The official Dragon Ball website has once again turned into a time capsule for the fandom, this time digging deep into its archives to unearth another rare illustration. The latest discovery is a 40-year old draft artwork from the 1980s of a young Son Goku by Akira Toriyama, showcasing the character in a rainy day outfit.

Per the official Dragon Ball site, the Goku artwork served as a draft for a bonus poster included in Weekly Shonen Jump No. 31 on July 2, 1985. The illustration was created to align with Japan’s rainy season, showing Goku holding a classic Japanese umbrella and wearing modern yellow rain boots. This blend of retro and contemporary styles, the site notes, perfectly captured the mysterious world of Dragon Ball.

Dragon Ball’s 40-Year-Old Goku Artwork Comes With Outfit Never Seen in Original Manga

The magazine issue in question contained the 31st chapter of the Dragon Ball manga, which was part of the Tournament Saga. Its story followed Goku and Krillin as they endured Master Roshi’s famously bizarre training regimen. This intense preparation involved farming with their bare hands, swimming in a shark-infested lake and outrunning swarms of bees, all while wearing heavy turtle shells to increase their power. This chapter marked a major turning point in their training, as the very next chapter sees them complete their eight months of preparation and arrive at the all-important 21st Tenkaichi Budokai, or World Martial Arts Tournament. The introduction of the tournament was a formative moment for Dragon Ball, establishing the tournament arc structure that would become a staple for the series and influence the shonen genre for decades.

These artwork posts are part of the Toriyama Archives, a special feature on the site that uploads a rare image every other day for a limited 24-hour window. The archive has featured Goku in many different scenarios, including some of his other early designs. The website previously shared a 1986 draft title page showing kid Goku in modern clothes driving an off-road vehicle. Another notable release was a 1987 anniversary cover draft from Weekly Shonen Jump featuring a cheerful Kid Goku. In addition to these, other variations of Goku, including one where the Saiyan was depicted in a spacesuit, were also revealed.

As fans wait for updates on the Dragon Ball Super manga’s return from hiatus, these regular dives into the franchise’s history are a welcome distraction, keeping them engaged. Interestingly, the interest in Toriyama’s rare old artworks extends beyond digital. A recently found hand-drawn Dr. Slump illustration went to auction with a starting price of roughly US$24,000, proving the incredible demand for his work.

For fans wanting to indulge in a bit of nostalgia, the Dragon Ball manga is available to read in English via VIZ Media, while the anime series is available for streaming on Crunchyroll in North America.