The latest volume of Dragon Ball Super (Volume 24) has officially dropped in Japan on Friday, April 4th, and it’s packed with excitement! To celebrate this much-anticipated release, we sat down for an exclusive interview with the manga’s creator, Toyotarou-sensei, hosted by none other than Makino Maria from Morning Musume ’25, a huge Dragon Ball fan herself!
This fun-filled fan meet-up is all about the love for Dragon Ball, featuring an energetic conversation between Toyotarou-sensei, a lifelong fan of Akira Toriyama’s work, and Makino, whose passion for the series is truly contagious!
Two Dragon Ball Lovers Chat!
Makino (aka Maria) kicked things off by sharing how Dragon Ball became a part of her childhood, starting with her father renting a video for her when she was in elementary school. She’s been hooked ever since. Toyotarou-sensei, too, revealed he fell in love with Dragon Ball as a kid, drawing Goku on the school blackboard while his classmates were outside playing dodgeball!
Both Toyotarou and Maria shared their childhood dreams of becoming manga artists, and Maria even joked that she joined Morning Musume because she wanted to be an idol, not just a fan. Their shared love of Dragon Ball was truly a beautiful thing to witness!
Piccolo’s Coolness & the Majin Buu Arc
Makino’s favorite character? The ever-cool Piccolo, of course! Toyotarou agreed, praising Piccolo’s evolution from a support character to an intellectual guide, especially after his fusion with Kami. But Makino couldn’t help but laugh about Piccolo’s Majin Buu Arc moments where he showed his more flustered side – proving that even the toughest characters have their softer moments.
Makino also gushed about the fun and quirky moments from the Majin Buu Arc, like Gotenks’ antics and the good Majin Buu making a house. Toyotarou reflected on how Toriyama-sensei was able to freely express his creativity in this arc, making it one of his personal favorites too.
The Art of Dragon Ball Super – From Analog to Digital
When Maria asked about Toyotarou’s illustration process, he explained that he uses a mix of analog and digital techniques. He starts with a pencil sketch on paper, then scans it into the computer for adjustments. From there, it’s a blend of traditional ink drawing and digital coloring. Toyotarou revealed that while “anime painting” is easier, he loves the more dramatic feel of “brush painting” for impactful scenes. It’s all about the details, and fans can certainly see the effort he puts into each page!
The Superhero Arc Comes to a Close!
The Superhero Arc is finally wrapping up in Volume 24, and Makino was especially excited to see some of her favorite scenes come to life, like Piccolo picking up Pan. Toyotarou discussed how he managed to bring Gohan’s iconic Makankosappo move to the manga in a way that felt natural, and both fans agreed that it was a highlight of the arc.
As for the Superhero Arc’s conclusion, Toyotarou teased a showdown that wasn’t seen in the movie – a battle between Goku and Gohan that will leave fans wondering just who’s the strongest of them all. Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, or Broly? The debate continues!
And if you’re wondering about the cover for this volume, it’s a masterpiece! Toyotarou worked harder than ever to showcase the characters in their strongest forms, with the spine featuring Black Frieza, adding to the excitement.
A Final Message from Toyotarou & Makino
As the interview wrapped up, Toyotarou shared his excitement about the release of Volume 24, pouring his passion into both the story and the cover. He encouraged fans to dive into the new volume and enjoy all the little details.
Makino also had a message for fans: “I’ll leave you with my favorite line from Cell! ‘Hahaha, 10 seconds left. This match ends in a draw.’”
Get ready for an unforgettable read!
Jump Comics Dragon Ball Super Volume 24
- Original Story: Akira Toriyama
- Manga: Toyotarou
- Release Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
- Price: ¥572 (tax included)
For more details, check out the official page: here.
