Fans of the beloved series Dragon Ball are in for a treat with the new installment, Dragon Ball: Daima. Created by Akira Toriyama, this latest adventure sees Goku and friends transformed into children as they navigate the Demon Realm. This nostalgic journey harkens back to golden moments in the franchise, showcasing a 40-year-old design of Shenron that has recently resurfaced.
Rediscovering a 40-Year-Old Design of Shenron
The official Dragon Ball website updates its “Toriyama Archives” every two days, spotlighting classic manga artworks, character designs, and interviews with creator Akira Toriyama. This week, the archives celebrate Shenron, the iconic dragon who magically appears to grant wishes when the seven Dragon Balls are gathered. Shenron, created by the highly esteemed Toriyama, holds a special place in the hearts of Dragon Ball fans.
Shenron isn’t just a one-dimensional character; he comes in various forms, including the powerful Super Ī Shinron from Dragon Ball GT, the red dragon associated with the black-starred Dragon Balls, and also the dark counterpart known as Shenron Noir. This week, we are reacquainted with one of the earliest sketches of Shenron, first published in Weekly Shonen Jump’s January 12, 1985, issue.
This sketch showcases an earlier version of Shenron, depicted in blue and featuring a slightly different design. This representation highlights the evolution of the dragon, who frequently appears throughout Toriyama’s expansive universe in the manga, anime, films, and several video games. While Shenron is now primarily recognized as green, the original blue may have been inspired by the azure dragon of Chinese mythology, upon which Shenron is based.
The design of Shenron has continued to evolve over the years, with even some iterations featuring wings. This new glimpse into Shenron’s blue color reminds fans of the significant journey the franchise has undergone since its inception in the 1980s. As Dragon Ball celebrates its rich history, it also leaves room for anticipation of future evolutions.
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