The End of a Myth: Akira Toriyama Planned the Dragon Ball Story (and We Have the Proof)
Over the years, countless myths have formed around Dragon Ball. Rumors such as the creator Akira Toriyama planning to end the series during the Cell Saga, or that Gohan’s role was diminished because Japanese fans didn’t like him, have been circulating in the community for decades, with or without any basis in truth. One of the most popular myths, however, is the belief that Akira Toriyama never did any planning when drawing Dragon Ball. The idea is that, unlike most mangakas who plan whole arcs in advance, Toriyama simply created the story week by week, without thinking much about what would come next. However, a quote from a 30-year-old interview completely debunks this theory.
O que este artigo aborda:
- The Quote That Changes Everything: Toriyama and the “Excess” of Planning
- The Perfect Balance: Planning vs. Spontaneity
- Why There Will Never Be Another Dragon Ball
The Quote That Changes Everything: Toriyama and the “Excess” of Planning
Despite being responsible for one of the most iconic franchises in history, Akira Toriyama has always been very self-critical in interviews. He frequently downplayed his talent as a writer, claiming he created the story “on the fly.” However, in a guide for the Dragon Ball Z anime, Toriyama revealed something surprising:“For me, having drawn the manga on the fly, calling it a ‘story’ is just embarrassing… Ah, but to be frank, the second half of the story was difficult because I exaggerated a bit in thinking it out. Although I did a good job continuing like that… I think.”This quote is definitive proof. Not only did Akira Toriyama plan the future of his series, but he felt he “overdid” the planning precisely in the most popular parts of Dragon Ball. This, however, does not mean the series was written conventionally.
The Perfect Balance: Planning vs. Spontaneity
Toriyama may have planned events and future plots, but not to the same extent as mangakas do today. Many of the most important and iconic decisions in the series arose suddenly and even practically. Adult Goku: He decided to age Goku to adulthood because he thought fight scenes were too difficult to draw with a small character, and he did this without waiting for his editors’ approval. The Super Saiyan: The iconic blond hair transformation of the Super Saiyan came on a whim. Toriyama wanted to make life easier for his assistant and told him not to waste time coloring Goku’s hair, leaving it white in the manga (which resulted in blond in the anime). He planned the macro, but some of the series’ most important developments happened without much prior thought, as detailed in several interviews compiled by fans and sources like Kanzenshuu, one of the largest archives of information about the franchise.
Why There Will Never Be Another Dragon Ball
The truth is there will never be another manga like Dragon Ball, and part of that is due to the fact that artists no longer create stories like Akira Toriyama did. His process was a unique blend of careful planning and spontaneous genius.He had a map, but wasn’t afraid to take unexpected detours that ultimately led the series to become the global phenomenon we know and love. The myth that he didn’t plan anything may have been debunked, but the magic of his impulsive creativity remains undeniable.