Pioneers and creators of the anime industry often openly admit that a part and sometimes even the whole, of their series was inspired by something else. This list contains a lot of known names like Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, as well as Akira Toriyama, who is the creator of the famous Dragon Ball series.
When we particularly talk about Toriyama, it is still a surprise to many that the iconic Dragon Ball series is inspired by another piece of work. In an interview done in 1995, Toriyama revealed that his series was inspired by a Disney Movie that helped save the company at the time.
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Akira Toriyama Unveils Dragon Ball Inspiration
The Disney Movie being talked about here is none other than 101 Dalmatians, an animated film that came out in 1961 and played a big role in saving Disney as a company as it was going through difficulties at the time.
Talking about the same, Akira Toriyama stated,
“I myself believe it was Walt Disney and Tezuka Osamu. When I was a child, there were drawing schools called ‘Zugayasan.’ Local children would boisterously congregate and draw pictures. I remember one day, I drew a picture from 101 Dalmatians, won a prize, became ecstatic, and here I am now.”
Dragon Ball essentially might not have happened at all if Akira Toriyama had not made that drawing from the Disney Movie, which he won a prize for as stated, causing him to be excited to draw more.
How 101 Dalmatians Saved Disney
101 Dalmatians is one of the best animated works Disney has ever produced. After the expensive production of Snow White, the company went through financial difficulties, which made them consider shutting down the animation department as a whole.
However, the release of 101 Dalmatians based on a 1956 novel by Dodie Smith is what made Disney’s worries go away as it went on to earn $303 Million, and became one of the highest-grossing films of that year.
This particular film can automatically be held responsible for any animated Disney work that came out after that year because it saved the animation department, which has delivered more masterpieces like Lion King, Cars, Toy Story, Turning Red, and many more.
Older pieces of the animated industry are no less of a goldmine and continue to inspire artists and mangaka even today, something that proves their worth and legacy to the rest of the world.
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Source: Angel Fire
