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Black Myth: Wukong developer GameScience has had quite a big year, but according to the latest statement from the studio, it might not be over yet. As an action-packed retelling of the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong managed to find a global audience and garner plenty of acclaim. That momentum recently culminated in an Ultimate Game of the Year win at the Golden Joystick Awards, a major annual video game award ceremony.

As reported by Eurogamer, Black Myth: Wukong game director Feng Ji shared in the Golden Joystick Awards broadcast available on the Fgs YouTube channel that "there might just be some surprises" later this year. The message is primarily addressed to those who have already completed Black Myth: Wukong, but it's also part of a broad appeal to keep an eye on what GameScience is up to.

No more specifics are offered, but in...

After news of Akira Toriyama's tragic passing in March 2024, the world that latched onto his Dragon Ball franchise has never intended to let go. The love for Son Goku manifests in hundreds of millions of manga copies sold, merchandise, and clothing. It's gotten to the point where the color orange overlaid with a kame symbol is ubiquitous to the point of instant recognition, with fans around the globe throwing their hands up for the Genki Dama in light of Toriyama's passing.

But Dragon Ball is far more than the fights of Dragon Ball Z, the debates about canon surrounding Gt, or the frustrations surrounding the animation of Super without even going into its films. The series began on November 20, 1984 as Dragon Ball in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump with greater hints of comedy-adventure or gag manga than its future as a battle shonen series would suggest. But as fans know,...

40 years ago today, Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball manga had its official debut in Weekly Shonen Jump. To commemorate this landmark moment in shonen history, the official Toriyama Archive has re-released a rare draft of the manga's debut page for a limited time.

Chapter 1, Page 1 of Dragon Ball depicts Son Goku cheerfully rolling a large piece of firewood through the woods. Nearby, a pair of monkeys happily greet him as he walks by. This lighthearted illustration sets the stage for an action-comedy tale that went on to inspire dozens of future manga creators, including Toriyama's successor, Dragon Ball Super's Toyotarou. As detailed on Dragon Ball's official website, Toriyama's draft of the page features a "stunning water color background" not used in the final version. Cbr readers can check it out below.

Related Dragon Ball Releases 40-Year-Old Announcement Artwork Revealing the Series' Original Genre

The official Akira Toriyama Archive...

When most fans think about Dragon Ball, they're usually focusing on the numerous anime adaptations. Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z are fantastic anime in their own right, but believe it or not, they don't hold a candle to the original manga. Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball is frankly in a league of its own when it comes to its artistry, brevity, and sheer influence on the manga & anime landscape. It's important to remember that you don't get to Dragon Ball Z without Toriyama's original manga. What sticks out most about the Dragon Ball manga, however, is just how "modern" it feels.

The manga shows its age, as everything does, but the fact Dragon Ball codified so much that defines modern anime makes the series very easy to pick up today. A lot of the early humor is dated, to say the least, but Toriyama's paneling, fight choreography, art design,...

There will be no new Dragon Ball sagas without transformations. Series creator Akira Toriyama first popularized it with the iconic Super Saiyan form back in the Frieza saga. And now, in almost every arc of Dragon Ball Super, there’s a new transformation. So much so that fans have become sick of it.

It’s refreshing to see Goku going back to his roots by using his Nyoibo again to defeat his opponents and unleash the first Super Saiyan form in case things get a little dicey. The Granolah arc in Dragon Ball Super explored the real identity of the Saiyans and in Daima, they could very well explain the real origins of the entire race. If that’s the case, Goku could very well get his own Demon Saiyan form.

Super Saiyan 4 becoming canon in Dragon Ball? Super Saiyan Four | Credit: Toei Animation

There’s a theory that is...

August 2024 brings a diverse lineup of games, from Star Wars adventures to mythic Chinese tales and RPG epics. Prepare for a mix of nostalgia and new adventures with titles like Black Myth: Wukong & Star Wars Outlaws. From stunning visuals to challenging gameplay, August offers something for everyone, making it a memorable month for all gamers.

August 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting month for players, with various titles catering to numerous tastes, with games like Star Wars: Bounty Hunter making its debut across multiple platforms. Following closely, the highly anticipated Cat Quest III will offer impulsive RPG adventures on all major consoles. Mid-month, Kena: Bridge of Spirits finally arrives on Xbox platforms, bringing its captivating blend of action and story to a new audience. Then, Black Myth: Wukong will amuse with stunning visuals and challenging gameplay inspired by Chinese mythology.

WoW: The War Within arrives on PC at the...

We are now less than a month away from the release of Black Myth: Wukong, and it’s been a long wait for those who got their first look at the pre-alpha build version back in 2020. Game Science has put a lot of work into the title, and it shows even in the videos we have seen.

The game is based on the events occurring in the Chinese epic Journey to the West. Given the rich source of inspiration, the upcoming game is going to feature several references to the culture’s mythology, starting with the achievements in the game!

Black Myth: Wukong’s Steam Achievements Allude to Mythological Inspiration

Video games have always drawn inspiration from culture and mythology, and some have become the mascots of the industry. Kratos, from the God of War franchise, is the one who comes to mind first, while other games such as Nioh,...

Legendary manga creator Akira Toriyama might have built the pillars for the anime and manga industry with his projects like Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball, but the story that started his journey as a mangaka was actually a Star Wars parody. During his unemployment years, the mangaka got hooked on George Lucas’ galactic universe and decided to sprinkle some of his own spice on it.

The Dragon Ball Universe | Toei Animation

He created a parody series called Mysterious Rain Jack that featured prominent Star Wars characters like R2-D2, Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, C-3P0, Princess Leia, etc. The series majorly focused on the humor part of the narrative and set the base for Toriyama’s entry into the manga industry.

Not only that, but Mysterious Rain Jack also featured in his later works, as both Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball had references from his early work, but they...

Dragon Ball is one of the trailblazers in the Shonen genre and is a household name at this point. But did you know that when it first debuted, Akira Toriyama had no intention of making it a typical action-oriented series?

Goku Crying | Dragon Ball | Toei

In fact, the author wanted to create a comedy series where the protagonist would journey across the world like New Journey to the West. Then, Goku would battle the enemies he would meet on his way. However, the manga never took off that well, inviting criticism to the author, and thus resulting in a complete overhaul.

Initially, Dragon Ball Was Unpopular Kid Goku | Dragon Ball | Toei

In an interview, Akira Toriyama admitted that after his last work, he had decided to change the setting and went with a Chinene scenery for his next work, Dragon Ball. He wanted to add all sorts of absurd and...

Quick Links What Is Ki in Dragon Ball? What is God Ki in Dragon Ball Super?

Power systems can be more than a little obtuse when it comes to anime. The best power systems have clearly defined limits and rules when it comes right down to it. Simple rules often allow for a lot of creativity and stretching of what the limits can be. Shows like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Hunter X Hunter, and My Hero Academia have really concrete power systems that are easily explained and understood. The universe's rules usually rely on truly understanding these basic principles, and narratives need a good way to convey those ideas. However, even in relatively simple systems, there can be exceptions and confusion.

Dragon Ball is one of those series that started relatively simple and then got a lot more complex as the world opened up. Dragon Ball started with martial arts...