Entering 1988 the series has only just recently surpassed 150 chapters and continues on with the Demon King Piccolo story arc, a period that Akira Toriyama describes in his Daizenshuu 2 interview as “the most interesting to draw”. The author also notes in his Daizenshuu 4 interview that he had not planned Piccolo’s background, but later thought of the idea of him being Namekian when he was developing the background for God’s first appearance. At the same time, much to the angst of his editor Kazuhiko Torishima, Toriyama decides to skip the story ahead three years and have Goku grow up. After going through with it, Toriyama notes in his author comment for issue #19 that he was “nervous at how the fans would react” to this change, but is relieved at the “positive response”. Torishima later recounts in 1995 during a past editors round-table discussion included in the 2nd Shenlong Times issue that Goku growing up “was the biggest crisis for [the series’] serialization”.
With the 23rd Tenka’ichi Budōkai story nearing its end, and now under the supervision of his new editor Yū Kondō, Toriyama decides another time skip is necessary to make an abrupt transition to the series’ story, although this time to delve into Goku’s past — the Saiyans. Similar to what he did with Piccolo’s background, Toriyama adapted by attributing many of Goku’s existing signature features, traits, and abnormal abilities (hair, tail, Ōzaru transformation, and remarkable strength) to his Saiyan lineage. Taking advantage of the newly established Saiyan heritage as laid out by Goku’s older brother Raditz, Toriyama also introduces Goku’s son, Gohan, a scholarly child who possesses enormous hidden Saiyan power. From this point on, the story line of the Dragon Ball manga drastically shifts to primarily revolve around the warriors of the Saiyan race.
As of the 5th issue of the year, which is actually the last issue published in 1987, Weekly Shōnen Jump celebrates 4.85 million copies in circulation. By the end of 1988, the number of copies in circulation has increased to 5 million. Throughout the year Dragon Ball is the featured illustration on three issues, although the cover illustration from issue #38 has unfortunately never been reprinted in either Daizenshuu 1 or the Chōgashū. Unlike previous years, Dragon Ball is not featured in any bonus material, such as calendars, foldout posters, or sticker packs. However, the series’ third anniversary is celebrated with a colored chapter in issue #13, which also marked the magazines 1,000th issue.
Over the course of the year Shueisha would release five new collected tankōbon volumes, with three featuring new cover art drawn by Toriyama and two recycling previous artwork from chapter title pages. This marks the last time previous artwork was recycled for tankōbon covers, as the remaining 27 tankōbon volumes would all feature exclusively drawn cover art from Toriyama. The twelfth volume, released in April 1988, also marks the final inclusion of a Q&A section with Toriyama in which he answers questions submitted by fans. With his increasingly hectic schedule and workload, Toriyama is finding it harder than ever to find time away from work.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Weekly Shōnen Jump, Shueisha hosts a touring “Jump Anime Carnival” from September thru November across various cities in Japan. This event would eventually become what is now the “Jump Super Anime Tour”. As a part of the celebration three original animated works are produced by Shueisha and screened, including Toriyama’s Kosuke-sama, Rikimaru-sama. The comical story follows two powerful brothers who protect Konpei Island, where the last dragon in the world lives. Toriyama is heavily involved with the project’s production, including writing the initial script, providing the majority of the character designs, and attending production meetings to provide input and guidance. Toriyama even attends the “Jump Anime Carnival” premiere in Kagoshima on 23 September 1988, which is his first time traveling to Kyushu, the most southwesterly of Japan’s four main islands.
Weekly Jump Issues
Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #01/02
- 01 January 1988
- Issue Date
- 01 December 1987
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #03/04
- 08 January 1988
- Issue Date
- 08 December 1987
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #05
- 15 January 1988
- Issue Date
- 18 December 1987
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- ¥190 (no tax)
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #06
- 22 January 1988
- Issue Date
- 04 January 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #07
- 29 January 1988
- Issue Date
- 12 January 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #08
- 01 February 1988
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- 19 January 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #09
- 08 February 1988
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- 26 January 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #10
- 15 February 1988
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- 02 February 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #11
- 22 February 1988
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- 09 February 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #12
- 29 February 1988
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- 16 February 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #13
- 07 March 1988
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- 23 February 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #14
- 14 March 1988
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- 01 March 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #15
- 21 March 1988
- Issue Date
- 08 March 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #16
- 28 March 1988
- Issue Date
- 15 March 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #17
- 04 April 1988
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- 19 March 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #18
- 11 April 1988
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- 29 March 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #19
- 18 April 1988
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- 05 April 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #20
- 25 April 1988
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- 12 April 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #21
- 02 May 1988
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- 19 April 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #22
- 09 May 1988
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- 26 April 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #23
- 16 May 1988
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- 02 May 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #24
- 23 May 1988
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- 10 May 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #25
- 30 May 1988
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- 17 May 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #26
- 06 June 1988
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- 24 May 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #27
- 13 June 1988
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- 31 May 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #28
- 20 June 1988
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- 07 June 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #29
- 27 June 1988
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- 14 June 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #30
- 04 July 1988
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- 21 June 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #31
- 11 July 1988
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- 28 June 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #32
- 18 July 1988
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- 05 July 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #33
- 25 July 1988
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- 12 July 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #34
- 01 August 1988
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- 19 July 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #35
- 08 August 1988
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- 26 July 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #36
- 15 August 1988
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- 02 August 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #37
- 22 August 1988
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- 09 August 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #38
- 29 August 1988
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- 12 August 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #39
- 05 September 1988
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- 23 August 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #40
- 12 September 1988
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- 30 August 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #41
- 19 September 1988
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- 06 September 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #42
- 26 September 1988
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- 13 September 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #43
- 03 October 1988
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- 20 September 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #44
- 10 October 1988
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- 27 September 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #45
- 17 October 1988
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- 04 October 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #46
- 24 October 1988
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- 08 October 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #47
- 31 October 1988
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- 18 October 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #48
- 07 November 1988
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- 25 October 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #49
- 14 November 1988
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- 01 November 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #50
- 21 November 1988
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- 08 November 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #51
- 28 November 1988
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- 15 November 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #52
- 05 December 1988
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- 22 November 1988
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Weekly Shōnen Jump 1988 #53
- 12 December 1988
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- 29 November 1988
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