Akira Toriyama’s passing in March 2024 at age 68 left a void in Japanese pop culture. Known worldwide forDragon BallandDr. Slump, his work definedShōnen Jumpfor decades. Yet before his rise, the magazine suffered a drought in anime adaptations. Toriyama’s arrival ended that curse, changingJump’s future forever.
In 1981,Shōnen Jumphad gone seven and a half years without any of its series being adapted into anime. SinceSamurai Giantsin the early 1970s, editorial policy has avoided giving TV studios control. The magazine was dominant in print but stagnant in media expansion. Toriyama’sDr. Slumpwould soon shatter that dry spell.
There Was a Time When Shōnen Jump Felt Like Shōnen Slump
Editorial Resistance to Anime Adaptations Ran Deep
Shōnen Jumpeditor-in-chief Shigeo Nishimura explained his reluctance towards rushing into TV productions, “I had a deep mistrust toward anime adaptations led by television stations and production companies. Unless we protected the manga artist’s copyright and the magazine’s editorial rights, there was no need to make an anime.” This policy keptJumptitles off TV for much of the 1970s.
Kazuhiko Torishima, Akira Toriyama’s editor, understood Nishimura’s concerns and worked to secure terms that satisfied both artist and magazine. “We checked contract clauses in detail, demanded script revisions and character adjustments, and built a system that the manga artist could accept,” Torishima recalled. This framework cleared the way for Toriyama’s hit mangaDr. Slumpto make the leap to television.
How Dr Slump Became a Nationwide Phenomenon On TV
Shōnen Jump Fully Embraced Media Mix After the Breakthrough
Dr. Slump Arale-chanpremiered on Fuji TV in April 1981. It aired on a prime Wednesday evening slot and quickly became a national sensation. The Aug 05, 2025, episode “Messenger from Hell Chibir-kun” scored an astonishing 36.9 percent audience rating. In the Tokai region, ratings topped 40 percent, an almost unheard-of figure for anime.
Shōnen Jumpcelebrated by running a three-week “13th Anniversary Dr. Slump Special” in 1981, issues 29 to 31. The success ofDr. Slumpconvinced editors to greenlight anime adaptations forKinnikuman,Captain Tsubasa, andFist of the North Star. The media mix strategy that still fuelsShōnen Jumptoday, withhits likeDemon SlayerandJujutsu Kaisen,was born.
Dr Slump’s Popularity Drove Manga Sales to Historic Heights
Arale-Chan Became a Cultural Icon Across Japan
The anime’s influence on manga sales was immediate. Volume 5 ofDr. Slumpbroke records with 1.3 million first print copies, surpassing the previous high held byDoraemon. Volume 6 went further, hitting 2.2 million. Total circulation exceeded 30 million, with Toriyama’s characters winning over both children and adults nationwide.
The heroine, Arale’s quirky phrases like “ncha” and “hoyo yo”, became playground staples. Merchandise flooded stores, from toys to stationery. The show’s humor, rooted in Toriyama’s playful worldview, resonated with viewers. “I just wanted to make something that made me laugh,” Toriyama once said. The laughter was contagious, and it lifted the entireJumpbrand.
From Dr Slump to Dragon Ball Without Missing a Beat
Dragon Ball Struggled Before Finding Its True Form
Dr. Slumpended in issue 39 of 1984, and just three months later,Dragon Balldebuted in issue 51. The speed of the transition reflected Toriyama’s work ethic and the trust of his editors. Early installments featured three-color opening spreads in five issues, a clear signal of editorial confidence in the new series.
Starting in the early 1970s,Shōnen Jumpsuffered a drought in anime adaptations. Akira Toriyama’s arrival ended that curse, changingJump’s future forever.
Despite strong backing, earlyDragon Ballrankings slipped inJump. When Goku first summoned Shenron, the series was already appearing in the double digits of the table of contents. Toriyama and Torishima shifted focus from adventure to martial arts tournaments, a move that repositionedDragon Ballas a leading battle manga.
In 1985, the hit mangaKinnikumanwent on hiatus due to writer Takashi Shimada’s hospitalization. During that period,Dragon Ballbegan itsTenkaichi Budokai arc, seizing the attention of battle manga fans. “We did not aim to steal readers,” Torishima said, “but the timing worked in our favor.” The shift cementedDragon Ball’s place at the top.
Seven Consecutive Years of Two Works In One Issue
At the height of his career, Toriyama’s schedule was punishing. He sometimes slept only once every three days and endured stretches of six sleepless nights. He continued producing one-shots likeDragon BoyandPINKalongside his weekly serials.Many of these stories became prototypes for laterDragon Ballconcepts.
From 1986 to 1992, Toriyama achieved the rare feat of publishing two works in a singleJumpissue every year. Sometimes it was twoDragon Ballchapters, other times a chapter plus a one-shot. In 1992’s double issue 36–37, fans enjoyed a Trunks special alongside a color openingDragon Ballchapter, a pairing still remembered fondly.
One-Shot Showed Toriyama’s Endless Originality
Breaking The Curse Changed Jump’s DNA Forever
Works likeMr. Ho,Kenosuke sama, andSonchohoffered glimpses ofToriyama’s humor and visual inventiveness outsideDragon Ball. Each one-shot had a distinct world, proving his imagination never ran dry. “I love drawing,” he often said, and the joy he took in creation was visible in every panel.
BeforeDr. Slump,Jump’s seven-year drought of anime adaptations limited its reach. Toriyama’s success ended that most damning curse, and the floodgates opened. The magazine’s identity shifted toward building properties that could thrive in both print and other media. This transformation became the blueprint for future megahits.
The Legacy of Dr Slump and Dragon Ball in 2025
We Mourn Toriyama but Celebrate His Lasting Influence
Today,Shōnen Jump’s top titles follow the media mix model thatDr. Slumppioneered.Dragon Ballremains a global franchisespanning anime, films, games, and merchandise. Its impact onJump’s business strategy is still felt. “We owe much of what we are to Toriyama’s work,” one veteran editor reflected.
Toriyama’s passing was a loss felt far beyond Japan. Yet his influence is woven into the DNA of modern manga and anime. He ended a creative drought, redefinedJump’s ambitions, and left behind stories that continue to inspire. His works remain a treasure island for readers, and his legacy will endure for generations.
