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  Daizenshuu EX - Multimedia - Images - Character Designs  
     
 

These various character designs all come from two sources: the series of books called the daizenshuu, and the paperback DBZ anime guide, Son Gokû Densetsu. Some books contain designs that were scrapped (see the first selection of images!), while others contain official designs by Akira Toriyama made specifically for the anime (such as movie villains). Have fun looking around!

Official DBZ (TV / Manga) Potential Character Designs
The first few selections here come from daizenshuu ("Complete Collection") #4, in the poster at the very beginning of the volume. What's fun about them is that they show what COULD have wound up being the characters! Look as Super Saiyan 3 Goku has...a tail? Cell has horns? Buu is Casper the Friendly Ghost? All of them have been edited, meaning I've taken out other characters that kinda overlapped into others.

001 - Potential character design for Cell

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002 - Potential character design for teenage Gohan
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003 - Potential character design for Kaiô-sama
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004 - Potential character design for Mr. Popo
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005 - Potential character design for Mr. Satan & Majin Buu
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006 - Potential character design for SSJ3 Goku
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Official DBZ Movie Character Designs by Akira Toriyama - DBZ Movie 2

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"The genius scientist after Goku's body, Dr. Uiro. Toriyama-sensei designed the mecha body that holds Dr. Uiro's brain."

Toriyama-sensei designed the appearance for Dr. Uiro, though the final design seems to have altered slightly from Toriyama-sensei's original thoughts. This is from the second DBZ movie, Kono Yo de Ichiban Tsuyoi Yatsu ("The World's Strongest Guy").

001 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Dr. Uiro
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Official DBZ Movie Character Designs by Akira Toriyama - DBZ Movie 3

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"Even the Shinseiju [Tree of Godly Might], which grows by sucking up the Earth's power, was Toriyama-sensei's design. It is gigantic, and an ominous feeling emanates from it."

Toriyama-sensei designed the appearance for the Shinseiju, amazingly enough. There are two notes that are simply too small and scribbled to be read, even scanned and blown-up from the original book (if anyone can, in fact, read these... please let us know!) This is from the third DBZ movie, Chikyû Marugoto Chô-Kessen ("Super Deciding Battle for the Entire Planet Earth").

001 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for the Shinseiju
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Official DBZ Movie Character Designs by Akira Toriyama - DBZ Movie 4

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"In this work, which chronicles the Namekian, Slug's, assault, Slug's design was drawn [by Toriyama]. It's a design where you can really tell the atmosphere of evil."

Toriyama-sensei designed the appearance for the Slug. He also included all sorts of notes regarding a facial scar, teeth, and more. This is from the fourth DBZ movie, Sûpâ Saiya-jin da Son Gokû ("Super Saiyan Son Goku").

001 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Slug
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Official DBZ Movie Character Designs by Akira Toriyama - DBZ Movie 5

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"Even for original characters that appeared in the movies, their designs were drawn that way thanks to Toriyama-sensei. Here, let's introduce the numerous design illustrations that were done that way!

For this original work, the enemy boss Coola, as well as his three henchmen in the Coola Armored Squad, were designed. Additionally, Super Saiyan Goku was also drawn."

Toriyama-sensei designed the appearances for Goku's first appearence in the DBZ movies as a Super Saiyan, as well as Coola's two forms and Coola's Armored Squad. These are all from the fifth DBZ movie, Tobikkiri no Saikyô tai Saikyô ("The Incredible Mightest vs. Mightest").

001 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for SSJ Goku
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002 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Coola
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003 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Coola's Armored Squad
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Official DBZ Movie Character Designs by Akira Toriyama - DBZ Movie 8

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"The debut of Broli, who is no doubt the mightiest Saiyan. The designs for his slender form in the first half of the story, as well as his fiendish form after he transformed into a Super Saiyan, were drawn [by Toriyama]. Broli is included in original works, appearing in three of the theatrical films."

Toriyama-sensei designed the appearance for Broli, and even offered a few more suggestions and ideas (such as not caring whether or not Broli retained his tail). This is from the eigth DBZ movie, Moetsukiro!! Nessen • Ressen • Chô-Gekisen ("Burn Up!! A Close, Intense, Super-Fierce Battle").

001 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Broli
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Official DBZ Movie Character Designs by Akira Toriyama - DBZ Movie 9

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"Taking aim at the Earth after Goku's death are the roughnecks of space, Bojack's gang. Those whom Toriyama-sensei drew for this production were Bojack and his four hench-warriors. All of them are colored in by Toriyama-sensei's hand. Even in the designs used in the anime, there were no large alterations. A female warrior, unusual among enemy characters, also appears."

Toriyama-sensei designed the initial appearances for Bojack and all of his henchmen (Zangya, Bido, Bujin, and Gokua). These are all from the ninth DBZ movie, Ginga Giri-Giri!! Butchigiri no Sugoi Yatsu ("The Galaxy at the Brink!! The Super Incredible Guy").

001 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Bojack
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002 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Bojack's henchmen
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Official DBZ Movie Character Designs by Akira Toriyama - DBZ Movie 13

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"The monster Hildegarn is awakened from its thousand-year slumber. Goku and company, together with the hero Tapion, fight against it. The hero Taipion and his little brother Minoshia are new designs. He is a handsome alien hero."

Toriyama-sensei designed appearances for Tapion and his little brother Minoshia. Toriyama also threw in his input for Tapion's name, making the call from "Tapioka" to the name we know. These are all from the thirteenth DBZ movie, Ryû-Ken Bakuhatsu!! Gokû ga Yaraneba Dare ga Yaru ("Dragon Fist Explosion!! If Goku Won't Do It, Who Will?").

01 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Tapion
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02 - Akira Toriyama's Movie Character Design for Minoshia
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Official DBZ Character Designs by Nakatsuru & Toriyama - DBZ TV Special 1

Introductory text translated from daizenshuu 6

"The battle between Freeza and Goku's father Bardock, drawn in a TV Special. Toriyama-sensei drew up the designs for Bardock and his team of 4 Saiyan warriors."

This one is a little more complicated than it looks. While Toriyama-sensei did contribute design sketches for Bardock and his four team members, and even threw in his input for their hair color and names, they are not originally his creations. Rather, they are the original work of DBZ and DBGT character designer Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru. See our Tidbit on the subject for more info!

These are all from the first DBZ TV special, Tatta Hitori no Saishû Kessen ~Furîza ni Idonda Z Senshi Kakarotto no Chichi~ ("A Lonesome, Final Battle: The Father of Z-Warrior Kakarrot, who Challenged Freeza").

01 - Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru's Original Designs for Bardock & Team
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02 - Akira Toriyama's Character Design Sketch for Bardock
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03 - Akira Toriyama's Character Design Sketch for Bardock's Team
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