The new cover of the upcoming manga for Dragon Ball is the first designed by Toyotaro, the successor of the series’ creator. In an interview, he reveals why he drew this image – and what it means for the power level.
Which cover is it about? After a long break, due to the death of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball Super is finally continuing. The 24th volume was released on April 4, 2025, in Japan, and features 5 powerful warriors in their strongest form on its cover:
- Son-Goku with his Ultra Instinct
- Vegeta with his Ultra Ego
- Son-Gohan in his Beast form
- The Namekian as Orange Piccolo
- Broly has become the Legendary Super Saiyan (LSSJ) with his green hair
In an interview, Toyotaro asked his interview partner if she would like to know who the strongest of the warriors is. He wanted to show the rivalry of the group with the cover. He worked like crazy on the image and does not believe that he wants to spend so much time on a drawing again in the future.
But there is another fighter who is just as strong as the others. Toyotaro reveals which iconic villain is meant.
The arc of the last volume of Dragon Ball Super is also available as a movie:
A villain is as strong as Son-Goku and the others
Which villain is it about? If you flip the manga volume, you will see Black Freezer on the back. This is the strongest form of the villain, where he partially turns black.
According to the mangaka, he chose the black color because the black credit card would stand above the golden one, just as Freezer’s black form would stand above his golden one (via Dragon Ball Official). Toyotaro comments on this:
As I said, I wanted to represent the rivalry among the five, and this cover illustration arose from that. I worked like crazy on this cover, and I don’t believe I will spend that much time on a cover again in the future. Moreover, the Black Freezer is also seen on the back, who is also part of the discussion about the power dynamics.
Toyotaro, via Dragon Ball Official
So Freezer has a say in the strength contest in his strongest form. He is one of the first opponents of Son-Goku who come from outer space and is based on a real estate shark. But to this day, he can keep up with the power contest of the 6 important warriors.
Is that justified? Black Freezer manages to defeat Son-Goku and Vegeta in their respective strongest forms in chapter 87. He could easily kill them but spares them. So it is certainly justified that Freezer is included among the strongest forms of the Saiyans.
By the way: There is even a form of Freezer that has never made it into the anime. It might even be stronger than Black Freezer: In Dragon Ball, there was a special form of Freezer and Cell that only a fraction of the world has seen
