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New Official Dragon Ball Artwork Contains a Hidden Tribute to Akira Toriyama

Ashton
July 3, 2024 4 Mins Read
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Saikyo Jump magazine has unveiled a striking new entry to its ongoing official Dragon Ball Super Gallery serialization project. Takehiko Inoue, creator of the popular basketball manga Slam Dunk, recently submitted an illustration inspired by the sporty cover art of Dragon Ball Volume 17.




Initially launched in September 2021, The Dragon Ball 40th Anniversary Super Gallery is a commemorative showcase featuring artwork from over 40 prominent manga artists across Japan. Unofficial X (formerly Twitter) news hub Shonen Jump News recently shared Inoue’s submission, which depicts Goku on the back of a motorcycle. Notably, Goku’s facial features are drawn with an alternate style that invokes the realistic quality of Inoue’s manga art. As seen below, the back of Goku’s biker jacket mirrors its official counterpart, showcasing Dragon Ball‘s title along with the words “Bird Studio” — a reference to the famous manga production company founded by Akira Toriyama in 1983.

Kaneda from Akira and Future Trunks from Dragon Ball Z

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Dragon Ball's Goku on a motorcycle drawn by Slam Dunk creator Takehiko Inoue

Inoue has also modified the original design to include a poignant secret message to Dragon Ball creator Toriyama, who died earlier this year after suffering an acute subdural hematoma. On Goku’s jacket sleeve, words that once read “Capsule Corp” now clearly spell out, “Thank You.” While this change is somewhat difficult to spot, one X user known as @DB_Kringer2 pointed it out to other viewers in an emotional response post.


Slam Dunk’s Takehiko Inoue Echoes the Sentiment of Dragon Ball Super’s Toyotarou

Inoue’s “thank you” message is reflective of the deep impact that Toriyama’s death has had on Japan’s modern generation of manga creators, many of whom credit Toriyama for inspiring their choice of profession. Shortly after Toriyama’s death, Dragon Ball Super illustrator Toyotarou posted a heartfelt farewell message to his fellow artist, stating that he started drawing manga because he “wanted to be praised by Toriyama-sensei.” Toyotarou is currently working on Dragon Ball Super‘s “Interval Special” — a project designed to tide fans over until Dragon Ball Super makes its long-awaited return to the pages of V-Jump magazine.

Dragon Ball Car Illustratiojn

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Takehiko Inoue has cemented his legacy as one of Japan’s most popular sports manga artists. Initially released in 1990, Slam Dunk follows 17-year-old Hanamichi Sakuragi, an unpopular delinquent who is frequently rejected by the girls in his class. His life changes forever when Haruko Akagi, a member of Shohoku High’s basketball team, invites him to try out for the squad. Despite Sakuragi’s belief that basketball is a game for “losers,” his affection for Haruko compels him to try anyway. After Sakuragi steps onto the court, Haruko and the other members immediately recognize that he is a natural. With their new MVP, the team realizes they now have a genuine chance at a national championship title. Toei Animation (Dragon Ball, One Piece) eventually adapted the manga into a TV series, which aired from October 1993 to March 1996. Additionally, 2022 saw the debut of the highly successful film adaptation The First Slam Dunk, which has cumulatively earned over $279 million worldwide.


The Dragon Ball manga series is available in English from VIZ Media. The series’ respective anime adaptations, which include Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT and Dragon Ball Super, are available to stream on Hulu and Crunchyroll.


Source: X (formerly Twitter)

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