Eiichiro Oda’s Heartfelt Tribute to Dragon Ball Creator: A Must-Read for One Piece Fans

While Dragon Ball‘s Goku and One Piece‘s Monkey D. Luffy stand as beloved titans within the anime and manga sphere, their creators, Akira Toriyama and Eiichiro Oda, have cultivated a relationship characterized by camaraderie and mutual respect. More than mere contemporaries in the industry, Toriyama and Oda are united by friendship, often encouraging one another throughout their illustrious careers.

Oda’s Tribute to Toriyama: A Testament to Their Bond

Oda Honors Toriyama with a Redrawn Cover

Oda Eiichiro's Super Dragon Ball Gallery tribute to Akira Toriyama

In the wake of Toriyama’s untimely passing on March 1, 2024, Oda quickly shared his condolences, reflecting on their enduring friendship and offering support to Toriyama’s family and team. While accolades from fans can be gratifying, those from peers carry a unique weight, echoing a profound understanding of the struggles and triumphs within the manga industry. Oda’s tribute has been a continuous flow of heartfelt messages, culminating in a recent highlight: a reimagined cover for the 42nd volume of Dragon Ball.

This cover marks a pivotal moment in Dragon Ball history. Originally depicted by Toriyama, it features Goku taking flight with a poignant farewell. Notably, the cover’s resonance was particularly intense given it was perceived as the series’ grand finale—enhanced by the background detail of Majin Buu, who symbolically represented the series’ conclusion as its ultimate antagonist.

Oda’s artistic interpretation maintains the essence of Toriyama’s original design but introduces meaningful updates. Instead of Goku’s signature closed-fist salute, Oda opts for a more emotive open-palm wave, conveying a deeply felt goodbye. Furthermore, Oda replaces Majin Buu with Robo-Toriyama, a character employed by Toriyama himself as a playful representation of his persona within the stories. This clever substitution not only pays homage to Toriyama’s legacy but also represents Oda’s profound admiration for his mentor.

Oda Shares His Reflections on His Influential Mentor

“I bought the first volume of the Dragon Ball manga series when I was in elementary school, but I didn’t buy the second volume! I always read the chapters through WSJ magazine, and when the final volume 42 was released, I went…”- Eiichiro Oda

Alongside his artistic tribute, Oda penned a heartfelt note outlining his personal connection to Dragon Ball. His reflections offer readers insight into his childhood admiration for Toriyama’s work, noting the excitement of engaging with serialized manga compared to collected volumes. This nostalgic link underscores the emotional weight behind Oda’s recent tribute.

I thank you for giving me this opportunity to redraw it! And now, I wish I could buy this volume while Toriyama-sensei is still alive. – Eiichiro Oda

Oda’s heartfelt wish highlights the deep sentiment surrounding not only the series itself but also the personal journey he has embarked on as a manga artist influenced by Toriyama. This chance to contribute to the legacy of Dragon Ball transforms the redrawn cover into a personal homage, illustrating both his respect and the poignancy of their shared history.

A Larger Commemoration of Dragon Ball’s Legacy

Goku and Vegeta throw punches at each other in Super Saiyan mode in Dragon Ball Z.

On November 20, 2024, fans celebrated the 40th anniversary of Dragon Ball‘s debut. In preparation for this monumental occasion, Saikyo Jump, a sibling publication to Shōnen Jump, invited 40 notable mangaka to contribute their reinterpretations of classic Dragon Ball covers. This celebratory project, known as the Dragon Ball Super Gallery, commenced in August 2021, culminating in January 2025 with Oda’s significant contribution.

As the final artist to partake in this initiative, Oda’s redrawn cover of the 42nd volume stands out not just for its artistic fidelity to the original, but also for the emotional depth it conveys. In contrast to other contributors who completely reimagined their selected covers, Oda preserved the essence of Toriyama’s work while skillfully integrating his own innovative elements. His tribute serves as a respectful nod to their friendship and a recognition of Toriyama’s monumental influence on the manga and anime landscape.

This isn’t the first instance of Oda honoring Toriyama; he previously contributed to a similar Dragon Ball 30th-anniversary project. However, following Toriyama’s passing, this latest tribute transcends his previous efforts, reflecting a personal and heartfelt farewell that resonates deeply within the community.

Source: @pewpiece

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