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A compiled data of TV ratings of anime in Japan conducted 5 years ago show that not only was Dr. Slump's total ratings higher than Dragon Ball by a considerable degree, but to this day its still one of the top 5 most watched anime of all time in the country with more than a full 3rd of the population tuning in to keep up with weekly episodes during its the first 80's TV incarnations original run and placing overall as 4th place in overall viewership.
So basically while manga sales don't come anywhere close to Dragon Ball's volumes sold, does this mean that among the general general Japanese populace, people pretty much know Dr. Slump just as much as Dragon Ball esp older generations who were there when both and later DBZ was running?
I personally can confirm at least from overseas local Japanese community, I seen just as much merchandise of Dr. Slump even by young children as Dragon Ball Z (and Super) merchs purchased and I was surprised to learn via TubiTV's recent acquisitions that a remake series was also made a decade after the original 80s one.
Dr Slump was a huge success back in the day and launched Toriyama's carrer, it was even used to shill DB itself with notes by AT asking its reader to check out his "newest work", it's basically the reason DB exists and its popularity shouldn't be understimated, but it being more popular than DB itself?
If that was the case Toei would try to squeeze it (beside the 2 anime adaptations) as much a possible like they do with most of their proprieties, I think it's more a case of Dr Slump being more popular with their intended target audience (children) than DB was.
Also the fact the Dragon Ball Super is absolute shit water doesn't help anything. It's harmed appeal for the whole franchise. Supposedly I'm the only one that thinks GT is better that super even though it's clear as can be. There is just a cult expectation to hate GT and a cult expectation to support the current thing (super).