The connection between One Piece and Dragon Ball goes beyond admiration. Eiichiro Oda, the author of One Piece, draws inspiration from Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball while seeking to subvert its simplicity. Let’s explore the intriguing relationship between these legendary manga series.
One Piece Author and his Admiration for Dragon Ball
Eiichiro Oda, the author of the manga, has been an avid fan of Dragon Ball since his childhood. He has openly expressed his deep admiration for Toriyama’s art style and storytelling. Oda even admitted to re-reading Dragon Ball numerous times to emulate Toriyama’s drawing style, making it a crucial influence on his own artistic development.
One Piece as a Deliberate Subversion
Suguru Sugita, One Piece’s eighth editor, disclosed in an interview that Oda once revealed his intention to subvert Dragon Ball’s simplicity. According to Sugita, Oda aimed to create a significantly more complex narrative and diverse characters within the world of One Piece. This deliberate subversion allowed Oda to forge his unique path, setting One Piece apart from its predecessor.
“One Piece was a deliberate subversion of Dragon Ball due to its significantly more complex tale and characters, whereas Dragon Ball is a Manga renowned for its simplicity.”
Plot Development and Cliffhangers
Oda adopts Dragon Ball’s technique of seeding plot developments through minor details, engaging readers with subtle hints. Consistent cliffhangers ensure readers eagerly await the next chapter.
Eiichiro Oda is inspired by dragon ball z and akira toriyama. The movie tree of might have turles powers. But in order to regrow it sucked the planets energy. I think devil fruits are made by giving a source of energy maybe souls of slaves that celestial dragons have…. pic.twitter.com/Lt85NkxuLb
— fredbecovic (@fatmirfred) April 7, 2021
Luffy’s Character Traits and Dragon Ball
In an interview with Toriyama himself, Oda described Luffy, the protagonist of One Piece, in one word: “Manliness” while avoiding duplication of Dragon Ball’s traits that brought joy to children.
“Manliness. Dragon Ball has already done all the things that a child could possibly be happy about. (laugh) So, I used that as the basis to start from so I didn’t go against it.”
Dragon Ball: A Masterpiece
Oda’s reverence for Dragon Ball extends beyond personal inspiration. He has repeatedly referred to Dragon Ball as a masterpiece and has shared anecdotes about its impact on readers during its serialization. The series not only captivated the imagination of Japanese boys but also became an integral part of weekly shōnen manga culture, fostering a sense of anticipation and excitement.
Conclusion
The relationship between One Piece and Dragon Ball is a fusion of admiration and subversion. Oda’s deliberate departure from Dragon Ball’s simplicity, combined with his storytelling techniques, has established OP as a complex and beloved manga. The enduring legacy of both series showcases the power of manga to captivate and inspire readers.
Source: AnimeHunch
