Toriyama's Notes on Anime Are Really Ironic
"To be honest, I have never had much interest in anime, and even when my work was made into animated format, I feel embarrassed to admit that I did not watch much of it, apologies to the staff," Toriyama said at opening his remarks. Those who grew up with the Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z Anime series may find this statement shocking as the author of the series never viewed this very popular adaptation of his own work.
Toriyama then remarks, "Thus, it is really terrible that I am the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Tokyo Anime Awards Festival. Many thanks very highly. Usually, a recipient of a lifetime achievement award should be especially interested in the topic of the award, but for Toriyama at least that is not the case. Past remarks suggest that Toriyama is significantly more drawn to traditional live action films than animated ones. Through his participation on several Dragon Ball movies throughout the years, much of his knowledge with animation comes from the production side rather than the spectator's side.
The Legendary Dragon Ball
Dragon Ball is a huge multimedia series spanning back to the 1980s from the creative mind of Akira Toriyama. Originally serialized Manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan, Dragon Ball grew rapidly. It found its way abroad via a manga and an anime version enjoyed all around. Originally commencing with the exploits of the young Son Goku as he pursued the Dragon Balls, Dragon Ball was the first animated series. Any person who gathered these enchanted balls would be granted their wish. The show would then veer off into the wildly popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and had high-intensity combat and Goku's never-ending drive to be the strongest. Up to the most recent successful Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the series has also had multiple popular video game adaptations and still running several new animated series and theatrical movies.
It is indisputable that Toriyama shaped anime. Millions of individuals all across have come into touch with his work. Though his demeanor might not be as in line with anime as some enthusiasts think, his contributions to the medium are unquestionable.
"Truly Embarrassing": Hilarious Ironic Fact Regarding Creator of Dragon Ball
Clearly among the most impactful Manga and anime series ever created is Dragon Ball. Toriyama did, however, admit to being "not that into anime" after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tokyo Anime Award Festival—a revelation that would surprise some fans.
Toriyama passed before the awards event took place in March 2024, but initially the prize was revealed in December 2023. He had written a response that was included in pamphlets given at the event. @SuppaChronicles on X (previously Twitter) has released and translated this brochure, giving fans who missed the event access to read Toriyama's last public statements.
Dragon Ball's Effects
Toriyama has never been a huge fan of anime, yet he helped one of the most watched anime shows. Many people all across have found great emotional resonance in his creation. Though Toriyama might not have liked anime, his influence on the medium is indisputable.
Designed by Akira Toriyama, the mega-multimedia franchise Dragon Ball first debuted in the 1980s Originally a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump, Dragon Ball started off in Japan. It is quite well-known all around and was released abroad via adaptations of anime and manga. The first animated series to follow the adventures of young Son Goku, a lad on a quest to retrieve the Dragon Balls, was Dragon Ball. Those who gathered these magical balls will be granted wishes. The show then extended to the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku's adult years with action-packed battles and the quest of becoming the most powerful. Up to the most current hit Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, the series has also been the subject of numerous well-known video game adaptations as well as ongoing releases of other new animated series and theatrical features.
Tokyo Anime Award
Toriyama discussed a lot of topics, but he felt it was important to start by stating he isn't very interested in animation—even Dragon Ball. "To be honest, I have never had much interest in anime; even when my work was made into animated form, I feel embarrassed to admit that I did not view much of it, apologies to the staff," Toriyama started his letter.
Toriyama felt the need to be straight forward even if some people could seek to disguise or minimize their lack of interest at such a ceremony; this helps to give the whole message a somewhat humorous tone. One cannot argue the influence Toriyama has had on the medium of anime as a whole, even if he did not feel he merited such an honor. Dragon Ball is still among the most popular series worldwide, and as Toriyama himself mentions at the conclusion, he had a major influence on the next Dragon Ball Daima. Toriyama might not have felt that near to anime, yet he has helped anime evolve nevertheless.
