Dragon Ball Editor Bashes The Modern Era of Manga

This year at Japan Expo, former Dragon Ball editor Kazuhiko Torishima expressed some critical opinions about the current state of manga. Although he didn’t criticize any current writers or artists involved in creating the present manga series, he voiced concerns about how the delivery format for readers is hindering progress in the medium. Despite no longer working with the Z-Fighters, Torishima remains knowledgeable and experienced in the field of manga.

At a recent Japan Expo discussion, Torishima expressed his discomfort with the trend towards digital manga platforms, stating that these systems tend to suggest similar content to readers, leading to a homogenized style in manga production where all manga appear and taste alike, much like mass-produced products from Starbucks or McDonald’s. He believes that Japanese manga has lost its distinctive artistic individuality as a result. Torishima previously collaborated extensively with Shueisha and is now the CEO of Hakusensha, a renowned Japanese publishing house.

A New Manga Age

In his panel discussion, Torishima expressed his viewpoint that manga editors should not limit their focus solely on the medium in their professional duties. He argued, “Editors who only read manga are hired. If we don’t bring in people with diverse tastes in cinema and literature, the creative sphere will become narrower.” As a former editor of Dragon Ball, he openly shared his passion for French literature and mentioned his top three films: The Godfather, Roman Holiday, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. These selections, quite distinct from the exploits of the Z-Fighters, underscore Torishima’s eclectic perspective on entertainment.

Kazuhiko made it clear that there’s a noticeable gap between today’s generation and manga, stating, “Nowadays, children aren’t reading manga as they used to. Editors argue that kids can’t comprehend panel arrangements, but I counter this by saying that the problem lies not with the mangaka, but with the editors who lack expertise in manga layout and readability. For instance, Toriyama’s manga was easily understood. _One Piece_ should be designed in a way that elementary school students can read it comfortably, considering its panel arrangement. This isn’t the fault of the mangaka, but rather the editors who are not adequately skilled in manga design and accessibility. One reason for this is that publishers often hire individuals with limited exposure to other forms of art, such as cinema or literature. If we don’t diversify our hiring pool, the creative realm will continue to contract.

For fans of Dragon Ball, there’s anticipation regarding the shonen series’ comeback. Following the conclusion of Dragon Ball Daimaoh earlier this year and no confirmed date for the manga’s resumption, the return of Goku and his companions is undoubtedly a significant milestone in the anime universe that many are eagerly looking forward to.

Via DB-Z

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2025-07-12 18:13