Japan's manga powerhouse 'Dragon Ball' turns 40

"Dragon Ball" fans on Wednesday celebrated 40 years of the globally beloved Japanese manga, anime, and video game franchise, just months after creator Akira Toriyama's unexpected death. The original "Dragon Ball" manga was first serialised on November 20, 1984. It features a boy named Son Goku who collects magical balls containing dragons to help protect the Earth. According to publisher Shueisha, the comic books have since sold more than 260 million copies in Japan and worldwide. Toriyama died aged 68 in March because of a blood clot on his brain, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans, including tributes from world leaders.

This file photo taken on September 26, 2024 shows visitors trying out the latest Dragon Ball game during the preview day for the annual Tokyo Game Show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture. "Dragon Ball" fans on November 20, 2024 celebrated 40 years of the globally beloved Japanese manga, anime and video game franchise, just months after the unexpected death of creator Akira Toriyama. Richard A. Brooks / AFP

The first part of the manga series, Dragon Ball, was made into an anime for TV in 1986. The show was dubbed in different languages and captured children's hearts with its madcap battles. "Dragon Ball Z," an adaptation of the later part of the manga, increased the series' popularity even further. Films, video games, and other spin-offs followed as the franchise became a global phenomenon. "Happy birthday to Goku and all his friends. And eternal farewell to Akira Toriyama," anime fan account Catsuka said on its X page, which boasts more than 230,000 followers. The franchise is particularly popular in Latin America, and several tributes, including from a Mexican newspaper, appeared in Spanish on Instagram.

This file photo taken on October 6, 2024 shows a child visiting the card game section during the "Dragon Ball Daimatsuri" event, to mark the 40th anniversary of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball franchise, at the Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo. "Dragon Ball" fans on November 20, 2024 celebrated 40 years of the globally beloved Japanese manga, anime and video game franchise, just months after the unexpected death of creator Akira Toriyama.Philip Fong / AFP

"It's a seminal work celebrating victory gained through friendship and hard work. I think the story's simplicity has been an important factor in the series' success," 19-year-old student Tsutomu Tanaka told AFP in Tokyo. The latest anime series in the franchise, "Dragon Ball Daima," began airing last month, and Saudi Arabia has announced it will build the world's first "Dragon Ball" theme park. Journalist and anime expert Tadashi Sudo said, "The commercial machine is already there" for Dragon Ball. But while the franchise's popularity is secure in the short term, "the challenge remains whether it can maintain its creativity without Toriyama."