Dragon Ball’s biggest mystery has finally stepped into the light. What fans once knew only as Project Age 1000—a cryptic teaser wrapped in speculation, Toriyama‑designed silhouettes, and a future‑era setting—has now been fully unveiled as Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, the next major evolution of the franchise and the boldest leap the Xenoverse series has taken since its inception. The reveal arrived during Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026, where Bandai Namco confirmed that the long‑rumored project is not just connected to Xenoverse—it is Xenoverse’s future, literally and narratively.
A Future Beyond the Known Timeline
The heart of the reveal lies in its setting: Age 1000, a point more than two centuries beyond the events of Dragon Ball Z. This era, first teased during the Genkidamatsuri event earlier in the year, represents a completely new frontier for the franchise—one shaped directly by the late Akira Toriyama, whose world‑building and character designs form the backbone of this new chapter.
In this distant future, West City has transformed into a massive, bustling metropolis, now the central hub of the story. The reveal trailer showcased a new protagonist answering a call from a woman who looks and sounds unmistakably like Bulma—confirming that she remains alive in this far‑flung era. The trailer also briefly revealed a figure resembling Piccolo, hinting that the Namekian legacy continues in ways yet unexplained.
This new world is not a mere backdrop—it’s the foundation for a reimagined Xenoverse, one where the future is no longer just a timeline to protect, but a living, evolving setting with its own conflicts, mysteries, and heroes.
From Project Age 1000 to Xenoverse 3: The Reveal Fans Expected
When Project Age 1000 was first shown, fans immediately noticed the hallmarks of Xenoverse: a customizable protagonist, signature combat animations, and a narrative structure that felt tailor‑made for time‑travel storytelling. The community jokingly dubbed the unnamed hero “John Dragon Ball,” a symbol of how unmistakably Xenoverse the project felt.
At Battle Hour 2026, Bandai Namco finally confirmed what everyone suspected: Project Age 1000 is Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3. The new anime‑style trailer made the transition explicit, shifting from the mysterious future setting into the familiar Xenoverse cel‑shaded aesthetic before revealing the title card fans have waited nearly a decade to see.
The trailer also confirmed:
- A female counterpart to the main avatar, expanding player identity options.
- Bulma’s continued presence as a key figure in this future era.
- A new Toriyama‑designed character named Brett, who may be a descendant of Goku.
These elements signal a game deeply rooted in Toriyama’s vision—one that respects the legacy of Dragon Ball while pushing its mythology into uncharted territory.
A New Era for the Xenoverse Series
Xenoverse 3 is more than a sequel—it’s a generational shift. The game is being developed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a planned release in 2027.
The announcement arrives as Xenoverse 2 approaches its final chapter, with the FUTURE SAGA’s fourth DLC marking the end of a nearly ten‑year run. The conclusion of that story arc clears the stage for Xenoverse 3 to redefine the series’ identity, mechanics, and narrative scope.
While Bandai Namco has not yet shown full gameplay, the footage presented suggests a more expansive world, a deeper narrative focus, and a stronger integration of Toriyama’s late‑era concepts. The setting alone—an era rarely explored in Dragon Ball canon—opens the door to new factions, new threats, and new interpretations of the Z‑Fighters’ legacy.
Toriyama’s Final Vision Lives On
One of the most significant revelations is that Akira Toriyama was deeply involved in Xenoverse 3’s development for six to seven years before his passing. His fingerprints are everywhere: the new protagonist, the future‑era designs, the tone of the world, and the overarching narrative direction.
This makes Xenoverse 3 not only a major game release, but also a final creative gift from the creator of Dragon Ball—a continuation of his imagination projected centuries beyond the original story.
A Future Worth Protecting
With its bold new setting, Toriyama‑crafted characters, and a narrative that pushes the Dragon Ball universe into unexplored territory, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 stands as the most ambitious entry in the series yet. What began as a mysterious codename—Project Age 1000—has evolved into a full‑fledged vision of Dragon Ball’s distant future, one that blends nostalgia with innovation and honors the legacy of its creator.
As the world waits for 2027, one thing is clear:
The future of Dragon Ball has never looked more exciting.
Also, new DLCs announcement for both Dragon Ball FighterZ and Sparking! ZERO
Super Saiyan 4 Goku (DAIMA) will make its debut in the popular fighting game product of the joint venture of Bandai Namco and Arc Systems and coming with an update on April 22.
Along with the character, there will be a 12 color options for Super Saiyan 4 Goku (DAIMA) along with 3 new Z Stamps and 3 new Lobby Avatars.
Finally for Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO, Bandai Namco revealed the Super Limit Breaking NEO, which appears to be a massive update for the game that should include ever more fighters, mainly from Dragon Ball GT, DAIMA, Super and the OVAs, along with new stages including Kami’s Lookout, Kame House, the Bitter Tundra from Dragon Ball Super: Broly, the stratosphere for Planet Vegeta (Original Bardok’s story), and the stratosphere for Planet Earth were Goku and Beerus fought when Goku achieved the Super Saiyan God level.
There will be a new game mode and over 20 new customization items including costumes.
