The Man who Mastered Anime 🎏 Akira Toriyama 1955 - 2024 Dragon Ball first debuted in 1984, originally conceived as a playful adventure inspired by the Chinese classic Journey to the West. Goku was modeled after the Monkey King, complete with a flying cloud and magical staff, and the early chapters leaned heavily into comedy and whimsical exploration. As the story developed, however, fans became especially drawn to the martial arts tournaments. Seeing the excitement this generated, creator Akira