Translations Archive
Dragon Ball Daizenshuu 1: Complete Illustrations
Shenlong Times — 1st Issue
Past Editors Round-Table Discussion — 1st Round
Dragon Ball, which lasted ten years and six months, became a long-running manga even by Weekly Shōnen Jump standards. In that shadow there were the figures of the three successive editors who supported Akira Toriyama!
Kazuhiko Torishima (initial editor) — Currently the head editor of V-Jump. He was the editor from the beginning of Dragon Ball until the end of the 23rd Tenka’ichi Budōkai. It’s rumored that he was the model for Piccolo Daimaō.
Yū Kondō (second editor) — He was the editor from the appearance of Raditz to just before Cell achieved his perfect form. Currently serving as assistant chief editor of Monthly Shōnen Jump. It seems he was the model for Freeza.
Fuyuto Takeda (third editor) — He was editor from the appearance of Cell in his perfect form until the final chapter. He is currently still serving as Akira Toriyama-sensei’s editor. He was the model for the original Majin Boo (Mr. Boo).
The past editors tell the secrets of Akira Toriyama’s pictures!!
Fuyuto Takeda
I am Takeda, the current editor. Since I’m the newest out of all the editors, I’ll chair. First, there are some things that I’d like to ask the original editor Torishima-san, who picked out Toriyama-sensei’s manuscript “I sent this in because I wanted the prize money”. I’m sure there are things he’ll be able to shed some light on.
I am Takeda, the current editor. Since I’m the newest out of all the editors, I’ll chair. First, there are some things that I’d like to ask the original editor Torishima-san, who picked out Toriyama-sensei’s manuscript “I sent this in because I wanted the prize money”. I’m sure there are things he’ll be able to shed some light on.
Kazuhiko Torishima
To say that I “picked him” seems a little… (laughs) The first manuscript that Toriyama-kun sent me was a Star Wars parody. Parodies can’t win any prize money. They’re not original and it’s difficult to publish them. Only, his lettering left an unusual impression on me. Sound effects are usually drawn as katakana, but he had drawn them as letters of the alphabet. I thought this was extraordinarily refreshing, groundbreaking, and kind of cool. So I contacted him.
To say that I “picked him” seems a little… (laughs) The first manuscript that Toriyama-kun sent me was a Star Wars parody. Parodies can’t win any prize money. They’re not original and it’s difficult to publish them. Only, his lettering left an unusual impression on me. Sound effects are usually drawn as katakana, but he had drawn them as letters of the alphabet. I thought this was extraordinarily refreshing, groundbreaking, and kind of cool. So I contacted him.
Fuyuto Takeda
So as it were, Toriyama-san has now become an author known throughout the world because he was noticed for his lettering, a rather minor part of a manga.
So as it were, Toriyama-san has now become an author known throughout the world because he was noticed for his lettering, a rather minor part of a manga.
Kazuhiko Torishima
Toriyama-kun’s big peculiarity is that he never read or studied manga, but rather studied basic pictures as a designer. The fact that he then hit upon drawing manga by chance after he was out of work is his biggest peculiarity.
Toriyama-kun’s big peculiarity is that he never read or studied manga, but rather studied basic pictures as a designer. The fact that he then hit upon drawing manga by chance after he was out of work is his biggest peculiarity.
Fuyuto Takeda
So it’s in that way that [Dr. Slump –] Arale-chan and Dragon Ball began. So then, Kondō-san became the editor right around the time the Saiyan arc began. At that time, Dragon Ball was explosively popular; when Jump did a 1,000-ballot survey, at its height Dragon Ball got around 700 ballots.
So it’s in that way that [Dr. Slump –] Arale-chan and Dragon Ball began. So then, Kondō-san became the editor right around the time the Saiyan arc began. At that time, Dragon Ball was explosively popular; when Jump did a 1,000-ballot survey, at its height Dragon Ball got around 700 ballots.
Yū Kondō
No, it was 815 ballots – that was in the Freeza arc.
No, it was 815 ballots – that was in the Freeza arc.
Fuyuto Takeda
That’s an incredible popularity rating, but how were the picture designs at that period?
That’s an incredible popularity rating, but how were the picture designs at that period?
Yū Kondō
That’s when it started to change from what it had been before. When it started serialization, the story was comical, so the lines were round. Then, with the Tenka’ichi Budōkai, it switched to a fighting theme, so after that the fighting had to escalate. But when it comes to that, round lines don’t convey a sense of speed or intensity. So once he realized this, midway through the manga the round lines started to become square and sharp. When that happened, I said to Toriyama-san, “Aren’t the lines a little harsh now?”, and he said, “No, if I don’t do it like this then there’s no sense of speed.”
That’s when it started to change from what it had been before. When it started serialization, the story was comical, so the lines were round. Then, with the Tenka’ichi Budōkai, it switched to a fighting theme, so after that the fighting had to escalate. But when it comes to that, round lines don’t convey a sense of speed or intensity. So once he realized this, midway through the manga the round lines started to become square and sharp. When that happened, I said to Toriyama-san, “Aren’t the lines a little harsh now?”, and he said, “No, if I don’t do it like this then there’s no sense of speed.”
Fuyuto Takeda
I see; speaking of the pictures, I often asked Sensei why he made the scenery in Dragon Ball relatively sparse, and he said that drawing things like cities was too troublesome. I asked him why Goku’s hair became white when he became a Super Saiyan, and he said it was because it was too much trouble to black it all in. (laughs) Was that really the only reason?
I see; speaking of the pictures, I often asked Sensei why he made the scenery in Dragon Ball relatively sparse, and he said that drawing things like cities was too troublesome. I asked him why Goku’s hair became white when he became a Super Saiyan, and he said it was because it was too much trouble to black it all in. (laughs) Was that really the only reason?
Kazuhiko Torishima
That was really the only reason. (laughs) With the backgrounds for Dr. Slump, he just did these round mountains with some trees. I asked him, “Why this scenery?”, and he said “Because that’s the simplest.”
That was really the only reason. (laughs) With the backgrounds for Dr. Slump, he just did these round mountains with some trees. I asked him, “Why this scenery?”, and he said “Because that’s the simplest.”
Yū Kondō
You can see it in a flash; it’s pretty easy to see. When Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan, if his head turned white, then anyone who looked at it would be able to tell that this was a transformation. With Kame-Sen’nin, he has “kame” written on his back. It’s incredibly easy to understand.
You can see it in a flash; it’s pretty easy to see. When Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan, if his head turned white, then anyone who looked at it would be able to tell that this was a transformation. With Kame-Sen’nin, he has “kame” written on his back. It’s incredibly easy to understand.
Kazuhiko Torishima
He came from doing design drawings, so he excels at using a design sensibility. He’s extraordinarily skillful at achieving a balance of dark and light. He said that since he lives out in the country, he didn’t have the money to buy screen tone. Since he didn’t use tone, his basis became black and white. That’s why he’s so skillful at how to use blacked-in areas and blank areas. Although you could say that drawing a lot of background is difficult, you could conversely say that he has the composition and design ability to create a scene without drawing them.
He came from doing design drawings, so he excels at using a design sensibility. He’s extraordinarily skillful at achieving a balance of dark and light. He said that since he lives out in the country, he didn’t have the money to buy screen tone. Since he didn’t use tone, his basis became black and white. That’s why he’s so skillful at how to use blacked-in areas and blank areas. Although you could say that drawing a lot of background is difficult, you could conversely say that he has the composition and design ability to create a scene without drawing them.
Fuyuto Takeda
This is changing the subject a bit, but when he was asked what piece he liked or was pleased with out of all the color illustrations he drew in 10 years of Dragon Ball, it seems there was only one. This was the picture.
This is changing the subject a bit, but when he was asked what piece he liked or was pleased with out of all the color illustrations he drew in 10 years of Dragon Ball, it seems there was only one. This was the picture.
Kazuhiko Torishima
The one with Goku and Gohan riding on a motorcycle with legs? (see page 88)
The one with Goku and Gohan riding on a motorcycle with legs? (see page 88)
Fuyuto Takeda
That’s right. He said that the balance was good, the composition was good, and that this was the only one he was pleased with. It really is great and all, but I personally don’t feel that it’s so excessively good that it lives up to that claim. What do you think?
That’s right. He said that the balance was good, the composition was good, and that this was the only one he was pleased with. It really is great and all, but I personally don’t feel that it’s so excessively good that it lives up to that claim. What do you think?
Yū Kondō
I guess I partly agree and partly disagree. The part where I agree is that this extraordinarily difficult to balance picture is frozen in a single instant. Wasn’t he able to draw that balance very satisfyingly? With the colors, doesn’t it leave a vivid impression? The coloring is completely different than the color at the beginning.
I guess I partly agree and partly disagree. The part where I agree is that this extraordinarily difficult to balance picture is frozen in a single instant. Wasn’t he able to draw that balance very satisfyingly? With the colors, doesn’t it leave a vivid impression? The coloring is completely different than the color at the beginning.
Kazuhiko Torishima
Just like what I was saying earlier about the lines, the way he paints colors also changed. He got tired of the painting style he had, and looking ahead, he stopped using that painting style and changed to a different one. He’ll continue using that painting style until he sees that he’s had enough.
Just like what I was saying earlier about the lines, the way he paints colors also changed. He got tired of the painting style he had, and looking ahead, he stopped using that painting style and changed to a different one. He’ll continue using that painting style until he sees that he’s had enough.
Fuyuto Takeda
Could you see the change in the colors between the times of the first and second editor?
Could you see the change in the colors between the times of the first and second editor?
Yū Kondō
Dr. Slump was very luxuriant. From the scenery to the characters, everything was full color, but with Dragon Ball the scenery was sparse and there was a lot of grey and light brown. It was the same with what Goku and the others wore. Doing that, it was inevitable that it would become close to monotone.
Dr. Slump was very luxuriant. From the scenery to the characters, everything was full color, but with Dragon Ball the scenery was sparse and there was a lot of grey and light brown. It was the same with what Goku and the others wore. Doing that, it was inevitable that it would become close to monotone.
Kazuhiko Torishima
With the painting supplies, during Dr. Slump he used markers, then in the middle he changed to color ink. I said, “Well, haven’t you become like a professional manga artist”, and he said, “I’ve got a wife now. I’m married.” (laughs)
With the painting supplies, during Dr. Slump he used markers, then in the middle he changed to color ink. I said, “Well, haven’t you become like a professional manga artist”, and he said, “I’ve got a wife now. I’m married.” (laughs)
Fuyuto Takeda
It’s because his wife was also a manga artist. Now that you mention it, didn’t Kondō-san repaint one of Sensei’s illustrations?
It’s because his wife was also a manga artist. Now that you mention it, didn’t Kondō-san repaint one of Sensei’s illustrations?
Yū Kondō
The cover illustration?
The cover illustration?
Fuyuto Takeda
Yeah, that’s right.
Yeah, that’s right.
Yū Kondō
You heard wrong. I actually redrew the illustration. (laughs) For the cover of Toriyama-san’s first illustration collection, I thought a dragon image would be good, so I had him draw a dragon. Toriyama-san drew the entire thing on a single sheet of paper, with scales like the dragon King Ghidorah. But I came to think that it was a little weak for a cover. It seems like it was a great shock for him. (laughs)
You heard wrong. I actually redrew the illustration. (laughs) For the cover of Toriyama-san’s first illustration collection, I thought a dragon image would be good, so I had him draw a dragon. Toriyama-san drew the entire thing on a single sheet of paper, with scales like the dragon King Ghidorah. But I came to think that it was a little weak for a cover. It seems like it was a great shock for him. (laughs)
Fuyuto Takeda
Then, I became editor a little after Cell appeared.
Then, I became editor a little after Cell appeared.
Kazuhiko Torishima
You can tell who was editor at the time by the enemy characters. After you’d been doing it a while you’d appear as an enemy. (laughs)
You can tell who was editor at the time by the enemy characters. After you’d been doing it a while you’d appear as an enemy. (laughs)
Yū Kondō
I think Torishima-san and Takeda-kun really demonstrate that. (laughs)
I think Torishima-san and Takeda-kun really demonstrate that. (laughs)
Fuyuto Takeda
Kondō-san himself has said that he’s Trunks, but I think that’s impossible. Kondō-san is Freeza. But then, you did go and redraw that picture. (laughs)
Kondō-san himself has said that he’s Trunks, but I think that’s impossible. Kondō-san is Freeza. But then, you did go and redraw that picture. (laughs)
Akira Toriyama’s “Me These Days”
The diligent, half-assed, kindly, cold, cheerful, gloomy, unflappable, short-tempered, shy, perverted, silent, loudmouthed, even-he-doesn’t-really-know-how-severely-twisted bastard Akira Toriyama’s Me These Days.
Panel 1
Hello, I’m Akira Toriyama.
Hello, I’m Akira Toriyama.
Panel 2
It’s too bad that Dragon Ball, which I drew for a very long time, has ended. Just kidding. I’m incredibly glad. Now I can just leisurely sit around!
It’s too bad that Dragon Ball, which I drew for a very long time, has ended. Just kidding. I’m incredibly glad. Now I can just leisurely sit around!
Panel 3
But having said that, it’s not like I’m actually lying around. I’m a lazy person, but if I’m not absent-mindedly doing something I can’t really relax. I can’t just veg out.
But having said that, it’s not like I’m actually lying around. I’m a lazy person, but if I’m not absent-mindedly doing something I can’t really relax. I can’t just veg out.
Panel 4
Now that I’ve quit Dragon Ball and stopped weekly serialization, I don’t think that I’ll concentrate on a new manga or something. I’m the type of person to carefully do things at my own pace, and I don’t want to go back to weekly serialization.
Now that I’ve quit Dragon Ball and stopped weekly serialization, I don’t think that I’ll concentrate on a new manga or something. I’m the type of person to carefully do things at my own pace, and I don’t want to go back to weekly serialization.
Panel 5
When I look at it, I don’t really like people, and socializing is really awful. Outside of my family, friends, and those connected to my job, I don’t think I actively want to meet anyone. I’ve always lived in the country, after all. Nevertheless, somehow or another people kept dropping in, so I had to move to even farther out in the sticks to live comfortably.
When I look at it, I don’t really like people, and socializing is really awful. Outside of my family, friends, and those connected to my job, I don’t think I actively want to meet anyone. I’ve always lived in the country, after all. Nevertheless, somehow or another people kept dropping in, so I had to move to even farther out in the sticks to live comfortably.
Panel 6
Even a hick like me ended up having to come to Tokyo three times this month. Uhhhh… pardon me… I hate how the city has so many people.
Even a hick like me ended up having to come to Tokyo three times this month. Uhhhh… pardon me… I hate how the city has so many people.
Panel 7
Since I’ve just finished serialization I don’t spend much time on stuff like this What I’m Up to Nowadays outside of my job. But since I’m seldom able to go out on my own, without my wife and children, I feel like I have to notify them of everything I do.
Since I’ve just finished serialization I don’t spend much time on stuff like this What I’m Up to Nowadays outside of my job. But since I’m seldom able to go out on my own, without my wife and children, I feel like I have to notify them of everything I do.
Panel 8
But it seems I have to continue this manga until all of these daizenshuu are out… what should I do… I already want to stop now…
But it seems I have to continue this manga until all of these daizenshuu are out… what should I do… I already want to stop now…
I Love Dragon Ball #1: Jackie Chan
We visited with famous experts in various fields who love Dragon Ball, and had them each explain their love! First up is international action star Jackie Chan!
Dragon Ball is a work that I would love to try and make into a movie.
For a long time I had heard from those around me that Dragon Ball was interesting. So I watched the anime, then read all of the Chinese edition of the manga. Naturally, as everyone had said it was pretty interesting. I guess the character I like most is of course Goku. The scene I like best is… there are too many to list, so I can’t decide on just one. There are so many fascinating scenes. It’s a work that I’d really like to make into a movie. Dragon Ball is packed with so many amazing ideas and imagination. However, to make it into a live-action movie I guess you’d need a lot of amazing special effects and an enormous budget.
English Translation: Herms