Shueisha has owned Dragon Ball since 1984 and continues to do so to the present day. Their ownership is shared with Bird Studio, the production studio founded by Dragon Ball's creator, Akira Toriyama.
Understanding Dragon Ball Ownership
The ownership of a globally recognized franchise like Dragon Ball involves various entities. For Dragon Ball, the primary ownership structure has remained consistent since its inception.
- Joint Ownership: The rights to the Dragon Ball franchise are held jointly by Bird Studio and Shueisha. This arrangement ensures that the creator's entity, Bird Studio, maintains significant control and creative input, while Shueisha, as the prominent publisher, handles the extensive publication and media rights.
- Duration: The collaboration between Akira Toriyama (through Bird Studio) and Shueisha began with the serialization of the original Dragon Ball manga in Weekly Shōnen Jump, a magazine published by Shueisha, in 1984. This partnership has endured, covering the manga, anime adaptations, films, video games, and merchandise that have emerged from the franchise.
The following table summarizes the core ownership details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Owner(s) | Bird Studio / Shueisha |
| Years | 1984 – Present |
| Created by | Akira Toriyama |
| Original Work | Dragon Ball (1984–1995) manga series |
This long-standing ownership structure has been fundamental to the franchise's consistent development and massive global success, ensuring a unified approach to its vast expansion across various media forms. For more details on the franchise's history, you can refer to information on its Wikipedia page.
