Eiichiro Oda, creator of One Piece, has paid an emotional tribute to Dragon Ball by drawing the cover of the 42nd volume of the famous series. This illustration is part of a special project to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Akira Toriyama’s work, which has involved the participation of several prominent mangakas. Following Toriyama’s passing, these artists have contributed their designs to the latest Dragon Ball volumes, further cementing the legacy of the series and its influence on manga culture.
Eiichiro Oda pays tribute to Dragon Ball with his latest cover art
The legendary mangaka Eiichiro Oda, creator of One Piece, has left an indelible mark on manga fans with his recent contribution to the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of Dragon Ball. In a touching gesture, Oda has drawn the cover of the 42nd volume of Dragon Ball (link), a tribute to the series that marked the childhood of generations of anime and manga fans. This illustration is part of an ambitious gallery project within the Dragon Ball Super franchise, in which several prominent artists joined forces to pay tribute to the work of Akira Toriyama, who was the creator of Dragon Ball and one of the most influential mangakas in history.
The project began as a series of special covers designed by other mangakas to celebrate 40 years of Dragon Ball, which is considered one of the fundamental pillars of modern manga. However, what makes this tribute even more significant is that many of these mangakas began designing the covers after Toriyama’s unfortunate passing, which gives each one an even deeper tone of respect and admiration for the legacy he left behind. Oda, known for his exceptional ability to create expansive worlds and charismatic characters in One Piece, was no exception and was especially involved in this project.
The relationship between Eiichiro Oda and Akira Toriyama is one of mutual respect and admiration. Both are considered two of the greatest exponents of contemporary manga, although their styles differ significantly. While Toriyama is recognized for his dynamic style and his ability to create epic action plots with touches of humor, Oda is distinguished by his complex narrative, multifaceted characters and his ability to tackle deep themes within a vast universe.
However, their mutual respect for each other has been a constant over the years. In multiple interviews, Oda has expressed his admiration for Toriyama, mentioning that Dragon Ball was one of his greatest inspirations when creating One Piece, and his influence is clearly visible in Oda’s work.
This tribute by Oda, and the other mangakas involved in the series, is part of a gallery that not only celebrates the longevity of Dragon Ball, but also allows fans to see how different artistic styles merge to pay tribute to a work that, over time, has left an indelible mark on global pop culture. In particular, the cover designed by Oda for volume 42 showcases Oda’s mastery of fine lines and his ability to capture the essence of the Dragon Ball characters, while maintaining his unique, signature One Piece style.
This tribute is just one part of the many tributes Dragon Ball has received during this year of celebrations, and serves to further cement Toriyama’s series’ place in the hearts of fans both in Japan and around the world. With the gallery project completed and Toriyama’s legacy secured, Dragon Ball fans can rest assured that the essence of the series will live on for generations to come.
