Highlights
- Dragon Ball Age 1000, releasing in 2027, features original world-building and characters by the late Akira Toriyama.
- Set centuries post-anime, Dragon Ball Age 1000 introduces a new hero instead of retelling Goku's story.
- Bandai Namco will unveil the first gameplay details for Dragon Ball Age 1000 this April in Los Angeles.
In a massive reveal that has shaken the anime gaming world, Bandai Namco Entertainment officially announced "Dragon Ball Game Project: Age 1000" this past weekend. Unveiled during the "Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri" event on Jan 25, 2026, this ambitious new title is scheduled for a worldwide release in 2027. Moving away from the traditional retellings of Goku’s past adventures, this game promises to transport players to a "never-before-seen world" set roughly 1,000 years after the events of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. The most touching and significant aspect of this announcement is the deep involvement of the late franchise creator, Akira Toriyama.
According to franchise executive Akio Iyoku, development on Dragon Ball Age 1000 began approximately six to seven years ago, with Toriyama heavily integrated into the project's conceptual phase. Before his passing in 2024, Toriyama personally crafted the game's original setting and designed unique characters. This project stands as a testament to his enduring legacy, ensuring his signature style defines this new adventure even years later.
The announcement trailer gave fans their first look at the game's original protagonist, a mysterious warrior wearing Capsule Corporation gear emblazoned with the initials "GS." While the narrative emphasizes originality, it honors the past in a striking way. As the camera zooms into the new hero's eye, flashes of iconic legends like Goku, Vegeta, Piccolo, Frieza, and Beerus appear just before the character erupts into a Super Saiyan transformation. Bandai Namco has promised that the game will "introduce even more unique characters as the adventure unfolds," blending mythological tones with the thrill of discovery.
A Wait for Gameplay
Hardcore fans will recognize the date "Age 1000" as a critical timeline in Dragon Ball lore, previously the setting for the MMORPG Dragon Ball Online. Released in select Asian markets in 2010, Dragon Ball Online explored a future where the Saiyan bloodline had spread across Earth, and Goku’s legacy had faded into legend. While that game’s servers have long since shut down, its concepts heavily influenced the popular Dragon Ball Xenoverse series. However, unlike Xenoverse or Sparking! ZERO, which relies on time-travel fan service, this new project emphasizes a narrative completely detached from the well-trodden anime canon.
Gamers eager to see the combat mechanics and narrative depth in action will need to wait just a few months. Bandai Namco confirmed that the next major information drop is scheduled for "Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026" on April 18 and 19 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, as reported by Polygon.
This event will likely clarify the platforms for release and provide a deeper look at the "GS" protagonist. With the franchise celebrating its 40th anniversary, industry watchers note that this 2027 release is poised to be a major highlight for the next generation of anime gaming.
