Dragon Ball Gets Incredible Cover Art from Chainsaw Man Creator
The world of Chainsaw Man takes over Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball in brand-new artwork that commemorates the manga's fortieth anniversary by bringing a touch of Devil-Hunting style to the world of Saiyans and Namekians.
In celebration of Dragon Ball's fortieth anniversary, a new "Super Gallery Project" has been created. The project will feature a new redesign of all 42 cover volumes by various mangaka each month until November 2024. Over forty years, the successful franchise has encompassed several huge series, such as Dragon Ball Z and the current ongoing series Dragon Balls Super. Popular anime adaptions and films by Toei Animation are also adored by fans, including the upcoming film announcement Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. However, Harvey Awards' best manga of 2021 winner Chainsaw Man is paying tribute in its own unique way.
In the latest cover art redesign shared by @WSJ_manga, Chainsaw Man mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto chooses to redesign the art for Dragon Ball Volume 2. The volume features Bulma and Goku at the beginning of their long-lasting friendship. Goku meets the Ox-King and future wife Chi-Chi who travel together to meet Master Kame along with lurking characters Yamcha and Puar. The artwork comes as a fifth installment from the previous works by Naruto mangaka Masashi Kishimoto, Bleach's Tite Kubo, KochiKame's Osamu Akimoto, and Hard-Boiled Cop and Dolphin's Ryuhei Tamura. Tatsuki Fujimoto's artwork completely remasters the Dragon Ball manga cover.
Tatsuki Fujimoto's eccentric art style reimagines Bulma and Goku as characters from Chainsaw Man. It's a perfect cover for the mangaka as Bulma is in hunting gear, a metaphorical translation to the Devil Hunters in the series. Bulma's design also looks similar to Devil Hunter Makima and Power. Unlike the original cover, Bulma appears more carefree as she smiles while holding up the peace sign that also represents the volume number. Goku still has the same adventurous spark except in a new form.
The celebration will continue as more acclaimed mangaka redesign iconic Dragon Ball covers, honoring a series which is beloved by fans, and was a true trailblazer in terms of establishing the worldwide appeal of manga and anime, with an international readership that only continues to grow, especially in America, where Dragon Ball remains an institution and Chainsaw Man has likewise found a legion of fans. Fujimoto's creative artwork is an amazing homage to Dragon Ball's success, adding the original style from his popular Chainsaw Man series.
Source: @WSJ_manga