Akira Toriyama Reflected on Dragon Ball: Why the Anime Sometimes Missed the Mark

Dragon Ball fans often debate whether the anime adaptation of the original manga better captures the essence of the story and characters. Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, has weighed in on this discussion, expressing dissatisfaction with how the anime adaptation represents his iconic character, Goku.

Akira Toriyama had minimal involvement with the anime adaptations of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z, primarily contributing character designs for original characters in movies. Once the manga was adapted into anime, Toriyama’s direct involvement was limited, which is typical for many mangaka whose works are adapted into animated form. Consequently, many mangaka, including Toriyama, don’t feel a strong sense of ownership over the anime adaptations.

Toriyama’s Concerns About Goku’s Portrayal

In an old interview during the release of Dragon Ball Super’s first manga volume, Toriyama and artist Toyotarou discussed the challenges of portraying Goku. Toyotarou noted that while Toriyama’s art style may seem simple, capturing Goku’s true essence proved difficult. Toriyama agreed, stating, “Even when professional animators draw it, I sometimes feel like they get it wrong.” He hinted that his understanding of Goku’s character and design might be unique to him alone.

Toriyama had previously voiced similar concerns. In a 1997 interview with Wired Japan, he expressed dissatisfaction with how the anime adaptation portrayed Goku. He felt the anime’s depiction of Goku as a “righteous hero” diverged from his vision of the character. Toriyama had intended Goku to be driven by his desire to fight strong opponents rather than merely to save the day. This nuanced portrayal of Goku, where he aids injured villains for the sake of a good fight rather than altruism, was simplified in the anime, making Goku’s motivations appear more straightforward and heroic.

Toriyama made an effort to reintroduce his vision of Goku in Dragon Ball Super, particularly during the Tournament of Power arc. Goku’s desire to battle strong warriors, even at the risk of the multiverse, reflects his true character as envisioned by Toriyama. This portrayal shows that while the anime adaptation may have simplified Goku’s character, Toriyama’s original intent is still a significant influence in the latest series.

Conclusion

While the Dragon Ball anime has its merits, Toriyama’s critique highlights a fundamental difference between the manga’s and the anime’s portrayal of Goku. The anime’s more heroic take on Goku, though popular, didn’t fully align with Toriyama’s vision of a character driven by his passion for combat rather than traditional heroism.