'Dragon Ball Super' update: new character looks like Beerus

First look at new character Shanpa (far right)Toei Animation

Several channels are priming "Dragon Ball" fans for the return of the anime after 18 years by giving them a taste of the upcoming series, "Dragon Ball Super."

A couple of weeks from the premiere of the all-new anime series, Mantan Web revealed the identity of a character debuting in the show. His name is Shanpa, who looks a lot like the villainous Beerus. He looks like a bigger version of the god of destruction, which hints at his probable evil nature. 

Ominously, just like Beerus and another baddie named Whis, the Shanpa moniker is coined from an alcoholic drink as well. Anime News Network says that the name of the mysterious character sounds like the Japanese translation of "champagne." 

While these clues indicate that Shanpa may function as another unfriendly force Goku and the gang will deal with and is probably as strong, if not stronger, than Beerus, there isn't anything solid known about him outside of those theories. 

What's concrete about the show, though, is that it will span up to 100 episodes and it will take place in a post-Majin Buu era granted with peace and quiet that will eventually be threatened and shattered by a mysterious new foe. 

Thanks to Shonen Jump Magazine, fans have an idea of what will happen in the pilot episode. The synopsis reads:

After defeating Majin Buu, life is peaceful once again. Ordered by Chi-chi to earn money, Goku works even as he wants to train even more. Meanwhile, Goten, about to become a brother-in-law to Videl, sets out on a journey with Trunks to find her a present." 

"Dragon Ball Super" will see the return of a bevy of well-loved characters, namely:

  • Son Goku
  • Son Gohan
  • Son Goten
  • Vegeta
  • Bulma
  • Trunks
  • Krillin
  • Kame-Sen'nin
  • Piccolo
  • Chi-Chi
  • Videl
  • Mr. Satan
  • Majin Buu
  • Beerus
  • Whis

The series will premiere in Japan on July 5.