Throughout the course of Dragon Ball characters have seen various changes whether it comes to their designs, personality growth, or even through their powers. Akira Toriyama’s creation has seen some big transformations, some to do with his development as an artist and others with regard to his own likes and dislikes. However, there are often times when mangakas make creative decisions based on their own convenience.
Gojo’s bandages were turned into a black blindfold because Gege Akutami found it easier to draw. One of the most prominent changes in Goku’s design had a lot to do with his initial design being that of a monkey. Goku had a tail, one that many fans would remember. However, that tail was eventually something Toriyama got rid of.
Goku’s Tail Was Never the Problem for Akira Toriyama
During an interview for the Super History Book (via Kanzenshuu) that was published to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the series, Akira Toriyama spoke up about what many had speculated for a really long time. Goku’s tail was a topic many got curious about. First, it was there and then it wasn’t.
it’s just that I’m always thinking about how things are supposed to work, so it was a real pain to figure out how he’d put his pants on or stuff like that. That’s what always bugged me most. Is there a hole in the pants? Does he put his tail through first, then put the pants on? So that made me want to just get rid of the darn thing… which I did, in the end.
The tail was removed after many believed that it had become a nuisance for the Dragon Ball creator. However, that was far from the case. Instead, Toriyama found himself pulling his hair out over Goku’s clothes. For someone who had a tail, how would Goku wear his pants? Practicality became a topic of concern.
It had nothing to do with how difficult or easy the tail was to draw but more so with how much sense it made for a character like Goku to have a tail while also sporting pants.
Creative Decisions and Convenience
There are many renowned characters who have tails. Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid’s Kanna Kobayashi and Rin Okumura from Blue Exorcist both have tails. For Akira Toriyama, it wasn’t about how easy it would be to draw the tail but how convenient it would be. Such an approach, although not rare, is still a pleasant surprise to find. Readers might not think too much about such practicality but that is where the difference between a reader and an author comes into play.
A subtle change and an even more minute of thought made Goku a lot closer to being realistic than not. Practicality and logic, a pragmatic approach, and the plight of one’s character form a mixture of possibilities and at the same time, also limitations.
Goku’s understanding as a character, what goes on in his mind and all the knowledge about his mundane actions are something only Akira Toriyama can understand as his creator. The relationship between a character and their creator is sacred, unlike any other. Such small details show exactly why.
