Akira Toriyama

AKIRA TORIYAMA (Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, 1955–2024).
DRAGON BALL “Kid Buu.”
Animal Cell + background + illustration.
Measurements: 24 x 27 cm.
Original animation cell (anime cel) with background and preparatory drawing (douga). This piece is linked to the Dragon Ball Z universe, an animated adaptation of Akira Toriyama’s famous manga, produced by Toei Animation. It depicts Kid Buu, the original and most unpredictable form of Majin Buu, the central antagonist of the series’ final saga.
Dragon Ball was originally inspired by the 16th-century Chinese classic novel Journey to the West, combined with elements from Hong Kong martial arts films. The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Son Goku from childhood through adulthood as he trains in martial arts. He spends his childhood far from civilization until he meets a teenage girl named Bulma, who encourages him to join her quest to explore the world in search of the seven orbs known as the Dragon Balls, which summon a wish-granting dragon when gathered together. Throughout his journey, Goku makes several more friends, becomes a family man, discovers his alien heritage, and battles a wide variety of villains, many of whom are also searching for the Dragon Balls.