Fans of Dragon Ball and One Piece often engage in heated debates on social media about which series is better. The outcomes of these discussions are frequently tied to Toei Animation, as these two “products” have brought significant profits to the company, with revenues in recent financial years in Japan surpassing 240 billion yen.
Eiichiro Oda is 18 years younger than Akira Toriyama. He grew up alongside the Dragon Ball manga, a series that has inspired many prominent mangaka today. Consequently, the relationship between the two stories is quite profound.
There is a Dragon Ball manga cover, one of the many covers that honor Akira Toriyama, designed by Eiichiro Oda.
One Piece is the only anime (not written by Toriyama) that features a crossover between Goku and some Z fighters.
However, these two anime series share a unique connection, stronger than any previous links we might have observed.
According to Toriyama’s archive, the official Dragon Ball website has published images over time, revealing a cover page from 39 years ago, featuring Goku, Krillin, and Bulma in a beach-themed setting. Could this detail have been a significant inspiration for Eiichiro Oda in creating One Piece?
Goku in a beach setting
According to the official Dragon Ball website, this image was first published on May 20, 1986. The description reads:
“Goku and his friends venture into a beach cabin to search for some dragon orbs. This magazine issue provides a sneak peek into what is about to unfold in the story, as our main characters, in beach attire, seek ways to find hidden treasure.”
There is no official information suggesting that Eiichiro Oda was inspired by this work. However, when this artwork was released, the creator of One Piece was only 11 years old. It is not far-fetched to think it might have had a significant influence on his development as a mangaka.
