After 37 years, Toyotarou brought one of Akira Toriyama’s old Goku ideas back to life. 🕯️
In 1989, Akira Toriyama, the original creator of Dragon Ball, drew an elderly version of Goku in the Dragon Ball Z Anime Special book. At the time, it was a playful joke about how long Dragon Ball might continue, with Toriyama imagining that Goku could someday look like an old man.
Now, in 2026, that small playful idea has returned in one of the most heartfelt ways possible.
Toyotarou, Toriyama’s successor and the artist behind Dragon Ball Super, created a new illustration of Elderly Goku based on Toriyama’s original drawing from 37 years ago.
Toyotarou reflected that even after all this time, the end of Dragon Ball is still nowhere in sight. He also left a touching message for Toriyama, saying that maybe one day fans will actually get to see Goku in this form.
That is what makes this artwork feel so special.
It is not just a new version of Goku. It feels like Toyotarou reaching back to a small joke Toriyama made decades ago and carrying it forward with love, respect, and gratitude.
Goku is still here. Dragon Ball is still moving forward. And Toriyama’s imagination is still guiding the journey, even now. ✨