Dragon Ball and One Piece are two of the most influential anime franchises in history. Both have delivered countless memorable episodes, manga chapters, and movies, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. Over the years, these franchises have consistently expanded their cinematic libraries, not just as promotional tools but as standalone experiences packed with thrilling action and exceptional character development. In recent years, the quality and scope of these films have only improved, turning each release into a cultural event for anime enthusiasts.
The last major films for these franchises, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and One Piece Film: Red, premiered in 2022, each garnering praise for their innovation and storytelling. While fans eagerly await official news on upcoming projects, a recent report from Toei Animation has sparked excitement. According to their financial statement, two anime films are slated for release in fiscal year 2026, falling between April 2025 and March 2026.
One Piece Franchise (Credits: Eiichiro Oda)This timeline aligns perfectly with the usual production cycle for major Dragon Ball and One Piece films. It has been three to four years between recent releases, so speculation is high that the new projects could belong to these legendary franchises. The rumor mill is already buzzing, especially since 2026 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Dragon Ball anime, making it the ideal time for a celebratory release.
However, Toei Animation has not confirmed which franchises will headline these films. While it’s possible they could focus on other popular properties such as Digimon or PreCure, the global dominance of One Piece and the milestone anniversary for Dragon Ball make them the leading contenders. Fans are hopeful that official announcements will come soon, giving them a clearer picture of what to expect.
Dragon Ball Franchise (Credits: Akira Toriyama)The potential for new Dragon Ball and One Piece films is thrilling, especially given the success of their most recent entries. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero broke new ground with its innovative CGI animation and excellent character arcs for Piccolo and Gohan, even being hailed by some as the best-written Dragon Ball film to date. A new movie could also serve to advance the Dragon Ball Super storyline, filling the gap left by the manga’s current hiatus.
Similarly, One Piece Film: Red raised the franchise’s cinematic achievements with stunning animation and a deeply emotional narrative rivaling the manga’s best arcs. Another movie could build on that momentum, delivering an even greater spectacle for fans.
Whether or not the upcoming films turn out to be part of these franchises, the mere possibility has fans brimming with excitement. If history is any indication, a new Dragon Ball or One Piece movie would be a monumental event, and anime enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting what Toei Animation has in store.