Ayu Goku to Grace New Single
 

http://ayu.no/images/news/956.jpg
Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

Popular manga-ka Toriyama Akira has been commissioned to draw an illustration of J-pop queen Hamasaki Ayumi (30, profile) for her latest single.

The connection of course is that "Rule" is the theme song for the global release of "Dragonball," the Hollywood adaptation of Toriyama's mega-popular manga.

The first pressing of the single will be printed with the image of Hamasaki as the character Goku on both the CD and an accompanying DVD. It is the first time for Toriyama to create an original illustration for a recording artist. He said, "Actually I'm really not good at caricatures, and for a while I regretted taking on this job.

"Hamasaki-san has so many fans and I hope they don't get angry that the image doesn't resemble her!"

Called "Dragonball Evolution" for its Japan release, the movie opens in Japan on March 13. The double-A side single "Rule/Sparkle" goes on sale February 25.

Source: Japan Zone Entertainment News
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Akira Toriyama draws Ayumi Hamasaki
Tue, February 3, 2009 (2:15am EST)

Pop star Ayumi Hamasaki is teaming up with mangaka Akira Toriyama for her upcoming single "Rule / Sparkle." Toriyama has drawn a likeness of Hamasaki that will be printed on the first press CDs and DVDs of the single. This is his first time doing an illustration for a music artist, as well as his first time drawing a real person for a commercial product.

The collaboration is a result of Hamasaki's "Rule" being used as the theme song for the worldwide release of the live-action "Dragonball" movie, which is based on Toriyama's popular manga. "Rule / Sparkle" goes on sale on February 25, ahead of the movie's March 13 release date.

Source: tokyograph.com

Articles in Japanese:

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I like the picture but I think Ayu looks more like a man~

Well Ayu is supposed to be portrayed as Goku... and Goku is a man so yeah.

At first glance, I had no idea what the character was doing on the CD.

But then when I looked closer, damn, it looks a lot like Ayu!!!!!!! She did have a hairstyle quite like that a couple of years back, but the face and the way it was shaded reminded me of her makeup during (miss)understood.

I don't like it~

its a priveledge for ayu to be drawn by the artist :luv2 its great imo

it's not about us fans being angry at the drawing.

but it doesnt look like ayu AT ALL. what's wrong with the Toriyama?

thanks for the article

wads kamehameha??

anyway..WE'RE NOT ANGRY WITH YOU AKIRA-SAN! U r superb

It doesn't look like her, but I'm not angry about it, haha.
I do wish it wasn't the first pressing though >__<

ayu actually looks like some RPG characters or something like Final Fantasy LOL

No it doesnt look like her, but cool that he did it anyway. :P
Thx for the articles.

kamehameha is a fighting move goku and others in the dragonball manga/anime use xD

wow kamehameha!!

that is Goku's fireball, which he learned from the Kame Old man. Supposedly his powerful spell? i dont remember. but that was his signature move. wow i wonder how ayu n the dancers would be doing that haha.

Lol good effort! It doesn't look much like her but then again, it's only a caricature. It's supposed to be fun.

Am I the only one who thinks the picture looks a lot like ayumi? If I just saw the picture randomly I would instantly think of her.

It reminds me of her "no way to say" era for some reason.

oh that's really nice

what a cool 1st press bonus

I think it looks a lot like her! And it's an honor for her to be drawn by him XD

He did say himself that he's not good at caricatures, but I think it does look like Ayu. I'm not mad about it~ I'm happy and excited! :D