The 51st issue of Shonen Jump magazine containing the original Dragon Ball manga chapter has been sold for way over $9,000 at auction.
In 1984, the world was introduced to Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball and its protagonist, Goku, who set off in search of those mythical wish-granting orange Dragon Balls.
Little did anyone know, but Dragon Ball would become one of the biggest entertainment properties in the world and a massive hit across the globe with its many spin-offs, video games, and movies.
On March 7, 2025, a mint condition copy of the Shonen Jump issue containing the very first Dragon Ball manga chapter appeared on auction, sparking bids so high they would shatter scouters.
Dragon Ball fan buys original manga chapter for $25,000
According to Real Sound, the starting bid for the manga chapter was 500,000 Yen, but it ended up selling for over seven times that amount once the dust settled.
In the end, one fan dished out 3.8 million yen for the collectable, which converts to around $25,000 USD.
When the manga first released back in 1984, it sold for only 170 Yen, just over $1. Talk about a massive return on investment!
This particular Weekly Shonen Jump issue was in impeccable condition, too, which undoubtedly factored into the bid. Considering these magazines were mass-produced and often thrown away, it’s unlikely another issue like this will surface anytime soon.
Despite Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama dying in 2024 due to health-related complications, he gave fans one last gift in the form of Dragon Ball Daima.
The latest anime premiered in October 2024 and reintroduced a child version of Goku, 40 years after he first debuted in the original manga chapter.
Toyotarou, Toriyama’s chosen successor, will be continuing the Dragon Ball story once it finally returns from hiatus.
Content shared from www.dexerto.com.