For decades,Dragon Ballhas been Toei Animation’s most dominant franchise, powering through global markets with unmatched popularity. But the latest financial report from Toei reveals a stunning twist, thatOne Piecehas officially out-earnedDragon Ballthis quarter, marking a surprising but significant shift in the anime industry’s power dynamic.
Between April and June 2025,One Pieceraked in an astonishing ¥6.1 billion yen (about $39.04 million USD) in revenue, nearly a full billion more thanDragon Ball, which came in second with ¥5.16 billion (about $33.02 million USD). WhileDragon Ballremains a global juggernaut,One Piece’smomentum continues to surge, fueled by major content releases and renewed fan interest.
One Piece’s Golden Era Keeps Getting Better
How One Piece Sailed Past Dragon Ball in 2025
A big driver behindOne Piece’squarterly victory is the franchise’s relentless content expansion. The anime continues its successful Egghead Island arc, while Netflix’s live-action adaptation is drawing in new viewers globally. This cross-platform exposure has madeOne Piecemore visible and valuable than ever.
Merchandising is also playing a critical role. From exclusive figurines to anniversary-themed apparel,One Piecehas exploded in consumer appeal. Events tied to the series’ 25th anniversary have only accelerated the frenzy. As more fans celebrate Luffy’s journey, Toei is cashing in on that legacy with record-setting returns.
Dragon Ball Is Not Falling, But It Is Facing Stiff Competition
Dragon Ball’s Slow Quarter Reveals the Cost of Standing Still
Despite losing the top spot this quarter,Dragon Ballis far from declining. The franchise still pulled in over ¥5 billion (about $33.02 million USD), showing just how resilient it is. However, the lack of a new anime or major movie release in early 2025 likely contributed to its temporary slip in earnings.
Meanwhile,Dragon Ball’srevenue streams have become more reliant on legacy fans and merchandise rather than fresh storytelling. Without consistent new content to energize audiences, even a powerhouse likeDragon Ballcan get temporarily overshadowed. But with projects reportedly in development, the series could easily bounce back.
WhileDragon Ballremains a titan,One Piecehas proven that consistent innovation and cross-media synergy can take even a decades-old franchise to new financial heights.
Toei Animation’s quarterly report is a wake-up call for the industry: even the biggest icons can be challenged when the competition evolves. WhileDragon Ballremains a titan,One Piecehas proven that consistent innovation and cross-media synergy can take even a decades-old franchise to new financial heights.
Dragon Ball
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.
One Piece
Created by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a multimedia franchise that began as a manga series and follows the adventures of the Straw Hat Pirates as led by Monkey D. Luffy. Luffy, an enthusiastic pirate with a thirst for adventure, is afflicted by a mysterious curse that gives him various powers he uses to protect himself and his friends. The manga eventually gave way to the anime series, with the two being some of history’s longest-running anime and manga series. Along with over fifty video games made over the years, the series entered the live-action world with Netflix’s 2023 adaptation.
