Let’s be real for a second. If you grew up in the 90s or early 2000s, Akira Toriyama wasn't just a name on a screen. He was the guy who basically dictated what you did on your playground. Whether you were screaming in the bathroom mirror trying to go Super Saiyan or drawing spiky hair on the back of your notebook, his influence was everywhere. But here’s the thing: most people think they know the full catalog of Akira Toriyama movies and tv shows, but they usually just stop at Goku and maybe—if they’re feeling fancy—Dr. Slump.
There’s a massive world beyond the Kamehameha.
Toriyama’s career didn't just start and end with Dragon Ball. It was a weird, sprawling journey through slapstick comedy, desert adventures, and even some obscure safety videos that most fans have never even heard of. Sadly, with his passing in early 2024, the conversation has shifted. People are looking back at his work not just as "cartoons," but as a massive architectural feat of modern pop culture. Honestly, the man’s output was staggering, even when he was trying his hardest to retire.
The Dragon Ball Juggernaut: Canon vs. Chaos
If we’re talking about Akira Toriyama movies and tv shows, we have to address the elephant in the room: Dragon Ball. It’s the franchise that changed everything. But if you’re trying to watch it all, you’ve probably noticed it’s a total mess of "is this real or not?" logic.
Basically, there are the TV shows we all know: Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball Super, and the brand new Dragon Ball Daima. Then there’s Dragon Ball GT. Toriyama didn't write GT. He designed some characters and the logo, but he wasn't the guy behind the steering wheel. That’s why a lot of die-hard fans treat it like a fever dream that never happened.
The movies are even weirder.
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Back in the 90s, Toei Animation was pumping out movies like a factory. Cooler’s Revenge, The Tree of Might, Fusion Reborn—these are classics. But Toriyama’s involvement was mostly limited to character designs. He wasn't writing the scripts. It wasn't until Battle of Gods in 2013 that he really stepped back into the writer's chair for the films. That kicked off a new era where the movies actually mattered to the main story. Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero are the gold standards here because Toriyama’s fingerprints are all over the dialogue and the weird, quirky humor that defined his early years.
What’s the Deal with Dragon Ball Daima?
This is the one everyone is talking about in 2026. Released posthumously, Daima was a project Toriyama got way more involved in than he originally planned. It’s set between the defeat of Kid Buu and the start of Super. The twist? Everyone gets turned into kids. It sounds like a gimmick, but it actually brought back the adventure-heavy vibe of the original Dragon Ball. It’s a reminder that Toriyama always preferred a good joke and a sense of wonder over just people hitting each other for 20 episodes.
Dr. Slump: The Show That Made Him a Star
Before Goku ever set foot on Earth, there was Arale Norimaki.
If you haven't seen Dr. Slump, you're missing out on the purest version of Toriyama’s soul. It’s about a nerdy inventor who builds a robot girl named Arale. She has purple hair, glasses, and enough strength to crack the Earth in half like a walnut. It’s pure, unadulterated chaos.
The first TV series ran for a whopping 243 episodes in the early 80s. It was a massive hit in Japan—way bigger than Dragon Ball was at its start. There were 11 movies made for Dr. Slump too. Most Western fans only know Arale because she occasionally shows up in Dragon Ball to beat the crap out of Vegeta, but her own show is a masterclass in "gag manga" logic. It’s gross, it’s funny, and it doesn't care about your "power levels."
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Sand Land: The Hidden Gem Finally Getting Its Due
For years, Sand Land was just a cult-classic manga that only the nerdiest collectors owned. Then, 2024 happened. Suddenly we got a movie, a series on Disney+ and Hulu, and a high-budget video game.
Sand Land is set in a world where water is more valuable than gold. You follow Beelzebub (the Prince of Demons), a grumpy old sheriff named Rao, and a demon named Thief. It’s classic Toriyama: great vehicle designs, a grumpy old man, and a surprisingly heart-wrenching story about environmentalism and corruption.
What’s cool about Sand Land: The Series is that it actually expands on the original manga. The first few episodes cover the movie's plot, but then it dives into the "Forest Land" arc, which was based on notes and concepts Toriyama left behind. It’s arguably some of his best world-building outside of the Saiyan saga.
The Obscure Stuff You Probably Missed
If you want to win a trivia night about Akira Toriyama movies and tv shows, you need to look at the one-offs.
- Go! Go! Ackman: A short series about a demon child who kills people to collect their souls. It’s dark but presented in that cute, rounded Toriyama style.
- Blue Dragon: This was a massive multimedia project. Toriyama did the character designs for the game, which then got a 51-episode anime series. It feels a lot like Dragon Ball but with "Shadows" instead of Ki blasts.
- Goku’s Traffic Safety: Yes, this is real. There are educational shorts where Goku teaches kids how to cross the street. It’s bizarre to see the savior of the universe worried about crosswalks, but it exists.
Why His Style Still Works in 2026
There’s a specific "feel" to a Toriyama production. It’s the roundness of the characters. The way the technology looks like it was made by a toy company in the 1950s. The fact that he’s not afraid to make his heroes look like idiots.
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In a world where most anime is trying to be "dark" or "edgy," Toriyama’s work always felt approachable. He didn't like drawing long fights; he liked drawing people eating, driving weird tanks, and hanging out. Even in his big action movies, the best scenes are often the quiet ones. Think about the scene in Super Hero where Piccolo is struggling to use a smartphone. That’s pure Toriyama.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Fan
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content, don't just start at episode 1 of the original series and hope for the best. Try this:
- Start with the "Big Three" Movies: Watch Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, and the Sand Land movie. These give you the best look at his modern style and high production values.
- Check out Dr. Slump (1997 Remake): The original 80s version is a classic, but the 97 remake is a bit easier for modern eyes to digest and still keeps the soul of the series.
- DIVE into the Crossovers: Watch the Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Super Collaboration Special. It’s a mouthful, but seeing Goku, Luffy, and Toriko share a meal is a legendary moment in TV history.
- Play the Games: You can’t fully appreciate his "TV and Movie" impact without looking at Dragon Quest or Chrono Trigger. He designed those worlds. Playing them feels like walking through one of his unproduced scripts.
Akira Toriyama’s legacy isn't just a list of titles. It’s the way he made us feel like adventure was just around the corner, as long as you had a weird vehicle and a few friends. Whether you’re watching a high-octane battle in Dragon Ball Super or a literal poop joke in Dr. Slump, you’re seeing the work of a man who never really grew up—and thank God for that.
To truly honor his work, look past the transformations. Look at the tanks, the dinosaurs, and the way his characters laugh. That’s where the real magic is.