This is a special series where we feature sketches drawn by Toyotarou, the co-creator of V Jump's ongoing series Dragon Ball Super!
Since its debut way back in 2018, this series has now reached its milestone 100th edition!
Marking this momentous occasion, the 100th illustration features none other than an elderly Goku!

[Toyotarou's Comment]
This is an illustration based on a drawing of an elderly Goku by Toriyama.
It was featured in an essay manga included in the Dragon Ball Z Anime Special book, released in 1989.
Since it was drawn while the original series was still ongoing, it included comments such as,
"When will Dragon Ball finish?" and "Goku might end up looking like this old guy, too."
Even in 2026, 37 years later, the end of Dragon Ball is still nowhere in sight!
Maybe we'll be able to see this version of Goku someday, Akira Toriyama!
— Toyotarou

The essay manga included in the Dragon Ball Z Anime Special book has also been republished in the Dragon Ball Super Art Book, so if you're interested then be sure to check it out for yourself!

This series started with the idea of Toyotarou drawing characters who don't appear in Dragon Ball Super. However, as the world of Dragon Ball Super continued to evolve, the possibility of any one of these characters appearing also emerged, and the series instead turned into a space for Toyotarou to freely choose which characters to sketch. In the essay manga, Akira Toriyama himself also made comments regarding Dragon Ball's future, writing, "When will it finish?" and "I wonder what lies ahead?"
With the future of Dragon Ball still unclear, any one of the characters drawn so far throughout this series may very well go on to play a pivotal role within the story, including an elderly Goku!

Toyotarou's Top Eight Illustrations!

Toyotarou has drawn exactly 100 illustrations to date! With this in mind, we've asked him to pick out his favorite pieces from amongst his work. Here we present to you eight hand-picked illustrations, including valuable illustrations that are no longer publicly available, along with comments on his thoughts and feelings at the time!

February 2018 [#3]
King Chappa (Modern Rendition)

[Toyotarou's Comment]
This is a modern rendition of King Chappa! He might have been the person who trained Uub up until the age of 10! I think they both hail from the same region, given how similar their outfits are.

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
This marked my first attempt at turning my ideas and fantasies into a standalone illustration.
It's memorable to me for how it instantly opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for this series.

October 2019 [#23]
Young Belmod

[Toyotarou's Comment]
Although he did appear in Dragon Ball Super, I used my imagination to draw what he looked like in the past, or at least what he could have looked like. (Laughs)
It's from that scene where he says, "I'm done." I wonder what happened to him prior to becoming a God of Destruction...

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
I really wanted to explore Belmod's past, so being able to add this kind of depth to the character made me happy.

September 2020 [#34]
Bora

[Toyotarou's Comment]
Guardian of Karin Sanctuary and father to Upa. His aging appearance in volume 42 looks so cool, I really love it.

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
Old men and muscles: precisely the things I wanted to draw. I had a lot of fun with this one.

July 2021 [#44]
Paikuhan and Competitors from the Another World Budokai

[Toyotarou's Comment]
From the top: Torbie, Caterpy, Froug, and Tapkar!

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
I really like the designs of the Another World Budokai competitors and was drawing them a lot back then. I'm including it in my favorites for the sheer number of competitors I was able to feature in the background.

September 2021 [#46]
Ipana and Berry

[Toyotarou's Comment]
These two characters are full of Toriyama's trademark "simple yet striking" style. I wish they'd gotten more time in the spotlight! Apparently they were once inhabitants of Planet Plant.

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
This piece was done when I was experimenting with colors to draw mascot-esque characters. These characters I drew back then were ones I thought would work great on merch.

January 2023 [#62]
Hire−Dragon

[Toyotarou's Comment]
Here's my rendering of what Gohan's childhood friend might look like now. I hope he's still doing well, living on Mt. Paoz.

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
This is another what-if story piece.
I wouldn't have been able to create this piece outside of this series, so I'm glad I had the opportunity to draw it.

February 2023 [#63]
Final Form Cooler

[Toyotarou's Comment]
I was blown away by this transformation because it was one not even his brother Frieza could achieve. I just think this character is super cool.

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
After trying a more dynamic approach to this piece, I found myself liking it more than I expected, so much so that I ended up repurposing the pose for the front cover of volume 23.

Check out the front cover of volume 23!

[Toyotarou's Comment]
Apparently, Commander Red's real name is written as "Red Ribon" and pronounced "Red Raibon".
Since it was often misread as "Ribbon", he decided to name his organization "the Red Ribbon Army".
That's what Akira Toriyama told me during the serialization of the SUPER HERO arc, at least.

[Toyotarou Looks Back]
I've been really into drawing old men this past year. As for Commander Red, I chose this piece because it allowed me to reveal some unknown facts about Commander Red that Toriyama had shared with me.


So many iconic illustrations have come out of the Toyotarou Tried To Draw series!
Stay tuned for future updates!