It has been 40 years since the beginning of one of the most valued and recognized manga/anime of the industry, Dragon Ball, illustrated by the master Akira Toriyama and his unique way of creating universes, now celebrates its 40th anniversary, for this reason they have invited mangakas of high tour, for our luck, Mr. Gege akutami, praised mangaka of the last years and creator of the masterpiece of Jujutsu kaisen, will be in charge of one of these commemorative covers to continue with this celebration.
Gege to be chosen to illustrate a Dragon Ball 40th anniversary cover
The Dragon Ball franchise has been 40 years in the world of anime/manga, year after year becoming the most recognized and beloved series by fans of the medium, for us it is a pleasure to know that the mangaka of Jujutsu Kaisen is in charge of illustrating this panel proudly capturing all his drawing style and the essence of his works referencing the covers of Toriyama’s manga, a true anniversary gift. News about the franchise and more can be found on the official account of Toei animation, who is in charge of Dragon ball and other animated series.
It is no surprise that mangakas of such a long career as Gege are chosen to illustrate something as special as a commemorative cover, as in the past there have been dozens of guests invited by the franchise to collaborate with their covers, art gallery illustrations, promotions, for example, the author of the manga of the acclaimed ninja series Naruto, the master Masashi Kishimoto, made some years ago one of the covers of the original manga of Akira Toriyama, carrying the 40th anniversary project that began some time ago choosing mangakas to illustrate covers of the Dragon ball manga.
Tite Kubo, Yuki Tabata, Katsura Hoshino, Masashi Hashimoto, BOICHI. In the present days, these mangakas and some other recognized ones have recreated different covers for this celebration, soon we will be lucky to see the great Eikichiro oda or the queen of manga Rumiko Takahashi participate in this art festival and it is not to be doubted, since even the Shonen Jump puts on the pedestal the Manga of Akira Toriyama as the best in history, if you want to see about this, you can check this note that deepens about the subject.
We have all seen Dragon Ball at some point and its peculiar protagonist Goku, innocent, but with a strong will to keep improving, from his beginnings as a small apprentice of martial arts on the island of Master Roshi, to his adolescence in the fighting tournaments or with his first romances with Milk, finally in his adulthood defending the world from the dangers that came from different places, later with his children, his fellow fighters and his greatest rival (Vegeta). A fast-paced story that shifts the focus from an adventure of discovery, exploration of the world that makes up the lands surrounding the series, to battles for vast universes with endearing villains.
Its soundtrack, songs, there is nothing that this manga by Akira Toriyama has not touched in its original plot, which despite sticking to its genre, has been the predecessor of many of the series we see today, consolidated as a pillar of anime that has given us unforgettable moments and has established itself in the Shonen Jump as the best manga of the last decades. For us it is a nostalgic choice that we recommend to have on your shelves at all times, as a precious work.
（C） バードスタジオ/集英社・フジテレビ・東映アニメーション