The way Akira Toriyama draws facial expressions

[foxfang4]

I don't know if I'm alone in this. But lately I've been really admiring Akira Toriyama's unique art-style; specifically with how expressive and "alive" the characters always seem to look. Even compared to newer manga/animes. In the anime, TOEI's animators mimic his art-style so well that the characters feel alive even in the "badly drawn" episodes. You see, in my experience, most comic book artists will "copy-paste" faces from a pre-made library of expressions (i.e. the same "angry face" or "happy face", pasted on the characters over and over as needed). However, I once read that Toriyama actually does the same facial expressions that he's drawing for his characters. If that's the case, then that would explain why his characters feel so natural and alive.

Without any formal training in animation, I can guess that the key thing that makes Toriyama's art-style in the manga feel so alive are the eyes. Having said that, it still amazes me that each character can have such a variety of subtle expressions. Like I said before, this always made the characters feel more alive than almost any animated character I've ever seen.

I'm sure that I'm not the only one who's noticed and appreciated Toriyama's art-style more because of this...

[foxfang4]

Here's a good example from the anime (which IMO does an exceptionally good job at mimicking Toriyama's art-style from the manga) .

This is Piccolo's reaction when Gohan asks if he can visit Piccolo on Kami's lookout after the Cell games. The expression is fantastic here, and shows more than just 1 straight forward emotion. Here, Piccolo replies with: "Of course!". He looks more than just "agreeable". You can actually see the admiration that Piccolo has for Gohan and how pleased he is at hearing his question.

[EmmaWinters]

And this is even in the "badly drawn" episodes

I could be mistaken, but I don't think Toriyama had anything to do with the animation found in the anime itself.
His work was in his manga that the show is based on.

Regarding your edit:

(which IMO does an exceptionally good job at mimicking Toriyama's art-style from the manga).

While I don't disagree with you, the example you gave was an anime-only conversation and wouldn't be based on a scene he drew.

[TheBalishChannel]

Here's a good example from the anime (which IMO does an exceptionally good job at mimicking Toriyama's art-style from the manga) .

This is Piccolo's reaction when Gohan asks if he can visit Piccolo on Kami's lookout after the Cell games. The expression is fantastic here, and shows more than just 1 straight forward emotion. Here, Piccolo replies with: "Of course!". He looks more than just "agreeable". You can actually see the admiration that Piccolo has for Gohan and how pleased he is at hearing his question. *snip*

The problem for me is that in the few instances in which the characters have facial expressions like that, it ends up making me feel more uncomfortable than anything else.

[Marco Polo]

I don't see the difference with other manga art styles.

I also don't know of any comic book artist who copy-pastes faces from a pre-made library.

[ZazamPow]

I always found Dragon Ball's art to be just wonderful, probably the best of any series I've ever seen.

[EmmaWinters]

I don't see the difference with other manga art styles.

Really? I started reading Naruto and can't stop comparing Kishimoto's artwork to Toriyama's.
It's kinda wonky and takes awhile to get used to.

[Solid Snake Way]

His art style is unique, my favorite as well. The eyes are the most unique part.

[Payne222]

I don't see the difference with other manga art styles.

Really? I started reading Naruto and can't stop comparing Kishimoto's artwork to Toriyama's.
It's kinda wonky and takes awhile to get used to.

Kishimoto has a sort of Seinen style more than shonen. But Obata is right behind Toriyama as my top 2 manga artists.