The LEGO Group and Toei Animation Announce Historic Partnership with Reveal of LEGO Icons Dragon Ball Shenron and Goku Set

The LEGO Group and Toei Animation have officially announced a landmark multi-year partnership, bringing Akira Toriyama’s globally celebrated Dragon Ball franchise into the LEGO brick system for the first time. Unveiled on September 30, 2026, the collaboration bridges two giants of entertainment and pop culture, uniting the Danish toy manufacturer with the legendary Japanese animation studio. The partnership kicks off with the debut of the LEGO Icons Dragon Ball Shenron & Goku set (11390), a sophisticated 1,764-piece model designed for adult collectors that captures one of the most iconic summoning sequences in anime history.

The announcement marks a significant milestone for both companies. While LEGO has aggressively expanded its portfolio through high-profile entertainment properties in recent years—ranging from Star Wars and Marvel to Nintendo and Sonic the Hedgehog—its absence from the world of mainstream Japanese anime has been a notable gap until now. By partnering with Toei Animation, LEGO opens the door to an immense demographic of anime enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, signaling a strategic shift into the lucrative pop-culture anime merchandise market.

Main Facts of the Release

The premier product of this new alliance, the LEGO Icons Dragon Ball Shenron & Goku set, is an elaborate display model inspired by the original 1986 Dragon Ball episodic series rather than its later, action-heavy successor Dragon Ball Z. The set features the wish-granting eternal dragon, Shenron, coiled in a dramatic, sweeping ascent. Rising from the base of the model, the serpentine emerald dragon weaves upward through the air, meticulously detailed with flowing scales, sculpted whiskers, and a dynamic silhouette designed to mimic classic animation cels.

At the center of the display sits a miniature rendition of Kid Goku riding his magical cloud, the Kintoun. The minifigure is fully detachable and repositionable, allowing builders to customize the scene to their preference. Anchoring the entire build is a specially designed base featuring seven 2×2 orange star-marked bricks representing the mythical Dragon Balls, which summon Shenron when united.

Measuring over 12.5 inches (32 cm) high, 9.5 inches (24 cm) long, and 10 inches (26 cm) wide, the set carries an age recommendation of 18+ and is priced at £129.99 GBP / €139.99 EUR / $179.99 USD. The release will follow a tiered rollout: LEGO Insiders members will receive early access starting November 1, 2026, followed by a general public release on November 4, 2026, available via official LEGO Stores and the manufacturer’s website. Additionally, LEGO Insiders can redeem loyalty points for an exclusive digital download poster commemorating the release.

Background Context and Historical Significance

The cultural footprint of Dragon Ball cannot be overstated. Created by the late manga artist Akira Toriyama in 1984 and brought to television by Toei Animation starting in 1986, the franchise has evolved into a multi-generational global phenomenon. Over the past four decades, the property has expanded across six television series—Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, Dragon Ball Z Kai, Dragon Ball Super, and Dragon Ball DAIMA—alongside 21 feature films, numerous video games, trading card games, and billions of dollars in licensed merchandise.

Despite its ubiquity in the global toy market through action figures, statues, and lifestyle goods, Dragon Ball has remarkably maintained a sparse presence within the construction toy sector. Toy collectors and LEGO fans have spent years submitting concepts to the crowdsourced LEGO Ideas platform, lobbying the company to secure the license. The official announcement of a direct partnership between LEGO and Toei Animation validates years of fan petitions and consumer demand, establishing a formal commercial pipeline between Billund and Tokyo.

Chronology and Development Insights

According to design team disclosures, the development of the Shenron & Goku set required intensive research into classic animation frames from the original series. The LEGO design team experimented extensively with advanced structural engineering to support Shenron’s massive, looping serpentine body without compromising stability or aesthetic flow.

The timeline of the partnership began quietly years prior, culminating in the 2026 announcement. Following the initial November 2026 release of the Shenron & Goku set, both companies have confirmed that the collaboration will extend well into 2027. While specific details regarding future sets remain unannounced, executives have hinted that subsequent waves will continue to draw upon the rich history of the Dragon Ball universe, potentially exploring characters and eras beyond the original series.

Official Responses and Corporate Statements

Corporate leadership from both organizations emphasized the cultural importance of the collaboration during the announcement.

Federico Begher, Senior Vice President of Product, Marketing, and Development at the LEGO Group, highlighted the enduring legacy of the property. "For decades, Dragon Ball has captured the hearts and imaginations of fans around the world, and we’re thrilled to bring this iconic universe into the LEGO portfolio," Begher stated. "Together with Toei Animation, we have an incredible opportunity to celebrate the characters and stories that have made Dragon Ball so enduring, while giving fans a new way to experience and build the stories they love. The LEGO Icons Dragon Ball: Shenron & Goku set is just the beginning…"

Masayuki Endo, President and CEO at Toei Animation Inc., echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the tribute to Akira Toriyama’s vision. "We’re thrilled to bring the world of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball to life with the LEGO Group," Endo said. "Soon, fans around the globe will get to enjoy the iconic characters and epic adventures of Dragon Ball in a whole new way through this exciting collaboration. This initial release celebrates the original ‘Dragon Ball’ episodic series—and no Dragon Ball collection will be complete without these LEGO Dragon Ball products."

Broader Market Implications and Industry Impact

The entrance of the LEGO Group into the Dragon Ball franchise is expected to cause a significant ripple effect across the collectible toy and anime merchandise industries. For LEGO, securing the Toei Animation license represents a calculated move to capture the rapidly growing adult collector demographic (AFOLs – Adult Fans of LEGO) who also identify as anime consumers—a demographic sometimes referred to as "geek culture" consumers. By targeting this crossover audience with a premium-priced, display-oriented set under the LEGO Icons banner, LEGO minimizes traditional child-safety design constraints in favor of sophisticated building techniques and complex display aesthetics.

For Toei Animation, the partnership provides an institutional validation of Dragon Ball’s status as high-end pop-culture art, placing it alongside premier entertainment brands like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in LEGO’s adult-focused display portfolio. Furthermore, the multi-year commitment ensures that consumer product synergy will remain strong throughout 2027 and beyond, potentially opening doors for other Toei properties—such as One Piece or Sailor Moon—if the Dragon Ball line proves commercially successful.

As retail shelves prepare for the November 2026 launch, demand for the LEGO Icons Dragon Ball Shenron & Goku set is expected to be high among both die-hard anime collectors and seasoned LEGO enthusiasts, cementing a new chapter in the history of both iconic brands.