DRAGON BALL Z, the international hit animated series, made its U.S. debut Fall 1996. With more than 500 episodes in the overall series which has posted top ratings in both Europe and Asia and over $2.95 billion in related merchandising worldwide, DRAGON BALL Z is ready to explode onto the U.S. market with 26 half-hour filled with all the action and mystery that has captivated audiences the world over. Produced by FUNimation Productions Inc. and syndicated by Saban Domestic Distribution, the series has already cleared stations representing more than 86% of the country.
This epic saga has topped the Japanese ratings charts for more than ten years, consistently remaining the number one children's show there. In France, the show has dominated the competition as well, and for three years the show was "number one... maintaining a 65% rating since premiering," according to Nikkei Trendy. The trend continue into Spain as well, where Sofres reported that the show recorded an "average market share topping 75%."
Having made $140 million in DRAGON BALL Z merchandising in 1994 in Japan alone, Bandai is proud to be the master toy licensee in the United States. As Paul Nojima, President of Bandai America explains, "Dragon Ball has been one of Bandai's most successful toy lines in history, and we are very excited to be a part of DRAGON BALL Z in the U.S.A."
What accounts for the amazing success of the television series and merchandising of DRAGON BALL Z is a combination of items including the incredible richness of the story line and the depth and endearing personalities of the vividly portrayed characters. No wonder, though. It was created by one of Japan's greatest authors, Akira Toriyama.
Whatever the reason, DRAGON BALL Z is captivating American audiences. It is a mystical action adventure series of riveting stories, driven by extraordinary characters who embody the essence of good and evil. Join Goku, the hero of the story, and his allies as they battle for all that is good against the evil force of the Saiyans. It is already achieving high ratings making it one of the top syndicated animated series in the USA and has been selected by TV GUIDE as one of its top ten best new shows for kids in its October 26th Parent's Issue. As TV GUIDE reports, "Japanese animation (anime, to the initiated) is rapidly becoming a full-fledged fad here, and Japan's top children's show is riding that wave into the US syndication. An Action epic, DRAGON BALL Z (Check TV GUIDE listings) turns the Superman myth upside down: Its hero, Goku, also came to Earth as an infant with powers far beyond those of mortal men ? but he was sent to destroy the planet, not defend it. Fortunately, a wise martial-arts master (along with a bonk on the head) turned him away from evil toward family values..."
DRAGON BALL has not only spawned over 500 episodes of animated shows, but has created a merchandising frenzy with sales of $2.95 billion in related merchandise.
Akira Toriyama has reached a status few artists can hope for. An Akira Toriyama Exhibition has recently toured nine public art galleries and other venues drawing attendances of over 330,000 people. This is the second time in history a manga artist has achieved this level of notoriety (the first being Osamu Tezuka). The National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo has made an unprecedented move by exhibiting a manga artist's work. The works of Akira Toriyama can be seen displayed with that of artists such as Monet and Miro.