Former Dragon Ball editor criticizes Demon Slayer’s fight scenes

A new controversial statement sparked debates among fans: the former Dragon Ball editor criticizes Demon Slayer, saying the manga alone wasn’t that good and only gained fame thanks to the anime.

Former Dragon Ball editor criticizes Demon Slayer’s fight scenes

Kazuhiko Torishima, who once worked as Akira Toriyama’s editor, recently released a book discussing his work methods and took the chance to comment on the success of Demon Slayer.

According to translations shared by @sandman_AP on X/Twitter, Torishima pointed out that Koyoharu Gotouge’s fight scenes could have been improved. In his view, editors should have encouraged the author to study Dragon Ball, known for its iconic battles:

“The fight scenes in Demon Slayer needed improvements. Editors should have encouraged the author to study why the fights in Dragon Ball were so incredible.”

Beyond criticizing the fights, Torishima used a curious metaphor to describe the impact of Demon Slayer. He compared the manga to “green coffee beans,” while the anime would be the roasting process that turned it into something special:

“Demon Slayer only became so popular because the anime was amazing. The manga itself wasn’t that good. It’s like the manga was just raw beans, and the anime roasted them into something truly special.”

These statements divided opinions, since Demon Slayer is seen as a global phenomenon, breaking into mainstream audiences even faster than classics like Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Naruto. It’s also worth remembering that the franchise’s films broke box office records in Japan and abroad.

Despite the controversy, Torishima’s comments reignite an old debate among fans: what was more important for Demon Slayer’s success, the manga or the anime?

via Sandman