Celebrating 40 Years of Dragon Ball: A Tribute to Iconic Artists

The 40th anniversary of Dragon Ball has inspired a collection of works from various renowned artists in Japan, showcasing their unique styles through famous Dragon Ball pages.

In 2021, the magazine Saikyo Jump launched this initiative, starting with the contribution of Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, who was chosen to recreate the cover of Dragon Ball Volume 11. Other notable artists such as Tite Kubo (Bleach), Koyoharu Gotouge (Demon Slayer), Gege Akutami (Jujutsu Kaisen), and Tatsuya Endo (Spy x Family) also participated in this celebration.

Last month, Yoshifumi Tozuka, the creator of Undead Unluck, brought forth the first work for the 2024 series in this collection, adding a touch of humor to the cover of Dragon Ball Volume 21. The artwork features Gohan and Krillin soaring through the air with Bulma in the background. However, in Tozuka’s version, Bulma appears with a worried expression due to the rapid pace of their flight. This choice reflects Tozuka’s distinct humorous style, prevalent in his work Undead Unluck, which is a supernatural comedy featuring quirky characters.

A Look Back at Death Note

In 2003, Takeshi Obata and Tsugumi Ohba created Death Note, a supernatural thriller manga centered around Light Yagami, an exceptional student who discovers a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it. Haunted by the concept of playing god, Yagami attracts the attention of the famous detective L. The immense success of Death Note led to Madhouse adapting it into an anime in 2006.

This anniversary celebration not only commemorates Dragon Ball but also highlights the impact of manga and anime on global culture, showcasing the artistic talents that have shaped this beloved medium.