What is Akira Toriyama's favorite character?

Akira Toriyama, the legendary manga artist and creator of Dragon Ball, is known for his iconic characters and exciting stories. But which character holds a special place in his heart? Is it the unbeatable protagonist Goku, the determined rival Vegeta, or the mysterious Piccolo?

In interviews, Toriyama revealed that his favorite character in Dragon Ball is, in fact, Piccolo. He is drawn to the character's complex trajectory, which starts as a ruthless villain and becomes a valuable ally and mentor to Gohan. Piccolo's calm and reserved personality also fascinates him, contrasting with most of the other explosive characters in the series.

Although Goku is the protagonist and the most well-known face of Dragon Ball, Toriyama recognizes the importance of Piccolo for the development of the story and the growth of other characters.

Revelations about Akira Toriyama's favorite Characters

Officially, Akira Toriyama has never released a complete list of his favorite characters from all of his works. In interviews, he usually mentions some characters that he particularly likes or finds interesting, but this varies according to the moment and the context of the interview.

However, we can highlight some characters who received more attention in their speeches and demonstrate a special affection from the author:

Dragon Ball:

• Piccolo: In 2022, during an interview for the Comic Book website to promote the movie Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, Toriyama revealed that Piccolo was his favorite character from Dragon Ball. He described him as a complex and profound character, with an intriguing redemption arc and an admirable evolution throughout the series.
• Gohan: On several occasions, Toriyama expressed great appreciation for Gohan, especially for his potential and initial development. He considers him a character with a lot to offer and with a promising future.

Other works:

• Arale Norimaki (Dr. Slump): Toriyama often mentions Arale as one of his favorite creations. He considers her a funny, captivating, and energetic character.
• Jaco, the Galactic Patrolman: This character from Jaco, the Galactic Patrolman, also receives frequent praise from Toriyama. The author considers him a fun character with a memorable design.

But in relation to other animes?

Several sources confirm your appreciation for striking characters from other titles that have inspired and influenced your work. Animes like Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Berserk, and Evangelion have been mentioned in interviews.

Characters like Dr. Slump, Spike Spiegel, and Guts were highlighted by Akira Toriyama. Of course, he maintained friendships with other mangaka and watched several other works, but we will not highlight them in this article.

However, these characters serve as a glimpse of his inspirations and what he appreciates in the world of Japanese animation. If you liked this information, share it!