Find out how the worlds of Dragon Ball and the eternal story are united by a brief connection
Within the confines of our geek memory are treasures that, though buried by time, refresh with unusual light, bringing a sea of nostalgia and admiration. Imagine for a moment Goku, the brave monkey-tailed warrior, riding the classic Kinton Cloud or the mighty Shenron, but riding an orange dragon, but it evokes the Neverending Story’s legendary Falkor. This vision is not a figment of the imagination of the most creative fans, but from the pen of Akira Toriyama himself, who gave us an emotionally unique work of art in 1985.
A meeting of two worlds
In a revelation that surprised and delighted fans, Toriyama was revealed to be the mastermind behind Dragon Ball, a self-confessed fan of the 1984 film The Neverending Story, which captivated a generation. The art, originally created as a special article for this film, shows a young Goku riding on the back of a dragon, a direct nod to the image of Atreyu and Falkor’s lucky dragon.
This artistic gem, pulled from the depths of Toriyama’s archives, was unveiled on the official Dragon Ball site on April 8, as part of a section dedicated to old and rare images from the franchise. The illustration demonstrates not only Toriyama’s ability to cross creative boundaries, but also his ability to weave emotional connections with his fans, connecting the two fantastical worlds through the universality of friendship and adventure.
Toriyama’s legacy: inspiration beyond anime.
Toriyama’s influence extends beyond his paintings. Toyotaro, the original artist behind Dragon Ball Super, paid tribute to Toriyama’s legacy, reworking some of his early creations. This artistic continuity highlights how important Toriyama is not only as a creator, but as an inspiration to generations of artists both within and outside of the anime world.
Toriyama himself shared his admiration for The Neverending Story, a complex narrative that lends itself to dramatic translation on the big screen and is perfectly suited to the fantasy genre. His commentary and accompanying illustration first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1985, uniquely linking the global phenomenon of dragons in film and manga, from Smaug the Hobbit to Shenron in Dragon Ball.
Dragon Ball and the Eternal History: A Bridge Between Cultures
Dragon Ball isn’t just one of the greatest pieces of media of all time; It is a cultural event that has reached more than 80 countries beyond geographical and birth barriers. This universality, shared with the timeless The Neverending Story, underscores the ability of these stories to connect with the deepest parts of our being through adventures that explore friendship, courage, and the desire to improve.
The availability of Dragon Ball on platforms such as Hulu and Crunchyroll, and The Neverending Story on Prime Video and Apple TV+ ensures that these epic narratives continue to inspire new generations. Between Goku and Falkor, at the crossroads between Toriyama and ND, we find a reminder that in the vast universe of entertainment, the stories that truly move us are, somehow, never-ending.
Thus, Toriyama’s art invites us to remember, to dream, and to continue to believe in the magic of visual narrative, only to transcend limits. In this fusion of worlds, friendship stands as the ultimate bridge between stories, showing us that, whether in search of dragon balls or in a flight of fantasy, the true journey is one we travel together.