World's First Physical Dragon Ball Specialty Store Opens in Tokyo, Japan

The physical specialty store for Japan’s hugely popular manga series “Dragon Ball” opened in Tokyo on the 14th, according to animation company Toei Animation. The store was established to commemorate the 40th anniversary of “Dragon Ball” in 2024.

AFP reports that “Dragon Ball” began serialization in Japan’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” in 1984 and has become one of the best-selling manga of all time, spawning a series of anime, movies, and video games.

The specialty store is located in a shopping center near a major Tokyo train station. Photos released by Toei Animation on the 14th show a giant “Dragon Ball” ceiling pattern and a statue of the main character, Son Goku. Inside, the store sells products such as keychains, T-shirts, and badges, all featuring classic “Dragon Ball” character designs.

According to Japanese publisher Shueisha, as of the end of last November, “Dragon Ball” manga sales in Japan and worldwide had exceeded 260 million copies.

As “Dragon Ball” became popular worldwide, the series has continuously launched movies, video games, and other related products. The first part of the “Dragon Ball” manga series was adapted into a TV anime in 1986 and translated into multiple languages.

The original author of the “Dragon Ball” manga, Akira Toriyama, passed away at the beginning of last March at the age of 68. He was known for works such as “Dragon Ball” and “Dr. Slump”, with his influence extending not only through Asia but throughout the world.