Dragon Ball has revealed a stunning manga volume cover from almost 40 years ago that showcases Kid Goku, OG shapeshifter Oolong and an iconic nod to Akira Toriyama's vehicle designs for which the creator was so well-known.
The official Dragon Ball site recently unearthed the cover of Dragon Ball Volume 11, initially released nearly 40 years ago on Feb. 15, 1985. The cover pictures Goku and Oolong in a hurry on one of Toriyama's trademark vehicles and was unearthed as part of the regular Toriyama Archives series, where old and often rare art from the legendary creator is re-released for 24 hours only. Readers can check out the illustration below.
The Goku and Oolong illustration came with the following description: "Although Oolong didn't show up much in this part of the story, he certainly made a grand showing on the cover of this volume of Dragon Ball!! The aggressive design of the mech Oolong and Goku are riding is pretty cool too!"
Dragon Ball's Oolong Was Likely Partially Inspired by George Orwell's Animal Farm
Readers of George Orwell's Animal Farm will note the obvious inspiration behind Oolong's design. Early design drafts depict the character as a farmer before he's then pictured in a Chinese communist army outfit, similar to Animal Farm's Napoleon. A CBR feature highlights how several Dragon Ball characters were also inspired by the Chinese epic Journey to the West, including Goku and Oolong. While the former's role in the greater story can't be understated, Oolong's role largely diminished as the series progressed. Apart from the events of Battle of Gods, his role in Super has been minor. Nevertheless, he will always remain the first named character to have used the Dragon Balls.
The Dragon Ball manga is licensed in North America by VIZ. It describes Volume 11, where Goku and Oolong were featured above: "The Tenka'ichi Budôkai is heating up, and there can only be one winner! Last tournament's champion Jackie Chun goes up against three-eyed "Crane School" kung fu master Tenshinhan! Then, it's the long-awaited match between former classmates Goku and Kuririn--and guess who has some tricks up his sleeve! But Tenshinhan isn't just fighting to win, he's carrying out a deadly grudge--to avenge his master, the Crane Hermit, whose brother was killed by Goku. It all comes down to a final round so devastating the battlefield itself might not survive intact--let alone the spectators!"
Source: Dragon Ball official website
