An InBetweenDrafts tribute to Akira Toriyama

Last week, the world of anime and manga was shaken to its core as news broke of the recent passing of historic mangaka Akira Toriyama. To say that this was a tragedy is simply too little of a phrase. The outpouring of grief and celebration across social media is proof positive of just how beloved all of Toriyama’s works have been; and what a magnificent catalog Akira Toriyama’s legacy makes up.

Of course, the Dragon Ball franchise is the most notable of it all — a martial arts themed jovial adventure that would go on to irrevocably change the entire genre and make fans of manga and anime the world over — but Toriyama was much more than just “the Dragon Ball guy.” He was ever a comedian and expertly crafted gags across all of his works, from the early days of his career making one-shots like Wonder Island to his first real success in the hilarious Dr. Slump. His detailed yet straightforward line work and design sensibility formed an instantly recognizable aethstetic that constantly created icons. One only needs to look at the Dragon Quest Slime to understand that perfect balance. 

In fact, one could argue that we were only just beginning in Toriyama’s world all over again right now. After ages away, he returned to his largest success in helping to develop new Dragon Ball Z films that would become the basis for Dragon Ball Super. Toriyama was also actively contributing to the recently revealed Dragon Ball Daima, which he said he “put more into [this] than usual.” Additionally, Sand Land has seen a big return. The miniseries received a film adaptation in 2023 that is still due for a North American release alongside a simulcasting series dropping on Hulu on March 20th. These will be followed by a game adaptation from the team behind the pretty good One Piece Odyssey. Speaking of games, it’s safe to expect that Toriyama had contributed designs to the upcoming Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate. By all accounts, Akira Toriyama’s works are just as hot today as they ever have been.

However, what Akira Toriyama’s legacy is really is the inspiration that he inadvertently became. It’s nearly impossible to find a mangaka that has passed through the halls of Weekly Shonen Jump since Toriyama’s tenure that wasn’t there in part because of his presence in the field. His influence spreads far beyond this medium and what Toriyama’s left behind has certainly set many on their own paths, creatively and otherwise. The team at InBetweenDrafts is no different in that regard. As a companion to the Rookie Pirate Radio tribute to Toriyama, some of our team have come together to honor Akira Toriyama’s legacy and impact on our own lives. 

In 2018, nine of the ten regions where Dragon Ball was the most popular were in Latin America. This data point surprises many people, but for those of us growing up there, it’s really hard to imagine elementary school without visualizing kids pretending that they were Goku and Vegeta, or printing your favourite fan arts to put them in your notebook. It was truly a cultural phenomenon. So much so, that politicians across the region have been releasing official statements mourning the passing of Akira Toriyama.

There are a lot of theories as to why the show got a hold of Latin American audiences. Some claim it was because of the quicker release date of the Spanish dubs as well as the lack of animated series produced in the region, which led to a boom of popularity of anime like Dragon Ball, Mazinger Z and Saint Seiya. Others have argued that it was because of the similarities to telenovelas or the fact that it aired on open-air television. Whatever the reason, I’m very glad that kids in Latin America were able to grow up with a role model of kindness, perseverance and loyalty as Goku, and even though Toriyama has passed away, his legacy will continue to live on giving indelible marks in our hearts. [Pedro Luis Graterol, Film/TV News Editor]

I’m struggling to write this. Not because it’s a difficult topic to write about. There’s plenty to say about Akira Toriyama, and I don’t have to explain how gigantic he was. Hell, if there’s alien life out there, they’ve probably seen Goku’s first battle with Vegeta countless times already. It isn’t the grief that’s making this tough either, though I’ll say I’ve already stopped typing several times to pause, sit back in my chair, take a deep breath and text another family member or friend about the news. As cliche a statement as it is to make, it genuinely feels like a member of my family has passed. What’s making it hard to write about this de facto family figure is that even as I’m writing this and looking back at the news to confirm, it doesn’t feel like he’s gone.

The impact of someone’s time on earth is what we usually use to measure legacy. If that’s the case, Toriyama had enough legacy for seven lifetimes, maybe more. One of the earliest memories I have from my childhood is waking up Christmas morning and playing Dragon Ball Z: Budokai with my dad, who had a bit more history with the franchise, falling in love with it when he first arrived in the States. The game had maybe been out for a year, and I had only been out for four. I wasn’t really old enough to comprehend fighting game mechanics like that, so my dad often employed the classic “totally plugged in controller” method when we played. But even if my understanding of basic electricity was up to par, I don’t think I would have cared back then. It wasn’t playing the game that was keeping me invested, it was what I was witnessing before my eyes. This was my first experience with Dragon Ball, an early-aughts PS2 game. 

Akira Toriyama was infamously a non-planner. He didn’t have outlines or pages of notes relating to Dragon Ball, he barely had a reference. He took the classic story of ‘Journey To The West’ and created his own immortal fable. It would be easy to relate much of Toriyama’s success to Goku, but while Goku may be the main character — Toriyama’s sweet, sweet baby — he is not the source of Toriyama’s success. That can all be attributed to the man himself. In any other case, the fact that he didn’t have a concrete plan would be a note of disaster. To even dream about creating a powerhouse like freaking Dragon Ball without at least the first five years mapped out honestly gives me anxiety to think about. Yet here we are, 40 years since that first panel introduced us to a little boy with a monkey’s tail, a big heart, and a story that would continue to amaze decades after he left home for the first time. 

I think if Goku were real, he’d have something pretty poignant yet charmingly blissful to say about that. He’d probably smile, thank Toriyama, and promise he’d see him again soon. That’s just who Goku is as a character because that’s who Toriyama was as a person. Thank you, Toriyama-sensei, for teaching us that legends can come from anywhere — whether that’s a tiny shack in the middle of a forest, or a historic prefecture in the middle of Japan. [Adonis Gonzalez, Staff Writer]

Through his vibrant storytelling and unforgettable characters, Toriyama instilled in many of us a sense of wonder, courage, and camaraderie that transcends the pages and screens, resonating with us in our formative years and continuing to inspire us as we navigate the complexities of adulthood.

My first experience with Toriyama’s work was after school, watching Dragon Ball Z; which was, my first introduction to anime in general. It was a world unlike any I had encountered before, where martial arts prowess and superhuman abilities collided in epic battles that stretched across galaxies. Toriyama’s imaginative universe captivated me from the very first episode. As I immersed myself in the saga of the Saiyans, Namekians, and androids, I found myself drawn not only to the exhilarating action but also to the deeper themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Toriyama’s storytelling prowess and his knack for creating characters with layers of complexity left an indelible impression on me, shaping my perspective on storytelling and igniting a lifelong passion for manga and anime. Through Dragon Ball Z, Akira Toriyama became more than just a creator; he became a guiding influence, sparking my imagination and leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire me to this day. 

Growing up in the church, the parallels between Akira Toriyama’s creations in Dragon Ball and Christian teachings resonated deeply with me. Seeing Goku embodying traits akin to Jesus Christ, such as selflessness, forgiveness, and a commitment to protecting others, provided a unique lens through which I could connect with spiritual concepts. Witnessing Goku’s journey, filled with trials, sacrifices, and moments of redemption, not only entertained me but also reinforced the values instilled in me through religious teachings. The exploration of these themes in Dragon Ball helped shape my understanding of morality, compassion, and the power of hope, offering me a relatable and captivating narrative that enriched my spiritual upbringing within the church. It’s not something I understood I was experiencing as a kid, but looking back, the influence of Toriyama’s storytelling on my spiritual development was profound. 

From the moment news of his passing reached me, I have found myself mourning the loss of a visionary whose imagination knew no bounds. While I may never have the chance to express my gratitude to him in person, I take solace in the hope that perhaps, in the Other World, I’ll have the opportunity to thank Akira Toriyama for the countless hours of joy, inspiration, and wonder his creations have brought into my life. [Alyshia Kelly, Interviews Editor]

Many of Akira Toriyama’s works, including Dragon Ball Super, can be found on Viz Media’s Shonen Jump. The Dragon Ball anime franchise is available now on Crunchyroll. Sand Land begins on Hulu on March 20th, 2024.

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Featured images © Akira Toriyama, Toei Animation, Bandai Namco, Shueisha