A traditional way for artists to pay homage to influential creators such as Dragon Ballof Akira Toriyamais by reinterpreting or reimagining his works. In the almost 40 years since Dragon BallSince Toriyama's debut, numerous artists – some as renowned as Toriyama himself – have used their talents to redesign one of his iconic characters. While many of these interpretations are impressive, a few stand out as truly exceptional. Notably, Saikyo Jumpof Dragon Ball Super Gallery features some of the most notable tributes – although some have also appeared on the mangaka's personal websites.
There are many ways an artist can pay homage by redesigning another artist's work. The most attractive Dragon Ball tributes find a balance between fidelity to the original and creative distinction. They remain true to Toriyama's vision while incorporating the artist's signature style while avoiding overwhelming the original essence. Ultimately, effective homages evoke some degree of emotional or intellectual response in the viewer – be it nostalgia, reverence, or even criticism.
10
Takeshi Obata
Death Note
Dragon Ball Vol. #29 (Dragon Ball Z Vol. #13) focuses on the Android Arc leading up to Cell's arrival. This volume introduces Trunks, who travels from the future to warn Goku and his friends about the imminent threat of powerful androids. With no time to waste, they begin preparing for the battle ahead. Three years later, as Trunks predicted, Dr. Gero appears alongside his creations, Androids #19 and #20, seeking revenge against Goku and his friends for destroying the Red Ribbon Army years before.
Just like the cover of the original volume, Takeshi Obata captures the sense of fun that Toriyama conveyed, but amplifies it even further. It focuses on the rare moment of rest that Gohan and Piccolo enjoy during their grueling training. Gohan's joy is evident when he messes with his ride instead of training. Meanwhile, Piccolo's typically stoic demeanor softens, revealing a hint of tolerance for Gohan's “me time.” A notable addition, Obata, cleverly incorporates a mechanical element, subtly foreshadowing the imminent arrival of the Androids.
9
Hiroshi Shiibashi
Nuna: Rise of the Yokai Clan
Dragon Ball Vol. #6 marks the beginning of the Red Ribbon Army Arc, where the terrorist organization reveals its sinister plan to capture the Dragon Balls and achieve total domination. Standing in their way are Goku, Bulma and Krillin, determined to thwart the army's ambitions. However, the ruthless leaders of the Red Ribbon Army will stop at nothing to eliminate their biggest obstacle: Son Goku, now Public Enemy No. 1. As tensions rise, Goku and his friends prepare to An epic battle against the formidable army forces.
Hiroshi Shiibashi's cover reimagines Toriyama's original chase scene, infusing it with a stunning impressionistic touch. Unlike the cartoon style and flat dimensions of the original, Shiibashi incorporates depth, perspective, and intricate detail. The result is a more dynamically realistic portrayal of Goku's pursuit by the Red Ribbon Army, as well as Goku's vision while riding his Nimbus Cloud. With Shiibashi's performance, viewers can practically feel the tension of the chase, making the scene more gripping and emotionally engaging than ever before.
8
Shun Saeki
Food War!: Shokugeki no Soma
Dragon Ball Vol. #10 serves as a bridge between the fall of the Red Ribbon Army and the emergence of King Piccolo. Shifting focus to a more personal level, the story scatters its characters as they prepare for the Tenkaichi Budokai. Three years pass and their return to the tournament shows remarkable growth. Notably, Goku returns as a more mature, serious, and dedicated warrior. This volume's emphasis on training and combat has made it a fan favorite, offering exceptional individual character development and setting the stage for the next epic chapter in the series.
Although she is not a participant in the tournament, Bulma appears in this volume as one of its most important characters – which seems to be why Toriyama highlights her on the cover. Shun Saeki takes this concept even further, enhancing her details and presence to ensure she stands out. While Goku also appears on the cover, striking a pose almost identical to the original cover, Saeki makes a deliberate effort to put Bulma in the foreground. It's as if he's saying that, although she has been relegated to the background in the saga, she takes center stage on the cover.
7
Yusuke Murata
One punch man
Dragon Ball Vol. #12 marks a dark turn in Goku's young life with Krillin's tragic death at the hands of Tambourine. Krillin's death means the first loss of an important character, deeply impacting Goku. Consumed by rage and a desire for revenge, Goku's reaction sets the stage for a recurring theme in his character's development. One of the most iconic moments in the series unfolds in Chapter 135, where Goku cradles Krillin's lifeless body before taking to the skies, driven by fury and the quest for justice.
Yusuke Murata recreates Toriyama's original Dragon Ball cover, which showed Goku, Krillin, and Master Roshi, and Yamcha happily leaving to participate in the Tenkaichi Budokai, aka – the “Strongest Under Heaven” Tournament. However, Murata amps up the intensity by surrounding the group with enemies seemingly attacking from all directions, foreshadowing the harrowing challenges they are about to face. Notably, Krillin is shown with an expression of pure terror—perhaps an artistic hint from Murata about the dark fate that awaits him. True to Murata's style, the cover explodes with dynamic energy and vibrant detail, capturing the same explosive intensity that defines his work in One punch man.
6
Tite Kubo
Bleach
Dragon Ball Vol. #27 (Dragon Ball Z Vol. #11) sets the stage for one of the most crucial — and arguably the most iconic — battles in the series: Goku against Frieza in a fight to the death. This volume also marks a monumental moment in history, when Frieza — and the world — witnesses the legendary Super Saiyan for the first time, a transformation that would have countless groundbreaking iterations. It's a joint effort, as nothing less than the supreme strength and determination of Goku and his allies can save the universe from Frieza's tyranny.
Although Dragon Ball While fans may not have grasped the darkness of the Frieza Arc's conclusion upon its initial release, decades of hindsight have underscored its severity. Tite Kubo, known for his dark narrative, masterfully explores this sinister tone in his reinterpretation. His version exudes a sinister and foreboding atmosphere, surpassing Toriyama's original. This is particularly evident in Kubo's depiction of Frieza shrouded in shadow. Furthermore, Piccolo's expression goes from mere disturbance in the original to abject terror in Kubo's version.
5
Sui Ishida
Tokyo Ghoul
Dragon Ball Vol. #8 concludes the Red Ribbon Army arc, where we meet the desperate Commander Red who, running out of time to secure the last two Dragon Balls and suffering from repeated defeats at the hands of Goku, hires Taopaipai — the greatest assassin in the world — to eliminate it. In search of a way to defeat this formidable new enemy, Goku turns to Karin, a mysterious and highly skilled martial arts master. Karin has a secret that could help Goku combat Taopaipai's deadly techniques and end the threat of the Red Ribbon Army once and for all.
Sui Ishida Completely Reimagines Toriyama's Original Dragon Ball cover – which featured Goku, Oolong and Master Roshi driving a sports coupe – to better reflect Goku's situation at that point in the saga. Although Goku achieved great success on his path to becoming the universe's greatest warrior, he was at a crossroads, faced with choices that were anything but joyful. Ishida captures this by portraying a serious and contemplative GokuTorn between the need to train to defeat Taopaipai and letting his friends face the Red Ribbon Army on their own. This reflects the internal struggle of Ishida's Tokyo Ghoul protagonist, Ken Kaneki, whose personal dilemmas led him astray. Could Goku suffer a similar fate?
4
Morita Masanore
Blue Rokudenashi
Dragon Ball Vol. #24 (Dragon Ball Z Vol. #8) depicts the early stages of the Frieza Arc, where the heroes face the might of the power-hungry despot's elite forces, led by Captain Ginyu. Despite facing such a formidable threat, the heroes are far from united. Constant fights ensue, Vegeta pursues his own ambitions for power, and Goku's late arrival, while welcome, may not be enough to overcome the mounting odds stacked against them.
Morita Masanori, known for playing delinquent heroes, perfectly captures the essence of this volume – perhaps even more effectively than Toriyama himself. The underlying message is clear: with friends like these, who needs enemies?? At the forefront is Goku, whose good intentions are undeniable, but he can never be counted on to handle the basic responsibilities of a hero if they interfere with his training or his quest to become stronger. Then there's Vegeta, the quintessential “rich kid” delinquent, always scheming to gain an advantage at someone else's expense. Finally, we have Gohan and Krillin, who, despite their best efforts to contribute, often overestimate their capabilities and end up causing more trouble than they help.
3
Jim Lee
WildC.ATs / Batman
When Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of Dragon Ballpassed away in March 2024, the world – especially the manga and comics communities – mourned the loss of such an influential figure. Toriyama inspired countless artists to pursue his craft, leaving a legacy that has shaped generations of creators. In his honor, many artists paid tribute by creating their own interpretations of Goku and others. Dragon Ball characters. Among them was Jim Lee, chief creative officer at DC Comics and legendary American comic artist in its own right, which contributed a stunning homage to Toriyama's beloved creations.
Jim Lee's tribute to Toriyama, which was posted on his @jimlee Instagram account perfectly captures the first Goku at his best. First, there is the homage to the manga medium itself, with the black and white style characteristic of most modern manga. Second, Lee highlights Goku's most iconic pre-Super Saiyan move: the legendary Kamehameha. The art depicts Goku in the classic stance, both hands cupped as he gathers his ki energy, preparing to release a devastating blast as he utters the unforgettable words, “Ka-me-ha-me-HA!” That's it Dragon Ball at its best.
2
Masashi Kishimoto
naruto
In celebration of Dragon Ball40th anniversary, Masashi Kishimoto led the tribute with his reimagining of Dragon Ball Vol #11. A self-proclaimed longtime fan and creator of a manga that emerged during Dragon Ball's early years, Kishimoto has paid homage to Toriyama before. According to the Dragon Ball fan site Kanzenshuuwhen the franchise re-released its complete bound volumes, a similar homage was released. Just like now, Kishimoto contributed a piece to the celebration. Notably, this earlier work stands out as exceptional – arguably surpassing his current contribution.
In fact, this earlier homage to Toriyama and Dragon Ball perfectly captures what it would be like for Goku and his friends to exist within the naruto-verse. Both worlds deeply value and celebrate martial prowess, a fundamental principle shared by Goku, Vegeta, and their companions in Dragon Ball.
1
Boichi
Dr. Stone
Dragon Ball Vol. #26 (Dragon Ball Z Vol. #10) portrays Frieza's violence on Namekusei, showing how each of his transformations releases greater power, strength and more sadistic cruelty. With Goku still recovering in his healing capsule, the remaining heroes – Piccolo, Gohan, Krillin, Vegeta and others – must fight valiantly against Frieza and his minions. This epic battle intensifies dramatically when Goku finally wakes up and joins the fray.
Toriyama's original cover featured an older Goku riding his Nimbus cloud, reminiscent of his childhood adventures. While it's a charming homage to Goku's youth, it doesn't quite capture the intense life-and-death stakes that unfold in the volume. In contrast, Boichi's cover abandons nostalgia in favor of a stunning first-person perspective that shows the battle raging between the forces of good and evil. It is an unapologetically dynamic homage to the epic fights that made Dragon Ball an iconic manga for over 40 years. Furthermore, it perfectly encapsulates the intensity of the conflicts within the pages of the volume.
Sources: Kanzenshuu, @jimlee