Is There Alternate Universes in Dragon Ball Super?

Many fans still wonder: Is There Alternate Universes in Dragon Ball Super?
The answer is a resounding yes. The series doesn’t just explore Earth or Universe 7 anymore; it introduces a vast multiverse of twelve universes, each ruled by divine beings like Gods of Destruction, Angels, and Supreme Kais.

This expansion completely redefined what Dragon Ball could be, bringing new characters, power systems, and cosmic stakes to the forefront. Let’s dive into how these alternate universes were created and why they’re so important to Dragon Ball Super’s story.

Explaining the Question: Is There Alternate Universes in Dragon Ball Super?

The concept of alternate universes in Dragon Ball Super is one of the most fascinating expansions of the Dragon Ball lore. Unlike the earlier series that focused on a single timeline and world, Dragon Ball Super introduces a multiverse structure, a set of 12 distinct universes, each with its own gods, planets, and warriors. But to fully understand this concept, it’s important to break down how these universes function, how they connect, and why they were created in the first place.

The Birth of the Multiverse Concept

In Dragon Ball Super, the idea of multiple universes was first introduced during the Universe 6 Saga, where Beerus and Champa, twin Gods of Destruction, organized a tournament between their respective universes. This event revealed that Universe 7 (Goku’s universe) was not alone; there were 12 total universes, each designed by the divine being Zeno, the Omni-King.

These universes exist simultaneously but are completely separate realities, meaning that what happens in one universe doesn’t directly affect another, unless divine beings intervene. The multiverse structure added unprecedented depth to Dragon Ball, allowing Akira Toriyama and Toyotarou to expand beyond Goku’s world and explore new species, gods, and power systems.

Is There Alternate Universes in Dragon Ball Super?

How the Universes Are Organized

Each of the 12 universes is paired with another in a twin system, where one universe mirrors or balances the other:

Universe Pair	Description
Universe 1 & 12	Known as the highest-ranked, with balanced mortal levels
Universe 2 & 11	Universe 2 focuses on love and beauty, while Universe 11 is home to the Pride Troopers
Universe 3 & 10	Universe 3 emphasizes technology; Universe 10 is steeped in divine philosophy
Universe 4 & 9	Known for tricksters and survival tactics
Universe 5 & 8	Advancement in civilization and power structure
Universe 6 & 7	The most familiar pair, Champa’s Universe 6 and Beerus’s Universe 7 share many similarities, including Saiyans and Namekians

Each universe has its own God of Destruction, Supreme Kai, and Angel Attendant, forming a divine hierarchy that maintains cosmic balance. The differences between universes allow for a wide range of storytelling, from comedic to existential, within the same overarching reality.

Parallel Realities or Alternate Universes?

Many fans confuse Dragon Ball Super’s “universes” with the idea of parallel worlds or timelines. While both concepts exist in the franchise, they’re not the same:

Alternate Universes are distinct realities created by the gods, each functioning independently with unique rules, races, and deities.
Alternate Timelines (introduced in Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super: Future Trunks Saga) result from time travel and temporal divergence, creating different versions of the same universe.

For instance, Future Trunks’ timeline isn’t another universe; it’s an alternate version of Universe 7 caused by time manipulation. Meanwhile, Universe 6 is a different dimension altogether, not a “what if” version of Goku’s world.

Purpose of the Multiverse in Dragon Ball Super

The introduction of multiple universes serves several narrative and thematic purposes:

Expanding the Scale of Power – After Goku and Vegeta had reached god-level power, the multiverse offered new opponents that surpassed traditional limits.
Worldbuilding Through Diversity – Each universe showcases different interpretations of strength, morality, and evolution, adding depth to the Dragon Ball world.
Philosophical Exploration – The multiverse reflects cosmic hierarchy, where gods and mortals coexist in a delicate balance. It raises existential questions: What defines a “perfect” universe? Can mortals surpass divine limits?

Through these universes, Dragon Ball Super transforms from a simple fighting anime into a cosmic saga about existence and competition.

The Tournament of Power and Its Implications

The Tournament of Power arc was the ultimate exploration of the multiverse. Organized by Zeno, it brought together fighters from eight universes (excluding four high-mortal-level universes) to battle for survival. Losing universes faced complete erasure from existence.

This event wasn’t just about battles; it symbolized cosmic judgment, forcing universes to prove their worth. The tournament introduced iconic new characters like Jiren (Universe 11), Kale and Caulifla (Universe 6), and Toppo, all while testing the philosophical boundaries of strength, teamwork, and purpose.

Importantly, the Super Dragon Balls, massive wish-granting orbs spanning the multiverse, restored the erased universes after Android 17’s wish. This outcome reinforced a recurring theme in Dragon Ball: compassion and selflessness can shape even the fate of gods.

Are There More Universes Beyond the Twelve?

Although only 12 universes exist in the current multiverse, Dragon Ball Super implies that there may have been more. Dialogue between Zeno and the Grand Priest suggests that six universes were destroyed in the distant past, leaving only 12. This opens the door for potential storylines involving the lost universes, hidden realms, or even higher planes of reality.

Additionally, the manga hints at other macrocosmic layers, such as the world of the angels, the domain of Zeno, and possibly other dimensions that transcend even the gods’ comprehension.

Yes, Dragon Ball Super absolutely features alternate universes, not merely as a backdrop but as a core component of its worldbuilding. Each universe represents a different perspective on strength, morality, and existence.

The multiverse concept not only redefined the Dragon Ball power scale but also allowed fans to see how vast and interconnected this fictional cosmos truly is. Whether through tournaments, divine intervention, or philosophical debates, the idea of multiple universes ensures that Dragon Ball Super continues to evolve, reminding viewers that there’s always a higher world beyond what we know.

How the Dragon Ball Multiverse Is Organized

The multiverse in Dragon Ball Super follows a clear hierarchy. Three divine entities govern every universe:

A God of Destruction, who destroys to maintain balance.
A Supreme Kai, who creates and nurtures life.
An Angel, who trains and guides the gods while remaining neutral.

In Universe 7, for example, Beerus is the God of Destruction, Whis is his Angel, and Shin serves as the Supreme Kai. This divine trio system keeps each universe balanced, though some are more stable than others.

Major Alternate Universes and Their Significance

Universe 6: The Twin of Universe 7

Universe 6 mirrors Goku’s home, Universe 7. It features its own Saiyan race, including Cabba, Caulifla, and Kale, as well as the legendary assassin Hit.
The Universe 6 vs Universe 7 Tournament was the first major inter-universe event, revealing new fighting styles and personalities that challenged Goku and Vegeta like never before.

Universe 11: Home of the Pride Troopers

Universe 11 is ruled by justice. It’s home to the Pride Troopers, led by Toppo and Jiren, who became one of Goku’s strongest opponents ever.
During the Tournament of Power, Jiren’s unimaginable strength tested Goku’s limits and led to the birth of Ultra Instinct, one of the most iconic moments in Dragon Ball history.

Universe 2: The Universe of Love

Universe 2 focuses on the power of emotion and affection. Its warriors, like Ribrianne, fight using the energy of love itself.
While it may seem comedic, Universe 2 highlights that Dragon Ball Super values not only power but also the philosophy behind strength, that passion and purpose can rival raw force.

Universe 10: The Realm of Zamasu

Universe 10 is home to Zamasu, the fallen Kai who questioned the morality of gods and mortals. His actions in the Future Trunks Saga introduced the Zero Mortals Plan, a storyline that connected time travel, divine judgment, and alternate timelines.
This saga deepened the theme of “balance vs. corruption” across universes, proving that even divine beings can fall.

The Tournament of Power: Clash of Universes

The Tournament of Power stands as one of the most ambitious and defining arcs in Dragon Ball Super. It wasn’t just another martial arts contest — it was a battle for existence between multiple universes, each fighting to avoid complete erasure by the Omni-King, Zeno. This event marked the culmination of the multiverse concept introduced earlier in the series, transforming the idea of alternate universes into a grand-scale narrative that tested not only strength but also willpower, teamwork, and ideology.

The Origin of the Tournament

After witnessing Goku’s incredible power and relentless fighting spirit during the Universe 6 vs. Universe 7 tournament, Zeno grew fascinated by the idea of holding a competition that included all universes. However, this seemingly innocent idea took a dark turn: the Tournament of Power would determine which universes deserved to continue existing.

The Grand Priest revealed that the eight lowest-ranked universes, based on their “mortal level”, would be forced to participate. Those who lost would face total erasure, wiping out all their inhabitants, gods, and even their very reality.

Thus, the stage was set for a cosmic survival battle unlike anything ever seen in the Dragon Ball franchise.

The Rules and Format

The Tournament of Power followed a unique and brutal format that emphasized survival and strategy over pure combat:

Battle Royale Format: 80 fighters (10 from each of 8 universes) fought simultaneously in a massive arena called the World of Void.
Elimination Rule: A fighter was eliminated if they were knocked off the stage. Once a universe lost all its fighters, it was erased.
No Killing Allowed: The use of lethal force was prohibited, a rare rule in Dragon Ball, forcing fighters to rely on technique, teamwork, and creativity.
Time Limit: The tournament lasted 48 minutes in-universe, though it spanned dozens of anime episodes.

These rules forced each team to balance individual ambition and collective survival, an ironic challenge in a story centered around ego and personal growth.

Universes and Fighters Involved

The Tournament featured a wide range of universes, each represented by its strongest ten warriors. Some notable universes included:

Universe 7 (Goku’s team), led by Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Frieza, Android 17, and Android 18, this universe embodied perseverance and evolution.
Universe 11 (Pride Troopers), represented by Jiren, Toppo, and Dyspo, this team stood for justice and order.
Universe 6: Champa’s team featured Caulifla, Kale, Cabba, and the assassin Hit, offering powerful Saiyan and strategic diversity.
Universe 2: Known for its warriors of love, including Ribrianne, who symbolized emotional energy and self-belief.
Universe 9: A team of cunning tricksters and survivalists, showcasing the harsh reality of lower-ranked universes.

Each universe had its own unique philosophy of strength, making the tournament not just a physical battle, but a clash of ideals about what true power means.

Goku’s Role and the Rise of Ultra Instinct

Throughout the tournament, Goku served as both a catalyst and symbol of the event’s central theme: surpassing limits. His insatiable desire to face stronger opponents drew the attention of gods and mortals alike.

The turning point came when Goku awakened Ultra Instinct (Migatte no Gokui), a divine state of mind and body that allows the user to react without conscious thought. Even the Gods of Destruction were stunned by this form, recognizing it as a technique typically reserved for deities.

Ultra Instinct wasn’t just a new power-up; it was the embodiment of Dragon Ball’s core message: transcendence through struggle.

Jiren: The Ultimate Rival

Standing as Goku’s greatest opponent in the Tournament of Power was Jiren, the stoic warrior from Universe 11. Unlike traditional villains, Jiren wasn’t evil; he was a man driven by personal trauma and a belief that trust in others is weakness.

His power was unmatched, even surpassing the Gods of Destruction, yet his emotional isolation contrasted with Goku’s boundless faith in friendship and growth. Their final battle symbolized the philosophical clash at the heart of the series, individual perfection versus collective strength.

The Final Moments and the Ultimate Wish

As the timer neared zero, only Goku, Frieza, and Android 17 remained standing against Jiren. In an unexpected twist, Goku and Frieza worked together to eliminate Jiren, a powerful symbol of unity overcoming pride.

With Universe 7 declared the winner, Android 17 was granted one wish using the Super Dragon Balls. Instead of selfishly reviving a fallen comrade, he wished for all erased universes to be restored.

This selfless act deeply impressed Zeno and served as the ultimate moral of the arc: even in a world built on competition, compassion has power.

The Tournament’s Legacy

The Tournament of Power reshaped the entire Dragon Ball universe in multiple ways:

It expanded the multiverse mythos, introducing gods, angels, and cosmic hierarchies.
It established Ultra Instinct as a divine power level, setting new benchmarks for Goku’s evolution.
It humanized cosmic beings like Beerus, Whis, and Zeno, revealing their emotions and moral complexity.
It taught fans that Dragon Ball isn’t just about fighting, it’s about growth, unity, and the endless pursuit of improvement.

The arc also left countless mysteries for future stories: What became of the restored universes? Will there be another tournament? And who might challenge Goku next on the path toward absolute mastery?

The Tournament of Power wasn’t just a spectacular display of combat; it was a turning point for Dragon Ball Super and the franchise as a whole. It elevated the series from planetary duels to a cosmic-scale philosophical battle, showing that the fight for survival can also be a fight for identity, purpose, and connection.

Through its blend of intense action and emotional storytelling, the Tournament of Power proved one thing beyond doubt: in the Dragon Ball universe, the strongest warriors are those who fight not only for themselves, but for others.

Zeno and the Grand Priest: Gods Beyond Gods

Zeno, the Omni-King, reigns above all twelve universes. Though he appears childlike, he holds infinite power capable of erasing universes with a single thought.

His right hand, the Grand Priest, is among the top five strongest beings in all existence and the father of every Angel. Together, they maintain cosmic order, but their moral compass is mysterious, reminding us that even gods can act unpredictably.

The Fate of the Erased Universes

When the Tournament of Power ended, Android 17 made the most selfless wish: to bring back every erased universe.
This act of compassion restored balance to the multiverse and highlighted Dragon Ball’s timeless theme, Strength means nothing without heart.

While we haven’t yet revisited these revived universes, future arcs or movies will likely explore their stories.

Could There Be More Than Twelve Universes?

Even though only twelve universes are officially confirmed, many fans speculate that there might be hidden realms or universes outside Zeno’s awareness.
The existence of alternate timelines, like Future Trunks’ world, suggests that Dragon Ball’s reality might be far more complex than we know.

Akira Toriyama and Toyotaro have both hinted that not even the gods know everything, implying there could be more universes waiting to be discovered in future chapters.

Why Alternate Universes Matter in Dragon Ball Super

The concept of alternate universes completely changed Dragon Ball’s tone. It expanded from simple battles on Earth to cosmic-scale storytelling, where mortals, gods, and even time itself are interconnected.

This shift:

Introduced new iconic characters (Jiren, Hit, Kale, Caulifla).
Elevated the stakes from planetary to universal survival.
Allowed for deep philosophical and moral conflicts between gods and mortals.

In short, the multiverse made Dragon Ball Super feel infinite, a playground of endless possibilities.

So, Is There Alternate Universes in Dragon Ball Super?
Yes, there are twelve alternate universes, each rich with its own stories, gods, and warriors. This multiverse concept turned Dragon Ball Super into something larger than ever imagined, blending epic action with divine-scale storytelling.

If you’re a true fan, you can explore more about these universes, characters, and cosmic battles through official Dragon Ball resources and dedicated fan communities online.

FAQ: Alternate Universes in Dragon Ball Super

1. How many universes exist in Dragon Ball Super?

There are twelve universes in total, each with its own God of Destruction, Supreme Kai, and Angel. They are paired together (like Universe 6 and 7) and vary in civilization and strength.

2. Who created the universes in Dragon Ball Super?

All twelve universes were created under Zeno, the Omni-King, with guidance from the Grand Priest. Together, they designed the cosmic order that governs gods, mortals, and angels.

3. Are Universe 6 and Universe 7 connected?

Yes, they are twin universes. Universe 6 features its own Saiyans like Cabba and Caulifla, who mirror Goku and Vegeta’s race from Universe 7 but evolved under different circumstances.

4. Which universe is the strongest?

Universes 1, 5, 8, and 12 have the highest mortal levels, meaning their civilizations are advanced and peaceful. However, in raw power, Universe 11 (Jiren’s home) and Universe 7 (Goku’s home) are arguably the most formidable.

5. What happened to the universes erased in the Tournament of Power?

They were revived by Android 17’s wish using the Super Dragon Balls. This restored balance to the multiverse and emphasized the importance of compassion even in divine-level conflicts.

6. Could there be universes beyond the twelve known ones?

Possibly. Theories suggest hidden universes or dimensions outside Zeno’s control. Future arcs may explore these “unknown” realities, expanding the Dragon Ball multiverse even further.

7. How did the Tournament of Power affect the multiverse?

It united gods and mortals from all universes, pushing fighters to transcend their limits. It also demonstrated that unity, not destruction, is the true strength of existence.

8. Why are alternate universes important to Dragon Ball Super?

They give the story infinite depth, new gods, new challenges, and limitless growth for characters like Goku. Without them, Dragon Ball Super wouldn’t have achieved its cosmic scale or emotional complexity.

9. Who is the strongest god among all universes?

The Grand Priest is considered the mightiest being after Zeno. Among the Gods of Destruction, Beerus ranks near the top, though others like Belmod (Universe 11) are close rivals.

10. Will future Dragon Ball series explore more universes?

Highly likely. Both Toriyama and Toyotaro have left clues about untold universes. With new manga arcs ongoing, fans can expect more divine realms, gods, and epic multiverse conflicts ahead.