In a recent interview, Akira Toriyama, the renowned creator of the famous series Dragon Ball, shared some revelations about the artistic decisions that have influenced the story of the manga. One of the most intriguing changes was the removal of Goku’s tail, an iconic feature of the Saiyans. Contrary to what many might think, the decision was not driven by narrative needs, but by practical issues related to the illustration process. The good reason: it was a lot of work. Toriyama explained that drawing Goku’s tail became a significant challenge in his work […]
In a recent interview, Akira Toriyama, the renowned creator of the famous series Dragon Ball, shared some revelations about the artistic decisions that have influenced the story of the manga. One of the most intriguing changes was the removal of Goku’s tail, an iconic feature of the Saiyans. Contrary to what many might think, the decision was not driven by narrative needs, but by practical issues related to the illustration process.
The good reasons: it was a lot of work
Toriyama explained that drawing Goku’s tail became a significant challenge in his daily work. This aspect of the character, which initially played an important role, considerably lengthened the illustration process. He not only had to represent the tail, but he also had to adjust the character’s clothing and accessories to make them look realistic. With the desire to simplify his work, Toriyama decided to eliminate this element, opting for a solution that would allow him to continue the storytelling without setbacks.
However, the removal of the tail did not resolve all of his artistic concerns. Years later, Toriyama faced a new challenge with the introduction of the character Cell, whose spot patterns complicated the work of his colleagues responsible for inking the pages. This situation reflects the approach of the mangaka, who, in his quest to make the creation process more efficient, is always dealing with new obstacles.
The story of Goku and his transformation into a formidable warrior has been marked not only by events in the Dragon Ball universe but also by the practical and creative decisions of its creator. This highlights Toriyama’s dedication and ingenuity throughout his career.
On April 4, 2024, volume 24 of Dragon Ball Super was released in Japan, the last one in which Akira Toriyama participated, marking the end of an era for the iconic series. This volume, considered essential for its enriched content, features the collaboration of Toyotaro, the current custodian of the saga, who has redrawn scenes, corrected expressions, and added previously unseen details. Among the included chapters are 101 to 104, as well as special illustrations and a record of over 12 million copies sold. A final volume that promises some great surprises […]
On April 4, 2024, volume 24 of Dragon Ball Super was released in Japan, the last one in which Akira Toriyama participated, marking the end of an era for the iconic series. This volume, considered essential for its enriched content, features the collaboration of Toyotaro, the current custodian of the saga, who has redrawn scenes, corrected expressions, and added previously unseen details. Among the included chapters are 101 to 104, as well as special illustrations and a record of over 12 million copies sold.
A final volume that promises some great surprises
The extraordinary cover, created by Toyotaro, features the five protagonists in their ultimate transformations, while the back cover reveals their greatest enemy. However, what is truly remarkable is found inside the book, where a greater visual depth can be appreciated in the carefully retouched illustrations. Toyotaro has enhanced effects such as transformations, hairstyles, and more, giving a fresh take on iconic moments, like the battle of Gohan Beast against Goku Ultra Instinct.
Although volume 24 is already available in physical format, the chapters are accessible for free on Shueisha’s MangaPlus platform. Despite Toriyama’s farewell, it has been confirmed that Toyotaro will continue to lead the series. However, fans are still wondering when serialization will resume, while they await news about the future direction of Dragon Ball Super, especially in light of Freezer’s presence in the story.
In Spain, the release date for volume 24 has not yet been confirmed, and PlanetaComic has at least two volumes pending. Volume 22 will be released in May, just in time to coincide with Goku Day, while the series continues its publication in both Spanish and Catalan. As the end of this era approaches, fans are preparing for the transition to new chapters that promise to be just as exciting.
MANGA Plus by SHUEISHA is a free platform for manga format lovers. It is similar to platforms like Netflix or Koomic, although its differences are significant in that it is a streaming application for reading chapters of series whose content is manga. Additionally, it shows the latest additions or the Featured, and it is possible to change the resolution and reading direction in Settings.
Time passes for everyone. Even for the JRPGs that have marked entire generations and have defined video games in a way that most can hardly even dream of. This has been the case with Chrono Trigger, one of the most important games of the SNES and one of the most legendary JRPGs in history, which has just turned 30 years old. Something that, of course, Square Enix has already announced it plans to celebrate as it deserves. How that celebration will be is what remains unclear. They have said they plan to celebrate it, but not how. […]
Time passes for everyone. Even for the JRPGs that have marked entire generations and have defined video games in a way that most can hardly even dream of. This has been the case with Chrono Trigger, one of the most important games on the SNES and one of the most legendary JRPGs in history, which has just turned 30 years old. Something that, of course, Square Enix has already announced it plans to celebrate as it deserves.
How is that celebration going to be? That is what remains unclear. They have said that they plan to celebrate it, but not how. That’s why we can only speculate and dream, knowing that they will have to do something. And in the meantime, we prefer to remember and above all, explain something that perhaps many people do not know: why Chrono Trigger is important. And that is what this article is about. The reasons why this thirty anniversary should be your excuse to replay a legendary game. Or to play it for the first time.
Chrono Trigger is a classic role-playing video game developed by Square, in which a group of young adventurers travel through different eras to save the planet from a future disaster.
The biography of Chrono Trigger
Published on March 11, 1995 for Super Nintendo, it wouldn’t reach the US until August 11 of that same year. And Europe and Australia? I’m afraid we would have to wait until February 2009 for a remaster to be released for Nintendo DS. This does not mean that the game was not played outside of Japan and the US until then.
Because Chrono Trigger is one of those games that was highly imported at the time. Although it was sold at completely outrageous prices outside of North America, it was also sold in English outside the US. And over time since the Super Nintendo, its legend continued to grow, partly thanks to a re-release on PlayStation that was published in 1999 in Japan and in 2001 in the US, which would further cement its cult status. This led to the fact that over the years and with the rise of emulation, anyone interested in JRPGs not only had heard of Chrono Trigger but could also play it, even if it never legally reached their territory.
A game created by a dream team
Why did the game cause such a stir? Probably because it was designed from the beginning to do so. Chrono Trigger was developed by what Square conceived as a dream team of three designers who had just created indisputable masterpieces: Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of Final Fantasy; Yuji Horii, creator of Dragon Quest; and Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball. Together, they conceived the entire foundation of the game, from the visuals to the mechanics, resulting in the most idiosyncratic JRPG of its generation.
But it is not a dream team just because of its dream trio. It is also because of the excellent team that accompanied them. Takashi Tokita, director of Live A Live and Parasite Eve, would be co-director and co-writer of the game. Kazuhiko Aoki, director of Final Fantasy IV and Final Fantasy Chronicles, would be producer. And Masato Kato, writer of Final Fantasy VII, would be the other co-writer. Creating an absolutely dream team for the game.
An incredible story, magical designs, and unforgettable characters
But what is the game about? Basically, in the year 1000AD, Crono and Marle see how Lucca and her father demonstrate how their teleportation works at the fair of the Kingdom of Guardia. Due to an accident, they are teleported back in time 400 years, which leads them on an adventure of time travel, time paradoxes, and also a fight against a mad scientist who wants to end the world, which unfolds through different eras of the same world.
All of this, moreover, with seven tremendously charismatic characters that we can recruit in different time periods. Traveling from prehistory to the distant future, we will have all kinds of allies to fight against the evil Magus and the consequences of his actions, first trying to solve the disaster of our time travels, and then trying to prevent The End of Times with one of the most unforgettable castings of all time. Let’s remember, all designed by Akira Toriyama.
Although it remains a classic JRPG in terms of gameplay, the game would feature the Active Time Battle system, which would allow rivals to take actions while we make decisions in the menus. And surely the most striking aspect is the existence of cooperative skills, for which two or more characters will need to be in our party to perform a particularly powerful ability together. As long as the enemies are in the right position, as they can move during combat.
A game with many versions
With versions for SNES, PlayStation, Nintendo DS, mobile, and PC, it has undergone small changes over time. That said, there is no definitive version of the game. Although many people recommend the Nintendo DS version for having extra content and being relatively more accessible, it is generally accepted that the best version is the original. The SNES version remains the best-adjusted version, with fewer compromises and, while it shows its age, for many people this is not a problem but a plus: it has all the beauty of a game from its era.
What will Square Enix do to celebrate the 30th anniversary? While we would settle for a better port than the one we currently have for PCs, it wouldn’t hurt to have a good remaster. They will probably hold concerts, some kind of art exhibition in Japan, and everything else they do aside from that should be considered a bonus. Unfortunately, Chrono Trigger, as beloved as it is, doesn’t seem to be a priority like Final Fantasy is. Therefore, while we hope for at least the announcement of a series of ports, a Pixel Remaster-style version, or a remaster or remake, everything is still uncertain. But until we know, we can always return to this immortal game that hasn’t aged a single day since March 11, 1995.
Chrono Trigger is a classic role-playing video game developed by Square, in which a group of young adventurers travel through different eras to save the planet from a future disaster.
The last chapter of Dragon Ball Daima was released last Friday, featuring an exciting but brief battle between Goku SSJ4 and King Gomah. Despite the vibrant animation and the fun it offered, many fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with the series’ conclusion, which left various plots and expectations unfulfilled. Is there a possibility of a second season? One of the highlights among the saga’s followers was the hope that Daima would serve to officially establish SSJ4 within the Dragon Ball canon. The premise of a story in another dimension […]
The latest episode of Dragon Ball Daima was released last Friday, featuring an exciting but brief battle between Goku SSJ4 and King Gomah. Despite the vibrant animation and the fun it offered, many fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with the series’ conclusion, which left various plots and expectations unfulfilled.
Is there a possibility of a second season?
One of the hot points among the followers of the saga was the longing for Daima to serve to officialize the SSJ4 within the canon of Dragon Ball. The premise of a story in another dimension seemed like the ideal setting to implement this beloved transformation, but contrary to what fans expected, its integration into the canon was not convincing. In the last episode, Goku reveals that he unlocked his power after training following his victory over Buu, which raises questions about why he did not use this ability earlier in Dragon Ball Super.
Another disappointing aspect was the absence of the fusion between Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo, which was a topic anticipated since the early episodes. Many fans were looking forward to seeing this iconic fusion, which would have justified Piccolo’s presence in the plot. However, this character ended up being sidelined, causing frustration among the followers.
Despite the criticism, the conclusion of the series left open the possibility of new stories and characters. The revelation that the Evil Third Eye is not exclusive to the Demon Realm, along with Goku’s promise to return in the face of new problems, suggests that there could be a second season. However, the absence of Akira Toriyama as creator raises questions about the future of the project. In fact, Daima has captured the original adventurous spirit of the franchise, leaving fans wanting more.
Despite Akira Toriyama’s death, that doesn’t mean we won’t continue to have new works of his to enjoy, like this new anime adaptation.
The death of Akira Toriyama has been a tremendous blow for several different generations. Even more so when it has been unexpected. The father of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump was very beloved for his mythical works that, although sometimes we forget, go far beyond Dragon Ball. In addition to creating the art for legendary RPGs like Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest, he also made other, shorter mangas that demonstrate his genius. Sand Land being a good example of this.
In the last year there has been a resurgence of this particular work by Toriyama. Published from May 22nd to August 28th, 2000, contained in a single volume, it demonstrates Toriyama’s obsession and interest in original vehicles and post-apocalyptic settings. Something that has experienced a particular explosion in recent years.
Perhaps it’s because of the success of Mad Max: Fury Road, perhaps because the manga is just that good, today a new series based on this manga is premiering: Sand Land: The Series. Available on Disney+, it consists of seven episodes that tell the entirety of the manga from beginning to end. With a twist. A second season has been announced that will feature events that have never appeared in manga format and that, in principle, would be Toriyama’s last story written in his lifetime. This makes this series even more important and dramatic.
Sand Land, in terms of the plot, takes place in a world where there is barely any water left after years of endless wars and terrible natural disasters. In these circumstances, Beelzebub, son of Lucifer and prince of demons, ventures into the vast deserts to find a new water source, tired of his father monopolizing all the water sources. This will make him have to cooperate with demons, humans, and confront dinosaurs and all kinds of creatures riding on what Toriyama liked to draw the most: all kinds of vehicles.
Like a mix of Mad Max and Dragon Ball, it’s a dystopian story, full of charm and humor in the style of Toriyama. A real treat for all those in love with Dragon Ball, especially those who prefer the stories of young Goku over the more tumultuous power level stories of Dragon Ball Z.
The interesting thing about this series is that it is not made from scratch. It is an adaptation of the homonymous film made in collaboration by Sunrise, Kamikaze Douga and Anima studios, which was exclusively released in Japan on August 18th. For the series, they have added cut material from the film, developing the plots and characters much more, in order to address the entirety of the manga without leaving anything out. Making the series an even more satisfying experience.
However, that’s not all the Sand Land we’ll have in the near future. The ILCA studio, the people behind the remarkable One Piece Odyssey, will release a Sand Land video game on April 26for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC.
If you’re curious, the game already has a demo available on all platforms. This has allowed us to verify what it will contain. A vast open world, full of possibilities, where the customization of our vehicles will be very important, and where we will have to learn to handle ourselves well in each of the three available. A motorcycle, very fast but not so capable in combat; a tank, robust and with great firepower but limited mobility; and a chubby mech, specialized in close combat and short distances but suffers in long-range battles.
Although the demo is somewhat limited, designed more to show us the mechanics than the game world, it promises to be a fun experience that perfectly recreates Akira Toriyama’s aesthetic. Something that, although we are already used to seeing in the video game, does not make it any less spectacular. Or less endearing, now that he is no longer with us.
That’s why, if like us you miss Toriyama, Sand Land is the perfect opportunity to connect with him in a way you may not have done before. Whether it’s by reading the manga, watching the newly released animated series, playing the upcoming video game, or all of the above, there has never been a more ideal time to immerse yourself in Toriyama’s fascinating mind. Something that, we know well, we need now more than ever.
The new game based on Akira Toriyama now has a release date, and it will also be accompanied by an anime series released around the same time.
Akira Toriyama is much more than Dragon Ball. Although it is true that his most famous work is so famous that it is impossible to dissociate it from him, that does not mean that he is an author of a single success. Both in Japan and abroad, he is a recognized and highly valued author. Especially for his sense of humor, the uniqueness of his character and vehicle designs, but also for his eye for adventure stories. Where he has specialized.
Sand Land is a post-apocalyptic story where we embody Beelzebub, the Demon Prince, who, due to various circumstances, will have to join forces with humans to survive in the desert. Among his allies will be Thief and Sheriff Rao, with whom he will cross the desert in a tank, with a purely Toriyama design, in search of the Legendary Spring that will end the terrible drought that has taken over the world. All while they seek to survive and are besieged by the forces of the Royal Army, who seek to prevent their search.
The manga was originally published between May 9 and August 8, 2000 in Weekly Shounen Jump, consisting of a single volume. It has become, apart from Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, Toriyama’s most popular manga to this day.
Sand Land, the video game, will be released on April 26th for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. Additionally, during that same period, an anime adaptation in the form of a series will premiere on Hulu, on a date yet to be determined.
Akira Toriyama sees one of his most acclaimed manga adapted with Unreal Engine 5 with Sand Land, announced at the Summer Game Fest.
One of the great surprises of the Summer Game Fest is the announcement that we will be getting a new game in Unreal Engine 5 inspired by a work of Akira Toriyama. And that work is not Dragon Ball, but Sand Land. With an extremely faithful look to the manga, which appears to be a 1:1 reproduction of the famous mangaka’s artwork, it seems to be an open world where we will embody the titular protagonist, Rao, as he travels through the desert in a world where water is scarce and demons and humans must coexist and fight to survive.
Announced for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox Series X and Series S, Sand Land still does not have a release date. In any case, all fans of Akira Toriyama, even those who only know Dragon Ball, are in luck because Sand Land captures the spirit of Son Goku’s childhood adventures. And if this game can reproduce that spirit as faithfully as it reproduces its artwork, we are talking about a potential masterpiece.
