Dragon Ball, one of the most influential franchises in anime and manga history, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the worldwide release of a special animated video unveiled Sunday during the “Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri” event at Makuhari Messe in Japan.
The Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Special Video was announced during the event’s opening stage and released simultaneously across the globe, marking a major milestone for the long-running franchise. The commemorative animation brings creator Akira Toriyama’s iconic color illustrations to life through a blend of modern animation techniques, designed to honor the original artwork while presenting it through a contemporary visual lens.
Produced by Toei Animation, the project is directed by Naoki Miyahara, a veteran of the series who previously served as general animation director on Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. The animation places a strong emphasis on faithfully translating the texture, color and expressive qualities of Toriyama’s illustrations into motion, resulting in a dynamic visual journey that reflects the growth and legacy of protagonist Son Goku.
A major highlight of the anniversary video is its original musical score, composed by Academy Award–winning film composer Hans Zimmer. Known for iconic works such as The Lion King and Pirates of the Caribbean, Zimmer composed a brand-new orchestral theme titled “Infinite Future” exclusively for the project, adding a cinematic scope to the celebration.
In a statement shared during the event, Zimmer expressed his appreciation for being part of the franchise’s milestone anniversary.
“It was truly a joy to be part of this special anniversary project,” Zimmer said. “Drawing inspiration from Akira Toriyama’s incredible illustrations and the stunning animation in this video, I thoroughly enjoyed composing the music. To Dragon Ball fans around the world, I sincerely hope you enjoy watching it”
via press release
The announcement took place at Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri, a free, reservation-based event dedicated to celebrating the franchise’s four decades of history. The event featured special exhibits, presentations and livestream programming for fans around the world.
Originally serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984, Dragon Ball quickly became one of Japan’s most successful manga series before expanding into television animation, theatrical films, video games and merchandise. The franchise has continued to evolve in recent years with releases such as Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and the debut of Dragon Ball DAIMA in 2024, which coincided with the 40th anniversary of the manga’s original publication.
Watch The Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Special Video,
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