Dragon Ball has given Goku many epic transformations over the years. Dragon Ball Super has also witnessed many such forms. But one form in particular might not be Akira Toriyama’s original idea, because something extremely similar was predicted in a fan-made doujinshi.
Toyotarou, the illustrator of Dragon Ball Super can be called the luckiest fan alive. Why? Because not only is he the illustrator of Dragon Ball Super but one of his unofficial doujinshi could have inspired a Dragon Ball ritual.
The Goku Summoning Ritual in Toyotarou’s Dragon Ball Doujinshi
Toyotarou posted a doujinshi (fan-created manga) named Dragon Ball AF in 2003. Back then went by the name of ‘Toyble.’ In this particular doujinshi, Goku resided in the Ryu’oshin Realm or Demon Realm, which is also described as a physical plane that exists outside of the known universe. In this realm, Goku is a living vessel for Shenron’s spirit in the manga.
The plot requires him to return to the Earth but only the power of seven Super Saiyans can bring him back. In Dragon Ball AF, the ceremony consisted of Gohan, Vegeta, Trunks, Goten, Pan, Bulla, and Broly. They joined forces to revive the seven Dragon Balls by pouring their energy directly into them.
If the ceremony is carried out successfully, Goku will be summoned to the Earth like Shenron. In the manga, Goku is a necessary force to battle against Xicor, the villain who is also Goku’s lab-created biological son.
Similarities with Dragon Ball‘s Super Saiyan God Ceremony
Super Saiyan God is a transformation obtained by Goku through a ritual involving six Saiyans. It first debuted in the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods movie and was featured in the Dragon Ball Super anime in its ninth episode.
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The ritual requires five righteous Saiyans and another Saiyan who would be used as a channel. In this ceremony, the Saiyans involved hold hands to form a circle and transfer their ki into one Saiyan who attains the Super Saiyan God form.
This ritual is extremely similar to the one used in Dragon Ball AF. In fact, even the numbers of Saiyans required are similar. Both of them are used to power Goku or to summon him back to battle a strong enemy.
Furthermore, Dragon Ball AF was posted in 2003, a long time before Akira Toriyama‘s death. In fact, the Super Saiyan God ritual debuted in the Battle of Gods movie, which also came out long before the beloved mangaka passed away.
It is entirely possible that Toyotarou’s doujinshi inspired the Super Saiyan God ceremony in Dragon Ball. Given that Toyotarou is the illustrator of the series, a transfer of idea is a natural thing to happen.
You can read Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Super on Viz Media and watch the anime on Crunchyroll.
