Oda, Togashi, Araki… 42 Legendary Artists Redraw the Covers in a Massive Gallery Below Shibuya

DRAGON BALL 40th Anniversary!

42 Artists with a Power Level Over 530,000 Gather in Shibuya

While walking through the underground passage in Shibuya, I suddenly felt a surge of power. I looked up—and there it was: an entire wall filled with reimagined DRAGON BALL cover art!

Turns out, this is part of a special 40th anniversary project where top manga artists—including Eiichiro Oda, Hirohiko Araki, and Gege Akutami—redrew Akira Toriyama’s original DRAGON BALL covers. The project commemorates the release of the “DRAGON BALL All 42-Volume Double Cover Box” on February 4, 2026.

The display in Shibuya looks like an art gallery of alternate covers—completely overwhelming in the best way. Each artist also contributed a personal message to Akira Toriyama, full of admiration and love for the legendary creator.
We at RAW JAPAN have transcribed every single message (yes, we stayed up all night to do it). Scroll through the photos and read them at your leisure!

By the way, the “DRAGON BALL All 42-Volume Double Cover Box” is priced at 31,800 yen—get it? Saiya yen. 😏
At the time of writing, it's still available on Amazon!

DRAGON BALL All 42-Volume Set Double Cover Box (Jump Comics)

￥31,800

View on Amazon

#01. Masakazu Katsura | Video Girl Ai

I’m the guy who kept interrupting Toriyama-san's work with pointless late-night phone calls. Actually, to be precise, they didn't seem to bother him at all. Once, I casually asked, "What are you doing right now?" during a call, and he simply said, "Working on my storyboard." I was stunned. Just... how does his brain even work? DRAGON BALL, a manga that’s bright, pure, and unbelievably fun—it’s truly a timeless masterpiece.

#02. Tatsuki Fujimoto | Chainsaw Man

I can’t believe I got to be part of this project—what an honor! DRAGON BALL was so ingrained in daily life that I knew the characters' names before I even read the original manga. Before I started my own series, I re-read it and realized just how compelling a character Goku is when his dry personality meets the world of shonen manga. Everyone, let’s re-read DRAGON BALL!

#03. Koji Inada | Tsurumoku Dokushinryo

Congratulations on DRAGON BALL’s 40th anniversary!! I remade the cover of Volume 3, “The Tenkaichi Budokai Begins!!” There’s a similar arc in Dragon Quest: Dai’s Great Adventure called the Romos Kingdom Martial Arts Tournament… So I went ahead and mixed in some of those characters. Sorry about that… (sweats)

#04. Akira Amano | Reborn!

Hi, I’m Akira Amano. DRAGON BALL is like a foundational memory for me—it's in my bones. Working on this cover reminded me how much I love Goku. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

#05. Yoshihiro Togashi | HUNTER×HUNTER, Yu Yu Hakusho

It felt like I had gone back in time. I had so much fun drawing this! When I finished, I almost cried—but quickly grabbed Volume 5 of DRAGON BALL in front of me and read it. I’m not alone—Toriyama-sensei is right here!!

#06. Hikari Shiibashi | Act-Age

As a kid, I didn’t start buying manga from Volume 1—I’d just buy whatever new one was on the shelf. So the first DRAGON BALL I bought was Volume 7, where Goku fights General Blue. I used to imagine what came before. When I finally read Volume 6, I was thrilled to discover that amazing fight with Ninja Murasaki. Now, here I am, drawing that very volume. I wonder what my first-grade self would think…

#07. Mikio Ikemoto | BORUTO, Phoenix in the Court

Congratulations on DRAGON BALL’s 40th anniversary. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity. I grew up feeding on this manga. The Volume 7 cover I chose has everything—dynamic action, pop colors, awesome machines, and just a dash of cheeky sex appeal. And Toriyama-sensei makes it all look effortless. He’ll always be my idol.

#08. Sui Ishida | Tokyo Ghoul

I never dreamed I’d be part of something like this! It’s such an honor. Even though I wasn’t a big manga reader as a kid, I still found myself sketching Kamehameha in my notebook. As an adult, I visited Toriyama-sensei’s original art exhibit, and I still remember how thrilling it was to see each piece. Happy 40th Anniversary, DRAGON BALL…!

#09. Kenta Shinohara | SKET DANCE, Witch Watch

My art style and manga were heavily influenced by Dr. Slump. I especially loved the early DRAGON BALL adventures. Bulma was my favorite character. The excitement of her and Goku setting off on their motorcycle journey—I still remember that feeling. I love the Volume 9 cover. Can’t believe I got to be part of this. I want to tell my student self who used to mimic Toriyama-sensei using colored inks.

#10. Shun Saeki | Food Wars! (Illustrator)

It’s an extreme honor to contribute to such a legendary work. This cover had a unique design that was tricky to interpret, so I imagined it as if they were searching for the Dragon Balls in some ancient ruins. Maybe that was a stretch? But I had a blast drawing it! Thank you so much.

#11. Masashi Kishimoto | NARUTO, Samurai 8

My favorite DRAGON BALL character has always been Krillin. I found myself emotionally drawn to the way he was constantly chasing after Goku, who was always ahead. I especially loved the parts where Krillin got to shine. That’s why I picked Volume 11. Congratulations on 40 years of DRAGON BALL!

#12. Yusuke Murata | Eyeshield 21, One-Punch Man

“Goku obeys his master, aims to win the Tenkaichi Budokai, ends up beating a demon lord trying to conquer the world, and saves the day.” That’s the story of early DRAGON BALL in a nutshell (before the Saiyan arc). Even though Goku is ridiculously strong, he still insists on following the rules. That’s what makes him so amazing. This “transcendence” also reflects in Toriyama-sensei’s mindset—like wanting to finish work fast to build models, or making Goku’s hair blond to avoid inking it. His personality oozes through his art. If you want to create something fun, be a fun person—that’s what I’ve learned.

#13. Kohei Horikoshi | My Hero Academia

I’m deeply honored to be part of this tribute!! Goku’s strength, brightness, and comforting presence inspired me to draw manga. No matter when or where you read it, he’s there—cool, funny, and simply the best character.

#14. Tadatoshi Fujimaki | Kuroko’s Basketball

When I was in elementary school, everyone in my class was reading DRAGON BALL. I loved tracing the art, started buying Jump every week, and eventually decided to become a manga artist. From submitting work, assisting, to getting serialized—and now drawing for this tribute. I’m truly honored. Happy 40th anniversary!

#15. Tatsuya Endo | SPY×FAMILY

DRAGON BALL is my origin of all origins. I started drawing because I admired Toriyama-sensei. I copied his characters, entire chapters, and even created knock-off manga inspired by his work. I played Super Butōden like crazy. I still think about his use of color and how he designed machines. His stylized lines and forms are irresistibly cute. Being part of this tribute was an absolute honor. Congratulations on 40 years of DRAGON BALL!

#16. Hideaki Sorachi | Gintama

As a kid, I loved the Volume 16 cover so much, I tried to copy it. But I couldn’t draw it well, so I asked my dad to draw it on a big piece of paper—and I hung it on my wall like a poster. Time passed, DRAGON BALL hits 40, and while I’ve gotten a little better at drawing, I still can’t beat that yellowed, sun-faded Goku and Piccolo from my childhood.

#17. Takehiko Inoue | SLAM DUNK, Vagabond, REAL

Being able to serialize my manga in the same magazine at the same time as DRAGON BALL—what an incredibly lucky and joyful time in my life.

#18. Naho Ooishi | Library Wars: Love & War

My first encounter with DRAGON BALL was in kindergarten, when my dad handed me a manga instead of a coloring book. I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with the series as an adult too. Watching Goku grow into a father and even a grandfather—I feel like I’ve walked alongside him. DRAGON BALL has been a massive part of my life. I can never thank Toriyama-sensei enough for letting me be part of its journey. I’ll always, always love DRAGON BALL!!

#19. Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro | Toriko, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

Back in junior high, I was obsessed with the scene before Goku and Vegeta’s big battle. I copied that page over and over again. Reading DRAGON BALL weekly in Jump during that golden age was such a privilege. Happy 40th anniversary!!

#20. Yusei Matsui | Assassination Classroom, The Elusive Samurai

Even with all my years of drawing, I’ve come to understand the techniques behind many artists’ works. But Toriyama-sensei’s art still feels like pure magic. You can mimic it, but you’ll never truly grasp its essence. That’s the kind of ideal manga artist I aspire to be. This tribute reminded me of that all over again.

#21. Keita Tokutsu | Blue Box

I absolutely loved the tension of the battle royale in the Frieza arc. DRAGON BALL taught me the importance of each character doing everything they can, with all they’ve got. That spirit lives on in my own manga too.

#22. Posuka Demizu | The Promised Neverland

I’ve always loved Dende and Cargo, so I chose Volume 22. Since the main story is so intense, I imagined a peaceful version of Namek where they’re just out on a school trip. I’ve always dreamed of drawing machines like Toriyama-sensei does—and I still do. (And probably always will!) Happy 40th anniversary!

#23. Kyosuke Usuta | Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi yo!! Masaru-san

I’m terrible at drawing machines, so I picked a cover where I could sneak in my own style without being too obvious. Frieza left a huge impact on me. Even now, 40 years later, DRAGON BALL still hasn’t lost its shine. I’m deeply moved. Congratulations!!

#24. Masanori Morita | ROOKIES, Rokudenashi BLUES

There was a time when my series was actually competing with DRAGON BALL in the reader surveys. I never won. Once, I got 350 votes and thought, “Yes! I did it!” But DRAGON BALL had 700. That frustration has become one of my favorite stories to tell when drinking with friends. Being serialized alongside Toriyama-sensei was one of the brightest, most treasured times of my life. Thank you so much. I worked hard on this illustration. What do you think? I wish I could’ve had a drink with you and told you this in person.

#25. Kazue Kato | Blue Exorcist

Congratulations on 40 years of DRAGON BALL‼︎ Out of the many covers I love, I picked one packed with details. I really wanted to draw Piccolo and Vegeta too… While drawing, I remembered how much I used to trace Toriyama-sensei’s art as a kid. The way he drew nature and tiny details like knots had a huge influence on me. This tribute helped me realize how deeply his sensibilities have shaped my own work. Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity!

#26. Boichi | Dr. STONE (Artist)

The fact that I was allowed to draw a DRAGON BALL cover… I can’t express how honored I am. That’s all I can say.

#27. Tite Kubo | BLEACH, BURN THE WITCH

I didn’t know what to write here, so I checked the original Volume 27 author comment—and it just said something like, “Too busy with the weekly grind to write anything.” Totally relatable. I also learned something new: that sometimes those author’s corner comments were written by the editor. A genius move. I wish I’d known that back then.

#28. Osamu Akimoto | Kochikame

In the original cover, Master Roshi rode a first-generation Honda Monkey. So I had Ryo-san ride the most active Monkey model—the Monkey RT—two-up. I’ve always loved the mechanical designs in DRAGON BALL, like flying machines and submarines. My favorite character? Master Roshi, of course. He’s pervy and goofy, but secretly powerful—a true inspiration. I tried to be like him and get fit, but gave up. Though age-wise, I’m probably close now. I even wear sunglasses and drive a convertible. (LOL)

#29. Takeshi Obata | DEATH NOTE, Bakuman, Hikaru no Go

Congratulations on the 40th! I got to draw Volume 29. I was raised on Toriyama-sensei’s machines. His cars were cooler than real ones, and I copied them endlessly—even though I could never draw them right. Eventually, I started liking similar vehicles. This time, it was a rare VW model. I couldn’t find much reference, and I still didn’t draw it well. LOL. But again, I was reminded just how deep Toriyama-sensei’s passion for machines went.

#30. Nobuhiro Watsuki | Rurouni Kenshin

This was my first time drawing DRAGON BALL in over 30 years. And I realized there’s hardly any room to inject my own style into Toriyama-sensei’s perfect art. When I saw him again for the first time in years as a Tezuka Award judge, he greeted me with a smile, “Oh, Watsuki-kun! It’s been a while!”
That “Good job!” was the last thing I ever got to say to him.
I pray for the eternal peace of Akira Toriyama, the great master.

#31. Kentaro Yabuki | To LOVE-Ru, Ayakashi Triangle

When I was a kid, I would copy DRAGON BALL panels and draw Goku's adventures in my notebook—that was my first step into manga. I never imagined that decades later, Goku would still be going strong and I’d get to join a tribute like this, drawing my beloved Android characters. I'd love to tell that elementary school version of me: “You made it.” Happy 40th, DRAGON BALL!

#32. Koyoharu Gotouge | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Hi, this is Gotouge. I was thrilled to draw Bulma—she's one of my favorite characters! Everyone in my family—my parents, siblings, and their kids—knows and loves DRAGON BALL. Just the other day, I saw my nephew holding a Goku figure in his left hand. Toriyama-sensei created something truly timeless, beloved across generations. I'm in awe.

#33. Hirohiko Araki | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

When I tried to replicate Toriyama-sensei’s art, I realized something amazing: his illustrations seem flat at first glance, but the sense of 3D structure is incredibly accurate. He balances two dimensions and three dimensions at once—an extraordinary skill! It reminded me again just how brilliant his work is. I’m honored to have drawn Volume 33.

#34. Yasuhisa Hara | Kingdom

Congratulations on 40 years!! I was reading DRAGON BALL weekly from the very first chapter in Jump. It’s surreal and such an honor to take part in a tribute like this. Of course, it felt intimidating to interpret Toriyama-sensei’s style, but I added some Kingdom flavor—armor in Goku colors, more soldiers in the background—and had a great time doing it.

#35. Hiroyuki Asada | Tegami Bachi, I’ll

Thanks to judging the Tezuka Prize for six years, I got to meet Toriyama-sensei twice a year. We shared meals and stories—I adored his easygoing nature. When I heard of his passing, I had a deadline looming… for this tribute. It was heartbreaking. I knew he wouldn’t see it. But I prayed while I drew. Thank you. I truly love you, sensei.

#36. Katsura Hoshino | D.Gray-man

As a kid, I adored Toriyama-sensei and used to draw Trunks and Goku constantly, trying to match his style. His lines look simple, but they’re incredibly deep and nuanced. I poured my heart into mimicking them—it was thrilling and fun. Drawing this tribute felt like whispering to my younger self, “You’re drawing DRAGON BALL now. Toriyama-sensei will see it!” It was exhilarating and nerve-wracking. Thank you for this chance.

#37. Shuichi Aso | The Disastrous Life of Saiki K., Bokutachi no Remake

One friend brought all the volumes to our secret base, and we read them in a circle until it got dark. I once flipped a plain Carddass card and found a shiny Gohan—I went nuts. In Super Butouden, I randomly mashed buttons and discovered a secret move. I waited in line with my parents to see the Toei Anime Festival. Drew Ultra Trunks on the chalkboard and got praised by my teacher. Whenever I remember childhood, DRAGON BALL is right there next to it. Happy 40th!

#38. Ryuhei Tamura | Beelzebub, Build King

Happy 40th anniversary, DRAGON BALL! When I first saw Goku’s sons, they were so adorable I couldn’t stop drawing them. I realized how much I love Gohan and Goten. My passion for drawing child characters probably comes from them. That’s why I picked Volume 38. I’m honored to be part of this project!

#39. Toyotarou | Dragon Ball Super (Artist)

Snow setting? Had to be Muscle Tower. So I made it about being chased by RR Army ghosts. Toriyama-sensei’s art is flawless—it felt wrong to tweak it. I once asked him directly if he had any favorite DB illustrations, because he often said he didn’t. He replied, “Our generation doesn't really brag about our art.” I think he did like some, deep down. But he wouldn’t say. That’s just how cool he was. Congratulations on 40 years—DRAGON BALL is eternal!

#40. Yūki Tabata | Black Clover

DRAGON BALL is the beginning and eternal number one manga of my life. As a preschooler, I saw a Jump magazine with it and decided to become a manga artist. That kid grew up, became a pro, and now got to be in this tribute. DRAGON BALL is still hugely popular—and now I appreciate it even more. Thank you!!

#41. Gege Akutami | Jujutsu Kaisen

At a friend’s dad’s izakaya, I could wait quietly while the grown-ups drank—because the place had a full set of DRAGON BALL. 25 years later, I somehow ended up in this tribute. I’m beyond words. It’s surreal.

#42. Eiichiro Oda | ONE PIECE

As a kid, I bought every DRAGON BALL volume from Volume 1. Except… Volume 42. I read it in Jump, I knew the release date, saw it in the bookstore—and didn’t buy it.
This tribute gave me the chance to finally draw that cover. I just wish Toriyama-sensei had lived to see it.
Thank you for everything!!