Toriyama and Dragon Ball Evolution

[GS7X7]

Has Toriyama offered any opinion on what he thinks about the live-action Dragon Ball movie?

[Chuquita]

I only remember this because of how wonderfully worded his comments are; it's super polite to the point where I can't tell what he really thought of it. X3

As the original creator, I had a feeling of "Huh?" upon seeing the screenplay and the character designs, but the director, all the actors, the staff, and the rest are nothing but "ultra" high-caliber people. Maybe the right way for me and all the fans to appreciate it is as a New Dragonball of a different dimension. Perhaps, this might become a great masterpiece of power! Hey, I look forward to it!!

Source: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/20 ... nball-film

My own interpretation of the above comments was that it sounded like the screenplay/designs seemed strange to him and he wasn't thrilled or anything, but he didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings so he tried to be as positive as he could. That's just how it reads to me though, I could easily be misunderstanding the meaning there.

[dragondyle]

Looks like he would like to consider it an alternate universe to Dragon Ball, like the way I interpret Evolution.

[Bussani]

Looks like he would like to consider it an alternate universe to Dragon Ball, like the way I interpret Evolution.

Considering the other choice is it being the same universe as Dragon Ball, I think everyone would agree it's alternate universe.

[Bura]

I think "huh" was the most polite way to say he thought the movie sucked.
I wonder if he went to see it with his family. He wasn't even at the premiere, was he?

[Xyex]

It seemed to me he thought it was an odd take on the series but that it had potential to be good. Which is all true, it just didn't quite get to its potential.

The "right way for me and all the fans to appreciate it is as a New Dragonball of a different dimension" line reads, to me, like he's saying "It's not my Dragonball but that doesn't mean it's innately bad" which is definitely something he'd say~

[Snail]

Ah.. I can't say I'd be so humble and polite. To cause a scene would be wonderful.

[Piccolo Daimaoh]

As the original creator, I had a feeling of "Huh?" upon seeing the screenplay and the character designs, but the director, all the actors, the staff, and the rest are nothing but "ultra" high-caliber people. Maybe the right way for me and all the fans to appreciate it is as a New Dragonball of a different dimension. Perhaps, this might become a great masterpiece of power! Hey, I look forward to it!!

In other words he hates the movie and wants to run up to the director, punch him in the face and say: "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY DRAGON BALL!!"

[Super Sayian Prime]

Toriyama was executive producer on the film, if he wanted his input weighed in, he could have (although it wouldn't be much being an executive producer).

[Kendamu]

Toriyama was executive producer on the film, if he wanted his input weighed in, he could have (although it wouldn't be much being an executive producer).

Yeah, but I'm guessing that he was a "producer" in the sense that Mark Millar was a "producer" on 'Wanted.' They gave him some money and sent him on his way after he looked over a couple character designs and script drafts. On the other hand, there's actually being a producer, which Millar is doing with 'Kick-Ass' and that's why it's turning out much closer to the comic.

I doubt Toriyama cares enough by this point to be a hands-on producer for a Dragonball film, though.

[LeprikanGT]

If I had something I'd created that was as huge as DragonBall and Z, and then someone came along 20 something years later and did ....... THAT to it... I'd be pissed and borderline offended.

[Rocketman]

I don't know why people think Toriyama cares. He gets his money and doesn't have to bust his balls working for it.

[Xyex]

I doubt Toriyama cares enough by this point to be a hands-on producer for a Dragonball film, though.

Especially not an American made one. He might have some involvement in a Japanese movie, though. He's apparently got a fairly large role in DBO's design and development choices.

If I had someone I created as huge and DragonBall and Z and then someone came along 20 something years later and did ....... THAT to it; Id be pissed and borderline offended.

I'd be thrilled that people still cared 20 years later, and be interested in their alternate take of it. Even if I thought it wasn't all that good I'd still enjoy it for being another look at my work.

[Dr. Casey]

I doubt Toriyama cares enough by this point to be a hands-on producer for a Dragonball film, though.

I agree with you here, but I think this is a good place to ask: where does the 'Toriyama doesn't give a shit about Dragon Ball' mentality that's always been so prevalent on Daizenshuu come from? I always wonder if this 'Toriyama doesn't care' attitude stems from his waning enthusiasm during the last stages of the manga. Sure, Dragon Ball might have lost some of its appeal during that time because he was exhausted and on the verge of burnout, but I don't see why he shouldn't have some of that old enthusiasm back after resting for a decade and a half. Is there something from more recent times that suggests he no longer cares about his own work (Lacking the energy to become involved again isn't the same thing as no longer having appreciation)?

[Kendamu]

"His work" is completed. I have all 42 volumes of it twice over on my bookshelves. Anything else that spawns from it is just an adaption that he may or may not have some involvement in. If he really cared that much about a lot of the Dragonball products coming out, he would step in and have a bigger role in the quality of the products.

[Kaboom]

I don't think it's so much that Toriyama "doesn't care about DragonBall anymore." It's more like, "he doesn't care as much as the fans do."

[GS7X7]

Aren't the Japanese noted for being excessively polite and not wanting to make a scene?

I don't think there are any Japanese equivalents of Alan Moore.

[TripleRach]

Aren't the Japanese noted for being excessively polite and not wanting to make a scene?

I don't think there are any Japanese equivalents of Alan Moore.

There are a few cases of Japanese creators who do get upset about the treatment of their work. One of the most famous examples is when Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of Rurouni Kenshin, blasted one of Kenshin's anime movies. Naoko Takeuchi of Sailor Moon occasionally complained about a few things, too (but not nearly to the extent that the fandom would have you believe). I'm sure there's at least a few more that I'm forgetting.

[Scarz]

I don't know why people think Toriyama cares. He gets his money and doesn't have to bust his balls working for it.

One can only dream of such life.

[Senzu_Bean]

Considering he didn't badmouthed DBGT his reaction towards DBE is pretty acceptable.