Toei Confirms Dragon Ball Has Officially Lost Its Throne As Anime's Biggest Franchise

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Published May 13, 2026, 8:30 PM EDT

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Dragon Ball stood at the absolute top of the anime industry for decades, easily becoming one of the main global faces for the medium. Year after year, the iconic franchise brought in massive, reliable profits for Toei Animation. But that domination has finally come to an end, as a new king has claimed the throne.

According to the latest financial report for the year ending in March 2026, One Piece has officially surpassed Dragon Ball as Toei Animation's highest-earning franchise. Dragon Ball certainly fought off the competition for a while, even dominating the early quarters of 2025 with the successful release of Dragon Ball Daima.

However, the final yearly numbers paint a different picture. The pirate franchise saw a major rise in worldwide popularity, resulting in an undeniable financial victory.

One Piece did not just barely scrape by for the win; it ruled over the charts. This huge milestone marks a turning point for the anime industry. As One Piece continues to grow, Dragon Ball is feeling the heavy weight of its current hiatus, leaving fans to wonder what Goku must do to reclaim his crown.

Toei's 2026 Financial Report Confirms One Piece's Revenue Victory

Toei Animation’s latest financial report for the fiscal year ending in March 2026 reveals some huge figures. The company recorded total net sales of 93,669 million yen ($593 million USD). Out of that huge figure, One Piece alone generated nearly $179.6 million, pushing Dragon Ball into second place at roughly $134.2 million.

The pirate franchise dominated several major categories, including Domestic Licensing, Overseas Film, and Overseas Licensing. That shift is especially notable because Dragon Ball was still leading during the third quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Dragon Ball · Character Profile Which Dragon Ball Character Are You? “Power comes in response to a need, not a desire.”

👊 Goku The Fighter

👑 Vegeta The Prince

🧘 Piccolo The Mentor

POWER UP →

A powerful new enemy appears. What’s your first reaction?

AThis is amazing! I can’t wait to fight them and see how strong they are! BI’ll defeat them myself. No one else is worthy of the challenge. CWe need a plan. Rushing in blindly is how people get killed.

How do you train for an upcoming battle?

AFind the strongest sparring partner I can and push myself past my limits every day BTrain alone in isolation — I don’t need anyone holding me back CMeditate, study the enemy’s weaknesses, and train the younger fighters so they’re ready too

Your team is losing a fight. What do you do?

AJump in front of everyone — I’ll take the hits so my friends can regroup BGet angry. I refuse to lose — my pride won’t allow it. I’ll surpass my limits right here. CFall back and coordinate — someone needs to think clearly while everyone else is panicking

A rival challenges you to a one-on-one fight. How do you respond?

AAbsolutely! Let’s go right now — no holding back! BFinally, a chance to prove I am the strongest. I accept — and I will crush you. CIf it serves a purpose, fine. But pointless fighting is a waste of energy.

An old enemy offers to join your side. What do you do?

AI don’t trust them — once an enemy, always an enemy. They’ll betray us. BSure! Everyone deserves a second chance. The more friends the better! CI’ll allow it, but I’m watching them closely. Trust is earned, not given.

What’s your biggest weakness?

AI’m too trusting and sometimes let enemies power up just for the thrill of the fight BMy pride — I’d rather die than accept help from someone else CI keep everyone at arm’s length — caring about people is a liability I struggle with

You sense a massive power level approaching Earth. What’s your move?

AFly straight toward it — I want to meet them first and see what they’re made of BPrepare myself — if this threat is real, I’ll be the one to destroy it CGather the fighters, assess the threat, and make sure the people I protect are safe first

What drives you more than anything?

AProtecting those who can’t protect themselves — someone has to be the responsible one BThe thrill of getting stronger — there’s always a new level to reach, a new challenge to find CProving my worth — I am the Prince of all Saiyans, and I will surpass everyone

REVEAL MY CHARACTER →

Power Level Scanned Your Dragon Ball Identity

👊

Goku

“I am the hope of the universe. I am the answer to all living things that cry out for peace.” You’re a pure-hearted warrior who lives for the thrill of the fight. Every challenge is an opportunity, every enemy a potential friend, and every defeat just fuel to come back stronger. People are drawn to your infectious optimism and unbreakable spirit, even when your naivety drives them crazy. You’d give your last Senzu Bean to a stranger and charge headfirst into a battle you can’t win — not because you’re reckless, but because you genuinely believe that pushing past your limits is the only way to grow. Like Goku, your greatest power isn’t your ki — it’s your ability to inspire everyone around you to be better.

Pure-Hearted Fearless Limitless Inspiring

👑

Vegeta

“I do not fear this new challenge. Rather like a true warrior, I will rise to meet it.” You carry yourself with the pride of royalty and the ferocity of a born warrior. Second place is not in your vocabulary, and you’d rather break your body than your spirit. People might call you arrogant, but beneath that iron exterior lies someone who has learned to fight not just for themselves, but for the people they’ve quietly grown to love. Your journey is one of evolution — from cold-blooded conqueror to Earth’s fiercest protector — and every scar you carry is proof that pride and love can coexist. Like Vegeta, you don’t just want to be the strongest — you need to earn it on your own terms.

Proud Relentless Fierce Evolving

🧘

Piccolo

“Sometimes, we have to look beyond what we want and do what’s best.” You’re the one everyone depends on when things fall apart — the calm center in the middle of chaos. While others charge in recklessly or let their ego do the talking, you see the bigger picture and make the hard calls that need making. You didn’t choose to care about people, but somewhere along the way it happened, and now you’d sacrifice everything for those you’ve taken under your wing. Stoic on the surface, deeply loyal underneath, you’re the mentor, the strategist, and the last line of defense all in one. Like Piccolo, your true strength is wisdom — and the courage to do what’s right even when no one is watching.

Wise Tactical Protective Stoic

↻ PLAY AGAIN

Thanks to the worldwide momentum of the recent Egghead Arc, One Piece was able to successfully multiply its revenue. Looking just at the Overseas Film sector, One Piece earned an impressive 10,216 million yen for FY2026/3. This haul completely beat the 4,386 million yen pulled from Dragon Ball.

Meanwhile, in Domestic Licensing, One Piece took the crown by a very small margin, profiting 5,130 million yen against the 5,082 million yen pulled from Dragon Ball. This victory clearly proves how the pirate saga is currently ruling the modern era.

Dragon Ball Super Return Could Easily Tip The Revenue Scales Back In Goku's Favor

Goku and Vegeta in Dragon Ball Super The Galactic Patrol

Dragon Ball may have lost its top spot, but the legendary shōnen still generated well over $130 million. This remains a huge win for a franchise currently lacking a main weekly series. Other classic properties are also holding strong, as Digimon earned an impressive 2,280 million yen in Overseas Licensing for the fiscal year. Yet, the notable financial gap between Toei's top two franchises points to a bigger structural problem.

Crunchyroll Proves Toei Has No Excuse For A Huge One Piece Flaw

With the anime finally going seasonal, the studio has zero excuses left for making certain viewers wait months for new episodes.

While Dragon Ball Daima provided a brief surge before ending in early 2025, it was just not enough to hold a year-long lead against a heavily active giant like One Piece. Without a long TV broadcast actively running, Goku is left at a real disadvantage in the market.

However, the financial scales could tip right back when the new Dragon Ball Super anime is finally released.

Continuing Super would instantly boost global streaming demand and supercharge toy sales. Dragon Ball's highly anticipated return could easily give the Saiyans a chance to reclaim their financial crown. Until that happens, One Piece's Luffy sits comfortably as the undisputed king.