Serving as the latest canonical installment in the long-running Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball Super: Broly thrilled fans with its trademark hard-hitting action sequences and took the franchise's beloved characters boldly forward. It accomplished this all while officially introducing fan-favorite character Broly into the mythos after numerous non-canonical appearances. However, following the animated film's critical and commercial success worldwide, where exactly does the popular anime and manga franchise go next?

Something important to note about Dragon Ball Super, including Broly, is that the series technically takes place within the larger confines of Dragon Ball Z's timeline. The previous anime series saw a decade time jump into the future following the climactic battle with Majin Buu for the fate of the universe, ending with Goku and his friends meeting Buu's good-hearted reincarnation, Uub, at the World Martial Arts Tournament before Goku departs with his new ward to train him.

Super closed the gap somewhat, with Vegeta and Bulma's daughter Bulla being born, as well as Gohan and Videl's daughter Pan, but is still years away from reaching the start of Z's epilogue, as evidenced by the still pint-sized Goten and Trunks.

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A follow-up to Broly could ostensibly take place within that final stretch of years leading to Uub's appearance. Over the course of Super, Goku is aware of Uub's existence on the other side of the world before deciding to hold off on a first meeting.

A follow-up could also move into largely uncharted territory beyond the World Martial Arts Tournament. This period was explored after another 10-year jump at the start of the anime series Dragon Ball GT. However, as this previous series lacked the involvement of original Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama and was met with mixed reception by fans of the previous series, the events of GT are largely seen as non-canonical, especially in the face of contradictory story elements introduced in Super.

In terms of actual plot threads that could be followed up on that were introduced during the Super era, there are plenty of directions for the franchise to go next. The final story arc of Super saw the debut of several powerful fighters from across the Dragon Ball Multiverse. Goku and the Z Fighters biggest rivals during the tournament included the formidable Jiren from Universe 11, barely defeated by the combined efforts of Goku, Frieza and Android 17.

NEXT PAGE: The Answer to the Future of Dragon Ball Super May Lie in the Manga

Similarly, Universe 6's Saiyan warriors Kale and Caulifa, and their fused form, Kefla, were introduced as fighter able to fight Goku to a standstill, only defeated by Goku's surprise transformation in his newfound Ultra Instinct state. Following the tournament, the new fighters all vowed to face Goku and his friends in a rematch someday, even more powerful than before.

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Broly, of course, received his official canonical debut in the Dragon Ball Super film of the same name. Interestingly, this version of the character is more of a tragic figure than the outright villain from previous, non-canonical appearances, and survives the events of the film. The character is last seen living on a faraway planet with his friends, visited by Goku with the two hoping for a friendly bout sometime in the future as the Saiyan grows accustomed to his ever-increasing power levels.

In terms of returning characters, Broly established several interesting plot points about the franchise's fan-favorite fighters. Goku is seen unable to use his Ultra Instinct form following the Tournament of Power. It also reveals that Frieza has returned to his evil ways after his resurrection and temporary alliance with the Z Fighters during the tournament, attempting to use Broly to kill Goku and Vegeta for him. With Frieza still on the loose and hungry for revenge, the intergalactic conqueror is the biggest bit of unfinished business to address, especially with Goku currently unable to return to his most powerful form.

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The most likely future for the franchise may lie in the manga spinning out of the Super anime series. The comic has continued beyond the events of the series, showing Goku and Vegeta being called to New Namek to save it from a new enemy named Moro. Imprisoned by the Kais for 10 million years after wiping out all life on 320 planets, the wizard escapes custody from the Galactic Police and sets his sights on the new Namekian home world.

Using his vast magical abilities, Moro is able to use the planet's very elements against Vegeta, though the Saiyan prince transforms into a Super Saiyan God to quickly gain the upper hand. In the face of Vegeta's transformation, Moro is able to drain energy from the planet itself to grow stronger and overpower the two Saiyans with ease.

Dragon Ball has certainly featured magical characters before, including Fortuneteller Baba and Babidi, but these characters usually allow stronger counterparts to do the fighting for them. Moro marks an antagonist that is both physically imposing and features abilities different from the usual energy projection and teleportation seen by other opponents. While it is unknown if Super will adapt the current manga volume, the manga does provide the franchise with a strong direction to potentially move forward.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly is out on Blu-ray and digital HD on April 16.