In 1984, the world was introduced to the iconic manga series Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama, featuring the main character Goku on his quest to find the mythical Dragon Balls, which possess the power to grant wishes.
Few realize that Dragon Ball would become one of the most significant entertainment franchises globally, creating a massive impact through various adaptations, including video games and animated films. Over the decades, Dragon Ball has remained a legendary manga, renowned worldwide.
However, before its immense success on the global stage, Dragon Ball was a humble creation in Japan.
Dragon Ball was serialized in the weekly manga magazine Weekly Shonen Jump, establishing itself as the “Golden Goose” of Jump, running from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, with weekly sales reaching up to 6.5 million copies.
On March 7, 2025, a rare first edition of the Dragon Ball manga was released, generating a price so high it surprised collectors, compelling them to scramble for the coveted issue.
Dragon Ball fans purchase rare manga issue for 25,000 USD
According to Real Sound, the starting price for this manga issue was 500,000 yen, but after the value skyrocketed, it was sold for more than seven times that amount. Ultimately, a devoted fan paid 3.8 million yen, equivalent to approximately 25,000 USD (around 638 million VND).
When the first volume of the manga was published in 1984, it was sold for just 170 yen, a little over 1 USD. Clearly, this represents an incredible profit margin for the initial investment!
It’s important to note that the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine containing this manga issue is in pristine condition, undoubtedly influencing its high value. Considering the numerous editions that have been produced and the wear and tear they typically endure over time, it’s unlikely that any other publication will see similar returns in the near future.
