Masakazu Katsura Revamps Dragon Ball's Iconic First Volume Cover for 40th Anniversary Tribute

Dragon Ball's First Volume Gets a Nostalgic Makeover

Fans of classic manga and anime are being treated to a visually stunning collaboration between two major creators. Masakazu Katsura, renowned for his romantic comedy series Video Girl Ai, has unveiled a new illustration for the Dragon Ball Super Gallery project, paying homage to Akira Toriyama's legendary series, Dragon Ball. This piece forms part of a celebration marking 40 years since the debut of the iconic Dragon Ball franchise, encompassing contributions from other celebrated manga artists.

A Tribute to Dragon Ball Volume 1

Katsura's entry for the Dragon Ball Super Gallery reinvents the cover art for Dragon Ball Volume 1, known for its depiction of Goku and the mystical Shenron. While maintaining the original cover's design, Katsura introduces his unique aesthetic through a revised shading technique and a subtle color palette shift. The tribute both highlights his artistic prowess and shows a profound respect for Toriyama’s work.

Celebrating Four Decades of Dragon Ball

The Dragon Ball Super Gallery initiative garners the talents of some of Japan’s most acclaimed manga creators, each invited to put their spin on one of the series’ 42 original cover designs. Artists like Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), Tite Kubo (Bleach), and Koyoharu Gotouge (Demon Slayer) have contributed to the project, with Katsura's homage being the penultimate piece.

The series will culminate with a submission from Eiichiro Oda, creator of the beloved One Piece series, further highlighting the impact and legacy of Dragon Ball in the manga community.

Masakazu Katsura and Video Girl Ai

Katsura’s Video Girl Ai manga left a significant mark during its run in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1989 to 1992. The story introduces readers to Yota Moteuchi, a high school student in love with his best friend’s crush. Through a twist of fate involving a mysterious video store, he encounters Ai Amano, a virtual girl promising to bring happiness into his life.

Katsura’s work, notable for combining ecchi elements with romance and humor, received adaptations into OVA series and live-action formats, underlining his influence in various media formats.

Viewing Options for Fans

For those interested in exploring these works, both Video Girl Ai and Dragon Ball are available through VIZ Media, allowing English-speaking audiences access to these classic tales. While the Video Girl Ai OVA is harder to find on standard streaming platforms, Dragon Ball can be readily streamed on platforms such as Crunchyroll and Netflix, making it accessible to a broad audience.

This exciting new artwork not only rekindles nostalgia but also reinforces the timeless appeal and cultural impact of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball, uniting generations of manga enthusiasts and creators alike.