Akira Toriyama was the manga artist of Dragon Ball and became famous for his work. However, if it had been up to him, he could have lived a quiet life.
What was his greatest wish? As Toriyama revealed in an interview with Kazenban Official Guide (via Kazenshuu), there was one thing he regretted the most on his path as a manga artist. Originally, he wanted to use a pseudonym under which he would have published Dragon Ball.
He thought about using Nikisaku Mizuta as an anonymous name. Translated, the name means “a rice field filled with water that is harvested biannually.” He thought the name sounded nice and rural. He lived in the countryside, so the pseudonym would have suited him.
With that name, he could have published the manga of Dragon Ball without the readers knowing who was behind the adventures of Son-Goku. However, thanks to his editor, his wish was not fulfilled.
His adventures continued with Dragon Ball Daima:
Toriyama could not lead a quiet life
Why did he not fulfill his wish? Over time, his editors denied him several wishes, including when Toriyama wants to end his manga. The desire to use a pseudonym was also taken from him. The manga artist said:
In the beginning, I even showed my face on the pages of Jump [the magazine in which Dragon Ball is published, editor’s note]. My editor, Mr. Torishima, told me: “Manga artists have to do this!” so I just went along with it because I thought that was how it was.
Akira Toriyama, via Kazenshuu
Unfortunately, this led to Toriyama not being able to lead a quiet life before his death last year. He was always a public figure and had to live with the consequences because he even showed his face in the magazine.
What consequences did this decision have? As Toriyama revealed, he was even recognized in the countryside. Every time he went shopping in the supermarket, someone would talk to him about Dragon Ball.
As he showed his face less and less with age, he would have been recognized less and less. In 2003, there was reportedly only one in 100 people who would approach him and ask if he was Akira Toriyama.
Toriyama was glad that he did not draw erotic mangas. Because, through the revelation of his real name, his children might have had difficulties. This shows what a caring father the manga artist was. One cannot say the same about Son-Goku: Dragon Ball Super reveals what a bad grandpa Son-Goku is – he doesn’t even remember Pan’s name
