10 Best Dragon Ball Super Manga Volume Covers, Ranked (2024)

The Dragon Ball manga is known for its stunning art. From its beautiful page work and character designs to the paneling, the manga earned Akira Toriyama praise from readers and other mangakas for how clear his direction is during fight scenes. For 42 volumes, Toriyama did the cover art and manga until the series concluded. However, Toriyama returned to storytelling, not art, when the series returned with Dragon Ball Super.

While the original manga featured cover art by legendary artist Akira Toriyama, the manga for Dragon Ball Super has its art done by the successor to the series, Toyotarou. Toriyama picked Toyotarou as his successor after seeing how well he drew Dragon Ball in his style, and as a result, Toyotarou became the leading artist in the manga. After Toriyama's passing, the Dragon Ball Super manga has been on hiatus as Toyotarou and Shueisha continue grieving the legendary mangaka's passing. Of the 20+ volumes released, these 10 have some of the best art, concepts, and themes, which is how they'll be ranked.

10 Volume 8: Sign of Son Goku's Awakening

Covers Chapters 37-40 & Bonus Story 3

This volume cover is a charming outing of a scene that Dragon Ball fans never see. Goku and his friends and family enjoy their time at an amusement park. Specifically, Goku and Krillin are taking charge, almost breaking out of the cover panel as they ride a capsule corp machine. Just like old Dragon Ball manga covers, Toyotarou showed the Z-Fighters enjoying themselves outside of fighting. This helps show audiences that even when the world isn't in danger, the friendships and bonds of the Z-fighters are just as strong as ever. Dragon Ball may be known only for its intense battles, but the series does have some powerful friendships.

In the background of this cover, one can see Vegeta and Bulma on the Ferris Wheel, with Vegeta looking pretty upset that he's there. Goten and Trunks are having a lot of fun, and Goten even waves at his father for his attention. Other characters are there as well. Piccolo, Tien, Androids 17 and 18, the Pilaf Gang, Gohan and Master Roshi. The tiny details of everyone's expressions and the cameos of other characters show Toyotarou's dedication to the world of Dragon Ball.

9 Volume 3: Zero Mortal Project!

Covers Chapters 16-20

This cover is like the previous one and shows the Z-Fighters enjoying themselves. This time, however, they're at a seaside stop on the beach, and fan favorite character, Future Trunks, who fans desperately want to return as soon as possible, makes a return in this cover. Considering that this volume chronicles the Goku Black Saga, one of the darker sagas in Dragon Ball Super, it's great to see the characters enjoying themselves for once. The homage it pays to classic Toriyama covers makes this cover even more enticing.

Past Toriyama covers featured vehicles, as the artist was extremely into mechanical design. When placing characters in a car, Toriyama would often have the vehicle show the volume's number on the car itself. Toyotarou does the same here in volume 3 by having the number 3 on the blue car that Goku is driving. It's a great reference, and it makes for a fantastic cover.

8 Volume 10: Moro's Wish

Covers Chapters 45-48 & Bonus Story

Volume 10's cover showcases Goku and Vegeta in Galactic Patrol uniforms. The Galactic Patrol is the universe's police force, though their effectiveness can be debated. Either way, the Galactic Patrol are central figures in the Dragon Ball Super manga Moro arc. Dressing up Goku and Vegeta in the Galactic Patrol uniforms is fascinating as there's rarely an opportunity to see them dressed as such.

This cover has a very Star Wars-like design, with the heroes posing dramatically while the villain Moro smirks behind them. With the Moro arc being a more space-focused adventure for the Z-Fighters, having a sci-fi-influenced cover helps show what kind of mood the arc will be going for. It also introduces the important Galactic Patrol Agent, Merus, who is a character manga fans find fascinating.

7 Volume 13: Battles Abound

Covers Chapters 57-60

The 13th Volume Cover has a great action shot featuring Goku in Ultra Instinct Omen and Vegeta in Blue Evolution rushing at the antagonist of the arc: Moro. The detail about the three fighters is immaculate, as Goku's calm Ultra Instinct expression and Vegeta's determined face both contrast the animalistic rage Moro shows. Moro's hands also give a great 3D effect, almost like they're reaching out beyond the confines of the volume.

The most interesting part of this volume's cover is the inclusion of the Z-Fighters against Moro's escaped prisoners. Everyone who can fight is here, from Gohan and Piccolo to Tien and Yamcha, who hasn't had a role since his time in the Android Saga. The Z-Fighters are rarely shown combat-ready like this, so the cover for volume 13 treats fans to the sight while teasing their opponents. While making sure the focus on Goku and Vegeta as the main protagonists of Dragon Ball Super isn't lost.

6 Volume 9: Battle's End and Aftermath

Covers Chapters 41-44

Volume 9 is another great action shot featuring Ultra Instinct Goku fighting a Full Powered Jiren, the start of a new Dragon Ball rivalry. This fight was so famous that everyone worldwide could feel its effects as many raced to large watch parties to see the battle go down. The manga gives this monumental fight the respect it deserves; Toyotarou draws Goku and Jiren looking immensely powerful as Universe 7 cheers on their friend in the background.

Toyotarou emphasizes everyone's expressions here, even if they aren't in the foreground. This is seen with the cheering expressions of the heroes on the benches and the calmed expression of Goku, who faces off against Jiren. As Ultra Instinct is supposed to be a technique without thought, having the form show with so little emotion shows that Toyotarou understands using art to convey more of the storytelling.

5 Volume 15: Moro, Consumer of Worlds

Covers Chapters 65-68

While Moro's less goat-like form isn't as visually interesting as his previous one, this volume cover for Volume 15 still makes the villain look very threatening. Pairing this alongside a dynamic action pose from Goku as he charges a Kamehameha, which has had numerous epic moments in the franchise, the cover also adds a ki-based as energy collects into the blast. Doing this helps create a flow of action for readers to follow.

For the final volume in the Moro saga, this cover shows how powerful Goku has become, as he's finally unlocked Ultra Instinct thanks to his training. The Earth behind the two fighters is torn up and destroyed, which does happen in the volume, especially when Moro merges with the Earth to get one last trump card against Goku. Again, Toyotarou uses perspective and depth to his advantage, allowing the cover to pop out of the frame.

4 Volume 11: Great Escape

Covers Chapters 49-52 & Bonus Story 4

Volume 11 is another fun cover with many details and an excellent outfit for Bulma. The first detail is Goku, as Goku usually does, eating a large hamburger. This helps paint the scene as he, Hercule, and Vegeta are at Jaco's Burgers, a diner run by the Galactic Patrolman, Jaco. This takes place in some alternate universe for fun, as it shows Vegeta in a suit and driving a hot pink car. While Vegeta hasn't been shy in wearing pink, it's hard to imagine that he willingly came out here.

What really makes this cover page pop is Bulma's sci-fi-inspired waitress outfit. Bulma has always been Toriyama's way of showcasing his fashion design skills, and Toyotarou is no different. Bulma looks fantastic on this cover and has made it stick around in fans' minds long after its release.

3 Volume 1: Warriors from Universe 6!

Covers Chapters 1-9 & Special Comic 1-2

The first volume of Dragon Ball Super is a callback to the first volume cover of the Dragon Ball manga. Still, instead of a Kid Goku riding a cartoonish version of Shenron, it's now an adult Goku showing how the Saiyan has grown. Many Dragon Ball fans hold the first volume cover of Dragon Ball in a special place in their art as it indicates the starting point of the 40-year-old manga that shaped their lives.

As a callback to the original volume cover, the Dragon Ball Super does a great job of emulating the original's colors, vibe, and energy but making it reflect more of where Dragon Ball is rather than what it used to be. It also signifies a new starting era for Dragon Ball and how it sets out to honor and respect the old. With Toriyama's passing, this cover takes on a new meaning, almost as if telling readers that Toriyama's legacy is in good hands.

2 Volume 18: Bardock, Father of Goku

Covers Chapters 77-80

Bardock gets a massive upgrade in story screen time during the Granolah Arc, and to commmeerate that, Volume 18, titled "Bardock, Father of Goku," features a badass appearance of Bardock with his back turned in excellent lighting.

This is one of the best drawings featuring Bardock, and it shows audiences how even the character's simple design can still stand out. Barock is a near-carbon copy of his son, Goku, but his energy makes him look far different and more like what fans imagine a true Saiyan looks like, and this cover shows it. Bardock is so popular that he's had five different interpretations in Dragon Ball.

1 Volume 19: A People's Pride

Covers Chapters 84-84

The best volume cover features the Son family enjoying a moment together. Goku, Chi-Chi, Goten, and Gohan walk along a sea of water and smile at each other. Beneath the water and reflecting the Son family is Goku's Saiyan heritage. Bardock is carrying Goku's pod with Gine at his side and even a baby, Raditz who hasn't made an appearance since being dead.This volume cover looks amazing but also shows how far Bardock's son has come.

The reflection in the water reminds audiences where Goku comes from and how their favorite Saiyan, Bardock, still has a family alive to this day. It's a cover that evokes heartwarming feelings, as it's the first time that Goku's entire family is on one page together.

Dragon Ball Super

TV-PG

Anime

Action

Adventure

With Majin Buu defeated half-a-year prior, peace returns to Earth, where Son Goku (now a radish farmer) and his friends now live peaceful lives.

Release Date

January 7, 2017

Cast

Masako Nozawa , Takeshi Kusao , Ryô Horikawa , Hiromi Tsuru

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

5