For the past seven years, Dragon Ball has dominated as Toei Animation’s highest-earning anime franchise. However, the latest fiscal report from the company reveals a significant shift: One Piece has officially taken the top spot, ending Dragon Ball’s long-held reign. According to an X (formerly Twitter) user known as Schaewn Frost (@Schaewn), Toei Animation’s earnings from April 2023 through March 2024 show One Piece earning over 22.2 billion yen (approximately US$142.12 million). In comparison, Dragon Ball earned about 19 billion yen (roughly US$121.63 million), highlighting One Piece’s growing viewership and fanbase.
One Piece’s financial success extends beyond Toei Animation. Bandai Namco Entertainment, which handles the franchise’s gaming division, reported that One Piece earned over 112.1 billion yen (equivalent to US$721.89 million) in media sales for the 2024 fiscal year. This achievement marked a new milestone, setting a record for surpassing the 100 billion yen mark. Conversely, Dragon Ball earned 140.6 billion yen, surpassing One Piece but losing its number one spot to Mobile Suit Gundam, which achieved over 145.7 billion yen in total sales. This shift ended Dragon Ball’s six-year streak as Bandai Namco Entertainment’s highest-earning franchise.
Despite One Piece’s financial triumph, Dragon Ball fans highlight the context of these earnings. Dragon Ball’s last major anime series, Dragon Ball Super, concluded in 2018, whereas One Piece continues to release new episodes weekly. Many fans argue that the 3 billion yen gap between the two franchises is impressive given Dragon Ball’s relative inactivity. One user noted, “[One Piece] going up against a series that’s completely inactive across the board and can only manage a 3 billion yen gap when it has everything going for it… once again this is just more impressive for Dragon Ball.”
A significant point of contention among fans is the perceived disparity in marketing efforts for the two franchises. Many argue that Toei Animation invests heavily in international marketing for One Piece while providing comparatively less support for Dragon Ball, particularly in Western markets. This concern has been voiced in anticipation of the upcoming Dragon Ball Daima series, set to premiere in Fall 2024. Fans have expressed worries that the series might receive insufficient promotion, similar to what happened with Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Both franchises maintain strong presences across various media platforms. The Dragon Ball manga is available in English through VIZ Media, with its anime adaptations—Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super—available for streaming on Hulu and Crunchyroll. Similarly, the One Piece manga is accessible in English from VIZ Media, and the One Piece anime can be streamed on Hulu, Netflix, and Crunchyroll.
While One Piece has overtaken Dragon Ball as Toei Animation’s highest-earning anime franchise, the enduring popularity and fan loyalty of Dragon Ball remain evident. The financial success of One Piece is a testament to its expanding audience and effective marketing strategies. However, the ongoing support for Dragon Ball, despite its hiatus in new content, underscores its lasting impact and significance in the anime world. As both franchises continue to evolve, their competition will undoubtedly drive innovation and excitement within the anime community.