Amid the worldwide hype surrounding the film, some neat details slipped through the cracks. One such gem? Akira Toriyama once drew a picture of young Anakin Skywalker—who would later become the fearsome Darth Vader—for an issue of Shōnen Jump magazine.

Toriyama’s Longtime Love for Star Wars

A Playful Contribution to the Phantom Menace Hype

Akira Toriyama was a professed fan of the original Star Wars trilogy (1977–1983), which was as popular and influential in Japan as it was around the world. Before becoming a professional manga artist, Toriyama would sometimes sketch Star Wars parodies for practice. Later, during his hit manga series Dr. Slump, he included pop culture in-jokes and even featured cameo appearances by characters like C-3PO and R2-D2.

As anticipation for The Phantom Menace reached a fever pitch in 1999, fans—including Toriyama—were eager to see what the prequels had in store. In the spirit of fun, Toriyama submitted an original drawing of Anakin Skywalker (played by Jake Lloyd) alongside a Battle Droid as a joke entry for the Weekly Shōnen Jump Newcomer Award contest.

The Force Was Strong with Toriyama’s Phantom Menace Excitement

Darth Vader… as a Kid? Toriyama Wasn’t Sure What to Think

Since the drawing was published before the film’s release, Toriyama wrote down his thoughts and expectations in the margins:

At last, a new Star Wars film is coming! Beyond just the story, the atmosphere of its world and the various designs have always amazed me. The series truly excited and influenced me a lot. Now, the time is approaching, and I can’t wait for the fourth film!

Personally, I don’t see many familiar clues among the characters in this installment, so when I see Darth Vader as a child, I don’t quite get it (though I’m excited for Ewan McGregor).) However, from the trailer, the designs of the mechas, robots, and aliens look impressive, and the special effects are stunning. It should be really interesting—I can’t wait!

Did Toriyama Like The Phantom Menace? We May Never Know

Toriyama’s Likely Take: Mechas, Spectacle, and Fun

Unfortunately, we don’t know Toriyama’s final thoughts on The Phantom Menace after watching it. The film grossed just under a billion dollars in its initial run, but many fans and critics were underwhelmed by its more child-friendly tone, exemplified by young Anakin Skywalker and the antics of Jar Jar Binks.

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But knowing the late Toriyama, there’s a good chance he enjoyed at least parts of it—especially the mechas, droids, and over-the-top spectacle. After all, if anyone could appreciate a movie filled with quirky aliens, high-speed races, and an overpowered warrior with spiky hair (cough Darth Maul cough), it was him.

Source: Dragon Ball Perfect Shots on X