Dragon Ball fans have something to look forward to in 2026, but it's probably not what many were expecting. According to @CNschedules on X, Dragon Ball Z Kai will be returning to Adult Swim later this month.
The series will replace Futurama in the 5:00 AM slot starting December 29. Kai previously aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block from 2014-2018.
Dragon Ball: Frieza's Most OP Moments, Ranked
Frieza has always been one of Dragon Ball's strongest villains. These OP moments prove it.
Dragon Ball is Back on TV
Following the rumors of a new project in 2026 and recent comments by former Weekly Shonen Jump editor-in-chief Kazuhiko Torishima seemingly confirming that a new movie would be released in 2026, it's safe to say that this wasn't the Dragon Ball news many fans were hoping to get. But even if its just re-runs, it's exciting to have Dragon Ball return in a weekly format.
With the inclusion of Kai, the new Adult Swim weekday lineup will look something like this when the series is officially added on the 29th.
- 5:00 PM EST - Dexter's Laboratory
- 6:00 PM EST - Bob's Burgers
- 8:30 PM EST - Family Guy
- 11:00 PM EST - Rick and Morty
- 12:30 AM EST - Adult Swim Smalls
- 1:00 AM EST - China, IL
- 1:30 AM EST - American Dad
- 3:30 AM EST - Rick and Morty
- 4:30 AM EST - Off the Air
- 5:00 AM EST - Dragon Ball Z Kai
It does feel like it's a little late of a slot for Dragon Ball, but there will definitely be some night owls out there willing to stay up and catch an episode. The Kai recut is generally thought of as a good way to experience the Dragon Ball Z anime considering there's basically no filler content, though some fans do prefer the original version, even if it's longer.
Dragon Ball Z Kai was first released in 2009 as part of the anime's 20th anniversary celebration. The series aired on Fuji TV from April 5, 2009 to March 27, 2011, cutting down the original series' episode count from 291 to 159 in Japan and 167 internationally. By cutting out the filler the new edit was said to be more faithful to the original manga. It also provided fans with re-recorded audio for the voice actors alongside new sound effects and sound design. Toei brought in Kenji Yamamoto to record new music for the series, which would replace Shunsuke Kikuchi's iconic score. However, Yamamoto was let go when he was revealed to have plagiarized a variety of artists throughout his time at Toei.
This Is Great, But When is Dragon Ball Really Coming Back?
Dragon Ball has been on a bit of a hiatus since the tragic passing of series creator, Akira Toriyama. The latest entry in the series, Dragon Ball Daima, premiered months after Toriyama's death in March 2024 and concluded in February 2025. The Dragon Ball Super anime TV series concluded in 2018, with two movies, Broly and Super Hero releasing in 2018 and 2022. The Super manga released a chapter in February 2025, but the main storyline hasn't progressed since the end of the Granolah the Survivor Saga in 2022.
Fans got an unexpected glimpse into potential plans to bring the series back earlier this month when Kazuhiko Torishima appeared on a podcast and nonchalantly stated that a new Dragon Ball movie would be coming out in 2026. This caught plenty of fans off-guard, with the future of the series being in doubt and virtually no news on how, or if, the series would return following Toriyama's death.
With the mess we're in right now, we can't expect much from next year's movie, can we?
Torishima's comments definitely got fans excited, but ultimately, there's no certainty that he really knows whether or not a new movie is coming out next year. While he's probably still connected with people who do know, Torishima hasn't been involved with Dragon Ball for a while. What he said could turn out to be true, but fans shouldn't hold their breath.
Whether or not a new Dragon Ball movie, anime, or saga drops in 2026 remains uncertain. And while fans wait, at the very least they'll be able to spend 2026 rewatching Kai and reliving some of the series' best moments.
Source: X
Dragon Ball
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1986 - 1989
- Network
- Fuji TV
Cast
-
Masako NozawaSon Goku (voice) -
Mayumi TanakaKrillin (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Goku, a young, powerful boy with a tail, spends his days hunting and living off the land. His life changes when he meets Bulma, a teen genius on a quest to collect seven magical Dragon Balls that summon a dragon capable of granting any wish. Together, they set off on an adventure filled with powerful martial arts battles, formidable foes, and unlikely alliances.
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 153
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.97
