The Japanese government has officially announced a unique tribute to Dragon Ball as part of its 40th-anniversary celebrations. The Japan Mint confirmed that it will issue two special commemorative coin sets, each designed to capture the spirit of Akira Toriyama’s legendary manga.
These limited-edition collectables not only honour Goku’s journey but also highlight the massive cultural impact the series continues to hold after four decades.
Two Exclusive Coin Sets Featuring Goku
The premium proof coin set is the highlight of the release, featuring six glossy proof coins ranging from the 500 yen to the 1 yen denomination. All are dated for Reiwa 7 (2025). Its centrepiece is a 35 mm sterling silver medal weighing 20 grams, beautifully engraved with Kid Goku. The reverse displays the official 40th-anniversary logo in rainbow colours, housed inside an elegant leather case.
The standard coin set offers a more affordable alternative. It includes six uncirculated coins alongside a 27 mm red copper (tombac) medal. This version features Adult Goku on the front, while the iconic Four-Star Dragon Ball is etched on the reverse side.
Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Set featuring Kid Goku and Adult Goku (Credits: Japan Mint)
Pricing, Availability, and Collector Value
The proof coin set is priced at 16,500 yen (about US$110) and will be limited to only 25,000 units. Meanwhile, the standard edition is priced at 3,100 yen (around US$21), with a much larger production of 60,000 units.
Fans can apply to purchase either set through post applications or the official Japan Mint Online Shop until September 25, 2025. In the event of overwhelming demand, a lottery will determine successful buyers. For longtime collectors and Dragon Ball fans alike, these coins are expected to become highly sought-after memorabilia.
Celebrating Dragon Ball’s 40-Year Legacy
The coin release is just one of many projects marking Dragon Ball ’s anniversary. Since its serialisation in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984, the manga has sold over 260 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling series in history.
To commemorate the milestone, Shueisha launched the Super Gallery Project , where renowned manga artists like Eiichiro Oda, Masashi Kishimoto, and Yoshihiro Togashi have redrawn classic Dragon Ball covers. A full box set featuring these reimagined artworks has also been announced.
Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary (Credits: Japan Mint)
Anniversary Projects and What Comes Next
Beyond publishing, fans can also look forward to the first-ever permanent Dragon Ball store opening in Tokyo in Fall 2025, offering exclusive merchandise tied to the anniversary.
Anime fans are also celebrating the highly anticipated Dragon Ball Daima , a new series that, while not directly an anniversary project, has been central to the year’s festivities. Additionally, the ongoing Toriyama Archives continue to release rare illustrations and special artworks that celebrate the creator’s enduring legacy.
With commemorative coins, exclusive merchandise, and new anime projects on the horizon, Dragon Ball’s 40th anniversary is shaping up to be one of the franchise’s most unforgettable years.
TVING is gearing up for the highly anticipated premiere of its upcoming drama Dear X, set to air on November 6. The series is based on a popular webtoon and follows the intense life of Baek Ah Jin, played by Kim You Jung.
Baek Ah Jin is a celebrated actress who climbs from the lowest point of her life to reach stardom, but her success comes at the cost of using others. Alongside her, Kim Young Dae takes on the role of Yoon Joon Seo, a man who chooses to endure suffering to protect her.
The drama promises a layered story of ambition, love, and downfall, highlighting both the glamorous and destructive sides of the entertainment industry.
The controversy over the poster
While anticipation for Dear X has been building, the show recently faced an unexpected setback. TVING released its first promotional poster, which featured Baek Ah Jin staring coldly through a torn sheet of paper. The bold red title letters against the stark white background added a chilling effect to the teaser.
However, the design quickly sparked criticism online. Fans and netizens noticed that the poster closely resembled the promotional material for the 2017 Chinese film The Devotion of Suspect X . The movie, adapted from Keigo Higashino’s bestselling novel, used a nearly identical concept in its official artwork.
TVING drama “Dear X” official poster (Credits: TVING)
TVING responds with an apology
On September 9, TVING acknowledged the issue and released a statement addressing the controversy. A representative admitted that the similarity had been overlooked during production.
They explained, “We belatedly recognised the similarity to a particular reference and immediately discontinued its use. We have also decided not to use it in the future.”
The statement also included an apology to viewers, noting, “We sincerely apologise for causing discomfort due to our failure to thoroughly review the production process. We will strengthen our review procedures to ensure such incidents do not happen again.”
By withdrawing the poster and promising stricter oversight, the production team hopes to rebuild confidence ahead of the drama’s release.
Anticipation for the drama’s release
Despite the setback, interest in Dear X remains strong. Kim You Jung’s transformation into the complex character Baek Ah Jin has already generated buzz, while Kim Young Dae’s casting adds further excitement.
The drama’s storyline, which centred on ambition, manipulation, and romance, has positioned it as one of TVING’s most anticipated releases this year. With a talented cast and a gripping plot, expectations are high for its November debut.
Fans are now looking forward to seeing how the series balances its dark themes with emotional depth, and how the on-screen chemistry between Kim You Jung and Kim Young Dae unfolds.
Dear X premieres on November 6, and TVING is expected to release new teasers and promotional materials in the weeks leading up to the broadcast. Viewers will be watching closely to see if the drama lives up to the hype surrounding its release.
