Dragon Ball Super has officially laid its cards on the table ahead of the Black Frieza Saga, revealing the five strongest forms currently active in the manga. Perfected Ultra Instinct Goku, Ultra Ego Vegeta, Gohan Beast, Orange Piccolo, and True Legendary Super Saiyan Broly are the Z-Fighters' peak transformations, and according to series artist Toyotarou, they're all roughly equal in power. The lineup was showcased at Jump Victory Carnival 2026 in Osaka, where a photo spot based on Volume 24's cover brought them together — with Black Frieza looming on the back cover.
The reveal comes as the Dragon Ball Super manga prepares to end its extended hiatus. Toyotarou is scheduled to appear at the convention on July 25, 2026, and will likely present new art, with many fans expecting an official return date announcement. A new Dragon Ball Super anime is also set to air in fall 2026, making this the perfect moment to re-establish the power hierarchy.
DBS manga photo-spot at Jump Victory Carnival! pic.twitter.com/R0v8mucB97
— Hype (@DbsHype) July 19, 2026
As shared by prominent leaker @DbsHype, the photo spot at Jump Victory Carnival features the five forms side by side. The back cover depicts Black Frieza, confirming he's the next major antagonist. Frieza hasn't been seen since the Granolah the Survivor Saga, and Toyotarou has hinted he's been exploring the multiverse, so his power level remains an unknown.
Why These Five Forms Are the Focus
Goku's Perfected Ultra Instinct is the pinnacle of his training with Whis, allowing him to move and react without thought. Vegeta's Ultra Ego, granted by Beerus, grows stronger the more damage he takes. Gohan Beast is the rawest transformation, born from rage and now the most powerful Z-Fighter on paper. Orange Piccolo, unlocked via the Dragon Balls, gives Piccolo a massive stat boost and regenerative abilities. Broly's True Legendary Super Saiyan is a controlled version of his berserk form, putting him on par with fusion-tier warriors like Gogeta Blue.
Toyotarou has stated that these five are intended to be equal in power, though actual feats in the manga suggest some variation. Gohan Beast, for example, was able to overwhelm Cell Max, while Orange Piccolo needed help. Still, the intent is clear: these are the five strongest mortals — and the only ones capable of facing Black Frieza. The power scaling has become an AI arms race among fans, with constant debates over who would win.
Who Will Defeat Black Frieza?
Black Frieza was set up as the strongest mortal at the end of the Granolah arc, but he's been absent ever since. Speculation is rampant. Goku has the longest rivalry with Frieza, dating back to Dragon Ball Z, and defeating him with Perfected Ultra Instinct would bookend that story. Vegeta was robbed of the killing blow in Resurrection 'F' and now has Ultra Ego, which needs a major win to validate its potential. Piccolo, who has become functionally the manga's main character at times, could avenge the Namekian genocide. Gohan is arguably the strongest right now, so a Gohan Beast victory would be the most straightforward. But the best storytelling potential lies with Broly, whose mastery of True Legendary Super Saiyan could bring the series full circle — a Super Saiyan defeating Frieza, just like in Dragon Ball Z.
Beerus could theoretically just Hakai Frieza, but that would undercut the buildup. More likely, one of the five will take the spotlight. The mystery of Frieza's whereabouts is reminiscent of Alan Wake's narrative — a lurking threat that's been building off-screen.
The Broader Shift in Dragon Ball's Power Structure
This is the first time in the series' history that the main cast has five distinct, endgame-level forms at once. In Dragon Ball Z, it was usually Goku and Vegeta pulling ahead, with Gohan and Piccolo falling behind. Now, everyone is in the same tier. That's a deliberate move by Toyotarou to create a true ensemble dynamic. The aerial battles in the next saga will likely be fast-paced, almost like Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown in terms of speed and chaos.
However, there's a legitimate concern: if all five are equal, the tension diminishes. When everyone is a Super Saiyan God, nobody is special. The manga has struggled with this before, and the Black Frieza arc will need to differentiate the five fighters' roles in combat, not just their power levels. Additionally, Black Frieza himself is a threat so overwhelming that it's Adam Smasher-level — a near-unkillable boss that requires a team effort. One-shotting him would be anticlimactic.
What Comes Next
Jump Victory Carnival on July 25 will likely be the stage for the official manga return announcement. With the anime coming in fall 2026, the timing is right for Toyotarou to start dropping chapters. The question is whether he'll reveal more about Frieza's multiversal travels or introduce a new transformation beyond these five. For now, fans know exactly who the strongest are — and that the Black Frieza Saga is going to demand everything they've got.
Comments (0)
Loading comments…