Dragon Ball Posts Significant License Growth
Dragon Ball Posts Significant License Growth Highlighting the Franchise's Unrivaled Popularity
Multi-Generational Mainstream Fandom Drives Growth Across All Categories
Los Angeles, May 22, 2024 – Legendary studio and anime industry leader Toei Animation Inc. together with its North America agent Crunchyroll, LLC announced today their most recent licensing gains for the Dragon Ball franchise. Encompassing the previous 12 months since last year's expo, the 2023-2024 Dragon Ball franchise report summarizes the success of their joint licensing efforts, including highlighting a selection of key licensee product collaborations and a detailed selection of new license agreements for both the episodic series and movie properties.
During the last 12 months, Toei Animation and Crunchyroll executed a total of 45 agreements for the “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z” and “Dragon Ball Super” properties – consisting of 18 new licenses and 27 license renewals. These new license agreements will excite Dragon Ball fans across an array of products including apparel, footwear, plushies, tech accessories, food as well as location-based entertainment — many of which have or will be launched in 2024.
“Dragon Ball fans have a truly unquenchable demand for branded goods — as illustrated by the breadth and depth our licensed product categories," said Masayuki Endo, President of Toei Animation. "We're thrilled that these new agreements will bring Dragon Ball's beloved characters and stories to fans — not only in North America but also around the world. The dedication and commitment of both our team and our partners has made this possible. And together, we'll continue to bring new and exciting products to Dragon Ball fans of every age.”
Dragon Ball is an unequaled pop culture phenomenon that boasts a mainstream multi-generational audience of anime fans. Based on the original “Dragon Ball” manga created by Akira Toriyama, the Dragon Ball anime franchise now spans five episodic series (“Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “Dragon Ball GT,” “Dragon Ball Z Kai” and “Dragon Ball Super”), 21 feature films, numerous mobile and video games, multiple trading card games and, together with agreements detailed below, a constantly growing catalog of licensed apparel, footwear, accessories, toys & games, video games, sporting goods, gifts & novelties, household goods, publishing, food & beverage, location-based entertainment and more.
Of particular interest to fans were a trio of new license agreements spanning apparel, accessories, food and location-based entertainment that resulted in notable collaborations (images) during the last 12 months. Last August, the gamer generation lifestyle brand 100 Thieves launched its 100 Thieves x Dragon Ball Z and Higround x Dragon Ball Z offering complimentary collections of apparel and keyboards, respectively. Then in February in the food category, General Mills released the initial drop of its limited time REESE's PUFFS x
Dragon Ball Z series of collectible cereal boxes. And finally, starting this month, Kura Sushi USA launched its Dragon Ball Super x Kura Bikkura Pon collaboration, a two-month-long location-based entertainment experience at all U.S. Kura Sushi locations featuring special prizes, merchandise, in-store giveaways and themed space décor.
The list of new and noteworthy licensing agreements secured by Toei Animation and Crunchyroll includes:
Toei Animation and Crunchyroll will be attending Licensing Expo 2024 to meet with current and potential Dragon Ball licensees across a range of merchandise categories. For more information, please visit the Toei Animation booth (C-170) and the Crunchyroll booth (Q-202).
For fans and interested partners, “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z” and “Dragon Ball Super” are available to watch in sub and dub on Crunchyroll in the United States, Canada, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
©Bird Studio/Shueisha, Toei Animation
About Toei Animation Inc.
Based in Los Angeles, Toei Animation Inc. manages the distribution of Toei Animation's top properties, including franchise series Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Digimon, Saint Seiya and many others, to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Toei Animation's Los Angeles office also oversees all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com.
Follow Toei Animation at:
Facebook.com/ToeiAnimationOfficial
Instagram.com/Toei_Animation
X.com/ToeiAnimation
YouTube.com/ToeiAnimationUS
Twitch.tv/ToeiAnimation
About Crunchyroll, LLC
Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and membership Premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles, and manga publishing.
Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of licensed anime through Crunchyroll and translated in multiple languages for viewers worldwide. Viewers can also access simulcasts—top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast.
The Crunchyroll app is available on over 15 platforms, including all gaming consoles.
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.
©2024 Crunchyroll, LLC. All rights reserved. CRUNCHYROLL and the Crunchyroll logo are registered trademarks on Crunchyroll, LLC.
All third party trademarks are the exclusive property of their respective owners.
Multi-Generational Mainstream Fandom Drives Growth Across All Categories
Los Angeles, May 22, 2024 – Legendary studio and anime industry leader Toei Animation Inc. together with its North America agent Crunchyroll, LLC announced today their most recent licensing gains for the Dragon Ball franchise. Encompassing the previous 12 months since last year's expo, the 2023-2024 Dragon Ball franchise report summarizes the success of their joint licensing efforts, including highlighting a selection of key licensee product collaborations and a detailed selection of new license agreements for both the episodic series and movie properties.
During the last 12 months, Toei Animation and Crunchyroll executed a total of 45 agreements for the “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z” and “Dragon Ball Super” properties – consisting of 18 new licenses and 27 license renewals. These new license agreements will excite Dragon Ball fans across an array of products including apparel, footwear, plushies, tech accessories, food as well as location-based entertainment — many of which have or will be launched in 2024.
“Dragon Ball fans have a truly unquenchable demand for branded goods — as illustrated by the breadth and depth our licensed product categories," said Masayuki Endo, President of Toei Animation. "We're thrilled that these new agreements will bring Dragon Ball's beloved characters and stories to fans — not only in North America but also around the world. The dedication and commitment of both our team and our partners has made this possible. And together, we'll continue to bring new and exciting products to Dragon Ball fans of every age.”
Dragon Ball is an unequaled pop culture phenomenon that boasts a mainstream multi-generational audience of anime fans. Based on the original “Dragon Ball” manga created by Akira Toriyama, the Dragon Ball anime franchise now spans five episodic series (“Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “Dragon Ball GT,” “Dragon Ball Z Kai” and “Dragon Ball Super”), 21 feature films, numerous mobile and video games, multiple trading card games and, together with agreements detailed below, a constantly growing catalog of licensed apparel, footwear, accessories, toys & games, video games, sporting goods, gifts & novelties, household goods, publishing, food & beverage, location-based entertainment and more.
Of particular interest to fans were a trio of new license agreements spanning apparel, accessories, food and location-based entertainment that resulted in notable collaborations (images) during the last 12 months. Last August, the gamer generation lifestyle brand 100 Thieves launched its 100 Thieves x Dragon Ball Z and Higround x Dragon Ball Z offering complimentary collections of apparel and keyboards, respectively. Then in February in the food category, General Mills released the initial drop of its limited time REESE's PUFFS x
Dragon Ball Z series of collectible cereal boxes. And finally, starting this month, Kura Sushi USA launched its Dragon Ball Super x Kura Bikkura Pon collaboration, a two-month-long location-based entertainment experience at all U.S. Kura Sushi locations featuring special prizes, merchandise, in-store giveaways and themed space décor.
The list of new and noteworthy licensing agreements secured by Toei Animation and Crunchyroll includes:
- 100 Thieves: The premium lifestyle brand of the gaming generation for “Dragon Ball Z” apparel and keyboard collections under its 100 Thieves and Higround brands.
- Darc Sports: A brand/club/family that represents “never giving up “as its message while its core being is rooted in fitness/bodybuilding. Darc Sport Wolves presents a “Dragon Ball Z” collection.
- General Mills: Multination manufacturer of branded consumer foods for a collection of Reese's Puffs cereal boxes featuring different “Dragon Ball Z” character.
- Hallmark Cards: A leading innovator in the world of greeting cards, gift packaging, gifts and ornaments for a collection of “Dragon Ball Z” Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, Funko POP! ornaments and more.
- Jazwares: One of the world's leading toy companies will collaborate on a collection of Squishmallows plush based on popular “Dragon Ball Z” characters.
- Kura Sushi USA: Innovative and tech interactive Japanese restaurant chain for a limited-time “Dragon Ball Super” Bikkura Pon collaboration including prizes, merchandise, in-store giveaways and themed space décor.
- TeeTurtle: A company that creates fun and casual fun and unique t-shirts, plushies and accessories, including an upcoming collection of “Dragon Ball” and “Dragon Ball Z” characters.
Toei Animation and Crunchyroll will be attending Licensing Expo 2024 to meet with current and potential Dragon Ball licensees across a range of merchandise categories. For more information, please visit the Toei Animation booth (C-170) and the Crunchyroll booth (Q-202).
For fans and interested partners, “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z” and “Dragon Ball Super” are available to watch in sub and dub on Crunchyroll in the United States, Canada, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
©Bird Studio/Shueisha, Toei Animation
About Toei Animation Inc.
Based in Los Angeles, Toei Animation Inc. manages the distribution of Toei Animation's top properties, including franchise series Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, One Piece, Digimon, Saint Seiya and many others, to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Toei Animation's Los Angeles office also oversees all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com.
Follow Toei Animation at:
Facebook.com/ToeiAnimationOfficial
Instagram.com/Toei_Animation
X.com/ToeiAnimation
YouTube.com/ToeiAnimationUS
Twitch.tv/ToeiAnimation
About Crunchyroll, LLC
Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and membership Premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles, and manga publishing.
Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of licensed anime through Crunchyroll and translated in multiple languages for viewers worldwide. Viewers can also access simulcasts—top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast.
The Crunchyroll app is available on over 15 platforms, including all gaming consoles.
Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between U.S.-based Sony Pictures Entertainment and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group.
©2024 Crunchyroll, LLC. All rights reserved. CRUNCHYROLL and the Crunchyroll logo are registered trademarks on Crunchyroll, LLC.
All third party trademarks are the exclusive property of their respective owners.
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