Fans know more than Toriyama ?

[PatPat]

I read a while back ( i dont remember where but i'll try to find the source ) that Akira Toriyama admitted that because he couldnt really remember all of the storyline for dragonball that theres actually fans out there that know more about DB than he does. I mean it does make sense because i'm sure when he was writing this stuff he wasn't really concerned with all the little details like the fans are when he was writting it. Just seems kinda crazy to think that there might actually be fans on this site that know a lot more about DB than Akira Toriyama does. xO What are you're guys thoughts on it ?

[Sprite Satan]

Just seems kinda crazy to think that there might actually be fans on this site that know a lot more about DB than Akira Toriyama does. xO What are you're guys thoughts on it ?

Not really. This happens in almost every entertainment franchise with a large enough fanbase. Anime, live-action TV shows (like, say, Lost and Heroes), RPGs (Final Fantasy, Genso Suikoden, etc.) all have large fanbases who are more likely to studiously watch and rewatch their chosen franchise until they end up with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of events, plot-holes and so on than the original author who, remember, usually regards it as less of a passion and more of a job that they do to earn money to survive.

Akira Toriyama's hobby was never Dragon Ball, and really he doesn't seem the type of guy to over analyse things anyway. While we may find it a fun hobby to discuss the shows, characters and events, the people actually working on it tend to switch off as soon as they're done for the day, and who can blame them?

[Thanos6]

This is also why the Transformers Wiki and the Unofficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe became so incredibly huge and well-researched that Hasbro and Marvel hired the main contributors to each to just go ahead and write their official guides. They knew that they'd probably never be able to find a "pro" who could match the amateur work.

[Bussani]

In the interview between Toriyama and Eiichiro Oda, Toriyama didn't even remember who Tao Pai Pai was at first.

As Sprite Satan said, it's not unusual. Once an author has finished a story, they don't usually keep it in their heads like fans do. I mean, look at most of us. We're incredibly obsessive over even tiny bits of information about Dragon Ball. I'd bet that a lot of people on this forum remember more about Dragon Ball than Toriyama does at this point.

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

What everyone said pretty much hit the nail on the head, but you must remember he is getting old as well.

[Dr. Casey]

Not really... he's only 54. I don't think his lacking memory of Dragon Ball has anything to do with age.

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

Not really... he's only 54. I don't think his lacking memory of Dragon Ball has anything to do with age.

54 is pretty old. My Dad is around that age and he forgets stuff all the time.


But I think you're right.

[Dr. Casey]

Well, by the mid-50s mild moments of forgetfulness do indeed become more common, but nothing worse than that; the person usually remembers the thing in question soon afterwards. The first post describes Toriyama as having completely forgotten many details of Dragon Ball, not just random brain farts but an entire loss of recollection, which isn't a symptom of normal aging (Unless you're very unfortunate, anyway; I remember reading about one person with Stage 7 Alzheimers at the age of 41), but a symptom of having possibly not read your work since first writing it. :P

[hleV]

It would be pretty sad if AT had really forgotten DB stuff. But, while working with DBO, he might just remember.

[linkdude20002001]

Well, by the mid-50s mild moments of forgetfulness do indeed become more common, but nothing worse than that; the person usually remembers the thing in question soon afterwards. The first post describes Toriyama as having completely forgotten many details of Dragon Ball, not just random brain farts but an entire loss of recollection, which isn't a symptom of normal aging (Unless you're very unfortunate, anyway; I remember reading about one person with Stage 7 Alzheimers at the age of 41), but a symptom of having possibly not read your work since first writing it.

Alzheimer's disease doesn't really come from old age. It's just from taking poor care of your body. I forget what vitamins/minerals prevented it, but it was probably the antioxidant ones.

But you're right about the reasons for Torimaya forgetting about Dragon Ball. He's just not a fan of like us. He doesn't go re-reading it to keep it in his head.

[dchan316]

Akira Toriyama has probably forgotten more than the combined fandom will ever know. Especially little things that never come to realization because of not being able to find a place for it. For instance, perhaps he had a whole backstory laid out for Yajirobe; he did seem to be Goku's gluttonous, cowardly rival when he was introduce. And maybe Cell started off as a concept for the Red Ribbon Arc, replaced by Buyon, we'll never know.

But, yea, its not so odd to forget what you've done, especially if its for work, and you're doing it day in and day out. Sometimes at work, I'd get asked to revise something I did from a month or two ago. I wouldn't even recognize it! The name would sometimes sound familiar, but I totally wouldn't know it was mine, if I didn't have the working file on my computer.

[Jaetinh]

In the interview between Toriyama and Eiichiro Oda, Toriyama didn't even remember who Tao Pai Pai was at first.

As Sprite Satan said, it's not unusual. Once an author has finished a story, they don't usually keep it in their heads like fans do. I mean, look at most of us. We're incredibly obsessive over even tiny bits of information about Dragon Ball. I'd bet that a lot of people on this forum remember more about Dragon Ball than Toriyama does at this point.

Hi, do you know where I can find the interview between Toriyama and Oda? (translated)

[Herms]

And maybe Cell started off as a concept for the Red Ribbon Arc, replaced by Buyon, we'll never know.

Well, actually we know Toriyama came up with Cell after his editor wasn't pleased with any of the prior androids.

[Bussani]

Hi, do you know where I can find the interview between Toriyama and Oda? (translated)

Sure. I can only guess how accurate the translation is, but here you go:

http://www.thegrandline.com/odainterview.html

[Jaetinh]

Hi, do you know where I can find the interview between Toriyama and Oda? (translated)

Sure. I can only guess how accurate the translation is, but here you go:

http://www.thegrandline.com/odainterview.html

Wow thanks

[dchan316]

Well, actually we know Toriyama came up with Cell after his editor wasn't pleased with any of the prior androids.

True. But perhaps he drew a grasshopper or cicada type monster for a design that didn't bear any fruit. Then, afterwards, dug it up later, like it, revised it, and threw it in.
Who knows what designs and ideas he has buried in sketchbooks and scratch paper that the rest of the world will never know or see?

[Kendamu]

Y'know, I'm glad Toriyama doesn't know as much as his fans. It makes me feel a little better than I'm not as much of an all-knowing hardcore ultra-nerd as some of the guys around here and it makes me feel better that I don't have the utmost mega-high standards.

To make up for it, though, I'm a manga fanboy.

[PatPat]

Akira Toriyama has probably forgotten more than the combined fandom will ever know. Especially little things that never come to realization because of not being able to find a place for it. For instance, perhaps he had a whole backstory laid out for Yajirobe; he did seem to be Goku's gluttonous, cowardly rival when he was introduce. And maybe Cell started off as a concept for the Red Ribbon Arc, replaced by Buyon, we'll never know.

But, yea, its not so odd to forget what you've done, especially if its for work, and you're doing it day in and day out. Sometimes at work, I'd get asked to revise something I did from a month or two ago. I wouldn't even recognize it! The name would sometimes sound familiar, but I totally wouldn't know it was mine, if I didn't have the working file on my computer.

He doesn't really seem like the type to me that thinks up little details like that when coming up with the storyline. In fact thats probably why theres a lot of contradictions at times because he just didnt really think things through enough.

[Travis Touchdown]

Not really... he's only 54. I don't think his lacking memory of Dragon Ball has anything to do with age.

54 is pretty old. My Dad is around that age and he forgets stuff all the time.


But I think you're right.

I'm 25 and I forget stuff all the time... ;_;

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

Hi, do you know where I can find the interview between Toriyama and Oda? (translated)

Sure. I can only guess how accurate the translation is, but here you go:

http://www.thegrandline.com/odainterview.html

Toriyama forgot who Tao Pai Pai was? Lol