How Dr. Slump Almost Blocked Dragon Ball

Before creating the legendary Dragon Ball, creator Akira Toriyama faced a major hurdle because his previous comedy manga, Dr. Slump, was an immensely profitable hit for Weekly Shonen Jump. Because the publisher relied heavily on the massive sales and upcoming television adaptation of his first major success, they were initially unwilling to let him stop writing it. Through the mediation of editor Kazuhiko Torishima, a compromise was eventually reached to compress his hectic weekly schedule and dedicate a fraction of his time to a brand-new concept. This trial project, initially known as Dragon Boy, incorporated influences from the classic novel Journey to the West and evolved into the iconic franchise we know today. Once corporate approval was secured, Toriyama successfully transitioned away from his previous work to focus entirely on his new masterpiece.

"Open a book. Discover a world."

This episode includes AI-generated content.