The Dragon Ball series made Akira Toriyama a global superstar, and it was mostly thanks to the incredible fight scenes. While the original Dragon Ball manga was already groundbreaking for Shonen and what fans expected from combat scenes, Dragon Ball Z took things to a whole new level.
In every part of the Dragon Ball story, you can find some truly awesome fights. It makes sense, given that the series revolves around planet-conquering villains, world-renowned martial artists, and even literal gods trained in combat by angels. With such powerful fighters, you’re bound to get some epic battle scenes.
However, not all fights are created equal. Some stand out as better than others. The true mark of an iconic Dragon Ball fight isn’t just about the sheer power levels of the fighters involved.
What Are The Top 5 Dragon Ball Battles According To Akira Toriyama?
One of the most celebrated battles in the Dragon Ball series is the clash between Goku and Majin Vegeta during the Buu Saga. Brimming with intense action and emotional weight, this long-awaited rematch between two of anime’s greatest rivals is widely regarded as a highlight of the franchise.
All aspects of this confrontation were truly spectacular.
However, in a rather surprising revelation, when asked by an interviewer to name his top five favorite battles from Dragon Ball, creator Akira Toriyama did not include Goku versus Majin Vegeta on his list.
According to Akira Toriyama:
“To be honest, I’ve forgotten a lot of the Dragon Ball story and events, but the fight against Demon King Piccolo has to be number one. It was the first time Goku took down an insanely powerful foe like that. That battle really showed me where the story could go from there.”
Akira Toriyama went on to reveal the remaining battles that made his personal top 5 list.
At #2 was the brief but entertaining fight between Young Trunks and Mr. Satan – Akira Toriyama’s self-proclaimed favorite character whom he enjoys for his “cheapness” and the fight’s brevity.
The #3 spot went to Goku vs Recoom, which Akira Toriyama appreciated more for marking Goku’s long-awaited arrival rather than the fight itself.
Akira Toriyama combined #4 for both Krillin vs Bacterian and Gotenks vs Majin Buu (Evil), admitting he greatly preferred these silly, idiotic fights over serious battles when drawing the series.
What Inspired Akira Toriyama For The Training Sequences In Dragon Ball?
When asked about the inspiration behind the training sequences in Dragon Ball, the creator didn’t point to any specific reference material. He admitted the training methods were relatively orthodox, the kind of things anyone could come up with.
However, he did mention that the training scenes from the film Drunken Master served as some inspiration as well.
According to him, for Goku, the toughest part of Master Roshi’s training was likely the lessons in manners and studies, rather than the physical exercises.
You can watch Dragon Ball on Crunchyroll.
