Dragon Ballremains one of the most iconic anime and manga franchises on the planet. From humble beginnings in 1984 to a multimedia juggernaut spanning decades, the series has outlived trends, studios, and even its creator, Akira Toriyama,who passed away in early 2024. Yet his imaginative legacy refuses to sit still. In a recent update to theDragon Ballonline archive, fans were given a brief, unexpected look at one of Toriyama’s never-before-seen drawings. What it revealed was not a flashy battle scene or a new transformation. It was something deeper:a rough, conceptual map of Earth, Heaven, and Hell as depicted inDragon Ball.
The drawing, which was live on theDragon Ball Official Sitefor a limited time in May 2025, shows a side view of Toriyama’s afterlife hierarchy. Labeled in his handwriting are the realms of the living world or Earth, the heavenly world, and the underworld or hell. The visual layout mirrors elements seen inDragon Ball Z, like King Yemma’s office, the Snake Way, and even the demon-infested Makai. While longtime fans have seen pieces of this cosmic structure before, this particular drawing links them all together in a rare and truly mythological way.
Origins of Akira Toriyama’s Sketch
Decoding the Dragon Ball Universe
According to commentary published alongside the sketch, the drawing dates back tothe earlyDragon Ball Zproduction era, most likely during the Saiyan or early Frieza sagas. At the time, Toei Animation was working to visualize Toriyama’s expanding cosmology, and he reportedly sent over rough drafts and location ideas to guide the anime staff. This sketch was likely one of them. Earth is shown floating above a swirling ring that resembles Snake Way, with Heaven above and Hell below. The structure reflects Buddhist cosmology, but Toriyama simplified everything in his signature, humorous, readable style.
Zooming in on the details, the drawing shows tiny stick figures traveling from Earth to the afterlife, some flying, some walking. Snake Way curls like a noodle across the page. Heaven is illustrated as a peaceful realm, possibly representing the Kaiōs’ domain, while Hell is a prison-like space full of shadows and flames. What stands out is the inclusion of upper management areas like the Check-In Station and King Yemma’s palace. The entire system takes on a bureaucratic tone. This fits with Toriyama’s sensibilities, filtering otherworldly concepts through comedy and administrative absurdity.
Into the Demon Realm and Beyond
A Universe That is Still Unfolding
This sketch also helps explain one of the most unique features ofDragon Ball:how characters often return from the dead. In a 1995 interview, Toriyama admitted that he designed the afterlife to be practical, not religious. “It’s just a place where people go, and maybe come back from, if the story needs it,” he said. The drawing shows why this works. With roads and gates between realms, resurrection becomes less mystical and more like a well-timed commute. It helps explain how characters like Goku, Vegeta, and even villains could return when needed.
One of the more intriguing parts of the sketch is the label for Makai, the Demon Realm. Though rarely featured in the anime, it has appeared in games and spin-offs likeDragon Ball HeroesandFusion Reborn. The drawing places Makai near Hell, suggesting it is an adjacent, hidden realm. This layout is supported byDragon Ball GTand fan guidebooks, which mention alternate dimensions beneath the living world.Some fans believe this drawing could even influence future stories,possibly bringing the Demon Realminto the canon storyline.
This sketch does not just add to the lore; it enrichesDragon Ball’sview of life, death, and what lies beyond.
In the end, what began as a reference drawing for production staff now feels like a key to understandingDragon Ball’sdeeper structure. Even after more than thirty years since its debut, andmore than a year after Toriyama’s death, his work continues to teach and surprise. This sketch does not just add to the lore; it enriches the series’ view of life, death, and what lies beyond. The journey through the afterlife was always more than just a plot device. It was a part of Toriyama’s worldview, scribbled in pencil, waiting to be found.
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
