Dragon Ball and One Piece Are Now at Risk Amid Fuji TV Sex Scandal
Advertisers pull out of Fuji TV, raising concerns about the future of the network
A major scandal is now sweeping through the Japanese entertainment industry, and anime is getting caught in the crossfire. As reported by the BBC and other sources, Fuji TV faced a crisis after former SMAP member Masahiro Nakai was accused of sexual assault in 2023 and allegedly settled with the victim. The network was criticized for attempting to cover up Nakaiâs misconduct, prompting Fuji TVâs president and chairman to resign.
Major advertisers, including Toyota and Nissan, pulled commercials from the network, causing significant financial losses. Other advertisers have since withdrawn, leading to an unprecedented situation where two of Japanâs longest-running TV anime, Sazae-san and Chibi Maruko-chan, recently aired without commercials. With Fuji TV in freefall, fans are now wondering whether other anime on the networkâespecially Dragon Ball and One Pieceâcould be affected.
Fuji TVâs Legacy as an Anime PowerhouseThe Uncertain Future of Dragon Ball and One Piece
Fuji TV has a long history of airing anime, dating back to the start in1963 with Mighty Atom (aka Astro Boy). The 1970s saw globally recognized hits like Mazinger Z and Gatchaman. In the 1980s, Fuji TV became the home of the original Dragon Ball anime, which first aired in 1986, followed by its sequels. Then, in 1999, One Piece debuted on the network, further cementing Fuji TVâs reputation as an anime powerhouse.
Dragon Ball Daima and One Piece are both currently airing on Fuji TV, but the ongoing scandal could have serious consequences. If more advertisers withdraw and ad revenue dries up, these flagship series might no longer be financially viable for the network. That wouldnât be the end of Dragon Ball and One Pieceâboth are too big to disappearâbut they may need to shift to another network or an alternative form of distribution.
Could Anime Move Away from Fuji TV?Can Fuji TV Recover?
If Dragon Ball and One Piece leave Fuji TV, it would mark the end of an era for anime broadcasting in Japan. These series have long been tied to the networkâs identity, but with streaming services like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Disney+ investing heavily in anime, there are more options than ever for major titles to find new homes. A move to another traditional TV network, such as TV Tokyo or Nippon TV, is also possible.
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If Fuji TV manages to weather the storm, it may still hold on to anime mainstays like One Piece and Dragon Ballâbut that depends on whether it can stabilize its finances and regain advertiser confidence. The next few months will be crucial in determining how anime is broadcast in Japan and how it reaches audiences worldwide.
Dragon BallSummary
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.