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For a manga series to achieve success, it is important that the creator and the editor have a great partnership. However, in the case ofDragon Ball, its creator, Akira Toriyama, and its first editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, had a weird relationship that cannot be defined so easily. Nonetheless, it helped them create one of the best manga series of all time.
Torishima was one of the first individuals to recognize Toriyama’s talent for manga, and he helped him create not onlyDragon Ballbut also his former manga,Dr. Slump. Although Torishima has worked on many other projects and is currently serving as the director of Bushiroad, he is most known forDragon Balland his connection to Toriyama.
TheDragon Ballcreator once recalled an interaction with Torishima where the editor forced him to drawDragon Ballmanga when Toriyama was tired and suffering from brutally painful inflamed tendons. He even gave a weird reason for it that was never understood by theDragon Ballmanga creator.
Kazuhiko Torishima Forced Akira Toriyama
The 50th anniversary issue of Weekly Shonen Jump featured an interview between Toriyama and Slam Dunk’s creator, Takehiko Inoue. This interview was later shared by Hitoshura onSkull Knight. During the interview, Toriyama explained the stress he had to face while working onDragon Balland howKazuhiko Torishimawas responsible for it.
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Toriyama stated:
Torishima-san said I had to do two chapters in one week or I’d be too late. I was exhausted from having just finished some manga, so I replied that I could barely move my hands due to inflamed tendons. He told me to try writing my name, and I said, “Of course I can write my name!” Then he said, “If you’re able to write your name, then you can draw manga!” What kind of logic is that?! [laughs]
According to the manga creator, there was an incident where he finished some other manga and was exhausted from working on it. However, Torishima asked him to work onDragon Ballas he had to submit two chapters in one week. Toriyama pointed out that he shared his pain with Torishima,but the editorgave the weird logic that if he could write his name, he could draw the manga.
The Love-Hate Relationship between Akira Toriyama and Kazuhiko Torishima
There have been multiple instances whereAkira Toriyamaand editor Torishima have talked about their relationship with each other. Both have recalled many scenarios where they have argued with each other about theDragon Ballmanga but ultimately resolved these issues and somehow worked together for so long.
Their disputes reached a point whereToriyama once threatened to stop drawingDragon Ballif the editor didn’t agree to a major change to Goku. This argument was because of Goku’s character design, and Toriyama wanted to change it forDragon Ball Z.However, they somehow managed to come to terms with each other.
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Although their relationship has been a little rocky since the beginning, both Toriyama and Torishima have only wanted the best forDragon Ball, and maybe their conflicts over the series are one of the main reasons why theDragon Ballfranchise is such a big phenomenon in the anime and manga industry.
You can watch theDragon Ballseries on Crunchyroll.
Tarun Kohli
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2959
Tarun Kohli is the Senior Anime Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,900 published articles. He currently specializes in critiquing One Piece and other Shonen anime. A passionate fan of the genre, his love for thoughtful analysis reflects his genuine appreciation for the art of anime. His deep understanding of anime culture has earned recognition from industry figures such as Adi Shankar and the creators of Blood of Zeus.
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