Toei Animation has confirmed that Dragon Ball, the franchise that dominated anime for nearly four decades, no longer holds the crown as the industry's biggest property. The shift reflects seismic changes in what audiences now prioritize in shonen entertainment.
One Piece has ascended to Toei's top revenue-generating franchise, surpassing Dragon Ball for the first time. The jump marks a watershed moment for the studio, which built much of its empire on Akira Toriyama's global phenomenon. Dragon Ball Z defined late-90s and 2000s anime culture, spawning theatrical films, video games, trading cards, and merchandise that generated billions. The franchise remained culturally potent through Dragon Ball Super, which launched in 2015 and proved the IP still commanded attention across multiple generations.
One Piece's ascendancy stems from sustained creative momentum and unprecedented international expansion. The Netflix live-action series, despite mixed critical reception, introduced the Straw Hat crew to mainstream audiences who'd never touched anime. The manga, written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, consistently ranks among the best-selling comics globally. Recent theatrical films including "One Piece Film: Red" grossed over $200 million worldwide, demonstrating theatrical staying power that rivaled Dragon Ball's peak performance.
The shift also reflects broader anime industry trends. Shonen Jump properties now compete with streaming platforms prioritizing global reach over domestic-only success. One Piece benefits from simultaneous manga, anime, games, and live-action content feeding each other's audiences. Dragon Ball, meanwhile, enters a period of relative creative uncertainty following Toriyama's death in March 2024, which suspended development on future projects.
Toei Animation's portfolio now reflects industry realities where serialized storytelling longevity matters more than legacy status. One Piece's 25-plus year run shows no