Dragon Ball Launches Controversial Collab With Rurouni Kenshin’s Creator

Dragon Ball Launches Controversial Collab With Rurouni Kenshin’s CreatorDragon Ball Launches Controversial Collab With Rurouni Kenshin’s Creator

As a long-time fan of both Dragon Ball and Rurouni Kenshin, I must say that the recent tribute by Nobuhiro Watsuki has left me feeling conflicted. On one hand, it’s always exciting to see such iconic series come together, but on the other, I can’t help but question whether this was the best choice given Watsuki’s past controversies.


Once more, Dragon Ball is making headlines with a fresh homage. With a new video game and animated series in the works, this iconic property is thriving. Son Goku remains at the pinnacle, yet even the Saiyan isn’t invincible. However, controversy has not been unfamiliar to Dragon Ball, and now it finds itself embroiled in debate due to a recent tribute from the creator of Rurouni Kenshin.

This issue arose due to the recent return of the Dragon Ball Super Gallery event, where Nobuhiro Watsuki unveiled his latest piece – a reimagined cover for Dragon Ball volume 30 as a tribute to Akira Toriyama’s beloved series. However, given Watsuki’s past work, Dragon Ball enthusiasts are not exactly thrilled with this homage.

The Controversy Behind Rurouni Kenshin, Explained

If you’re not aware of the scandal involving Watsuki, we regret to inform you. In 2017, Japanese authorities discovered DVDs in Watsuki’s Tokyo studio containing images of underage girls without clothing. The girls were reportedly teenagers, and this discovery led police to search his home for further investigation.

Dragon Ball Launches Controversial Collab With Rurouni Kenshin’s Creator

Following the search of Watsuki’s residence, police uncovered additional questionable material during an investigation into allegations that the creator of “Rurouni Kenshin” had bought child pornography. Inside his home, they discovered hundreds of DVDs filled with such content. In 2017, Watsuki was passed onto prosecutors for possessing child pornography, and in February 2018, he received a sentence that required him to pay a fine of less than $2,000 USD. After a short break, Watsuki resumed work on “Rurouni Kenshin: The Hokkaido Arc” in June 2018.

The uproar caused by Watsuki’s predicament was considerable, given the high regard in which Rurouni Kenshin is held as one of the top manga series. However, when Watsuki was accused of possessing child pornography, the reputation of the manga took a significant hit. Fans worldwide were outraged by his confession, and they still question why Watsuki wasn’t banned for his actions. This controversy has persisted for years, and now Dragon Ball fans are grappling with their feelings about Watsuki’s tribute.

Dragon Ball Super Gallery Expands With Its Final Installments

It’s important to note that while the author of Rurouni Kenshin is involved in this project, it’s not a solo endeavor. The Dragon Ball Super Gallery kicked off in August 2021, marking a celebration for Dragon Ball’s 40th anniversary. This initiative invites various manga artists to pay tribute to Toriyama, including heavyweights like Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), Tite Kubo (Bleach), and Hirohiko Araki (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure). Watsuki is one of the more recent additions to the Dragon Ball Super Gallery, and he’s the most contentious among them.

Accompanied by numerous homages, the Dragon Ball Super Exhibition showcases Toriyama’s unparalleled artistic talent in composition. The artist’s influence on Dragon Ball remains profound, as his work continues to be celebrated even after his untimely demise at 68 this year. With a new anime series underway, Goku is striving hard to meet the high standards set by Toriyama, despite his passing. Though the recent controversy surrounding Akira Toriyama’s successor, Watsuki, has stirred up some turbulence among fans, Dragon Ball has proven its resilience and will continue to endure this ordeal.

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2024-10-29 22:10