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Dragon Ballseries has its legacy built on its iconic characters, with Goku taking charge as the ultimate strongman. But this focus on the incredibly powerful protagonists isn’t limited to Dragon Ball. The author, Akira Toriyama, the creator ofDragon Ball, has repeatedly shown his preference for drawing abnormally strong lead characters.
This choice wasn’t just a creative one or something to please the fans; it’s rooted in his personal style, his storytelling approach, and his love for larger-than-life figures, which is why he was able to craft incredible worlds without making them too complex for enjoyment.
Toriyama’s love for overpowered protagonists
Akira Toriyama’sstorytelling thrives on the simplicity factor and the high-impact visuals.In interviews,he’s admitted that drawing super strong characters, like Goku or Vegeta, reflects his desire to create protagonists who exude pure energy and excitement.
This has been proven true, and the almost 4-decade fame of theDragon Ballfranchise is a testament to it. For Toriyama, characters like Goku embody the ideal of relentless determination.
I always draw strong protagonists; it’s not just Goku, they’re all like that. I think it’s easy to draw superhumanly strong guys, and fun too. If you take fairly ordinary, everyday stuff and add in one guy with extraordinary strength, then he becomes the center of attention, right? And I guess I like when some dumb, goofy guy turns out to be crazy strong. Like in kung-fu movies where the scrawny old geezer turns out to be a martial arts master; I love stuff like that.
Whatever these characters do, whether it’s defeating universal threats or constantly surpassing his limits, Goku represents a timeless appeal: someone isseemingly not that smartbut works hard and becomes naturally extraordinary.
“Toriyama’s designs have always looked goofy”: Hatred Against Majin Kuu’s Official Design Is Unfair, Here’s What Dragon Ball Fans Need to Know
But Toriyama’s fascination with powerful figures isn’t limited to Goku. Characters that are meant to support the plot like Vegeta, Piccolo, and Gohan, all share that innate idea of strength and resilience.
Toriyama says it is easier to write such characters because their physical strength is the focus and allows him to push creative boundaries whilefocusing less on emotionalintricacies and more on world-building battle sequences and humor.
Simplicity and constant growth are Toriyama’s keys to success
Toriyama’s art stylerelies on simple designs that convey dynamic energy. Characters like Goku were designed to stand out in a fight, and their transformations, from Super Saiyan to Ultra Instinct, became milestones in the story and kept fans engaged.
Toriyama believes that overpowered characters help bring clarity to chaotic action scenes. He also enjoys stories where the stakes are high, like the world being on the verge of destruction. But the solutions to major problems remain straightforward: train harder, fight better, win. There is desperation at the core ofDragon Ball, but never despair.
By centeringDragon Ballaround overwhelmingly strong characters, Toriyama keeps the plot consistent and interesting and avoids over-complicating things. In the end, Toriyama’s preference for powerful leads isn’t just a popularity tactic; and it is unique because it is what embodies him as an author.
“If you’re so dead-set on doing this…”: Shueisha Was Against a Major Dragon Ball Change Akira Toriyama Only Got Away With Since They Were Out of Time
That is why it has become a cornerstone ofDragon Ball’sglobal success. Fans will always be drawn to characters who can shatter planets, transcend dimensions, and get stronger even when the odds are stacked against them.
You can streamthe Dragon Ballseries on Crunchyroll.
Chandra Shekhar
Anime Writer
Articles Published :856
Chandra Shekhar is an Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 800 published articles under his belt. A law student by training but a storyteller at heart, he blends his sharp analysis with a deep love for all things anime. From the old-school Yu Yu Hakusho to the eldritch horrors of Lord of the Mysteries, his knowledge spans decades and genres. When he’s not writing, he’s likely buried in webnovels, silently hoping his favorite ones get the anime adaptation they deserve.
