Dragon Ball Brings Back Original Z-Fighters in Rare Akira Toriyama Release

The Z-Fighters have changed their roster considerably since the early days of Dragon Ball when the group was called the Dragon Team and Goku’s closest companions were Bulma, Oolong, and Yamcha. Of those three, only one remains a Z-Fighter and even then, Yamcha barely counts these days. Every other than, the Official Dragon Ball Site releases rare, and sometimes lost, artwork from Akira Toriyama’s collection.

The latest entry of the Toriyama Archives brings back DBZ’s original Z-Fighters in a rare piece from 1989. Dragon Ball Z was in the midst of the Saiyan Saga’s final battle at the time, and with most of the main cast dead, this would mark one of the last times Goku would be featured with characters like Yamcha, Bulma, and Roshi for a very long time. It’s easy to take for granted, but following the Saiyan Saga, Goku doesn’t see any of his friends (except Krillin) again until the start of the Cell Saga.

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Dragon Ball Officially Releases Hard to Find Z-Fighter Art From Toriyama’s Archives

The September 25, 2026 edition of the Toriyama Archives puts the spotlight on artwork Akira Toriyama drew for the Jump Summer Festival featured in Weekly Shonen Jump 1989 No. 36. The illustration is titled the “Epic Jump Hero Battle! Watermelon Cutting Contest!” and features Bulma blindfolding Goku, presumably about to strike Krillin with the Power Pole. In the background, Yamcha, Puar, Roshi, and Gohan happily wait for Goku to attack his best friend (who looks absolutely miserable with a watermelon on his head).

Except for Oolong and Launch, the entire original main cast is accounted for in the illustration, and Gohan’s inclusion makes perfect sense considering he’s Goku’s son and that Dragon Ball Z was already treating him as the story’s co-lead. The issue marked the debut of Dragon Ball Chapter 236 (Dragon Ball Z Chapter 42), where Gohan, Krillin, and Yajirobe desperately try to defeat Vegeta for good. Weekly Shonen Jump 1989 No. 36 also included the first chapter of DIO’s World, the final arc in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders.

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The Humans Will Finally Be Back in Action in Dragon Ball Super 2

The Tournament of Power gave the humans some spotlight in Dragon Ball Super, but only in the anime and none of the three Earthlings did particularly well (with Tien putting in a downright shameful performance). Fortunately, Dragon Ball Super 2 will be giving the humans a chance at redemption. Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol will eventually build up to a final battle between Moro’s army of powerful criminals and every single Z-Fighter: from Piccolo and Gohan, to Roshi, Tien, Chiaotzu, Yamcha, Jaco, and the Androids.

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Unless the Black Frieza Saga gives Earth’s heroes some battles against the Frieza Force, the war against Moro will mark the last time the original Z-Fighters will do anything important in Dragon Ball Super 2. Krillin, Roshi, Tien, Yamcha, and even Chiaotzu are all going to get some great character moments and fights – some of their best in years. Of course, the story is mainly going to focus on Goku and Vegeta, but there will be at least a few episodes dedicated purely to the humans reminding everyone why they became Z-Fighters in the first place.