Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Custom image by Marcel Green
One traditional way artists pay tribute to influential creators, like Dragon Ball's Akira Toriyama, is by reinterpreting or reimagining their works. In the nearly 40 years since Dragon Ball's debut, numerous artists — some as renowned as Toriyama himself—have used their talents to redraw one of his iconic characters. While many of these renditions are impressive, a few stand out as truly exceptional. Notably, Saikyo Jump's Dragon Ball Super Gallery features some of the most outstanding tributes - though a handful have also appeared on the mangaka's personal sites.
There are many ways an artist can pay tribute by redrawing another artist's work. The most compelling Dragon Ball tributes strike a balance between faithfulness to the original and creative distinction. They remain true to Toriyama's vision while incorporating the artist's signature style, avoiding overwhelming the original essence. Ultimately, effective tributes evoke some degree of emotional or intellectual response in the viewer — whether it's nostalgia, reverence, or even critique.
10 Takeshi Obata
Death Note
Dragon Ball Vol. #29 (Dragon Ball Z Vol. #13) focuses on the Android Arc leading up to the arrival of Cell. This volume introduces Trunks, who travels from the future to warn Goku and his friends about the impending 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 vengeance on Goku and his friends for destroying the Red Ribbon Army years before.
Like the original volume cover, Takeshi Obata captures the sense of fun that Toriyama conveyed, but he amplifies it even further. He doubles down on the rare moment of respite Gohan and Piccolo enjoy during their grueling training. Gohan’s joy is evident as he tinkers with his ride instead of training. Meanwhile, Piccolo's typically stoic demeanor softens, revealing a hint of tolerance for Gohan's "me time." One notable addition, Obata, cleverly incorporates a mechanical element, subtly foreshadowing the impending arrival of the Androids.
9 Hiroshi Shiibashi
Nuna: Rise of the Yokai Clan
Dragon Ball Vol. #6 marks the start of the Red Ribbon Army Arc, where the terrorist organization reveals its sinister plan to seize 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 Red Ribbon Army's ruthless leaders will stop at nothing to eliminate their greatest obstacle: Son Goku, now Public Enemy No. 1. As tensions escalate, Goku and his friends prepare for an epic battle against the army's formidable forces.
Hiroshi Shiibashi’s cover reimagines Toriyama’s original pursuit scene, infusing it with a dazzling impressionistic flair. Unlike the cartoonish, flat-dimensional style of the original, Shiibashi incorporates depth, perspective, and intricate detail. The result is a more dynamically realistic portrayal of the Red Ribbon Army’s pursuit of Goku, as well as Goku’s view while riding his Nimbus cloud. With Shiibashi’s interpretation, viewers can practically feel the tension of the chase, making the scene more immersive and emotionally gripping than ever before.
8 Shun Saeki
Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma
Dragon Ball Vol. #10 serves as a bridge between the Red Ribbon Army's downfall and King Piccolo's emergence. Shifting focus to a more personal level, the story disperses its characters as they prepare for the Tenkaichi Budokai. Three years pass, and their reunion at the tournament showcases 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 series' next epic chapter.
Although she isn’t a participant in the tournament, Bulma emerges in this volume as one of its most important characters - which seems a reason why Toriyama spotlights her on the cover. Shun Saeki takes that concept even further, enhancing her detail and presence to ensure she stands out. While Goku also appears on the cover, striking a pose nearly identical to the original cover, Saeki makes a deliberate effort to place Bulma at the forefront. It's as if he’s saying that, while she may have 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 somber turning point in Goku's young life with the tragic death of Krillin at the hands of Tambourine. Krillin's passing signifies the first loss of a major character, profoundly impacting Goku. Consumed by rage and a desire for vengeance, Goku's reaction sets the stage for a recurring theme in his character development. One of the series' most iconic moments unfolds in Chapter #135, where Goku cradles Krillin's lifeless body before taking to the skies, driven by fury and a quest for justice.
Yusuke Murata recreates Toriyama’s original Dragon Ball cover, which depicted Goku, Krillin and Master Roshi, and Yamcha cheerfully heading off to participate in the Tenkaichi Budokai aka - the "Strongest Under the Heavens" Tournament. However, Murata amplifies 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 a look of sheer terror—perhaps an artistic hint from Murata about the grim fate awaiting him. True to Murata’s style, the cover bursts with dynamic energy and vibrant detail, capturing the same explosive intensity that defines his work on One-Punch Man.
6 Tite Kubo
Bleach
Dragon Ball Vol. #27 (Dragon Ball Z Vol. #11) sets the stage for one of the most pivotal —and undoubtedly the most iconic— battles in the series: Goku versus Frieza in a fight to the death. This volume also marks a monumental moment in the story, as Frieza —and the world— witnesses the legendary Super Saiyan for the first time, a transformation that would go on to have countless groundbreaking iterations. It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort, as nothing less than the ultimate strength and determination of Goku and his allies can save the universe from Frieza’s tyranny.
Although Dragon Ball fans may not have grasped the darkness of the Frieza Arc's conclusion upon its initial release, decades of hindsight have underscored its gravity. Tite Kubo, renowned for his own dark storytelling, masterfully taps into this ominous tone in his reinterpretation. His version exudes a sinister, foreboding atmosphere, surpassing Toriyama's original. This is particularly evident in Kubo's depiction of Frieza shrouded in shadows. Furthermore, Piccolo's expression transforms from mere perturbation in the original to abject terror in Kubo's rendition.
5 Sui Ishida
Tokyo Ghoul
Dragon Ball Vol. #8 concludes the Red Ribbon Army arc, where we find the desperate Commander Red who, running out of time to secure the final two Dragon Balls and reeling from repeated defeats at Goku’s hands, hires Taopaipai —the world’s greatest assassin— to eliminate him. In search of a way to defeat this formidable new foe, Goku turns to Karin, a mysterious and highly skilled martial arts master. Karin holds a secret that could help Goku counter Taopaipai’s deadly techniques and bring an end to the Red Ribbon Army’s threat 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. While Goku had 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 cheerful. Ishida captures this by depicting a serious, contemplative Goku, torn between his need to train to defeat Taopaipai and leaving his friends to face the Red Ribbon Army on their own. This mirrors the internal struggle of Ishida’s Tokyo Ghoul protagonist, Ken Kaneki, whose personal dilemmas ultimately led him astray. Could Goku suffer a similar fate?
4 Morita Masanore
Rokudenashi Blues
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 confronting such a formidable threat, the heroes are far from united. Constant bickering ensues, Vegeta pursues his own ambitions for power, and Goku's late arrival, though welcome, may not be enough to overcome the mounting odds against them.
Morita Masanori, renowned for his portrayal of 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, yet he can never be counted on to handle the basic responsibilities of a hero if they interfere with his training or his quest to grow stronger. Then there’s Vegeta, the quintessential “rich-boy” 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 abilities and end up causing more trouble than help.
3 Jim Lee
WildC.A.T.s / Batman
When Akira Toriyama, the legendary creator of Dragon Ball, passed away in March 2024, the world — particularly the manga and comic communities — mourned the loss of such an influential figure. Toriyama inspired countless artists to pursue their craft, leaving behind a legacy that shaped generations of creators. In his honor, many artists paid tribute by creating their own interpretations of Goku and other Dragon Ball characters. Among them was Jim Lee, the head of creative at DC Comics and a legendary American comic artist in his own right, who contributed a stunning homage to Toriyama’s beloved creations.
Jim Lee's tribute to Toriyama, which was posted to his @jimlee Instagram account, perfectly captures early Goku at his best. First, there’s 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 artwork depicts Goku in the classic stance, both hands cupped as he gathers his ki energy, preparing to unleash a devastating blast while uttering the unforgettable words, “Ka-me-ha-me-HA!”. It's Dragon Ball at its finest.
2 Masashi Kishimoto
Naruto
In celebration of Dragon Ball's 40th anniversary, Masashi Kishimoto led the tribute with his reimagining of Dragon Ball Vol. #11. A self-proclaimed lifelong 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 fansite Kanzenshuu, when the franchise re-released its complete bound volumes, a similar tribute was launched. Just as now, Kishimoto contributed a piece to the celebration. Notably, this previous work stands out as exceptional – arguably surpassing his current contribution.
Indeed, 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 core principle shared by Goku, Vegeta, and their companions in Dragon Ball.
1 Boichi
Dr. Stone
Dragon Ball Vol. #26 (Dragon Ball Z Vol. #10) depicts Frieza's rampage across Namek, showcasing how each of his transformations unleashes greater power, strength, and more sadistic cruelty. With Goku still recovering in his healing pod, 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 awakens and joins the fray.
The original Toriyama cover featured an older Goku riding his Nimbus cloud, reminiscent of his childhood adventures. While it’s a charming nod to Goku’s youth, it doesn’t quite capture the intense, life-or-death stakes unfolding in the volume. In contrast, Boichi’s cover abandons nostalgia in favor of a striking first-person perspective that showcases the battle raging between the forces of good and evil. It’s an unapologetically dynamic homage to the epic fights that have made Dragon Ball an iconic manga for over 40 years. Additionally, it perfectly encapsulates the intensity of the conflicts within the volume’s pages.
Sources: Kanzenshuu, @jimlee
Your changes have been saved
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Created by Akira Toriyama
English (US) ·