Jump Festa 2027 brought a surprise that disappointed part of the audience expecting news about the adventures of Goku and his friends. The anime Dragon Ball Super was officially replaced by the RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio in one of the most coveted exhibition areas of the Japanese event.
The change wasn't isolated, as the franchise created by Akira Toriyama also didn't appear in the main schedules or this year's printed promotional material. This absence marks an unusual moment for one of Shueisha's most profitable brands within its own promotional event.
Changes in the Jump Festa 2027 Lineup
Event attendees noticed that the space that traditionally displayed statues and concept art for Dragon Ball Super now sports the medieval fantasy look of Metaphor: ReFantazio. According to reports from those on-site, the organizers opted to give visibility to titles with more immediate releases or active commercial partnerships at the moment.
The absence of Dragon Ball Super from the official Jump Festa banner had already raised suspicions among followers on social media. Without a dedicated panel on the main stage, hopes for an announcement regarding the return of the animation to television have drastically decreased for this edition of the fair. The decision reflects a shift in priorities for promoting content from V-Jump magazine.
The Spotlight on Metaphor: ReFantazio
The replacement puts Metaphor: ReFantazio, Atlus' major new title, in the spotlight. The game has received significant marketing investment in Japan, and its presence at Jump Festa reinforces the strategy to attract the young audience that consumes Shonen Jump manga. The title is directed by Katsura Hashino and seeks to elevate the Japanese RPG genre with a narrative focused on politics and self-discovery.
By occupying the booth that previously belonged to Dragon Ball, the game positions itself as one of the period's most important cultural releases for the otaku audience. The current exhibit features interactive screens and gameplay demonstrations, physically taking over the territory that once belonged to the Saiyans. For market analysts, this move indicates a phase where new intellectual properties gain relevance over established franchises currently on TV hiatus.
More about Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super ended its original television broadcast in 2018, following the conclusion of the Tournament of Power arc. Since then, the story has continued through the manga written by Toyotaro, with supervision by Akira Toriyama until his passing. Arcs such as the Moro and Granolah arcs were developed on paper but have yet to receive official adaptations in episodic series format.
Currently, the focus of Toei Animation and Shueisha seems split between spin-off projects and the maintenance of licensed games. The lack of new episodes for over six years has created a void that other titles are attempting to fill at major events. Although the manga remains a centerpiece of the magazine, the absence of a continuous television production makes it difficult to reserve large physical spaces at fairs that prioritize weekly news.
Source: O Vício
