time zone difference, American readers are treated to the latest chapter a day ahead of V Jump’s official street date.

For instance, if V Jump is slated for release on the 21st of the month, American readers can get into the newest chapter on the 20th. However, occasional delays in Viz’s uploads might require fans to refresh the page a few times if they’re eager to catch the chapter the moment it drops.

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The Viz Media Shōnen Jump app provides a convenient platform for fans to get into the world of manga, offering the first and three most recent chapters of series like Dragon Ball Super for free.

This setup makes it an excellent starting point for newcomers or a reliable source for staying up to date with ongoing storylines. However, for readers eager to find further into the series, a monthly premium membership priced at approximately $2.99 is required.

But Viz Media isn’t the sole contender in this arena. Shueisha’s Manga Plus app also hosts Dragon Ball Super among its titles. Similar to Viz Media’s offering, Manga Plus allows users to access chapters one, two, and three, as well as the latest three releases, without charge.

Additionally, Manga Plus features a “First Read Free” initiative, granting complimentary access to every chapter of select titles, including Dragon Ball Super. However, this free access is limited to a single read-through per chapter. To enjoy unlimited reading, users can opt for a monthly membership, which comes in two tiers: a standard option priced at $1.99 and a deluxe option at $4.99.

For fans who prefer the tactile experience of physical media, Dragon Ball Super also releases collected volumes. However, these volumes typically lag behind the serialized chapters.

For instance, the latest available volume, Volume 20, encompasses chapters 85 to 88, marking the conclusion of the Super Hero arc. Consequently, fans relying solely on collected volumes may experience a delay in enjoying the latest developments in the series.

Dragon Ball Super 2024 Release Schedule

Dragon Ball Super has been known for its consistent release schedule, setting it apart from other manga series like One Piece. This trend was evident in its 2023 release schedule, where chapters were regularly published on or just before the 21st of each month in Japan.

So far, 2024 has followed suit, maintaining a similar pattern of release dates. Chapters have been revealed consistently throughout the year, aligning with the established schedule.

However, it’s worth noting that Dragon Ball Super is currently on an indefinite hiatus. Consequently, the April issue of V Jump will not feature any Super content. If the series resumes in the subsequent month, Chapter 104 could potentially be slated for release in May. Nevertheless, as of now, no confirmed release date has been announced.

If 2024 mirrors the release schedule of the previous year, fans can anticipate new chapters on familiar dates. Yet, it’s essential to acknowledge that circumstances may change, leading to adjustments in the release calendar. Fans keen on staying updated with the latest Dragon Ball Super manga developments are advised to monitor social media channels or the Viz Media website for any potential modifications to release dates.

Despite its unique serialization arrangement in V Jump, Dragon Ball Super remains easy to follow, thanks to its monthly release schedule. This structure ensures that fans have ample time to delve into each chapter, minimizing the risk of falling behind or missing installments.

Moreover, accessibility is enhanced through platforms like Viz Media and Manga Plus, enabling American readers to enjoy the series alongside their Japanese counterparts. This global accessibility underscores Dragon Ball Super’s status as an international phenomenon, regardless of its narrative trajectory.