"No, there’s nothing you can learn by reading Dragon Ball"

[Cipher]

I think the quote holds true mostly in contrast to other entries in its genre—which often try, pointedly, to communicate and embody certain distinct messages and themes. Dragon Ball steadfastly refuses to work like that, and I think it’s one of the things that keeps it more distinct and engaging as an adult reader.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have themes though, or represent Toriyama’s views and inclinations as its author (he wouldn’t keep writing the same story across it and all his short works were that the case), or that there’s nothing the audience can find in it to take a away from themselves.

Torishima’s character is performatively caustic, and he’s right insofar as it’s editorial marching orders in contrast to other entries in the genre, but there’s no reason to take issue with or dig into his quote beyond that.