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Toyotarō
とよたろう
Born (1978-05-17) 17 May 1978 (age 47)
Tochigi Prefecture
Nickname Toyo, Toyble
Occupation Manga artist, character designer
Years active 2012-present
Employer Shueisha
v · d · e

Toyotarō is the pen name of an individual employed by Shueisha as a manga artist and character designer for the Dragon Ball franchise. Professionally debuting in 2012 with the Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission tie-in manga series, Toyotarō later went on to produce the Dragon Ball Super manga, as well as design several characters for the mainline series and video games.

Toyotarō is widely believed to have previously gone under the pen name "Toyble" producing a "Dragon Ball AF" fan comic before going professional.[1][2][3][a]

Biography

Title page for Toyble's "Dragon Ball AF" fan comic series[4]
November 2012 issue of V-Jump with the debut chapter of Victory Mission
Announcement for Toyotarō's introductory manga adaptation of Resurrection 'F'[5]
"Toyble" relays a message regarding the future of his "AF" comic
Announcement for the Dragon Ball Super manga series[6]
Debut title page for the Dragon Ball Super manga series[7]

Childhood

Toyotarō was born 17 May 1978 in Tochigi Prefecture in Japan[8], becoming familiar with the works of Akira Toriyama first through Dr. Slump and then through Dragon Ball.[9] Throughout his childhood, Toyotarō produced his own original stories featuring Dragon Ball characters (stories where characters such as Chiaotzu or Bardock would be the main character[10]), mimicking Akira Toriyama's art style.[8] Noticing that names such as Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru and Tadayoshi Yamamuro would be credited for the artwork on official Toriyama- and Dragon Ball-related productions planted the seed that he may one day be able to also work in this kind of official position.[8][10]

"Toyble" and Dragon Ball AF

In April 2006, a fan with the pen name "Toyble" opened a new blog[11] and began porting over twenty pages of content for a "Dragon Ball AF" fan comic they were actively producing[4], with the goal of adapting various (generally western fan-created) rumors of said non-existent series into a genuine narrative. Another twenty pages of content were subsequently released[12] before moving into a more regular schedule of a few pages every month. The series ran for several years, receiving collected print runs circulated in dōjinshi circles and marketplaces in Japan. Toyble's "AF" inspired countless related series (such as Young Jijii's own take on an "AF" manga series), though it eventually slowed to an end in 2013.

Professional Debut with Victory Mission

In 2012, Toyotarō was recruited by Shueisha's editorial department[10][b] and debuted with Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission in the November 2012 issue of V-Jump, released 21 September 2012.[13][14] While early chapters did not necessarily segue directly into one another each subsequent month, the story became more and more of a standard serialization as it continued onward. Chapters were initially of varying length, generally between two and nine pages each. Beginning in 2014, chapters lengthened to 15-17 pages, focusing on a continuing story arc for the characters. Each chapter focused on then-current or upcoming additions (new cards, abilities, characters, etc.) in the arcade game. During its serialization, several extra Victory Mission chapters were printed in supplemental booklets, such as the Jump Victory Carnival official guidebooks provided to event attendees.

The 27th chapter in the January 2015 issue of V-Jump included a message that the series would shift to Shueisha's digital V-Jump+ service beginning with its next chapter:

次号より「Vジャンプ+」での連載に！スマホがあればいつでも読めるぜ！


Beginning next issue, it will be serialized in V-Jump+! If you have a smartphone, you can read it anytime!
— Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission chapter 27

The series' 28th chapter was accessible on the V-Jump+ service via a unique, one-time-use code available on page 243 of V-Jump's February 2015 issue. The final page of the chapter included a message that the series would be going on hiatus:[15]

『DBHVM』はしばらく休載いたします。再開時期は決まり次第VJ本誌で発表します。


Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission will be on break from publication for the time being. Once a return date is determined, it will be announced here in V-Jump.
— Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission chapter 28

While simultaneously working on later projects, Toyotarō eventually produced a 29th Victory Mission chapter for the Bandai Official 5th Anniversary Fanbook: Dragon Ball Heroes 5th Anniversary Mission, released 19 November 2015. Leading up to the book's release, all 28 of the standard chapters were posted online for free.[16][17] The series received a true finale with a three-page 30th chapter in the Super Dragon Ball Heroes: Path of Heroes ―HEROES MEMORIES― guide book, released 29 August 2024.

"Toyble" and "Toyotarō"

In an August 2013 release of "Dragon Ball AF", Toyble stated:[18][1]

…So, due to a variety of circumstances, I have been unable to continue drawing Dragon Ball AF.
But it’s a work I feel an attachment to, since I did get my start writing with it, and all.
No matter how many years it takes, I intend to keep writing.
I hope you’ll find it in your hearts to look on it fondly.
— Toyble, 10 August 2013

The message was published alongside the silhouette of a character (clearly that of Beat from Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission), as well as dialog within "AF" itself from Yi Xing Long stating that Toyble, the ruler of this world, cannot continue the story because he has begun something else instead, along with a mention of a card battle (another clear nod to Dragon Ball Heroes).

Resurrection 'F' Adaptation

In place of Victory Mission (following its announced hiatus), a three-part manga adaptation of the then-forthcoming Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' theatrical film was announced the March 2015 issue of V-Jump[5], set for serialization across the April, May, and June 2015 issues (released in February, March, and April 2015).[19]

Dragon Ball Super Manga

Following the completion of the three-chapter Resurrection 'F' adaptation in the June 2015 issue of V-Jump, the July 2015 issue announced that, alongside the previously-announced Dragon Ball Super television series, a manga version of Dragon Ball Super would also be produced by Toyotarō, set to begin serialization the following issue.[6][20][21]

The Dragon Ball Super manga began in the August 2015 issue of V-Jump, released 20 June 2015. Over the course of its serialization, the Dragon Ball Super manga ran both ahead and behind the television series at various points. The series initially covered the Battle of Gods re-telling, skipped the Resurrection 'F' re-telling, and "charged ahead" to the God of Destruction Champa arc, "speeding up the excitement of the TV anime even more".[22][23] Following the television series' completion in March 2018, the manga continued onward, finishing the "Universe Survival arc", skipping an adaptation of the 2018 theatrical film Dragon Ball Super: Broly (though acknowledging it in a transitional page[24]), and instead entering its own original "Galactic Patrol Prisoner" arc[25] which ran for two years, and a likewise-original "Granolla the Survivor" arc which ran for a little under two years itself. Following these two original story arcs, the Dragon Ball Super manga took a short hiatus, returning four months later[26] for an expanded adaptation of the 2022 theatrical film Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, which ran through to early 2024. Following the completion of the "Super Hero" arc (and the passing of Akira Toriyama), the series then went on indefinite hiatus[27], returning just once the following year for a single one-shot chapter, further expanding the story within the "Super Hero" arc.[28]

Additional Video Game Works

In conjunction with the 2016 video game Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2, Toyotarō produced the 10-page Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 The Manga‎‎ starring a new Time Patroller. In Japan, the manga was included as part of the game's official guidebook (released 02 November 2016[29]); internationally, the manga was included within a "Time Patroller's Guide" packaged with the console game's collector's edition[30] (released 25 October 2016 in America, and 28 October 2016 in Europe[31]).

Toyotaro designed the new villain Shiirasu for the Nintendo Switch and PC video game Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission[32][33], the story mode of which also incorporated various characters from his Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission manga.

Continued Role

Sample page from Toyotarō's short manga within the book accompanying the S.H.Figuarts "SON GOKU 〈ONWARDS TO ADVENTURE〉" release[34]

The "Time Patroller's Guide" included with the Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 collector's edition in America contains an introductory page for the Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 The Manga with a complimentary quote from Akira Toriyama and a separate note that the short comic is, "...drawn by Akira Toriyama's chosen successor Toyotaro".[35] While the same introductory quote from Akira Toriyama is present in the Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 guide book where the manga is included in Japan, there is no mention or further qualification of Toyotarō's role or position, beyond that of being responsible for that respective manga itself.[36]

The book set to accompany the "SON GOKU 〈ONWARDS TO ADVENTURE〉" S.H.Figuarts release will contain a three-page manga by Toyotarō.[34]

Toyotarō regularly produces additional artwork for Shueisha, often used as supplemental posters in publications such as Saikyō Jump.

Personal Life

Toyotarō keeps an extensive collection of Dragon Ball merchandise as reference material.[10]

Toyotarō's favorite Dragon Ball character (and hero in general) is Son Goku, and his favorite attack is the Kamehameha, while his favorite heroine is Ai Amano from Masakazu Katsura's Video Girl Ai. His favorite video game series is Kingdom Hearts.[8]

Toyotarō's real name is not public knowledge. While his face is generally not shown in Japanese releases (instead appearing by self-drawn caricature or with design elements hiding his face in photos), Toyotarō has publicly appeared internationally in an official capacity leading to photos and videos being shared.

Works

Manga

Debut Chapter Page Title Primary Serialization Timeframe Chapters
Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission V-Jump 2012-2014, 2015, 2024 30 + bonuses
Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' V-Jump 2015 3
Dragon Ball Super V-Jump 2015-2024, 2025 104 + bonuses
Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 The Manga Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 PS4 Version Monster Guardians Super Guide (JP)
Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 Collector's Edition "Time Patroller's Guide" (International)		 2015 1
Lost Samurai Japan Expo 2025 (Paris, France) Stage Presentation
V-Jump Website[37]		 2025 1


Characters

Special Attacks

Figures

  • TBD

Collaborations

  • Gundam Card Game: Mikazuki Augus; V-Jump December 2025 issue[41]

Tracing Allegations

Comparison of respective images with respect to Toyotarō tracing allegations on the July 2018 V-Jump cover artwork

Since the earliest days of "Dragon Ball AF" production under the "Toyble" moniker, Toyotarō has been the subject of various levels of allegations for copying reference artwork, up through and including direct tracing. In a November 2006 blog post, "Toyble" stated:[42]

みなさんご存じのように、ここの漫画は、原作にちょっと手を加えて構成されているシーンが多々あります。

不快に思う方もいるかと思いますが、逆に「ここを使ってるのか～」ってかんじにむしろ楽しんでもらえればと…。


As you all know, there are a lot of scenes in this manga that I drew by referencing them from the original work.

There might be some people that are not quite comfortable with this, but maybe if you think about it in an "is he is referencing that scene...?!” kind of way, or maybe even enjoy it...
— Toyble, 18 November 2006

In May 2018, Toyotarō contributed artwork of Son Goku for the cover of that month's July 2018 issue of Shueisha's V-Jump magazine (the publication in which the Dragon Ball Super manga was serialized). In a since-deleted tweet, Toyotarō also shared a draft of said image. Shortly after the magazine's release, fans online[43][44] noticed similarities between Goku's pose and composition with that of a panel of Captain America from the 2012 Captain Marvel comic book series. In response to alerts regarding said allegations, Captain Marvel artist Dexter Soy concluded that it was indeed an example of tracing.[45][46]

Notes

Information that does not fit into any other category.

Interviews

General Media Interviews

Internal Interviews

  • TBD

External Links

Notes

  1. ↑ While effectively an open secret, to the point where (as noted in the aforementioned citations) "Toyotarō" has personally signed "Dragon Ball AF" fan comics at conventions for numerous fans, the fact remains that no official, sanctioned announcement or clarification (that is to say, by Shueisha themselves) about the identities of "Toyotarō" and "Toyble" being one in the same exists. As such, it would be improper for us to definitively make that statement in an authoritative/encyclopedic format — even though everyone knows it to be true — when no citation for it exists!
  2. ↑ In a 2017 interview from Napoli Comic Con, Toyotarō stated that he approached Shueisha asking to draw Dragon Ball Super, and was instead provided with an opportunity to draw a video game-related comic. Following this, after about three months he was asked to draw a few pages of Dragon Ball Super, and was then allowed to proceed. Assuming that the translation from Japanese to Italian (and then again to English) is accurate (which we cannot independently verify), this story does not fully line up with his existing work on Victory Mission and a later story noting that Shueisha was the one who originally approached him in the first place. It may be that something is lost in translation, Toyotarō was condensing the different aspects of the story for a more concise answer, etc. In a 2018 interview in support of the Dragon Ball Super: Broly theatrical film, Toyotaro stated that he was contacted by the V-Jump editorial department, and subsequently debuted with Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission within the magazine that year.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Confirmation: Fan “Toyble” as “Victory Mission” Artist “Toyotarō”?" (25 September 2013). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 01 January 2021.
  2. ↑ "Re: Toyble DBAF" (04 May 2017). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 01 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "ドラゴンボール同人誌". Mandarake ZENBU, February 2025 (#126). Japan: Mandarake, 2025. ISBN 978-4-86072-233-4. (pp. 588-589)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "ドラゴンボールAF漫画　page1～page20" (08 November 2006). toyblog. Retrieved: 02 January 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vジャンプ２０１５年４月特大号のお知らせ. V-Jump, 2015 #03. Japan: Shueisha, 21 January 2015. (p. 350)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Vジャンプ2015年8月特大号のお知らせ. V-Jump, 2015 #07. Japan: Shueisha, 21 May 2015. (p. 327)
  7. ↑ Dragon Ball Super. V-Jump, 2015 #08. Japan: Shueisha, 20 June 2015. (p. 90)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "V-Jump Cartoonists’ Museum: Toyotarō". V-Jump, December 2013. Japan: Shueisha, 21 October 2013. (pp. 453-457)
    Kanzenshuu Translations Archive: V-Jump Cartoonists’ Museum: Toyotarō
  9. ↑ "Interview: Dragon Ball Super's Toyotarou" (26 October 2016). Anime News Network. Retrieved: 08 December 2020.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "From 'Boyhood Doodling' to 'Working with Toriyama-sensei': Toyotarō Draws It". Sponichi “Dragon Ball Super: Broly” Shinbun. Japan: Shueisha, 212 December 2018. (pp. 6-7)
    Kanzenshuu Translations Archive: From "Boyhood Doodling" to "Working with Toriyama-sensei" - "Toyotarō Draws It"
  11. ↑ "たちあげ" (27 April 2006). toyblog. Retrieved: 02 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "page21～page40" (01 January 2007). toyblog. Retrieved: 02 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission – Mission 1. V-Jump, 2012 #11. Japan: Shueisha, 21 September 2012. (pp. TBD)
  14. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Heroes” Mini-Manga Debuts in November V-Jump" (24 September 2012). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 08 December 2020.
  15. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission” Serialization Updates" (20 December 2014). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 23 April 2019.
  16. ↑ "ドラゴンボールヒーローズ ビクトリーミッション 一挙掲載！". ドラゴンボールヒーローズ 公式サイト". Retrieved: 02 January 2021.
  17. ↑ "'Dragon Ball Heroes: Victory Mission' Promo Leads To New Chapter" (22 October 2015). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 21 August 2018.
  18. ↑ "The All-Purpose "Translation Request" Thread" (16 September 2013). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 05 April 2026.
  19. ↑ "“Revival of ‘F'” Receiving Toyotarō Three-Part Manga Adaptation" (17 January 2015). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 23 April 2019.
  20. ↑ "Dragon Ball Super TV Anime Gets Manga Adaptation" (18 May 2015). Anime News Network. Retrieved: 11 December 2020.
  21. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Super” to Receive Manga Adaptation in V-Jump" (19 May 2015). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 11 December 2020.
  22. ↑ TBD. Weekly Shōnen Jump, 2015 #45. Japan: Shueisha, 05 October 2015. (p. TBD)
  23. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Super” Manga Moves Ahead with Champa Material" (05 October 2015). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 11 December 2020.
  24. ↑ Toriyama, Akira; Toyotarō. Dragon Ball Super Chapter 42: "Battle's End and Aftermath". V-Jump, January 2019. Japan: Shueisha, 21 November 2018.
  25. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Super” Manga Begins Original “Galactic Patrol Prisoner” Story Arc" (21 November 2018). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 11 December 2020.
  26. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Super” Manga to Resume Serialization in December 2022 with New “Super Hero Arc”" (21 November 2022). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 23 October 2025.
  27. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Super” Manga Chapter 103 Released" (20 March 2024). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 23 October 2025.
  28. ↑ "“Dragon Ball Super” Manga Chapter 104 Released" (19 February 2025). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 23 October 2025.
  29. ↑ "ドラゴンボール ゼノバース2 PS4版 ヒストリアガーディアンズ超ガイド". 集英社の本 公式. Retrieved: 11 December 2020.
  30. ↑ "“Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2” Collector’s Edition to Include Bonus Toyotarō Manga" (30 September 2016). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 11 December 2020.
  31. ↑ "“Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2” International Pre-Order & Collector’s Edition Bonus Details" (07 July 2016). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 11 December 2020.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Super Dragon Ball Park Monthly - Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission. V-Jump, 2019 #02. Japan: Shueisha, 21 December 2018. (pp. 24-25)
  33. ↑ "“Super Dragon Ball Heroes: World Mission” (Nintendo Switch) Antagonist & Release Date Revealed in Second Promotional Video/February 2019 V-Jump Updates" (24 December 2018). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 24 December 2018.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "@DB_official_jp" (23 March 2026). Twitter. Retrieved: 04 Apri l2026.
  35. ↑ "Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 The Manga". Time Patroller's Guide, Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 Collector's Edition. America: Bandai Namco, 25 October 2016. (p. 41)
  36. ↑ "Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 The Manga". Dragon Ball XENOVERSE 2 PS4 Version Monster Guardians Super Guide. Japan: Shueisha, 02 November 2016. ISBN 978-4-08-111178-7. (p. 240)
  37. ↑ "LOST SAMURAI". V-Jump. Retrieved: 06 July 2025.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 38.4 38.5 38.6 38.7 Dragon Ball Park Monthly - 新章「宇宙サバイバル編」超スクープ３連発！！. V-Jump, 2017 #04. Japan: Shueisha, 21 February 2017. (pp. 36-37)
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 "『ドラゴンボール超』11巻発売記念！とよたろう先生直撃インタビュー&仕事場を大公開‼" (03 December 2019). Dragon Ball Official Site. Retrieved: 02 January 2021.
  40. ↑ Super Dragon Ball Heroes 8th Anniversary Super Guide. Japan: Shueisha, 08 November 2018. ISBN 978-4-05-779769-5. (p. 8)
  41. ↑ "Toyotarō Contributes Artwork of Mikazuki Augus For Bandai’s Gundam Card Game" (25 September 2025). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 05 April 2026.
  42. ↑ "ちょっと注意事項。" (18 November 2006). toyblog. Retrieved: 08 December 2020.
  43. ↑ "Toyotaro accused of tracing V-Jump art from Captain Marvel Vol #1" (22 May 2018). Reddit. Retrieved: 08 December 2020.
  44. ↑ "Podcast Episode #0445" (03 June 2018). Kanzenshuu. Retrieved: 08 December 2020.
  45. ↑ @dextersoy (22 May 2018). Twitter. Retrieved: 08 December 2020.
  46. ↑ @dextersoy (22 May 2018). Twitter. Retrieved: 08 December 2020.


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