Dragon Ball usually gets remembered for raw power, crazy transformations, and planet-breaking fights. But every now and then, the franchise reminds fans that some of its nastiest threats did not come from brute force alone. They came from the lab.
In a new monthly illustration, Dragon Ball Super artist Toyotaro brought together four of the series’ most notorious scientist villains in one piece of artwork. It is a fun deep-cut moment for longtime fans, especially those who have followed not just the main story, but also the movies, specials, and side material that helped expand the wider Dragon Ball universe.
What makes this art especially interesting is who shows up, and who does not. The obvious missing name is Dr. Gero, the Red Ribbon Army mastermind best known for creating the Androids and laying the groundwork for Cell. Even without appearing here, Gero still casts a huge shadow over the franchise. His legacy has already carried forward through his grandson, Dr. Hedo, who played a major role in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
Instead of going with the most famous pick, Toyotaro’s illustration highlights four other villainous geniuses.
First is Dr. Kochin, who fans will remember from Dragon Ball Z: The World’s Strongest. In that movie, he serves Dr. Wheelo and helps push the whole mad science threat forward. Wheelo is also included in the artwork, making this reunion feel even more like a nod to Dragon Ball’s older movie-era villains. While Wheelo appeared in robotic form in the film, his human appearance only showed up later through Super Dragon Ball Heroes.
The other two characters are even more niche, but hardcore fans will definitely recognise them. Dr. Lychee, also known as Dr. Raichi, comes from Dragon Ball: Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans. He is tied to the Tuffles, the race wiped out by the Saiyans, and his entire role is built around revenge. That alone makes him one of the more interesting science-based villains in Dragon Ball lore, because his grudge is tied directly to one of the franchise’s darkest pieces of backstory.
Then there is Dr. Myuu, a name Dragon Ball GT fans will know straight away. He is best remembered as the creator of Baby, one of GT’s biggest antagonists, and he was also involved alongside Dr. Gero in the creation of Super 17.
For Malaysian and SEA Dragon Ball fans, this kind of update hits differently because a lot of us did not grow up on just one version of the franchise. We caught episodes on TV, movies through reruns and DVDs, GT through regional broadcasts, and later filled in the gaps online. So when Toyotaro pulls together characters from across movies, specials, and spin-off territory, it feels like Dragon Ball acknowledging the full messy history fans here actually grew up with.
It also matters because Dragon Ball has been more willing lately to revisit characters and ideas from outside the strict mainline canon. With Dragon Ball Super and Dragon Ball Daima both showing that older concepts can be refreshed for newer audiences, fans have reason to wonder whether more forgotten villains could eventually return in some form.
There is no confirmation that these four scientists are about to jump into the main story, of course. Right now, this is just a piece of celebratory artwork. Still, it is the kind of art drop that gets the fandom talking, especially when it digs into corners of Dragon Ball history that do not always get the spotlight.
And honestly, that is part of the fun. Not every Dragon Ball threat needs to be another huge brawler screaming in the sky. Sometimes the most interesting danger starts with a mad scientist and a very bad idea.
Source: ComicBook Anime