Dragon Ball‘s Buu Saga often sparks debate among fans, with some critics asserting that the series entered a decline during this arc. However, Toyotaro, the artist behind Dragon Ball Super and Akira Toriyama’s successor, offers a contrasting view on the significance of the Buu Saga.
As the concluding major arc of the original Dragon Ball Z anime and its manga, the Buu Saga is notably extensive. This length has led some enthusiasts to describe it as repetitive and lacking the excitement found in earlier chapters. Unlike Frieza and Cell, the antagonists from previous sagas, Buu embodies a distinctly different brand of villainy, often appearing comical with his ability to transform opponents into candy and the unique strategies employed against him, such as Gotenks and his ghost techniques. Despite these observations, the Buu Saga plays a crucial role in setting the stage for subsequent series, especially Dragon Ball Super.
Toyotaro Defends the Buu Saga as a Creative Liberation for Toriyama
Toyotaro Explains the Importance of the Buu Saga

In a recent interview on the official Dragon Ball website, Toyotaro shared his insights on why the Buu Saga holds a special place in his heart. He expressed, “The richness of the characters and their development in the Majin Buu Saga are incredible. It seems that once it was confirmed to be the final saga, Toriyama felt free to pursue his vision without constraints. I deeply appreciate the design aspects of the Majin Buu Saga.“For Toyotaro, this arc reflects Toriyama’s authentic voice, complete with its quirky humor and unique storytelling style, making it quintessentially Dragon Ball.
Moreover, Toyotaro mentioned, “I strive to grasp the ties between this arc and Dragon Ball Super to maintain consistency.”This observation highlights his intention to preserve the narrative and artistic ethos established during the Buu Saga, demonstrating that he aims to carry forward the character development and design nuances from that phase in his own work on Dragon Ball Super.
The Buu Saga Serves as a Blueprint for Super
Dragon Ball Super Draws Inspiration from Z’s Final Arc

By closely aligning Dragon Ball Super with the Buu Saga’s essence, Toyotaro strives to maintain the classic Dragon Ball feel while introducing evolving circumstances and characters. Super has boldly explored its creative freedom, exemplified by monumental arcs such as the Tournament of Power—arguably the most intense martial arts tournament in anime history—and the Goku Black arc, characterized by its inventive use of time travel. Toyotaro’s emphasis on the Buu Saga’s significance sheds light on the operational characteristics of Dragon Ball Super and reinforces its foundational ties to Z’s narrative legacy.