An old sketch of Gohan as a child by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama has been shown again in the official franchise website’s Toriyama Archives. Tuổi Trẻ reports that the drawing appeared in Akira Toriyama THE WORLD SPECIAL, published on 19 September 1990.
An older drawing revisited
The sketch shows Gohan with a fierce expression, in contrast to the gentler manner often associated with the character. According to the newspaper, it is neither a finished manga page nor a storyboard for a particular fight.
Tuổi Trẻ connects the image with the Frieza arc, when a young Gohan is involved in conflicts on the planet Namek. In the story, he sometimes displays sudden bursts of strength when friends or other people are threatened, although he cannot consistently sustain that level of power.
One episode described by the paper involves Frieza’s forces attacking the Namekians. Although Gohan and Krillin know they are outmatched, Gohan attacks Dodoria to protect Dende.
The character’s sudden strength
The report also recalls Gohan attacking Frieza after seeing Krillin impaled and believing his friend had died. His anger fuels a series of blows, but Frieza regains control. Tuổi Trẻ says Vegeta is surprised by the boy’s strength and notes that Dende later heals Gohan.
Those episodes explain the newspaper’s association between the intense drawing and the Namek period, without establishing that it illustrates a specific battle.
Tuổi Trẻ also reported that the anime Dragon Ball Super: Beerus began airing in Japan in October 2026, with improved visuals, added scenes and changes intended to bring it closer to the manga. Another project, Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol, adapting the Moro arc, has been announced and is in production.