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Summary
- Toriyama's detailed manga panels in Dragon Ball revolutionized the industry and evoke more emotions than animation.
- From Shenron's first appearance to Gohan's Super Saiyan transformation, iconic manga panels showcase Toriyama's artistic mastery.
- Character designs, transformations, and intense moments are immortalized in Dragon Ball manga panels with stunning artwork.
Dragon Ball's success wouldn’t have been possible without its original manga, which was released four decades ago and exhibits some of the industry's best artwork of the time, and today, Akira Toriyama's art style is highly distinctive and respected. The manga features some of the best character design in shōnen, brought to life through expressive manga panels that depict the fights with a strong sense of energy and movement.
Toriyama’s art revolutionized the manga industry, with his dedication to ensuring the quality of each Dragon Ball panel with detailed characters, clean paneling and composition. Thanks to this, there are certain moments in the series that hit even harder and awaken more emotions when captured in the manga panels than in animation, making them impossible to forget.
While many of them are fantastic, some of Dragon Ball’s manga panels stand out the most and show that Akira Toriyama was a true master when it came to drawing.
10 Best Dragon Ball Character Designs That Prove How Timeless the Series Truly Is
The best character designs found in the Dragon Ball franchise that fans will always love, no matter how much time passes
10 Shenron, the Dragon God, First Appearance
Dragon Ball Chapter 19: "At Last... the Dragon!"
Shenron, the dragon lord who grants almost any wish, appears for the first time in the series after Pilaf managed to steal the dragon balls from Goku and his friends with the purpose of summoning him and asking him to be the ruler of the world. The series is based on the premise of searching for the dragon balls, so evidently, its guardian's first introduction has to be unforgettable, and Toriyama definitely doesn’t shy away from showing the prominent dragon in all its splendor on the panel.
Shenron's design is one of the most striking in the franchise, showing the Chinese influence in the story. Shenron's appearances in the series are never trivial, and the shading and composition of the panel truly display his intimidating aura, fitting that of a respected and powerful mythical being.
9 The Reveal of the True Strength of Master Roshi
Dragon Ball, Chapter 14: "Kamehameha"
The most impressive of Master Roshi's skills was shown in the early chapters of the manga: his special technique, Kamehameha. The panel does a great job expressing how Master Roshi changes from his usual elderly and apparently frail appearance to a muscular and imposing body while he prepares to launch a kamehameha to put out a fire in a building where a dragon ball was located.
The panel surprised fans with the strength of Master Roshi, with his aura and the marked veins in his body, reflecting his deep concentration and effort needed to be able to release a large amount of ki in a powerful energy beam. It's the first time the iconic move of the franchise is used, and Goku will learn it just one chapter later.
8 Goku Pierces Through Demon King Piccolo
Dragon Ball, Chapter 161: "The Fist of Son Goku"
Goku's fight against King Piccolo is one of the most brutal confrontations of the franchise because of Goku's desire for revenge. Goku uses a kamehameha to send himself into the air, leaving for posterity a mythical panel in which Goku pierces King Piccolo's stomach, managing to defeat him. The panel takes up the entire page and is visually striking with the white background, where only the sound effect and both characters stand out.
Additionally, all the details, such as Goku's heroic pose launching forward with the shreds of King Piccolo's clothes falling over him after having been pierced, along with the Namekian's lifeless expression and Goku's determined face with his eyes still closed, make it one of the most hyped moments in Dragon Ball and a memorable panel featuring one of Goku's most shocking victories.
7 Goku's First Transformation and the First Appearance of the Great Ape
Dragon Ball, Chapter 21: "Full Moon"
Although Goku's first known transformation into a giant monkey was when he accidentally killed his grandpa Gohan, the first time the Great Ape was shown in the manga was when Goku transformed inside Pilaf's castle, after he and his henchmen caught Goku and his friends to get the dragon balls.
The double-spread panel shows the most beastly form that Saiyans unleash when they see a full moon, featuring the immense power gain but also the absolute lack of control that Goku had in this transformation, unable to suppress himself from destroying everything around him. The bold shading that stands out the piercing night, with the full moon shinning over the detailed-drawn Pilaf's Castle while the Great Ape rises over it with clinging fists, wrecking the towers of the building, is certainly an incredible display of the amazing artistic skills of the master Toriyama.
6 The Z-Fighters's Arrival at the Cell Games
Dragon Ball, Chapter 395: "Heroes Assemble!"
An impactful entrance during an important moment in the story is a major point in shōnen's series that fans remember forever, and this was perfectly delivered by Toriyama when the Z fighters arrive at the Cell Games Arena. This represents a key moment in the series, highlighted by a stunning double-spread panel, which isn’t so frequent in Dragon Ball compared to other series, but when used, it's always noteworthy.
Also, Dragon Ball’s backgrounds are simpler than many others in the genre, since Toriyama focuses more on the characters, and that is what stands out in this panel, where the tension is palpable, conveying the Z warriors' feelings for the upcoming fight and showing their concern with the bead of sweat on their faces, which contrasts with Goku's smile and Piccolo’s expecting expression.
5 Gohan’s Iconic Transformation Into Super Saiyan 2
Dragon Ball, Chapter 408: "Gohan Unleashed!"
Super Saiyan 2 is one of Dragon Ball's iconic transformations, and its debut is one of the most spectacular panels of all the manga. Toriyama elevated Super Saiyan 2, adding a characteristic element with the rays enveloping Gohan's body and a change in his usual attitude, featuring an enraged expression. Also, the panel visually impacts with the swirls of dust as a dramatic effect.
Parallel to Goku’s first transformation in Super Saiyan, Gohan unleashes Super Saiyan 2 after Cell brutally kills his friend Android No. 16, and while Goku’s SSJ wins in terms of sheer impact, Gohan's achieving this state has more emotional weight because of the build-up of the manga leading up to this moment. Finally, something happens inside Gohan, and he awakens that power that Goku always saw in him, proving that there were higher levels that the Saiyans could achieve.
4 Piccolo’s Sacrifice to Save Gohan
Dragon Ball, Chapter 222: "The Death of a God!!"
A moment that certainly gave goosebumps to Dragon Ball’s fans was when Piccolo sacrificed himself to save Gohan from Nappa’s attack. The panel masterfully expresses the tremendous force of the attack with the clear lines and Piccolo’s tearing clothes, showing the pain in his expression and Gohan’s fear. The shocking scene is a pivotal moment in Piccolo’s character arc because of how he went from a despicable enemy to someone willing to give his life to protect his disciple.
The panel condensed a lot of feelings, representing that Piccolo was not only Gohan’s guardian anymore; with all the time they had spent training together, he became his second fatherly figure in the absence of Goku. It also shows that Goku is no longer the only character who gives everything for the sake of others.
3 Goku Transforms into the Legendary Super Saiyan
Dragon Ball, Chapter 317: "Life or Death"
An exhausted Goku from using the spirit bomb has to face Frieza once again, but after Krillin's death, his rage triggered his first transformation into Super Saiyan, depicted in a panel that was recorded as one of the best of all time by many Dragon Ball fans, showing the warrior back on his feet with a transformation that multiplies his strength and an expression of anger and determination to put an end to the evil emperor once and for all.
The incredible panel features a stern and brave Goku, looking up to Frieza, and highlights his powerful ki covering his body as he is standing on the wrecked field. It is an exciting panel that gives chills to fans and was definitely the best way to finally introduce the legendary Super Saiyan. It's not an exaggeration to say that this panel changed the history of manga (and anime) forever.
2 The Run-up to Goku and Vegeta's First Fight
Dragon Ball, Chapter 228: "Mano a Maniac!!"
Goku and Vegeta assuming their positions before facing each other in an epic battle is an unforgettable panel that takes the manga back to its roots, showing how Toriyama was inspired by different martial arts with their distinctive fighting stances. The signature art style of Toriyama, with simple shading and clean backgrounds, shines its best while relying on the characters, and the panel really conveys the tension for the upcoming fight.
The panel also shows Goku and Vegeta's characteristic mindsets while they analyze each other, since Goku stands low to gauge his opponent and reacts to his moves naturally. Whereas Vegeta is haughty and arrogant and has a mocking expression, trying to provoke his opponents to force them to reveal their fighting style and be able to set the pace of the fight.
1 Father-Son Kamehameha Against Cell
Dragon Ball, Chapter 416: "Kamehameha vs. Kamehameha"
The best panel in the manga is also one of the most heartfelt and influential moments in Dragon Ball, when Gohan, transformed into Super Saiyan 2 and driven by Goku's spirit, destroys the most powerful android with a surprising father-son Kamehameha. Goku had sacrificed himself, forcing Gohan to be the one to face Cell. However, Gohan lamented that his strength was not enough to protect the Earth, so Goku's spirit began to encourage him, reminding him that he could do it and that he only needed to give his best.
The panel depicts the mental image that Gohan has of his father guiding him when it seemed that everything was lost, symbolically showing how Goku let the fight in the hands of the next generation and highlighting that Gohan had surpassed the power of his father. It's a beautiful panel that shows that there is no greater strength than the trust and love of a father and his son, making the father-son kamehameha one of those Dragon Ball panels that will stay with fans forever and prove that Akira Toriyama was a true master of his craft.
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku's never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
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- Created by
- Akira Toriyama
- Latest TV Show
- Super Dragon Ball Heroes
- First Episode Air Date
- April 26, 1989
- Latest Episode
- 2019-10-05
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