Dragon Ball Site Shares Toriyama's 1993 Buu Saga Goku Draft
The official Dragon Ball website posted Akira Toriyama's draft cover for Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 44, showing Goku in his early Buu Saga afterlife design.
The official Dragon Ball website made a Toriyama Archives entry available for 24 hours, showing an early Buu Saga design of Son Goku in his Base form. The draft depicts Goku in the orange Kame School gi over blue weighted clothes, with blue sweatbands and sash, and a halo above his head.
The artwork was drawn as a draft for the front cover illustration of Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 44, which was released in Japan on Oct. 5, 1993. The reveal was reported by cbr.com.
The official description says Goku rushes from the heavenly realm to take part in the 25th Tenkaichi Budokai, and that his halo signifies his death. The same issue of Weekly Shonen Jump carried Chapter 441 of Dragon Ball, titled "Videl Battered," which focuses mainly on Videl's tournament fight with Spopovich.
The site notes that the final cover places Goku behind Goten and Trunks and alongside Gohan, rather than matching the draft arrangement.
Earlier context
Earlier in Dragon Ball Z, Goku died in the battle against Cell before returning for the Buu Saga. The 1993 cover was drawn from Toriyama's draft.
Quick answers
What does the draft show Goku wearing?
The orange Kame School gi over blue weighted clothes, with blue sweatbands and sash, and a halo above his head.
When was Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 44 released?
It was released in Japan on Oct. 5, 1993.