Akira Toriyama, the legendary mangaka 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 stubborn 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 journey, which starts as a relentless villain and transforms into 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 recognized face of Dragon Ball, Toriyama acknowledges Piccolo’s importance to 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 his works. In interviews, he usually mentions some characters that he particularly likes or finds interesting, but this varies depending on the moment and context of the interview.
However, we can highlight some characters that have received more emphasis in his statements and show a special fondness 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 deep character, with an intriguing redemption arc and admirable evolution throughout the series.
- Gohan: On several occasions, Toriyama expressed great appreciation for Gohan, especially for his potential and early development. He considers him a character with much to offer and a promising future.
Other Works:
- Arale Norimaki (Dr. Slump): Toriyama frequently mentions Arale as one of his favorite creations. He considers her a funny, charming, 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 what about other animes?
Various sources confirm his appreciation for memorable characters from other titles that inspired and influenced his works. Animes like Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, Berserk, and Evangelion have been mentioned in interviews.
Characters like Dr. Slump, Spike Spiegel, and Guts have been highlighted by Akira Toriyama. Of course, he maintained friendships with other mangaka and watched various other works, but we will not highlight them in this article.
However, these characters serve as a glimpse into his inspirations and what he appreciates in the world of Japanese animation. If you liked this information, share it!
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