Ever since Akira Toriyama passed away, Toyotarou had to take on the responsibilities of the mangaka to finish his ongoing Dragon Ball Super manga. This alone should have made fans grateful to the illustrator, but so far, he has received more unnecessary hate than praise.
It is a given that Toriyama had a different paneling style as opposed to Toyotarou and both have their creative differences. However, Toyotarou was personally chosen by the Dragon Ball author, and in an interview organized by Viz Media, it is clear why the illustrator stood out from the rest.
Toyotarou’s Absurd Drawing Hours for Dragon Ball
In the interview, Toyotarou was asked how many hours a day he spent drawing and his answer was an astounding 18 hours a day. The illustrator admits that as long as he is awake, he could be found drawing. But the surprises don’t end yet. What the illustrator admitted to next will send shivers down your spine.
Depending on the situation, I’ll be drawing for 22 hours a day. And no, I didn’t spend a year in the Room of Spirit and Time. If it exists, I would love to use the room during the week of the deadline though.
The Hyperbolic Time Chamber, also known as the Room of Spirit and Time, is a mysterious dimension that Dragon Ball characters enter to train. Time moves differently there and characters can train for months without having to worry about skipping out on Earth time.
For someone as busy as Toyotarou, it would only make sense if he wishes to discover such a chamber. Maybe, that is the only way in which he can have enough sleep. In the absence of Akira Toriyama, Toyotarou has to create the plot, and storyboards, finalize them with the editors, and illustrate them all alone. Naturally, Toyotarou has very little time to rest, and his dedication to the series is clearly visible.
Toyotarou Points Out What Sets Dragon Ball Apart From Other Shonen Series
Toyotarou admits that Goku is a very nice and caring character which he really loves in a character. Furthermore, Goku might be a hero, but his motivation to be one is different from other protagonists. He is not too similar to other traditional heroes and that makes him unique.
He doesn’t necessarily fight to save the Earth, he really just fights because he wants to, and I like that about him.
Goku has been a battle-junkie since his inception and he can go to any length to find a strong opponent. Rather than saving the Earth or his friends, his priority has always been to beat the bad guy and prosper his own skills. Goku might be kind, but he still has the raw Saiyan blood in his veins that urges him to be the strongest.
Goku’s prolonged absence from the lives of his children also shows that while he is a kinder Saiyan, he still doesn’t understand all the emotions that Earthlings experience. But at the end of the day, all his faults and passion for battle are what makes Goku so iconic.
You can read Dragon Ball on Viz Media and watch the anime on Crunchyroll.
