News culture The author of Naruto draws Son Goku with his style: he pays homage to Akira Toriyama in his own way
Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, died on March 1st. Since his death was announced a few days later, tributes have been pouring in for “the father of Shônen.” Many authors shared their grief. Among them is Masashi Kishimoto, the mangaka behind Naruto.
From Dragon Ball to Naruto and from Naruto to Dragon Ball: a graphic homage
For a week now, the manga world has been mourning the loss of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, died March 1 of a subdural hematoma. He was considered the father of shônen during his lifetime (and will undoubtedly remain so even after his death): these manga were aimed at a young audience that championed values such as determination, self-overcoming, and the importance of friendship. Many of today’s popular manga artists grew up with Toriyama’s work. This is the case, for example, of Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto. He honored him twice: with a text, but also with two drawings.
Honestly, I don’t know what to write about this sudden event. But for now, I would like to share my thoughts and feelings and hope that Mr. Toriyama would ask me about them one day. I’m into his manga “Dr. Slump” in the lower grades of elementary school and “Dragon Ball” in the upper grades, it was natural for me to have his manga in my life. Even when I was having a bad day, Dragon Ball made me forget. (…) When I met him, I was too nervous to say a single word. But after meeting him several times at the Tezuka Prize, I managed to talk to him. I’ll never forget the slightly embarrassed smile on your face as you and Mr. Oda excitedly talked about how much fun Dragon Ball was, as if you were kids again and taking part in a competition (…).
This is not the first time that Masashi Kishimoto has expressed his admiration for Akira Toriyama through drawings. A few years ago, Naruto’s father illustrated Goku as a child and Krillin. They are in a place that looks like Konoha Village with their outfits from the tournament arc with the same face as Naruto. What is it to think that both of them will take part in the exam Chunin, a major arc of Naruto before he became big! A mix of works but it doesn’t stop there as we can see a little additional reference.
An obvious reference to Dragon Ball in Naruto
In this drawing we see that Dragon Ball #4. If we draw this analogy with the number of demons (next to you) In NarutoIt is Yonbi what attracts attention. It is called a four-tailed monkey Son Gokulike the character of Dragon Ball. In Naruto, Son Goku’s vessel is called Roushin. This is one of the names attributed to Tortue Géniale (Muten Roshi). The latter became a hermit, like the Roushi of Naruto went into exile to control his own demon. Since two hermits with the same first name are Son Goku’s superiors, this is a bit too coincidental to be intentional.
Apparently Masashi Kishimoto isn’t the only one to have included references to Dragon Ball, as the latter has always influenced shônen works. One Piece, to quote another manga with enormous influence, contains numerous references to Dragon Ball. There is obviously the name Monkey D. Luffy, a reference to the ape-like origin of the Dragon Ball hero. Something we were able to find on his father, Monkey D. Dragon, This would be another great homage to Akira Toriyama.
