The manga industry is a grueling workplace that does not spare even the greatest of mangakas. In an interview for Weekly Shonen Jump’s 50th anniversary, Akira Toriyama opened up about his struggles with Dragon Ball.
Not only do authors have to face strict deadlines and constant stress, but falling ill and permanent ailments are almost a bonus feature of the job. You will rarely find a mangaka who is completely healthy despite the stress. Toriyama-sensei’s interview once more points towards the inhumane working conditions, and the pressure created on the creative backbones of the industry.
Akira Toriyama Recounts His Harrowing Schedule
On the 50th anniversary of Weekly Shonen Jump, a commemorative special interview was held with two legendary mangakas, Akira Toriyama and Takehiko Inoue. It was the first time that both authors got together for a chat and both were equally nervous till a trauma-dumping session helped them bond.
Both authors agreed that it was exhausting to do a full-color manuscript for their weekly serialization. Toriyama exclaimed that the color pages were due earlier than the black and white pages and it upset the schedule. He had to keep estimating the story’s progression while working on a previous chapter.
I had to finish two chapters simultaneously, so I had to predict the events of a chapter I hadn’t drawn yet and then draw the next one, or I’d be too late.
At the time, Kazuhiko Torishima was Dragon Ball‘s editor and he had even inspired a character called Dr. Mashirito, a recurring antagonist of the Dr. Slump series.
Akira Toriyama’s Casual Dragon Ball BTS Horror Story
According to the creator of Dragon Ball, Torishima asked him to complete two chapters in a single week, lest he wanted to be late. At the time, Toriyama had just finished a manga series and was exhausted. He is probably talking about 1984 when Dr. Slump had just finished serialization.
Dr. Slump, Akira Toriyama’s first manga that launched him into success ended in September 1984. Dragon Ball debuted in December 1984 so you can guess the pressure that was built on the writer to create a new manga in less than two months. Naturally, Toriyama was tired beyond imagination and could not write a single page.
I could barely move my hands from inflamed tendons. He told me to try writing my name, and I said, “Of course I can write my name!” Then he said, “If you can write your name, then you can draw manga!” What kind of logic is that?!
Inoue sensei was wide-eyed at the story and claimed that he always thought these were rumors that were blown out of proportion. While this account seems like an unbelievable story to you, it is a common occurrence for mangakas. In fact, if someone as famous as Akira Toriyama is treated this way, you can only imagine what up-and-coming authors have to go through.
You can read Dragon Ball on Viz Media and watch the anime on Crunchyroll.
