Dragon Ball has revealed a series of classic illustrations highlighting Goku’s beloved companion since his earliest conception in the series, Bulma.
User X (formerly Twitter) Todd Blankenship (@Herms98) recently showcased a series of vibrant promotional photos from the franchise’s early years. According to the post, these pictures were not drawn by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama but by another manga artist named Gaku Miyao, who is now known for their Kazan series. However, the illustrations adorned the covers of Showa’s line of Dragon Ball-themed laptops, designed to appeal to female fans of the series. So Miyao made Bulma the center of the campaign, including her in every illustration alongside Son Goku.
Bulma has been a main character in Toriyama’s iconic shounen title since the beginning, as she was the one who famously ran into Goku in Dragon Ball’s first chapter. What Bulma lacks in strength, she makes up for with a tech-savvy genius mind, allowing her to create impressive inventions like the Dragon Radar, a device designed to track down the legendary Dragon Balls. phone. After befriending Goku, she invites him on a mission to collect the Dragon Balls so she can summon the Eternal Dragon and ask for a wish. This journey eventually led Goku to abandon his solitary life and pursue martial arts studies under the guidance of Master Roshi.
Even in the sequels, Bulma retains a strong presence in the series, frequently using her technical know-how to aid the Z Fighters. Her son, Trunks, also serves as a key player for major sagas in both Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super. In Super, much of the series’ humor comes from Bulma’s interactions with Vegeta, who married her at some point after DBZ’s “Cell Saga.” Although Vegeta often acts emotionally distant, his love for Bulma is highlighted in a fan-favorite moment from Super, where he calls her “My Bulma!” in blind rage. The Dragon Ball Super manga later recreated this iconic moment with Gohan and his daughter Pan.
Bulma fans will be happy to know that another classic Dragon Ball anime is also being made by Toei. At New York Comic Con, the animation company announced plans for Dragon Ball Daima, a side adventure that serves as a bridge between Z and Super. The series follows the beloved cast as they deal with the consequences of a spell that turns them into children. As shown in the trailer, Bulma is one of the unfortunate victims of this spell and must accompany the Z warriors on their journey to find the culprit.
Dragon Ball Daima is scheduled to premiere in fall 2024. Toei’s Dragon Ball anime series is currently available to stream on Hulu and Crunchyroll. The manga is available in English on VIZ Media.
Source: X (formerly Twitter)