It’s The End Of An Era As One Piece Has Officially Surpassed Dragon Ball

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This article may contain spoilers for One Piece.

Toei Animation stands among the top and highly respected animation companies globally. Over time, this studio has presented numerous cherished anime series to fans, and it consistently maintains high-quality productions even today.

It’s no secret among fans that Toei Animation is renowned for two major franchises: Dragon Ball and One Piece. While Dragon Ball, being the elder, enjoys global popularity, One Piece’s rising fame was bound to close the gap and eventually surpass it. As per the latest figures, it appears that One Piece has indeed overtaken Dragon Ball in terms of revenue generated by Toei Animation.

One Piece And Dragon Ball Are Toei’s Two Biggest Series

  • Dragon Ball Is Toei’s Heavy Hitter
  • One Piece Has Finally Caught Up

Over the years, Dragon Ball has been Toei Animation’s most successful series, and there’s a good explanation for that. This series is nothing short of a global sensation, with fans from every corner of the world adoring it. It has proven its worth over time and remains beloved even today. Moreover, Dragon Ball not only enjoys widespread popularity but has also sparked numerous other influential stories, such as One Piece. As a result, it’s hardly surprising that Dragon Ball still ranks among Toei Animation’s top-grossing franchises, even years after its conclusion.

I am Goku, but you can call me Kakarot! — Goku to Broly

From an outside perspective, it was only a matter of time before One Piece matched its pace. While Oda may have drawn inspiration from Toriyama, it’s clear that he has not just kept up but outshone him in the world of manga. With over 480 million copies sold worldwide and still counting, One Piece is undeniably the most successful manga series ever, leaving its competitors far behind. In Japan, One Piece reigns supreme as the largest series, a position it has held for quite some time. Interestingly, recent reports suggest that even within Toei Animation, One Piece is now outpacing Dragon Ball in popularity.

One Piece Is Ahead Of Dragon Ball Once Again

Toei Animation’s Financial Reports For The First Quarter Are Out

In the first quarter of the year 2025 (April to June), Toei Animation has revealed its financial reports for the fiscal year. Surprisingly, One Piece outperformed Dragon Ball as the most profitable franchise for Toei during this period, earning an impressive 6.1 billion yen compared to Dragon Ball’s 5.16 billion yen. The gap between these two franchises is substantial.

I am the man who will surpass you both and become the Pirate King! — Luffy to Big Mom and Kaido

It’s particularly striking that Dragon Ball just released another anime, Dragon Ball Daima, while One Piece was on a six-month break. One might think this could harm the popularity of One Piece, but surprisingly, it seems to have outperformed Dragon Ball yet again.

One Piece Is Only Growing In Popularity

The gap between One Piece and Dragon Ball is expanding, and it seems this trend will persist in the forthcoming years. This development is delightful for One Piece enthusiasts, but less so for Dragon Ball supporters.

In two weeks’ time, you can expect the latest chapter of One Piece (Chapter 1157) to be released. Typically, new chapters are published on Sundays. For our Japanese audience, the chapter will become available at 12AM JST on Monday. However, most international readers should find the chapter accessible on August 16. The official date for the release of One Piece Chapter 1157 is August 16, 2025. Excitingly, fans can enjoy this chapter for free on Manga Plus!

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2025-08-08 00:29