When two maestros like Eiichiro Oda and Akira Toriyama meet to discuss each other’s works, there’s bound to be a little friction. Still, the interview that resulted from the encounter carried lots of information on both One Piece and Dragon Ball.
Both creators talked about their creation process as well as how they like to portray characters. This led to the authors relating with each other while revealing what their personal styles are. Oda even discussed how he manages to keep One Piece interesting despite its long run.
Akira Toriyama Walked a Thin Line in an Interview with Eiichiro Oda
In an interview with Eiichiro Oda, Akira Toriyama discussed his creation process for Dragon Ball. Toriyama asked the One Piece author if he put weight on character orientation right from the beginning of creating them. Oda replied that he often goes with the flow and cherishes the grooves that he gets into.
Oda continued that he first draws rough sketches of new characters. At this stage, he always writes down a line or two about them, which laters helps him to shape the characters. Oda admits that it happens naturally, and he doesn’t have to think about it. Eventually, it’s the character’s first dialogue that builds their personality.
The character develops based upon what I’m thinking, “This guy might say something like this!”
Akira Toriyama showed an immediate understanding of the One Piece author’s process. He exclaimed that both of them go about it differently but the way they begin to imagine is the same. However, the very next words that come out of the Dragon Ball creator almost sounded like a jab.
So, all of that creativity which makes your readers really happy just comes out naturally? Or are you trying to suck-up to the readers?
Eiichiro Oda, to his credit, answered ‘both’ in a collected manner. One Piece is a well-known franchise, and readers hail it as one of the best series. Thus, Toriyama’s intrigue might have caused accidental probing, as the author was curious about how fans are always so satisfied with One Piece‘s chapters.
How Eiichiro Oda Manages to Keep One Piece Relevant
Eiichiro Oda explained in the interview that he had decided to be a manga artist back when he was very little. So he always thought of things that he could draw when he did become a mangaka, and he still has a large supply of those ideas. So, a part of him always thought of making readers happy. However, being someone who belongs to an older generation, it is bound to be tough for him to keep the younger audiences engaged as well.
Unfortunately, how I perceive things now is different from how [modern] boys perceive things, but when I draw I keep in mind of, “What I would be happy to see if I read it when I was young?”.
Toriyama also chimed in by agreeing that it is important to turn oneself into a young reader again if a relatable manga needs to be created. Oda added that he can’t trust others when they advise him on which way his manga should proceed. However, after creating a chapter, if he thinks that his child version would have read it and enjoyed it, then he could proudly bring his creation to the world.
One Piece has always been an adventure manga, yet it attracted all genre lovers due to its beautifully constructed plot. Not only children and teenagers but even adults are fans of the franchise. Thanks to the peculiar characters, the deep storyline, embroidered mysteries, and spectacular comic reliefs, One Piece is here to reign for a long time.
The One Piece manga is available to read on Viz Media, and the anime is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
