Dragon Ball fans have recently voiced their frustration with Toei Animation after the studio announced a grand display of the Straw Hat Pirates on Sphere Vegas from June 10–16 to celebrate One Piece’s 25th anniversary.
Fans feel that Dragon Ball, despite its iconic status and substantial legacy in the anime industry, has not received similar support and attention from Toei Animation.
A significant portion of the Dragon Ball fandom believes that the series deserves more marketing and promotional efforts from Toei. Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball has not had a new anime series since Dragon Ball Super ended six years ago, and fans are disappointed by what they perceive as Toei’s preference for One Piece.
Dragon Ball Fans Demand More Attention from Toei Animation
Despite the lack of new content and limited marketing, Dragon Ball continues to be Toei’s largest revenue generator, underscoring its enduring popularity and financial success.
Fans have pointed out that One Piece’s animation quality has significantly improved, especially during the Wano arc, and the series receives robust marketing support. In contrast, Dragon Ball’s latest film, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, received minimal marketing from Toei, leaving fans to promote the movie themselves through social media campaigns. This disparity in promotional efforts has only fueled fan discontent.
Adding to the frustration is the lack of marketing for the upcoming Dragon Ball Daima anime, set to release in five months. Daima is intended to commemorate the franchise’s 40th anniversary and is notably the last project Toriyama worked on before his passing on March 1st of this year. Fans find it disheartening that such a significant milestone and tribute to Toriyama’s legacy is not receiving the promotional attention it deserves.
The future of the Dragon Ball franchise appears uncertain. With the passing of Akira Toriyama, public perception of future projects may be affected. The manga, now led solely by Toriyama’s protégé Toyotaro, fluctuates between hiatus and releasing new chapters. Despite having compelling story arcs like Moro and Granolah in the manga that could be adapted into anime, there are no clear signs of a return for the Dragon Ball Super anime.
Dragon Ball fans have legitimate reasons to feel upset about the preferential treatment given to One Piece by Toei Animation. Considering Dragon Ball’s continued commercial success, the lack of support and promotion in recent years is a concerning trend for the fandom.
Fans hope that Toei Animation will recognize the importance of Dragon Ball and provide it with the marketing and support it deserves, honoring its legacy and maintaining its status as a cultural icon.
