Akira Toriyama, recognized as the creator of the iconic Dragon Ball universe, has revealed a surprising source of inspiration that marked the beginning of his career as a cartoonist: the Disney movie 101 Dalmatians. In a recent interview with Kanzenshuu, Toriyama shared that, in his time, there was a scarcity of animation material that could inspire him, which led him to find in Disney’s work a role model that would enhance his creativity.
The influence of Osamu Tezuka
In addition to Disney’s influence, Toriyama also mentions Osamu Tezuka, the famous mangaka creator of Astro Boy, as another crucial piece of his artistic development. This connection between both creators underscores how Western animation has left a significant mark on the evolution of anime. Tezuka, also influenced by Disney, became passionate about film, having watched Bambi more than 80 times during his training, which contributed to his reinvention of manga and the way his stories would be told.
Nowadays, anime is going through a stage of remarkable innovation in terms of animation and narrative. Recent series like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, along with acclaimed films like Your Name and Jujutsu Kaisen, are taking the genre to new heights, setting a standard that contributes to the evolution of the medium. This advancement in the quality of animation and production has allowed anime to gain popularity globally, consolidating its status as one of the most relevant forms of entertainment in the 21st century.
The legacy of Toriyama and his work on Dragon Ball, including the new installments like Dragon Ball Super and its recent movies, demonstrates that Disney’s influence continues to resonate in the industry, crossing cultural and artistic boundaries that redefine the landscape of contemporary anime.
