Rare Akira Toriyama Art of Gohan’s Great Saiyaman Surfaces

Dragon Ball fans are celebrating the release of a rare draft page from the original Dragon Ball manga, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the beloved Great Saiyaman Arc. The artwork, shared through the Toriyama Archives on the official Dragon Ball website, showcases a unique glimpse into the creation of this iconic storyline.

A Look at the Draft Art

The draft page, originally produced for Dragon Ball: Tale 452 from 1994’s Weekly Shonen Jump No. 3/4 Double Issue, features partially finished lettering and vibrant full-color illustrations. According to the Toriyama Archives, the draft is “one-of-a-kind” and hadn’t yet received dialogue when it was created. The artwork prominently displays both Babidi and the interior of his spaceship, alongside Gohan in his Great Saiyaman outfit. [CBR]

The Great Saiyaman: A Hero’s Origin

The Great Saiyaman is Gohan’s alter ego, first introduced in Chapter 421 of the original Dragon Ball manga. Bulma designed the costume at Gohan’s request, allowing him to use his powers for good and fight crime while protecting his personal life and loved ones. [CBR] Prior to becoming the Great Saiyaman, Gohan briefly operated as the Golden Fighter after unintentionally transforming into a Super Saiyan while stopping a bank robbery.

Beyond the Manga: The Saiyaman’s Impact

The Great Saiyaman’s popularity extended beyond the manga, inspiring an in-universe multimedia franchise. Still, the production of Great Saiyaman vs. Mr. Satan faced challenges, including the possession of its star, Watagash. [CBR]

Videl, Mr. Satan’s daughter, also took on the mantle of the Great Saiyaman, becoming Saiyawoman, and fought alongside Gohan. This dynamic was a key element of the 1995 film, Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon. [CBR]

Future Dragon Ball Content

While fans await the continuation of the Dragon Ball Super manga (currently on hiatus for the upcoming V Jump April 2026 special issue), there is plenty of new Dragon Ball content on the horizon. Multiple Dragon Ball Super anime productions are in development, including Dragon Ball Super: Galactic Patrol, which will adapt the Galactic Patrol Prisoner Saga from the manga.

Arc Information: Great Saiyaman Saga

The Great Saiyaman Saga originally ran from September 8, 1993, to March 2, 1994, encompassing 20 episodes of Dragon Ball Z (Episodes 200-219) and 25 chapters of the Dragon Ball manga (Chapters 421-445). [Kanzenshuu] The saga follows a 16-year-old Gohan as he navigates high school and fights crime as the Great Saiyaman in Satan City, equipped with a transformation switch created by Bulma. [Kanzenshuu] The arc also features the Tenka’ichi Budōkai tournament and the introduction of mysterious participants like Shin, and Kibito.