Akira Toriyama's final artwork for Dragon Quest XII has been released, featuring a heartfelt tribute to Dragon Ball's iconic Super Saiyan Goku. This bittersweet moment marks the end of an era for the beloved Dragon Ball series.
The Lasting Legacy of Akira Toriyama
Toriyama's original art, showcased at Dragon Quest the DIVE event, includes a pose inspired by Super Saiyan Goku's most defining moment in the Dragon Ball Z series. This subtle reference serves as a farewell to both Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest from the renowned mangaka.
The exact panel in question occurs in Dragon Ball Chapter 326 (DBZ Chapter 132), “Son Goku’s Choice.” This chapter picks up at the very end of SSJ Goku’s fight with Frieza on Namek, with Frieza desperately attempting to cut Goku down with one of his Destructo Disks, to no avail.
After chasing Goku with the razor-sharp disk for some time, Frieza believes he has caught Goku off guard and fires a full-powered Ki blast at the Saiyan warrior. But when the dust settles, Goku shows up behind Frieza in that iconic panel, confidently taunting his opponent with the words, “Yeah. Over here.”
Goku's nonchalant pose in the lead-up to Frieza's defeat perfectly encapsulates his newfound strength as a Super Saiyan, portraying an air of cockiness that isn’t the norm for him but is nonetheless well-earned. It seems Toriyama was trying to show that Dragon Quest XII’s new hero also had a somewhat arrogant side to him by having him take on that exact same pose.
A New Era for Dragon Ball
While Toriyama's final artwork marks the end of an era for the original Dragon Ball series, the saga will continue with the Dragon Ball Super manga under the direction of Toyotarou and the anime led by Akio Iyoku. For more news and updates, visit our website.
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