Toriyama Archives Reveals Original 1991 Super Saiyan Goku Art (Plus Gohan Draft Art)
The Toriyama Archives just unearthed a treasure: a raw, original Super Saiyan Goku illustration drawn by Akira Toriyama himself for a record-breaking 1991 magazine cover — plus never-before-seen draft art of Super Saiyan Gohan. Here is what was revealed and why these pieces matter.
Quick Answer
The Toriyama Archives released Toriyama’s original Super Saiyan Goku artwork from the cover of Weekly Shonen Jump’s No. 36/37 double issue (August 31, 1991), drawn to celebrate the magazine’s all-time record circulation of 6.15 million copies. Separately, draft-form art of the “four great Super Saiyans” — including Super Saiyan Gohan — was also revealed.
What Are the Toriyama Archives?
The Toriyama Archives are an archival database dedicated to Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, regularly releasing rare drawings, designs, and draft artwork from across his career. For fans, each release is a window into how the most influential manga in history was actually made.
The 1991 Super Saiyan Goku Reveal
The newly released image shows Goku in his Super Saiyan form, flying toward the viewer with a determined look — all giant muscles, pure early-90s Dragon Ball Z energy. It captures exactly how Goku looked during the Android Saga, the arc running when the cover was published.
Toriyama drew it for the cover of Weekly Shonen Jump No. 36/37 double issue, released August 31, 1991 — to celebrate the magazine’s highest-ever circulation: 6.15 million copies. For perspective, fewer than one million copies of Weekly Shonen Jump are in circulation today. Dragon Ball wasn’t just popular in 1991 — it was moving millions of magazines by itself.
The Super Saiyan Gohan Draft Art
Alongside the Goku reveal, original draft-form art of the “four great Super Saiyans” was released — including a young Super Saiyan Gohan, shown in Toriyama’s raw, unfinished draft style. Seeing Gohan’s Super Saiyan form in Toriyama’s own rough drafts is a rare look at the character’s creation.
Why These Reveals Matter
- They’re drawn by Toriyama himself — not assistants, not anime staff. Every line is the creator’s hand.
- They mark historic moments — the 6.15 million circulation record still stands as the magazine’s all-time high.
- Draft art is rare — finished covers are famous; the rough drafts behind them almost never surface.
- Goku’s design evolution is visible — from the slim kid with a tail to the impossibly muscular Z-era Super Saiyan.
Goku’s Design Through the Years
| Era | Goku’s Look |
|---|---|
| Original Dragon Ball | Slim kid, then lean young adult |
| Z / Android Saga (1991) | Massively muscular Super Saiyan |
| Super era | Leaner, more streamlined |
| Beerus remake (2026) | Modern polish, classic spirit |
Latest Update
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Archive | Toriyama Archives |
| Goku art | Super Saiyan Goku, WSJ No. 36/37 cover, Aug 31, 1991 |
| Occasion | Record 6.15M magazine circulation |
| Gohan art | “Four great Super Saiyans” draft form |
| Status | Released October 2026 |
Latest update: October 11, 2026.
Important Information
- The artworks are archival releases — not new drawings. Toriyama drew them in 1991 and during the original manga run.
- The 6.15 million figure was Weekly Shonen Jump’s all-time circulation record.
- This article describes the releases; the images themselves belong to their respective rights holders.
FAQs
What did the Toriyama Archives reveal?
A raw original Super Saiyan Goku illustration from a 1991 Weekly Shonen Jump cover, plus draft-form art of the “four great Super Saiyans” including Super Saiyan Gohan.
When was the Super Saiyan Goku art drawn?
For the August 31, 1991 double issue of Weekly Shonen Jump (No. 36/37) — during the Android Saga.
Why was the 1991 cover special?
Toriyama drew it to celebrate Weekly Shonen Jump’s all-time record circulation of 6.15 million copies — a record that still stands.
What are the “four great Super Saiyans”?
The draft art release featuring four Super Saiyan characters in Toriyama’s original rough style, including a young Super Saiyan Gohan.
Where can I see the Toriyama Archives art?
Through the official Toriyama Archives releases, which regularly publish rare Toriyama drawings and designs.
Will more Toriyama art be released?
The Archives release new material regularly — each drop is announced through official Dragon Ball channels.
Related reading:
Dragon Ball Super arcs in order
Goku missing from Jump Festa 2027
