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Since Toriyama’s death, fans have been wondering about what will happen toDragon Ballin the future. While it is impossible to predict the future, we can try to understand Toriyama’s views on the series and thus try to guess what is likely to happen likely to happen toDragon Ball.
In a recent interview withKosokoso, a Japanese podcast, threeDragon Balleditors, Kazuhiko Torishima, Yu Kondo and Fuyuto Takeda, shared their experiences with the series and their views on the future. Major points of the interview were translated by Enomis, also known as@Venixys.
It Seems Toriyama Wanted to Distance Himself From Manga
Torishima commented that when Toriyama went from being a mangaka to a scriptwriter. He couldn’t refine his ideas as well as before, probably because no one else was reviewing his work. So, he started adding “unnecessary” elements to the stories.
Takeda shared a similar story, stating that Toriyama also often made comments about not wanting to work anymore — as time went on, Takeda wondered if there wasn’t some truth to these comments, which were mostly taken as jokes.
In fact, the editors all shared similar messages about how detached Toriyama was from his art. While this could be a personal trait, it could also be that at some point Toriyama felt fed up and wanted to “quit” his life as a mangaka, as he was probably working under a lot of pressure.
He Was Still Grateful To Those Who Helped The Series To Succeed
While Toriyama may have developed a mixed relationship with his work, he was still grateful to those who helped makeDragon Ballthe success it is today,like Masako Nozawa, who voices Goku, Gohan and Gotens in anime. According to Kondo,that is one of the reasons why he continued to accept new proposals.
At some point, however,he stopped proposing projects himself, he would just greenlight ideas that were presented to him, in a passive way, according to Takeda.
In the interview, the editors even criticized Shueisha’s attitude towards Toriyama’s death, claiming it was too sparse and impersonal, and also citing that they didn’t even prepare any official memorial event — this could be a way of respecting his privacy, as Toriyama was a private person, but they felt that they didn’t handle the situation properly.
He Could Be Preparing Toyotaro To Be “His Successor”
Takeda also adds thatToriyama wanted others to do things without expecting creative input from him. This attitude is a bit different from what Akio Iyuko said in a recent interview, that Toriyama got excited aboutDragon Ball Daimaandended up writing most of it, but these two are probably talking about Toriyama at different stages of his life (it could also be thatDaimawas an exception).
Taking this into account, it seems likely that Toriyama would eventually let Toyotaro write new sequel stories without his close involvement — while Toyotaro has been in charge of writing and illustratingDragon Ball Super, Toriyama still gave plotlines, and revised storyboards before his death. In fact, Toyotaro has stated thatToriyama saw him as a successor,soSuperwas probably a preparation.
I was impressed when I met Akira Toriyama-sensei. He cheered me up, saying that my work was delicate, and that I was full of ideas. He has chosen me as his successor. It is a great honor.
Thus,it is expected that Toyotaro will be involved in any potential new series, as Toriyama probably shared a lot with him regarding his views onDragon Balland its universe.
What Will Happen From Now On?
The editors seem confident that the series will continue to deliver new stories and anime series. Akio Iyuko has also madesimilar statements in some interviews. So there seems to be a general feeling that the series will continue (and most fans probably also expect it to continue).
However, it has also been reported that Shueisha and Capsule Corporation Tokyo are in a legal dispute over the rights to the franchise. Depending on how it ends, there could be two companies (Shueisha and CCT) working separately on new series, without much coordination.
Iyuko (of CCT) has confirmed that they are working on new projects for the series. Also,Dragon Ball Superwill eventually return from hiatus, and it is likely that a sequel to theSuperanime will be greenlit at some point.
Shueisha was apparently not involved in the latestDragon Ballanime,Dragon Ball Daima. Akio Iyuko was the producer of this series.
Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball is a franchise by Akira Toriyama which follows the adventures of Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the earth with his group of friends. A recent title from the series is Dragon Ball: The Breakers, an action style game where 7 players have to survive being hunted by the Raider.
