New Fiscal Report Proves Dragon Ball Is Back on Top Thanks to Its New Anime
Dragon Ball has long been one of anime's most popular franchises, enjoying an original run decades ago which established the series as an instant classic, and then a revival in the West that cemented it as one of the industry's all-time greats. There are few more iconic heroes in the medium than the leading Saiyan warrior himself, Goku. And with the recent airing of his newest adventure in Dragon Ball Daima, the franchise has reclaimed the throne as Toei Animation's highest earning property.
According to a new report from Toei, the animation studio behind two of anime's most popular titles, Dragon Ball and One Piece, the former has finished the most recent Q3 2024 as the company's top earner. One Piece came in at a very close second, and the gap between the next richest franchise isn't particularly close. Dragon Ball Daima is the series' first new TV anime in over seven years, and its instant success proves that Dragon Ball's popularity is everlasting.
Dragon Ball Remains Toei's Most Successful Property
New Fiscal Report Proves the Franchise Is More Popular Than Ever
Though Toei Animation seemingly focuses the majority of its efforts towards One Piece, a new fiscal report proves Dragon Ball remains the company's highest-earning property. According to the report, which tracks both domestic and international sales, Dragon Ball generated $123 million in Q3 2024, followed closely behind by One Piece at $119 million. What is notable about these numbers is where the two franchises perform best. In Japan, One Piece has outperformed the competition by a wide margin over the last two years.
Internationally, however, Dragon Ball has taken the top spot in each year recorded in the report, and no other franchise has really come close. One Piece had a strong Q3 outside of Japan, yet remained millions behind Dragon Ball, speaking to the series' worldwide popularity. Current projections for 2025 show that Toei expects both its top properties to continue growing ever-higher, though its most successful series isn't planned to have another anime premiere following Dragon Ball Daima.
Dragon Ball Daima's Successful Run Is Approaching Its Conclusion
The Franchise's Newest Anime Is Nearing Its Finale
Dragon Ball Daima, Goku's latest adventure, has been a highly successful journey back to the franchise's roots. Exploring the all-new Demon Realm, the series takes the cast of familiar fighters through scenery courtesy of the legendary Akira Toriyama. With only a few entries remaining in its 20-episode run, however, Dragon Ball seems to have no plans for another new anime release in 2025. Past records prove the title does not need new releases to remain at the top of Toei's best-selling properties, though fans are deserving of a little more for their undying support.
Dragon Ball's success shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone familiar with the titan of the industry, though Toei's newest report is proof the series remains highly profitable. Dragon Ball Daima is set to end on February 28, 2025, and fans will want to continue showing support for the anime if they want more from the franchise going forward.
- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- First Film
- Dragon Ball: Curse of the Blood Rubies
- First TV Show
- Dragon Ball
- First Episode Air Date
- April 26, 1989
- Current Series
- Dragon Ball Super
- Latest Film
- Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
