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Back in 1999 , manga artistAkira Toriyamawas at the top of his game . His manga serial — includingDr . Slump , Dragon Ball , andDragon Ball Z — had sold meg of copies and were massive hits when adapt into anime . Dragon Balland its sequel had recently broken through to the West via dissemination on American TV . At the same time , another fable was prevail pop culture . In the summertime of 1999,Star Warsreturned after a 16 - class absence seizure with a brand - new film : Episode I – The Phantom Menace .
Amid the world ballyhoo surrounding the cinema , some nifty details slipped through the wisecrack . One such gem?Akira Toriyama once drew a picture of young Anakin Skywalker — who would by and by become the dreadful Darth Vader — for an issue ofShōnen Jumpmagazine .
Toriyama’s Longtime Love for Star Wars
A Playful Contribution to the Phantom Menace Hype
Akira Toriyama was a avowed lover of the originalStar Warstrilogy ( 1977–1983 ) , which was aspopular and influential in Japanas it was around the existence . Before becoming a professional manga artist , Toriyama would sometimes sketchStar Warsparodies for exercise . Later , during his arrive at manga seriesDr . Slump , he include pop acculturation in - gag and even featured cameo appearance by characters like C-3PO and R2 - D2 .
As anticipation forThe Phantom Menacereached a febrility auction pitch in 1999 , lover — including Toriyama — were eager to see what the prequels had in store . In the spirit of fun , Toriyama submitted an original drawing of Anakin Skywalker ( played by Jake Lloyd ) alongside a Battle Droid as a joke entry for theWeekly Shōnen JumpNewcomer Award contest .
The Force Was Strong with Toriyama’sPhantom MenaceExcitement
Darth Vader… as a Kid? Toriyama Wasn’t Sure What to Think
Since the drawing was published before the motion picture ’s dismission , Toriyama wrote down his thoughts and expectations in the margins :
At last , a new Star Wars motion-picture show is add up ! Beyond just the tale , the atmosphere of its humankind and the various plan have always baffle me . The series sincerely turn on and influenced me a mint . Now , the clock time is approaching , and I ca n’t wait for the fourth moving-picture show !
in person , I do n’t see many familiar clew among the eccentric in this instalment , so when I see Darth Vader as a tiddler , I do n’t quite get it ( though I ’m excite for Ewan McGregor ) . ) However , from the trailer , the designs of the mechas , golem , and outlander wait impressive , and the particular effect are stunning . It should be really interesting — I ca n’t wait !
Did Toriyama Like The Phantom Menace? We May Never Know
Toriyama’s Likely Take: Mechas, Spectacle, and Fun
unluckily , we do n’t know Toriyama’sfinal thoughts onThe Phantom Menaceafter see it . The film grossed just under a billion buck in its initial discharge , but many buff and critics were underwhelmed by its more baby - favorable tone , exemplified by vernal Anakin Skywalker and the antic of Jar Jar Binks .
An consultation with one of Toriyama ’s coworkers before he became a mangaka share Modern item about the later fable ’s life before renown .
But knowing the lateToriyama , there ’s a good luck he enjoyed at least parts of it — specially the mechas , droids , and over - the - top spectacle . After all , if anyone could prize a movie filled with quirky aliens , mellow - hurrying races , and an overpowered warrior with spiky hair ( coughDarth Maulcough ) , it was him .
Source : Dragon Ball Perfect Shots on X
