Dragon Ball Super and the new canon: Video games are now officially part of it

The new narrative horizon of Dragon Ball Super

For years, fans of Akira Toriyama's work have debated the narrative hierarchy of the franchise. While the manga and the anime set the main tone, spin-off titles—especially video games—were considered simple alternative stories or spin-offs. However, a crucial detail in the film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has changed the rules of the game forever.

The integration of the gamer multiverse

A specific scene in the film has served as a bridge to validate events previously confined to the interactive realm. By acknowledging key elements of the Xenoverse saga and other titles, the production has consolidated a shared universe where the lore of the video games is, finally, official. This move not only satisfies longtime fans but also opens the door for future installments of the narrative season to include characters and concepts born outside of the printed format.

"The inclusion of video game mechanics and plots into the main canon demonstrates that transmedia storytelling is the future of major entertainment franchises."

Why does this change everything?

The validation of these events allows creators to expand the universe without relying exclusively on the traditional chronology. Among the most interesting implications are:

• Expansion of the canon: Characters and transformations that were previously 'non-canonical' are now part of the official history.
• Creative synergy: Greater quality control and coherence between video game releases and animation.
• Impact on the fandom: The validation of years of theory and play, something we discussed recently in our article on Crunchyroll that unites anime leaders in New York.

The future of the franchise

This strategic shift suggests that Dragon Ball seeks to unify its fanbase under a single, coherent timeline. As we wait for upcoming announcements regarding the future of the anime, this integration invites us to revisit video game titles with a new perspective, understanding that every digital battle could have repercussions on the story we will see on screen soon. The era of fragmentation is over; the Dragon Ball multiverse is, from now on, one cohesive piece.

Sources: CBR Anime