Record-breaking Bid of $100,000 for Legendary Dragon Ball Goku Illustration at Auction
Goku's iconic illustration from Dragon Ball sets a new record, selling for an astounding $100,000 in a legendary auction This groundbreaking sale proves that Toriyama's art triumphs over even the acclaimed Berserk, leaving fans awestruck and redefining the value of anime artwork
While it is widely recognized that Dragon Ball reigns as the ultimate anime, its artistic value has not always been esteemed by other fan communities. In contrast, Kentaro Miura's Berserk has long been acclaimed as the unrivaled champion of manga art. However, recent events at an auction have challenged these assumptions.
Both series hold iconic status, yet the Dragon Ball artwork fetched a price that was more than twice that of the Berserk artwork. It is worth noting that the late Berserk mangaka has left behind only a limited number of original drawings, making them highly coveted and difficult to obtain. Regardless, Akira Toriyama's drawing managed to command a higher selling price.
Dragon Ball: Toriyama's art surpasses Berserk in a shocking auction
According to the auction details, the Berserk artwork depicted the main character Guts and was both illustrated and signed by the late Mangaka Kentaro Miura. Similarly, the Dragon Ball artwork showcased Kid Goku and was drawn and autographed by Mangaka Akira Toriyama.
While one might assume that Kentaro Miura's artwork would command a higher price due to his passing, the Guts artwork was actually sold for $43,000. In contrast, the autographed Goku artwork fetched a whopping $100,000, more than double the price of the other piece.
Goku, as depicted in the anime (Image courtesy of Toei Animation), holds great prominence. Although Kentaro Miura, a globally acclaimed Managaka possessing remarkable artistic abilities, commands admiration, it is Akira Toriyama's series that holds greater visibility. Consequently, Toriyama's exceptional work has bestowed upon the Mangaka the duty of creating the utmost beloved and influential animanga in the annals of history.
The series gained popularity and had a significant impact on other Shonen manga artists. Many of these artists participated in the Dragon Ball Super Gallery to honor the franchise's 40th anniversary.
Furthermore, Akira Toriyama was approached to design characters for the Dragon Quest video game, which became highly influential. This is why, despite the emotions surrounding the late Kentaro Miura, the artwork featuring Kid Goku sold for a higher price.
How fans reacted to the auction prices
Screenshot of fans' reaction to the auction prices (Image via Our Website/X)
Fans were taken aback by the lower selling price of the Berserk artwork, despite understanding the high value of the Goku artwork. They felt that Kentaro Miura's death should have had a greater impact on the price of his artwork.
On the other hand, certain fans were of the opinion that it was inappropriate to assign value to someone's artwork solely based on financial considerations.
Image via Our Website/X: Screenshot capturing the reactions of fans to the auction prices.
Simultaneously, some fans capitalized on this opportunity to shower praise upon Akira Toriyama. They unanimously regarded Berserk as the epitome of dark fantasy seinen series, while acknowledging the unparalleled worldwide recognition of Dragon Ball as the quintessential animanga. The immense popularity of Dragon Ball is largely attributed to its widespread exposure through the anime adaptation by Shueisha and Toei Animation.
Meanwhile, other fans contended that it was unnecessary to ridicule one artwork in order to commend the other. Both pieces were notable in their own right and boasted distinct reasons for their price points. Despite Goku's artwork commanding a higher price than Guts', this alone did not serve as irrefutable evidence of Dragon Ball's superiority over Berserk.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan, I'm thrilled to witness the record-breaking sale of the legendary Dragon Ball Goku illustration for $100,000 at auction. This groundbreaking event solidifies the immense artistic value of Akira Toriyama's work, surpassing even the highly acclaimed Berserk. It's a testament to the enduring popularity and global appeal of the Dragon Ball franchise.
While Berserk holds its own iconic status, the fact that Goku's illustration fetched more than double the price of Guts' artwork signifies the unparalleled impact of Dragon Ball. Despite the limited availability of original drawings by the late Kentaro Miura, Akira Toriyama's exceptional talent and the widespread recognition of his creation have propelled the value of his artwork to new heights.
