Welcome to the Monthly Dragon Ball Report, your go-to series for a nostalgic trip through the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump during the golden days of the Dragon Ball manga! In this special edition, we’ll dive into some jaw-dropping V Jump covers featuring incredible illustrations by the legendary Akira Toriyama himself!
Cover of the September 1993 Issue: Dragon Ball Z Side Story
Let’s kick things off with the September 1993 issue! This was only V Jump’s third-ever release, launching just two months prior in July! Excitingly, this issue also marked the dawn of the Majin Buu arc!
Inside, you’ll find an enticing article on the Dragon Ball Z Side Story: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans, a highly-anticipated Famicom game hitting the shelves shortly after. This 12-page gem was packed with juicy info, even including an original story that fans couldn’t wait to experience! And guess what? Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans snagged second place in the “Third Game Software Rankings,” a reader-decided poll that showed just how much excitement it generated!
Cover of the December 1993 Issue: Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden 2
Next up, we have the December 1993 issue featuring an electrifying illustration of Gohan facing off against Perfect Cell! This cover accompanied an article on the exhilarating fighting game Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden 2.
The article introduced the thrilling “Butōden Mode,” set during the iconic Cell Games, and showcased some stunning in-game scenes that echoed unforgettable moments from the series. Plus, there was a dive into the Another World Budokai arc, an anime-original story airing concurrently, with a full recap of the tournament battles from start to finish!
Cover of the January 1994 Issue: Dragon Ball
Rolling into January 1994, we again see Gohan and Cell on the cover, this time with Goku joining the fray! This powerful illustration hints at the epic battles within. The real showstopper, however, is the announcement of the “World of Akira Toriyama” exhibition! This massive showcase traveled across Japan for two years, displaying stunning pieces of Toriyama’s artwork.
On the gaming front, we got a taste of the Dragon Ball Z arcade game, which wowed fans with its graphics that remain impressive even today! The issue also delved deep into the anime, exploring the opening and ending themes of the High School arc, complete with a fun corner where Goten and Trunks revealed secrets behind them!
Cover of the February 1994 Issue: Dragon Ball Z
Finally, we reach the February 1994 issue, once again showcasing Gohan on the cover! This marked the third consecutive issue featuring our favorite half-Saiyan hero, solidifying his role in this thrilling saga.
The February issue continued to hype up the “World of Akira Toriyama” exhibition, sharing details about exclusive pamphlets and how fans could join in on the excitement! It also revealed secrets about the elusive characters Goku and Broly in Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden 2. To unlock these hidden gems, players needed to input the secret code “Up-X-Down-B-L-Y-R-A” during the opening!
As for the anime highlights, we got to learn from the Great Saiyaman himself, who shared three essential tips for becoming a hero. And of course, he couldn’t resist offering a detailed guide on striking some seriously cool poses!
Just like the thrilling wait for each new Weekly Shonen Jump issue, we hope you’re excited for what’s to come in our next column!
