For many Filipinos who grew up in the '90s and early 2000s, rushing home after school to catch the latest episode of Dragon Ball Z was part of growing up. Those unforgettable afternoons, iconic battles, and lessons about perseverance left a lasting mark on an entire generation and now, one of the country's leading streetwear brands is turning those memories into wearable art.
After years of anticipation, DBTK (Don't Blame The Kids) officially unveils its long-awaited DBTK × Dragon Ball Zcollaboration, a milestone that reflects both the brand's journey and the influence the legendary anime has had on its founders since childhood.
For DBTK founders Emil and Vince Javier, collaborating with Dragon Ball Z has always been more than a business goal. Since launching the brand 14 years ago, they dreamed of creating an official collection alongside one of the franchises that shaped their creativity, perseverance, and passion. Watching global collaborations with brands such as BAPE, UNIQLO, Carnival, and Hypland only fueled that ambition.
Today, that dream has become reality.
Rather than creating a standard anime merchandise collection, DBTK chose to center the collaboration around one of the most defining chapters in the series, the Cell Saga.
While known for its unforgettable battles, the Cell Saga also tells a deeper story of personal growth, resilience, sacrifice, and discovering strength in life's defining moments. Those themes closely mirror DBTK's own journey, built through years of learning, persistence, and continuous improvement.
The result is a thoughtfully curated collection that blends Dragon Ball Z's legacy with DBTK's signature streetwear identity.
The lineup includes graphic tees, hoodies, cut-and-sew pieces, shorts, pants, slides, bags, sticker packs, and exclusive limited-edition merchandise. Every graphic, garment, trim, and packaging detail was carefully developed to create pieces that longtime fans can proudly wear while celebrating one of anime's most influential franchises.
Reflecting on the collaboration, founders Emil and Vince Javier shared how deeply personal the project has been.
"Dragon Ball Z has always been more than just anime to us. It's something we grew up with. It inspired us long before we ever started DBTK, and in many ways, it shaped how we approached challenges, creativity, and building this brand from the ground up.
Some of our best memories growing up were because of Dragon Ball Z. We'd spend hours drawing our favorite characters, talking about our favorite moments, and imagining our own versions of the story. Looking back, those moments became one of the things that brought us closer as brothers.
To now have an official collaboration with a series that meant so much to our childhood is something we'll never take for granted. This collection isn't just for us, it's for everyone who grew up with Dragon Ball Z. For the fans from the '90s, the 2000s, and the generations that followed, we hope this collection brings back those memories while creating new ones.
This is our full-circle moment, and we're grateful to finally share it with all of you."
To give fans a behind-the-scenes look at how the collaboration came together, DBTK will also release a full-length documentary on its YouTube channel. The film will showcase the creative journey—from the earliest concepts and sketches to months of design development, revisions, approvals, and finally bringing the collection to life.
Founded in 2012 with the belief "Dream Big. Start Small.", DBTK has grown from selling shirts out of a car trunk into one of the Philippines' most recognizable independent streetwear brands, building a community inspired by creativity, passion, and perseverance.
The DBTK × Dragon Ball Z Collection officially launches on July 25, 2026, at Foam Coffee, Quezon Avenue. Fans can look forward to exclusive launch-day products and special experiences celebrating what has become one of the most anticipated collaborations in DBTK's history. Additional release details will be announced through DBTK's official channels.
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