| Before DragonBall - Part 1 |
|
|
DRAGON BOY -to- THE ADVENTURES OF TONGPOO
Right before DragonBall began circulation, some works were drawn that could be considered its roots. These two classics are the origin for the characters of Goku and co. and the DragonBall world!
|
Dragon Boy / Chapters One and Two
Fresh Jump '83 August issue - October issue
|
 |
This work, DragonBall's direct origin, depicts the childish adventure of a boy with wings on his back. His childish personality is exactly the same as Goku's, and the China-like world could be said to be the roots of the DragonBall world. In Chapter Two, shape-shifting goblins who could be said to be the roots for Oolong and Puar appear.
 |
Is the "Ron-Bao", which has a dragon come out of it when hit with ki, the root of the dragonballs?! |
 |
Because of his background as an unworldly boy, he had never seen a girl before, just like Goku. |
|
|
The Adventures of Tongpoo
Weekly Shounen Jump '83 Issue 52
|
 |
The main character is the cyborg boy Tongpoo, who is traveling through the universe for the purpose of planetary exploration. This work became the origin of the Sci-Fi taste of DragonBall, where numerous original mecha appear. The personality of the precocious girl Plamo, who Tongpoo meets on the planet he visits, is the root of Bulma's personality.
 |
If you drop the capsule into boiling water, after 10 seconds an air-car will appear. This evolved and became the more convenient Hoi-Poi capsules. |
|
| Before DragonBall - Part 2 |
|
|
FIRST DRAFT -to- THIRD DRAFT
In preparation for DragonBall's serialization, numerous character designs were drawn and considered. Goku's appearance, as well as his personality, were gradually determined, making it just like a record of Goku's birth!
|
|
First Draft
The original Goku, who was actually a monkey.
From the very beginning it was decided that the new serialized story would be based on Journey to the West. Thus the completed first manuscript was exactly like Journey to the West itself. The only thing different from Journey to the West is that a young girl was playing the role of the Tripitaka. At the time of the first draft, they thought of having both the story and character designs be completely faithful to Journey to the West.
The decoration on his head, the Nyoibo,
and everything else is just like Son Goku
from Journey to the West. |
A Western-themed girl was depicted as a replacement character for Tripitaka. |
|
|
Second Draft
A smartly-dressed, city boy-style Son Goku! The setting was determined at this stage.
The second draft was drawn after it was decided to make the main character a human after all. The stylish-looking Son Goku wears sailor clothes like a naval officer. In place of the Kinto-Un, he rides a flight mecha. It was at this stage that it was decided to adopt a Chinese-themed setting with Sci-Fi elements.
The girl character who travels with Goku is fairly close to Bulma. The image for the world that would become the setting was also already drawn. |
|
|
Third Draft
Oolong and Yamcha were also completed at this time.
|
The idea for the dragonballs, seven spheres which grant a wish when gathered, debuted during this time. The characters and the opening story development were also roughly determined. Apart from the fact that Bulma's name and appearance are a trifle different, there's one more difference. Wh-why, Goku has no tail!
|
Pinchi & Goku |
| At this point, the initially appearing sub-characters where all determined. |
Yam-Cha |
Pu-Ar |
Oo-Long |
 GOKU IS BORN!!
The third draft's Goku grew a tail, his hair became more distinctive, and he debuted in print!
|
|
