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.

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

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.

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.

Cast

Sean Schemmel, Laura Bailey, Brian Drummond, Christopher Sabat, Scott McNeil

Created by

Akira Toriyama

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