It’s hard to believe thatDragon BallcreatorAkira Toriyama tragically passed awayover a year ago, on July 16, 2025. Since then, a clearer picture has emerged of how his life and creative vision evolved alongside his incredible stories and characters. Old interviews and statements have taken on new meaning when viewed through the lens of his passing, offering a more complete understanding of the man behind the legacy.
Recently,a comment made by Toriyamaat a 2014 press screening forDragon Ball Kaihas resurfaced, shedding light onwhyDragon Ballgradually shifted away from the intense, violent battles that definedDragon Ball Z. The statement also helps explain the gentler tone seen in his later works, such asSAND LANDandDragon Ball Daima, which feature child-sized protagonists and emphasize adventure over conflict.
Akira Toriyama Reflects On Dragon Ball
The Creator Examines The Toll Of The Series
Reflecting on the final arc ofDragon Ballin the interview, Toriyama said:
“The final opponent ofDragon Ball’sweekly serialization was Majin Boo. The final opponent is round! Formidable! And tenacious! In the first half, the spotlight shines on the everyday life of Son Goku’s son, Son Gohan, who wants to live an ordinary life but can’t, as well as the first Tenka’ichi Budōkai in a long time.”
He went on to explain the personal cost of the increasingly high-stakes and battle-driven storytelling employed byDragon Ball:
“In the second half, Majin Boo makes his appearance in the mortal realm at last. It’s a string of battles intense enough for even me, the person writing the comic, to get sick of. Now that I’ve become an old man with high-ish blood pressure and a taste for things mild, I can’t draw these sorts of battles anymore. Or rather, I’ve lost the will to draw a battle manga from here on out.”
That reflection carries more weight in hindsight. It reveals a creator who, after years of explosive action,was ready to explore a quieter, more personal kind of storytelling—and in his later work, he did just that.
Toriyama Explored Everything From Gags To Galaxies
It Reflected A Shift in Tone and Scope
BeforeDragon Ballbecame a global phenomenon, Toriyama was known for the whimsical sci-fi comedyDr. Slump. His playful, gag-driven style would evolve dramatically throughDragon Ball, as he blended martial arts, myth, and cosmic stakes. What started as a lighthearted adventure slowly transformed into one of the most iconic battle manga in history.
That transformation wasn’t just about bigger fights—it was about scale, tone, and Toriyama’s growing ambition as a storyteller. EarlyDragon Ballleaned heavily into comedy and satire, often parodying kung fu films and classic Chinese literature likeJourney to the West. But as the series progressed, humor gave way to high-stakes drama, powerful rivalries, and galactic threats. Characters aged, died, and returned. The world expanded from mystical forests to interplanetary arenas.
Dragon Ball Soon Became Synonymous With Power Levels And Global Popularity
Kai Also Marked An Evolution Of The Franchise
WhenDragon Ball Zintroduced the Super Saiyans, the series took on a new intensity, with battles that resembled the superpowered showdowns of American comic books likeSupermanandX-Men—though filtered through a distinctly Japanese lens. These high-energy fights likely played a major role inDBZbecoming a massive hit when it aired in the West during the 1990s. For many viewers, the originalDragon Ballcame later, but without those “Over 9000” moments, the franchise may never have exploded in popularity overseas the way it did.
Years later, as global interest in the franchise remained strong,Dragon Ball Kai—a remastered and streamlined version ofDBZ—aired on August 14, 2025, on Fuji TV. Designed to follow the manga more closely, it removed filler episodes, featured updated visuals, and offered a faster-paced experience. The series also aired internationally, including a popular English-language version, reintroducing theDragon Ballsaga in a cleaner, more accessible format.
Kai Featured Softer Edges Leading To Mixed Reactions
One notable change inKaiwas its toned-down violence—blood and intense fight scenes were softened or edited, particularly in the TV broadcast. While this made the show more suitable for younger audiences and modern standards, it drew mixed reactions from longtime fans, some of whom preferred the original’s rawer tone and soundtrack. Still,Kaiwas widely regarded as a successful revival, balancing nostalgia with a refreshed take on a classic story.
That balance between honoring the past and adapting for the present would continue to shape the franchise. Toriyama’s creative arc mirrors that of his characters—growing more complex, introspective, and human over time. Just as Goku evolved from a carefree boy into a father and protector of Earth, Toriyama gradually shifted from spectacle to simplicity. This change was subtle but ever-present, as themes of family, restraint, and quiet strength became more prominent in his later works.
In that light,the recentDragon Ball Daimafeels less like a finale and more like a return to the beginning. With its de-aged heroes and whimsical tone, the series echoes the spirit of earlyDragon Ball, far removed from the galaxy-shaking battles ofZorSuper. It’s hard not to see this creative decision as deliberate—a gentle farewell in Toriyama’s own storytelling language.
The Dragon Ball Franchise Looks Ahead
Following Toriyama’s Final Path
Daima, the final series Toriyama worked on, concluded earlier this year. In the wake of his passing, speculation has grown aboutthe future of theDragon Ballfranchise—whether it can, or should, continue without its original creator. At the same time,anticipation is building around the potential return ofDragon Ball Super, with reports suggesting a new story arc is already in development.
Is Dragon Ball Super Really Over? A New Manga Update Says That’s Not the Case
Dragon Ball Super’s future may still be up in the air at this point, but there’s new reasons to believe that the manga will continue eventually.
Toriyama once said he had lost the will to draw battle manga—a quiet but telling sign of the direction he saw forDragon Ball. Now, without him, the question isn’t just whetherDragon Ballwill continue, but how closely it will follow the path he had already begun to trace. With any luck, the current stewards of the franchise will heed the comments made by Toriyama back in 2014.
Source:Kanzenshuu
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
