When it comes to legendary anime and manga series, One Piece is the first name that comes to mind for fans around the world. For decades, Eiichiro Oda’s pirate epic has ruled manga sales, merchandise, and fandom, earning the title of the world’s best-selling manga series.
Its legacy is unmatched, its characters iconic, and its influence undeniable. Yet, even the mightiest can face a challenge. Recently, an old but beloved giant of anime, Mobile Suit Gundam, has officially overtaken One Piece in terms of revenue, leaving fans shocked and intrigued.
Bandai Namco, the company behind these two mega-franchises, revealed fiscal results that confirmed Gundam’s dominance for FY2026.
The reasons are both simple and fascinating: Gundam benefited from a recent movie release and strong merchandise sales, while One Piece faced a slowdown in anime production and no new film releases in 2025.
This unexpected shift demonstrates how legacy franchises can reassert themselves, reminding fans that the anime world is full of surprises. In this article, we dive deep into why Gundam beat One Piece, the numbers behind it, and what the future holds for both series.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Mecha Giant Rises
Mobile Suit Gundam has been a cornerstone of anime history since 1979. Known for its complex stories, political intrigue, and revolutionary mecha designs, Gundam has not only influenced generations of fans but also created a massive merchandising empire.
Gunpla models, action figures, video games, and collectibles have kept Gundam relevant for decades, even during times when anime streaming trends shifted toward newer series.
In FY2026, Gundam generated a staggering €0.71 billion, far surpassing projections of €0.45 billion. A large portion of this revenue comes from its recent movie release, which rejuvenated fan interest, drove merchandise sales, and reignited conversations across social media and anime communities.
Bandai Namco’s strategic focus on high-quality models, limited editions, and collaborative projects also played a key role. While One Piece has its own merchandising success, the combination of fresh content and nostalgia made Gundam the ultimate fiscal powerhouse this year.
One Piece Slows Down: Why Revenue Took a Hit
One Piece is a juggernaut in every sense — legendary manga sales, iconic characters, and a global fanbase. Yet, its FY2026 revenue of €0.39 billion fell short of Bandai’s expectations by €2.78 million.
Several factors contributed to this dip:
- Fewer Anime Episodes – For the first four months of 2025, One Piece released almost no new episodes. Anime content is a critical driver of merchandise sales, keeping fans engaged and eager to buy collectibles.
- No New Movie – Since 2022, One Piece has not launched a new film. Movies often act as major catalysts for merchandise and promotional sales, meaning the absence of a new release slowed revenue growth.
- Merchandise Dependency – While One Piece merchandise continues to sell, its performance is closely tied to current anime arcs and movie releases. Without new content, even the most loyal fanbase may reduce spending temporarily.
Despite these challenges, One Piece remains one of Bandai’s most profitable and reliable franchises. The recent revenue dip is more of a temporary pause than a permanent decline.
Gundam vs. One Piece: A Clash of Titans
This year’s results highlight an interesting dynamic: longevity and nostalgia versus continuous output. Gundam’s sustained popularity over decades, combined with new content and strategic marketing, allowed it to leap ahead of One Piece temporarily.
In contrast, One Piece, though historically dominant, faced a production lull, emphasizing how timing and content strategy can impact revenue in the anime world.
Other iconic series, including Dragon Ball and Super Sentai, were also surpassed by Gundam in FY2026. This demonstrates the power of legacy franchises with active promotional strategies.
What This Means for Fans
For One Piece fans, this isn’t the end of the road — just a wake-up call. Jump Festa in December promises announcements that could restore One Piece’s momentum.
Potential projects include:
- A new movie release
- Updates on the rumored WIT Studio remake
- New video games or special merchandise
Gundam fans, meanwhile, can celebrate a historic win for the franchise. It’s proof that even older series can dominate when the right combination of nostalgia, content, and merchandise strategy is applied.
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Conclusion
The battle between Mobile Suit Gundam and One Piece in FY2026 proves that even the biggest names in anime are not immune to shifts in content strategy and fan engagement.
Gundam’s combination of nostalgia, new releases, and strong merchandise strategy allowed it to surpass One Piece and Dragon Ball this year, creating an unexpected shake-up in anime revenue charts.
For fans, this is a reminder of how dynamic the anime industry can be: legends can rise again, and even the mightiest heroes must adapt to stay on top.
One Piece remains a cultural and financial powerhouse, but Gundam’s recent success shows that old giants still have the power to dominate. The next chapter in this rivalry is just around the corner, and fans everywhere are waiting eagerly for what comes next.
FAQs
Q1: Has One Piece ever been overtaken in sales before?
Yes, in terms of global revenue, other series have occasionally surpassed One Piece temporarily, but it remains the best-selling manga historically.
Q2: Why did Gundam earn more this year than One Piece?
A combination of a recent movie release, strong merchandise sales, and continued fan engagement pushed Gundam’s revenue higher. One Piece lacked new anime episodes and movies in 2025, impacting sales.
Q3: Does this mean One Piece is declining?
Not at all. One Piece is still a highly profitable franchise. This is more of a temporary shift due to content timing.
Q4: Could Gundam maintain this lead in the future?
It’s possible, but One Piece has a massive, loyal fanbase, and upcoming content could restore its revenue leadership.
