‘Dragon Ball’ adapted an icon poorly, and this 37-year-old Toriyama artwork proves it
Toei Animation’s adaptation of ‘Dragon Ball’ made several creative changes, but this artwork reveals one clear mistake.
Like many anime adaptations, ’Dragon Ball’ took creative liberties with its source material. While the Toei series successfully brought Akira Toriyama’s world to life, it also introduced filler arcs and non-canon elements that weren’t part of the manga.
However, one visual detail stands out as an unexpected mistake—and most fans never even noticed it.
The real color of Master Roshi’s Kame House
For decades, viewers have associated Kame House, Master Roshi’s iconic home, with vivid pink walls and a bright red roof. But in reality, Toriyama originally envisioned it in a completely different color scheme.
Recently, the official ‘Dragon Ball’ website shared an illustration from nearly 40 years ago, confirming that the original Kame House had blue walls and a dark roof—far from the colorful design popularized by the anime.
The website describes the colors as evoking a tropical atmosphere, yet this detail was never reflected in the show.
A forgotten piece of ‘Dragon Ball’ history
Despite its major role in the series, Kame House remained miscolored throughout the anime’s run. From Goku and Krillin’s early training under Master Roshi to its role as a headquarters for the Z Fighters, this misinterpretation of Toriyama’s vision has gone unnoticed by many fans.
While Toei Animation’s version became iconic, this rare piece of artwork offers a glimpse into how it was originally meant to appear.
Where to watch ‘Dragon Ball’
- ’Dragon Ball’ (1986) and its sequels are available on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
- The original manga by Akira Toriyama is published by VIZ Media in English.
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