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Who Owns Dragon Ball?

Dragon Ball is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and influential anime and manga franchises of all time. Created by the legendary artist Akira Toriyama, the series has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world with its captivating storylines, memorable characters, and epic battles. But have you ever wondered who owns Dragon Ball? In this blog post, we will explore the ownership history of Dragon Ball and shed light on the entities behind this beloved franchise.

Akira Toriyama: The Creator of Dragon Ball

Dragon Ball was conceived and brought to life by Akira Toriyama. Born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Japan, Toriyama initially gained recognition for his work on the popular manga series "Dr. Slump." However, it was Dragon Ball that catapulted him to global fame.

Toriyama created Dragon Ball as a manga series, which was first serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1984 to 1995. The manga quickly gained popularity and became a cultural phenomenon in Japan. Its success led to the creation of an anime adaptation, which aired from 1986 to 1989.

As the creator of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama owns the intellectual property rights to the series. This means that he has the exclusive right to control and license the use of Dragon Ball's characters, artwork, and storyline.

Toei Animation: The Animation Studio

Toei Animation is a prominent animation studio based in Japan. Founded in 1948, the studio has been involved in the production of numerous anime series, including Dragon Ball. Toei Animation acquired the rights to produce an anime adaptation of Dragon Ball and worked closely with Akira Toriyama to bring his vision to life.

Under the direction of Toei Animation, Dragon Ball was transformed into a popular and long-running anime series. The studio was responsible for animating the iconic battles, designing the characters' appearances, and creating the vibrant world of Dragon Ball.

While Toei Animation does not own the intellectual property rights to Dragon Ball, they hold the rights to distribute and license the anime adaptation of the series. This allows them to market and distribute Dragon Ball merchandise, DVDs, and other related products worldwide.

Shueisha: The Manga Publisher

Shueisha is a renowned Japanese publishing company that specializes in manga magazines and graphic novels. It was through Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine that Dragon Ball gained its initial popularity as a manga series.

As the publisher of Dragon Ball, Shueisha played a crucial role in promoting and distributing the manga. The company provided Akira Toriyama with a platform to showcase his work and connect with a wide audience. Shueisha continues to publish new installments of Dragon Ball, such as the ongoing manga sequel "Dragon Ball Super."

While Shueisha does not own the intellectual property rights to Dragon Ball, they hold the publishing rights for the manga series. This allows them to print and distribute physical copies of Dragon Ball manga volumes, as well as license digital versions of the series.

Bandai Namco Entertainment: The Gaming Powerhouse

Dragon Ball's popularity extends beyond anime and manga. The franchise has also made a significant impact in the gaming industry, thanks to Bandai Namco Entertainment.

Bandai Namco Entertainment is a leading video game publisher and developer based in Japan. They have released numerous Dragon Ball video games across various platforms, including consoles, handheld devices, and mobile phones. These games allow fans to immerse themselves in the world of Dragon Ball and participate in epic battles as their favorite characters.

While Bandai Namco Entertainment does not own the intellectual property rights to Dragon Ball, they hold the licensing rights to develop and distribute Dragon Ball video games. Their collaboration with Akira Toriyama and other talented developers has resulted in critically acclaimed titles such as "Dragon Ball FighterZ" and "Dragon Ball Xenoverse."

Conclusion

In summary, Dragon Ball is owned by a combination of entities that have played vital roles in its creation, promotion, and distribution. Akira Toriyama, as the creator of Dragon Ball, owns the intellectual property rights to the series. Toei Animation was responsible for bringing Dragon Ball to life through its anime adaptation, while Shueisha published the original manga. Bandai Namco Entertainment has brought the world of Dragon Ball to the gaming industry.

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