Dragon Ball manga's secondary creator, Kazuhiko Torishima, in the spotlight
Kazuhiko Torishima, a distinguished editor and a pivotal figure in the history of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball series, will be one of the guests at the Japan Expo, running until Sunday, July 6, 2024. The Villepinte exhibition park in Seine-Saint-Denis will host the event.
Torishima, who is 72 years old, will join several other manga artists, including Masakazu Katsura, the author of the romantic comedy for boys, Video Girl Ai.
Torishima's editorial guidance was instrumental in defining Dragon Ball's identity and ensuring its survival and success, making him a key architect of one of the most influential manga and anime franchises in history. While Toriyama created the world and characters, Torishima played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in shaping Dragon Ball’s direction and ensuring its long-term success.
In 1976, a young graduate named Torishima applied to the publishing house Shueisha, but he didn't read manga, preferring literature. Despite his lack of interest in manga at the time of his application, Torishima was assigned to the editorial team of Weekly Shonen Jump, a powerful incubator of manga hits. This marked a departure from his intended goal of working for Playboy.
When Dragon Ball debuted in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1984, it began as a quirky, gag-driven adventure—more a spiritual successor to Toriyama's earlier work, Dr. Slump, than the battle epic it would become. After the series faced lagging popularity due to its adventure-based, less action-driven premise, Torishima urged Toriyama to pivot. He encouraged the shift toward fighting tournaments and more intense action, which transformed Dragon Ball from an eccentric gag manga into a battle-driven epic with broad, lasting appeal.
Torishima was known for his attention to detail and storytelling instincts, often challenging Toriyama to raise the stakes, rethink character development, and introduce more compelling narrative hooks. Most notably, when Dragon Ball introduced the World Martial Arts Tournament arc, it is widely credited with saving the series from cancellation and turning it into a global phenomenon.
Sadly, Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball series, passed away in March 2024, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Kazuhiko Torishima's contributions to the series, however, remain an essential part of its enduring success. Fans attending Japan Expo will have the opportunity to meet Torishima and learn more about his role in shaping one of the most iconic manga series of all time.
At the Japan Expo, Kazuhiko Torishima, the editor who significantly impacted the direction and success of the Dragon Ball series, will share insights about his behind-the-scenes role in shaping this iconic manga and anime franchise. Alongside other manga artists, he will discuss topics ranging from lifestyle to general-news, and even entertain fans with stories about the creation of Dragon Ball.
