Akira Toriyama, the creator ofDragon Ball, was a visionary manga artist and storyteller whose work reshaped the industry and left a lasting mark on global pop culture. However, after the iconic series concluded, follow-up projects likeDragon Ball GTand the live-action filmDragon Ball Evolutionfaced widespread critical disappointment.
New insights from Toriyama’s closest editors reveal that there was a period when he had little to no involvement with the franchise and lost his drive to create something new. Onlinetranslationsof an interview with editors Kazuhiko Torishima, Yu Kondo, and Fuyuto Takeda on theKosoKoso_hosopodcast shed light on how the creator experienced this creative slump—but also how he reignited his passion.
Toriyama’s Editors Say He Lost His Spark After Dragon Ball Ended
Fuyuto Takeda Observed The Creator Closely Throughout The Years
Fuyuyo Takeda is a Japanese editor for Shueisha and became the third editor for Akira Toriyama’sDragon Ballmanga, taking over Yu Kondo’s position during the Perfect Cell Saga. He stayed until the end of the manga, and he also served as editor for Toriyama’s post-Dragon Ballworks. After the series ended, Takeda believesToriyama became convinced he could never create anything betterand stopped proposing new projects. All initiative toward the series–fromDragon Ball GTtothe much-malignedDragon Ball Evolution–was met with a passive “go ahead, do as you like” from Toriyama with no direct involvement.
None of the three editors had seenDragon Ball DAIMAas of the podcast recording.
Kazuhiko Torishima, Toriyama’s first editor, says the decision left him with mixed feelings, being one of the first to recognize Toriyama’s potential and being instrumental in developingDragon Ballinto a lucrative franchise. However, despite Toriyama’s feelings, Torishima hoped he would go on to create something new. But when he would suggest that Toriyama draw a new manga, he would reply that he could no longer draw manga panels without sneezing uncontrollably, or because he lost his special pen nib he’d used for drawing. It was then that Torishima lost all hope of Toriyama creating a new series.
How Toriyama Got His Groove Back
The Dragon Ball Creator’s Passion Was Reignited
However,Toriyama’s interest was sparked by emerging technology, especially Apple computers, which captivated him. He started experimenting with digital screen tones for manga and, swept up in the excitement, drew purely for the joy of exploring the new tool. AfterDragon Ball’s conclusion, Toriyama continued creating manga, primarily one-shots and short serials ranging from 100 to 200 pages, includingCowa!(1997–1998),Kajika(1998), andSand Land(2000).
A Year After Akira Toriyama’s Death, the Future of Dragon Ball Is As Bright As It Is Uncertain
One year after Akira Toriyama’s passing, Dragon Ball’s future remains uncertain yet full of potential, blending nostalgia with new possibilities.
Jaco the Galactic Patrolman(2013) was his final fully self-written and illustrated work. Toriyama also collaborated with fellow manga artists like Masakazu Katsura and Eiichiro Oda on one-shots and crossover specials. In 2015, he launchedDragon Ball Superalongside illustrator Toyotarou and remained involved with the seriesuntil his passing in 2024. Toriyama’s influence on manga and pop culture remains immeasurable, with his stories continuing inDragon Ball DAIMAand inspiring generations of creators and fans to come.
