The Dragon Ball franchise has gone on for an enormously long time, but this was not the plan the legendary creator, Akira Toriyama had. The franchise was originally meant to conclude with the Cell Saga, but due to the massive popularity that the series had amassed, both within Japan and worldwide, the ‘show had to go on.’
Akira Toriyama had originally intended for Gohan to take over as the protagonist, considering the amount of spotlight and character development he had gotten by then and peacefully marking the end of Goku’s journey.
As we know, this did not happen, and many decades later, our carefree protagonist is still here. There was one character that came out of the pressure that Toriyama was under to continue the series, and that is Majin Buu.
Cell could not be the end of Dragon Ball Z
Toriyama’s legendary editors—Kazuhiko Torishima, Yu Kondo, and Fuyuto Takeda, had revealed that Toriyama was determined to end Dragon Ball with the Cell Saga. The author felt that Cell was the epitome of a villain and that all things had been wrapped up perfectly, he wanted to end a generation of Dragon Ball.
When Akira Toriyama was forced to extend the series, he was drawing aimlessly, doodling. These random scribbles and doodling lead to the creation of Majin Buu, one of the most unique characters and antagonists in Dragon Ball Z.
❗️| We finally have confirmation that Toriyama wanted to end Dragon Ball with the Cell saga!
🧵2/n pic.twitter.com/5uIhBtwVcM
— Enomis (@Venixys) February 23, 2025
He wanted to sacrifice Goku to give Gohan the push or the kickstart he needed. But the reception to the Cell saga was so good Shueisha (the manga publishing company) did not want this amazing revenue stream to dry up so soon.
That is why Toriyama got pressured to lengthen the series and think of ways to continue it. Usually, when such a thing happens, the creator is at a loss. The story they had planned out is completed, and when they are at a ‘Now what?’ stage, they usually mess up and tarnish the accrued reputation.
Majin Buu: The Villain Who Wasn’t Meant to Exist
Not Toriyama, his scribbles hid the answer as he created the enigmatic Majin Buu. He is a character that was so far away from being terrifying that it is surprising he was an antagonist. Buu looks like a fat ball of cotton candy, always has a silly grin on his face, and talks cutely.
What’s to hate? But Toriyama’s genius proceeds to make Buu a chilling opponent, one without regret, remorse, or even proper comprehension, as his only purpose is to stave off hunger and devour all life (and chocolate).
While other villains were driven by conquest, revenge, or destruction, Buu was simply a being trying to live his life. Even his more malevolent forms, like Super Buu and Kid Buu, were relatable as they were manifestations of trauma and other factors, not malice or hatred.
This shaped him as a somewhat gray character, and when he got a tragic plotline and a redemption arc, Buu was one of the best-written characters in the series.
The Dragon Ball series is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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