In America, Dragon Ball may look like the biggest Japanese media franchise out there, but surprisingly, Akira Toriyama's famed creation barely makes the top ten. Out of all the highest-grossing media franchises to come from Japan, Dragon Ball is not even close to the top. It's a shocking fact that most Americans wouldn't expect, considering just how popular Goku and the rest of the Z Fighters are in the States.

The list of the highest-grossing media franchises shows just how much room there is between Dragon Ball and the franchise that ranks first. While America focuses on shōnen series first, lists like these prove that we may be alone in that regard. Action-based series aren't as popular across the globe as they are in the States, as other countries may value different, slower genres than we do here in America.

In America, Dragon Ball Feels Like The Biggest Japanese Media Franchise Ever

With The Anime Series, Manga, Video Games, And More, Dragon Ball Feels Like A King In The West

Dragon Ball feels like such a massive series that few other media franchises can even come close to it. Most Americans experience the Dragon Ball franchise first through the amazing anime series. There's the original Dragon Ball, the massively popular Dragon Ball Z, the less-than-spectacular sequel Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Super, and most recently, Dragon Ball DAIMA.

Each of the series has heavily contributed to the franchise as a whole, making many consider Dragon Ball to be one of the greatest anime series of all time. Outside the hugely popular anime series, there are dozens of equally popular games starring all the characters fans have come to know and love. There are a ton of great movies as well, like Dragon Ball Super: Broly, that expand the cinematic universe past the anime alone.

Due to the anime series, movies, video games, and manga, everything is (mostly) based upon; it's no wonder that most Americans think Dragon Ball is the biggest media franchise to come out of Japan. According to the statistics, however, that isn't even close to being true.

Japan Doesn't Value Shōnen Like America Does

Americans Prioritize Shōnen Over Any Other Genre Of Anime

There is no bigger anime genre in America than shōnen. It's a genre defined by explosive powers, hopeful protagonists, and some of the best fights in anime history. Americans love action; even outside of anime, some of the highest-grossing media franchises that come from America are based on the traits mentioned above. While the U.S. loves to watch a good fight, Japanese audiences don't value high-flying action as much as we do.

The most popular genre of anime in Japan is slice-of-life. Slice-of-life couldn't be more dissimilar to shōnen, as the laid-back genre is most often defined by slow-pacing, realistic characters and worlds, and little to no heart-palpitating drama. Some of the best slice-of-life series are meant to be watched while the viewer is relaxing. These series feature characters living normal lives that most people can relate to, and it's a pretty big change of pace from watching characters like Goku fight to defend the Earth.

Dragon Ball Barely Makes The Top Ten

There Are Nine Japanese Media Franchises That Gross More Money Than Dragon Ball

Surprisingly, Dragon Ball is nowhere near the top five highest-grossing media franchises to come out of Japan. It barely makes the top ten, as there are nine other Japanese-based franchises that have grossed more money than it. Some of them won't be as surprising to Americans. The number one highest-grossing media franchise in the entire world is none other than Pokémon.

With some of the most popular games in the world, one of the longest-running anime series ever, and a ton of toys to boot, there are few series that can match up to the titan that is Pokémon. Pokémon has grossed $98.9 billion to Dragon Ball's $9.54 billion, over ten times what Goku and the gang have generated.

Outside of Pokémon, there are a few other series that have grossed more money than Dragon Ball. Some of the series Americans may recognize include Hello Kitty, Street Fighter, and Pac-Man. Other series that sur Dragon Ball include Anpanman, Rilakkuma, and even Space Invaders. While tons of Americans have played the legend of cabinet games, that is Space Invaders, few know Anpanman and Rilakkuma, even though they're massive in Japan.

Demon Slayer Might Sur Dragon Ball Soon

The Demon Slayer Movies Play A Huge Role In The Franchise's Success

Demon Slayer is one of the most exciting shōnen series of the past decade. The anime series has an incredible main character in Tanjiro Kamado, some of the most vibrant animation in the art form, and above all, some of the most successful movies in the world. The Dragon Ball media franchise has grossed $9.54 billion, and Demon Slayer is right on its tail, grossing $9.32 billion.

The Demon Slayer movies are a big part of the series' commercial success. The highest-grossing Japanese film in history is Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, which has grossed over $500 million since its release in 2020. Studio Ghibli dominates the list of the highest-grossing Japanese films, and even they have only sured $400 million once. Demon Slayer is just hitting its peak, too. With the final arc, the Infinity Castle Arc, being announced as a series of movies, Demon Slayer is sure to sur Dragon Ball.

Dragon Ball Is Still Amazing, And Its Massive Worth Shows It

It Might Not Be As Big As Americans Thought, However

Even though Dragon Ball isn't the highest-grossing media franchise to come out of Japan, it doesn't matter. The series is still one of the best shōnen franchises ever created. Amazingly, it set the standard for almost every series to come after it. There are very few shōnen series that don't have amazing transformations, Energy Wave-esque attacks, or main characters that don't know how to quit, and Dragon Ball deserves a ton of credit.

The manga started back in 1984, and even after 40 years, the series is still running. Somehow, Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and even Broly are looking stronger than ever, facing threats on an entirely new level. Dragon Ball Super's success shows that Dragon Ball still has a lot in the tank. After Akira Toriyama's ing, the future of the series remains uncertain, but he found the right successor in Toyotarou.

Goku's jaw-dropping Ultra Instinct transformation was drawn by Toyotarou. He's a big reason why Dragon Ball can still continue after Toriyama's ing and why the series is still as good as it ever was. Even though the original creator is no longer working on the series and there are a few media franchises more commercially successful than Dragon Ball, Americans don't care. They'll still tune in and check out one of the most beloved anime series ever.