In 2009, the live-action adaptation of Dragon Ball, titled Dragonball Evolution, hit theaters, but it failed to live up to expectations, especially for Akira Toriyama, the creator of the original manga and anime.
Toriyama had minimal involvement in the film’s production, initially encouraging fans to view it as a different interpretation of his work. However, after watching the movie, his opinion drastically changed.
Toriyama was horrified by what he saw. While he initially supported the project, he expressed deep disappointment after its release.
“At the time of the Hollywood movie, the live-action Dragon Ball, the script had too little of a grasp on the world and its characteristics, and on top of that, it had a conventional content that I couldn’t find interesting. I cautioned them and suggested changes, but they seemed to have a strange confidence and didn’t really listen to me. What came out in the end was a movie I couldn’t really call a Dragon Ball that lived up to my expectations,” Toriyama explained.
Toriyama’s active involvement in other projects
This dissatisfaction served as a turning point for the franchise. Toriyama realized the importance of being actively involved in the creative process of Dragon Ball projects.
When work began on the 2013 animated film Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods, he decided to take a more hands-on approach. Initially, Toriyama was unimpressed with the film’s development. However, his frustrations with Dragonball Evolution reignited his passion for the series.
Toriyama dove headfirst into the production of Battle of Gods. He rewrote the entire script and even redesigned the characters, ensuring the movie better reflected his vision of the Dragon Ball universe.
In his own words, he “got carried away” during the process, pouring his heart into making the film something fans would truly appreciate.
The result was a film that redefined the franchise, introducing fan-favorite characters like Beerus and Whis while expanding the lore of the Dragon Ball universe.
By taking control of Battle of Gods and future projects, Toriyama not only redeemed the series but also set it on a path to greater success.
In the end, what could have been a low point for the Dragon Ball franchise became a catalyst for its revival, thanks to Toriyama’s dedication and passion.
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