29+ Of The Best Akira Toriyama Quotes for DBZ Fans

Akira Toriyama is a legend, and is responsible for Shonen‘s ongoing success. Years and decades later.

He thinks different, and avoids following the crowd. Which he’s said himself, and that reflects in his work, especially when it comes to Dragon Ball as a franchise.

Here’s a list of quotes highlighting Akira Toriyama’s:

Life
Art
Progress
Story

And the way he views life, and other aspects.

Let’s get into it.

Akira Toriyama Quotes:

“If you’re doing gags, I think it’s important to have characters who are as strong-willed and impactful as possible.” – Akira Toriyama

“There was a manga boom, so I read ‘Astro Boy,’ ‘Osomatsu-kun,’ and such. But what influenced me the most were things like ‘Popeye’ and Disney animation.” – Akira Toriyama

“The women I draw all have the same sort of personality. I can’t draw gentle girls; I only know how to draw ones who are strong-willed.” – Akira Toriyama

“I really like the story of Bardock, Goku’s father. It’s quite dramatic and the kind of story I absolutely wouldn’t draw if it were me. It was like watching a different kind of ‘Dragon Ball’ in a good way, so I thought it was nice.” – Akira Toriyama

“If you want to depict something exactly the way it is, it takes a tremendous amount of time. If you don’t get the details right, the inaccuracies will accumulate somewhere.” – Akira Toriyama

“I’m flying by the seat of my pants, never creating with a thought to what’s up ahead!” – Akira Toriyama

“I say that I’ve never been late with a manuscript, but I don’t mean to be arrogant; it’s that I simply want to get it done as soon as possible so I can be set free.” – Akira Toriyama

“I’m a lazy person, but if I’m not absent-mindedly doing something, I can’t really relax. I can’t just veg out.” – Akira Toriyama

“The method of producing comics in Japan is very hectic, but it’s also rewarding because it’s possible to do both the story and art all by yourself.” – Akira Toriyama

“After graduating from high school, I worked at an advertising agency as a designer. After I left, I spent a year doing nothing in particular. At age 23, I drew my first comic.” – Akira Toriyama

“I’m entirely of the mindset that when it comes to books, they’ve got to be paper.” – Akira Toriyama

“Basically with everything, I choose my criteria based on what can be easy. If I made the real world the setting, I’d have to draw looking at reference materials for stuff like buildings and vehicles. When you do that, people complain even if it’s just a little bit off.” – Akira Toriyama

“Son Goku from ‘Dragon Ball’ doesn’t fight for the sake of others but because he wants to fight against strong guys. So once ‘Dragon Ball’ got animated, at any rate, I’ve always been dissatisfied with the ‘righteous hero’-type portrayal they gave him.” – Akira Toriyama

“I love girls, whether they wear glasses or not!” – Akira Toriyama

“Inside me, ‘Dragon Ball’ became a thing of the past, but later, I got upset at the live-action film, revised the script for the anime film, and complained about the quality of the TV anime. I guess, at some point, it became a work that I like so much that I can’t leave it alone.” – Akira Toriyama

“Since I’m a contrarian, I don’t want to go along with what everyone else thinks.” – Akira Toriyama

“Awww, I was so shy about watching my own work broadcast on TV.” – Akira Toriyama

“I was a mischievous child. I was also on the tall side.” – Akira Toriyama

“I’m not good at doing the same thing over and over again.” – Akira Toriyama

“I felt that working at an office from the early morning was impossible for me. Anyway, I wanted to be free from that lifestyle as soon as possible. I wanted to take it easy.” – Akira Toriyama

“I would often draw in my sleep. That alone made for twice the work… I couldn’t use the weird stuff I drew while dozing off, so I’d end up having to draw it all over again.” – Akira Toriyama

“I like efficient people. I’m pretty impatient, so I can’t stand people who putter around.” – Akira Toriyama

“I guess I like Piccolo the most after all. Out of all the enemies, Piccolo Daimao is the one I like most, and even after that, I like Piccolo the most.” – Akira Toriyama

“In spite of being so absorbed in comics when I was in primary school, for whatever reason, I stopped reading them that much once I started junior high. I think it’s probably because I got caught up in movies and TV.” – Akira Toriyama

“It’s been a habit of mine since childhood to always be looking around. When I go shopping, I have more fun observing the town than shopping.” – Akira Toriyama

“I’m just a manga artist, so I can’t stand being scrutinized.” – Akira Toriyama

“I’m always impressed with the work of animators. You have to be able to draw the scenes in between movements. I’m impressed with the way they can do that – I don’t think I could.” – Akira Toriyama