Earlier this year on “Goku Day” (May 9th), the Dragon Ball Official Site kicked off a fan-based “Dragon Ball Super: My Favorite Cover Poll” in which fans from across the globe could submit their vote for their favorite cover artwork of the 24 existing Dragon Ball Super tankōbon covers as drawn by artist Toyotarō.

Today, in conjunction with a special “Dragon Ball Weekly News” segment featuring host (and Dragon Ball Super manga editor) “Victory Uchida” as well as Toyotarō himself, the winner of this poll was announced.

The duo began by reviewing the covers ranked #10 through #4:

The top three covers were then announced as Vol. 18 (third place), Vol. 24 (second place), and Vol. 19 (first place):

The full “Top 10” rounded out as:

• 10th: Vol. 3
• 9th: Vol. 15
• 8th: Vol. 4
• 7th: Vol. 1
• 6th: Vol. 11
• 5th: Vol. 14
• 4th: Vol. 23
• 3rd: Vol. 18
• 2nd: Vol. 24
• 1st: Vol. 19

Volume 24 in particular was called out as particularly beloved worldwide, and was actually #1 from English readers. Uchida also noted that he thinks it’s his favorite. The high ranking for this cover comes in contrast to criticism from Akira Toriyama’s original editor and outspoken storyteller Kazuhiko Torishima, who at Jump Festa last year raised a series of questions about the cover’s composition, such as what the characters are looking at, and who the main character actually is.

Following the announcement of the winning cover, Toyotarō and Uchida spoke a bit about the history and story behind the winning cover’s composition (NOTE: the following transcription is taken verbatim from the Dragon Ball Official Site’s own, likely/largely machine-translated, English text):

TOYOTARŌ: So, as I mentions earlier about 18, about how I wanted to highlight Bardock more prominently, the thing is that he was already featured in that volume. Namely, the connection he has with his son, Goku, was the central theme of the main story, so that got me thinking about a cool way to show off that familial bond. This is what I came up with. Bardock and his family reflected on the water surface, with Goku and his family standing prominently above it. It worked out so well with there being two sons in both groups. I realized I could just match the composition, and that’s how I drew it. There’s a moment where Bardock is walking and carrying the Space Pod on his shoulder, that scene is also depicted in my manga, as well as in the final part of the manga Akira Toriyama drew about Jaco. It’s where Bardock and Goku part ways, so that’s why I had Goku carry Goten in a similar pose. I drew it thinking it would make for a truly wonderful composition, and it looks like the readers agree, which makes me really happy.

UCHIDA: It’s amazing the way all three generations are connected.

TOYOTARŌ: Absolutely. And the front and back covers really delve deep into the connection between the generations. The composition on the back cover depicts Gohan’s family in the same manner adding in the coming of the next generation. Personally, I’m quite satisfied with how I was able to convey these three generations. I think Goku carried Gohan in the same manner, in one arm, when he brought him to Kame House for the first time. I felt I could recreate that same pose and composition. Bardock carrying the pod and Goku carrying Gohan; both appear in the original manga, after all. I feel I was able to make a really nice connection. Personally, I think the composition turned out quite well. It’s another favorite of mine.

As a surprise alongside the winning cover announcement, Toyotarō provided a special alternate illustration featuring Vegeta’s family (including Tarble and a special mystery character, who is highly inferred to be Vegeta’s mother), which the duo further discussed (NOTE: similar to the quotation above, the following transcription is taken verbatim from the Dragon Ball Official Site’s own, likely/largely machine-translated, English text):

UCHIDA: This one also packs an emotional punch!

TOYOTARŌ: Yes, when I heard this cover would take 1st place, I was almost immediately hit with inspiration. I was asked to draw an alternate version related to the story or its aftermath, or the same illustration from a different angle. Nothing specific, so long as it was related to the covers that took 1st place. When I heard it was going to be this one, I knew it had to be Vegeta and his family. In fact, I initially contemplated using Vegeta’s family for the back cover of Volume 19.

UCHIDA: Oh wow, you don’t say?

TOYOTARŌ: Yes, that’s why I figured I’d go with Vegeta and his family here. Plus, it just so happened that both Vegeta and King Vegeta had families with two children, so it matched the composition.

UCHIDA: There’s a link there.

TOYOTARŌ: Yes, exactly. I was really hoping to match the composition using Vegeta and his son and daughter. There’s a character that gave me some issues, though.

UCHIDA: The mystery character?

TOYOTARŌ: Yes, they make an appearance, so this is how I dealt with it. But I think I managed to preserve the secrecy.

UCHIDA: You did. They’re still shrouded in mystery.

TOYOTARŌ: I won’t reveal anything but check out Bulma’s reflection. That’s why I can’t say who — I mean, I have no idea who it is!

UCHIDA: Right, we don’t have a clue.

TOYOTARŌ: Nobody does. I had to sidestep this one character, but the idea for that composition came to me suddenly. I quite enjoyed drawing it.

The Dragon Ball Official Site is holding a giveaway for merchandise featuring the winning illustration on their Japanese Twitter account, which is only open to those living in Japan, who can enter by following and reposting the campaign post.

The Dragon Ball Super manga went on hiatus following chapter 103’s release and the passing of Akira Toriyama in March 2024. Articles on the official website have noted its intended return, and tiny splashes in V-Jump each month continue to note that it will be off each subsequent issue. In the meantime, the series has thus far returned a single time (chapter 104 in February 2025), and has otherwise returned to the usual text splashes noting the ongoing hiatus.