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Dragon Ball has long been known for its inconsistencies in character design colors and other significant elements of the series. Variations have always existed between Akira Toriyama’s original artwork, the colored pages of the Dragon Ball manga, the anime adaptations, and other projects featuring Goku and his companions.
Continuing this tradition, a classic piece of Dragon Ball art has been unveiled on the franchise’s official website, now showcasing its intended coloring. This artwork hails from the early days of the manga, offering a nostalgic treat for fans who cherish the Dragon Ball era before the introduction of characters like Gohan, Vegeta, and the Super Saiyans in DBZ.
The 1986 No.46 issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, released in Japan on October 14, 1986, included a chapter from the third arc of Dragon Ball, known as the Red Ribbon Army Saga. Titled “The Triumph,” this chapter, Chapter 96, highlights Goku’s ultimate victory over the Red Ribbon Army, specifically defeating Staff Officer Black.
Rare Dragon Ball Art Reveal Returns Akira Toriyama Draft to Its Original Form
Weekly Shonen Jump 1986 No.46 released in Japan on Oct. 14, 1986. This issue contained a chapter of Dragon Ball’s third arc, the Red Ribbon Army Saga, entitled “The Triumph!” As the name suggests, Dragon Ball Chapter 96 features Goku’s final victory over the Red Ribbon Army, and specifically Staff Officer Black.
On the front cover of the WSJ issue is an illustration of the majority of Dragon Ball‘s main cast at the time, including Goku, Krillin, Bulma, Master Roshi and Oolong. Notably excluded from the art are Yamcha, Puar and Launch. In this illustration, the team is depicted playing baseball.
Goku, wearing an adorable outfit, hits an incoming Dragon Ball with his Power Pole, shocking Krillin, who’s dressed in catcher gear. Master Roshi is positioned behind Krillin, playing the role of umpire, while Bulma and Oolong stand to the side, cheering Goku on. While this art is extraordinarily cute, it does have one unusual feature that stands out. Specifically, the three-star Dragon Ball that Goku hits is pink with red stars, not orange with red stars.
As the official Dragon Ball website explains, “This illustration incorporates thick lines and vibrant colors, giving it a pop-art feel. Since the actual cover incorporates more vivid hues, such as the color of the Dragon Balls being changed to pink, the original coloring of this draft can be appreciated as intended here.”
Only thanks to the consistent recovery and preservation efforts of the official Dragon Ball website has this art become viewable in a form where the Dragon Balls have their proper coloring. Sadly, art spotlighted by the official Dragon Ball website’s Toriyama Archive is only viewable for 24 hours at a time, so fans will have to wait a long while to see the purest version of this wholesome illustration once more.
- Author
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Akira Toriyama
- Artist
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Akira Toriyama
- Release Date
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November 20, 1984
- Chapters
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519
- Volumes
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42