A Year Ago, the Official “Dragon Ball” Website Surprised Fans by Sharing a Valuable Piece of History from the Franchise.
It was the original sketch of the “Dragon Ball Z” logo, drawn by the creator Akira Toriyama himself. These carefully preserved designs illustrate how the initial image of one of the most iconic series of all time was formed.
In the sketches, it is noticeable that all logos prominently feature a large “Z” as the main component, intersected by a stylized line, while the title uses bold and striking letters. Although the designs are similar, there are some notable differences in the arrangement of the name compared to the letter “Z”. For instance, one of the logos includes Shenron, whose face emerges from the title—an idea that may have been dismissed by Toei Animation for being too childish compared to the tone they were seeking.
Ultimately, Toei opted for a simpler design, inspired by the original “Dragon Ball” logo, but applied a more “stylized” font suggested by Toriyama and added a touch of red to the distinctive “Z”. This final result is a clear example of how Toriyama’s ideas influenced the final product, something fans greatly appreciate.
The Name Dragon Ball Z Also Has an Interesting Story.
In an interview featured in the “TV Son Gokuu Densetsu” guide, Toriyama explained that he chose the letter “Z” because it is the last letter of the alphabet, reflecting his desire to conclude the manga at that time.
According to editor Kazuhiko Torishima’s revelations in an interview with Forbes, the renaming was more strategic than one might think. With a new anime production team, the title “Dragon Ball Z” became an opportunity to revive the series, attract more advertising investment, and bring a fresh breeze to the franchise.
Interestingly, there were other names considered before deciding on “Z”, such as “Dragon Ball: Gohan’s Great Adventure”, “Dragon Ball 90’s”, and “Dragon Ball: The Boy Wonder”. However, in the end, Toriyama’s suggestion prevailed, perfectly encapsulating the “final chapter” feeling that the author wanted to convey.