To some, Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball media franchise was something that they watched on morning cartoon shows as they growing up. For some, it is a series that they enjoy to this day through their home video releases, streaming offerings and video game adaptations. And for some… there are a lot of branding opportunities for fans to take advantage of, above and beyond just watching the series.
Ahead of next month’s Licensing Expo 2022, Toei Animation and their US agent CrunchyRoll shared their latest ‘Dragon Ball franchise report’. This annual report provides a comprehensive look at the success of their collective Dragon Ball licensing efforts, details both new license agreements and license renewals, and spotlights key licensee partnerships in select product categories.
Over the last 14 months, Toei Animation and Crunchyroll executed a “record high” total of 37 license agreements, including 18 new licenses and 19 license renewals. The 18 new agreements will result in what is pitched as an “exciting variety of merchandise for fans of “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z” and “Dragon Ball Super” series as well as, for the first time ever, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” the new feature film scheduled for release this summer”. The branding deals will include apparel from Bioworld, Hypland and NTD, statues and games from Oniri Creations and Mattel, plushies from Youtooz, housewares from Just Funky, stationery from Trends International and Insight Editions, and gifts and novelties from Monogram International and Hallmark. A full list can be found at the bottom of this article.
On the renewal side of things, there are extensions for “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z,” Dragon Ball GT” and “Dragon Ball Super” with a long list of current licensees including Party City, FIGPIN Collect Awesome, Boston America, Uncanny Brands, Bioworld and Trends International.
Created by Akira Toriyama and produced by Toei Animation, the Dragon Ball anime franchise is based on the “Dragon Ball” manga launched in 1984 and encompasses four TV series (“Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z,” “Dragon Ball GT” and “Dragon Ball Super”), 21 feature films (including the soon-to-be-released “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero”), home video, video games, and, together with agreements detailed below) an ever-expanding catalog of licensed merchandise ranging from apparel, accessories, toys, novelties, furniture, housewares and more.
New Licensing Agreements
Bioworld: Global manufacturer of licensed apparel and accessories for collection of apparel and fashion accessories based on “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” including t-shirts, fashion cut and sew tops, bottoms, leggings, sleepwear, vests, jackets, joggers, headwear, bags and accessories.
Dim Mak: DJ Steve Aoki’s fashion lifestyle brand for a limited edition collection of apparel based on “Dragon Ball Z” including t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, fleece bottoms, crew neck sweatshirts, denim, bomber jackets, hats and tote bags.
FILA: Global apparel and footwear manufacturer for a limited edition collection of footwear based on “Dragon Ball Super.”
Hallmark Ornaments: Leading manufacturer of keepsake ornaments for a collection of ornaments based on “Dragon Ball Z.”
Hypland: Leading manufacturer of streetwear fashion and accessories for three collections of apparel and merchandise based on “Dragon Ball,” “Dragon Ball Z” and “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” including t-shirts, shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, outerwear, pants, shorts, bags, headwear, rugs, blankets, skateboards, inflatables, and keychains.
Insight Editions: Best-selling publisher of books and unique licensed products for a collection of merchandise based on “Dragon Ball Z” including advent calendars, notebooks, journals, notecards, stationery and stationery sets.
Just Funky: Premiere manufacturer of licensed and private label merchandise for a collection of drinkware and homewares based on “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.”
Mattel: Leading global toy and entertainment company for a special edition UNO deck based on “Dragon Ball Z.”
Monogram International: Leading manufacturer of licensed giftware, toys, aged collectibles and souvenirs for a collection of merchandise based on “Dragon Ball Super” including figural banks, 3D foam keychains, bag clips and magnets, pewter and novelty key rings, lanyards and enamel pins.
NTD Apparel: Canadian manufacturer of retail apparel for a collection of apparel based on “Dragon Ball Z” including dresses, swimwear, sleepwear, underwear, athletic wear, outerwear and facewear.
Oniri Creations: French designer and manufacturer of collector’s statues for two collections of quarter scale resin statues based on “Dragon Ball Z” and “Dragon Ball.”
RhinoShield: Manufacturer of ultra-impact protective accessories for two collections of consumer electronic cases based on “Dragon Ball Super” and “Dragon Ball Z.”
Surreal Entertainment: Leading manufacturer of fan-driven licensed merchandise for a collection of PAL-O pillows and candy based on “Dragon Ball Z.”
Trends International: Leading supplier of licensed posters, calendars, stickers and social stationary products for a collection of merchandise based on “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” including posters, calendars, bookmarks, mobile wallets, writing instruments and decals
Youtooz: Manufacturer of high-quality collectibles for a collection of plush figures based on “Dragon Ball Z.”
Y.H.B Biotech: Taiwanese beverage manufacturer for a collection of sodas based on “Dragon Ball Super.”
Keep an eye on each of these companies going forward to see when their merchandise around the ‘Dragon Ball’ franchise is made available.
