Toyotaro Says Granolah Was His Idea, While Toriyama Wrote the Story

Toyotaro gave the first of two interviews in studio at Shueisha headquarters, posted on the official Dragon Ball website. In it, he confirmed that the idea for Granolah came from him, while Akira Toriyama wrote the story. It's an interesting look behind the scenes, though it didn't change my main criticism of the arc.

Granolah started as Toyotaro's pitch

Toyotaro proposed ideas for various characters, and Granolah was his. What surprised me is the process. It looks like Toyotaro talks to his Shueisha editor first, and only then does the idea go to Toriyama. I always thought it went straight from Toyotaro to Toriyama. Or maybe it's just for this character. It's difficult to say.

Toriyama wrote the story, and the plot with the Heeters was his idea. His responses to submissions would be either yes or no, which makes sense to me, because he's the creator. He does give Toyotaro advice on art as well as story. He's been doing this since the 70s. Everyone talks to Toriyama by email.

I'd rather have visited another universe than the Saiyans again

Granolah ties into the Saiyans. A big part of the fandom wants to go to Universe 6, Universe 11 or Universe 2, and tying things back to the Saiyans has "been done so many times." I don't hate it, but Universe 6 and its history, or Universe 11 with the Pride Troopers, would have been more interesting in my opinion. The Granolah concept feels similar to Baby and Broly. I'd like something more outside the box.

Toyotaro also wasn't supposed to create new Dragon Balls because the lore was already established, but Toriyama went with it. I like the concept. I feel it comes late in the story, though I'm sure some fans felt the same about the Namekian Dragon Balls back in the 80s. Toriyama also decided the Namekians weren't originally from Namek.

Granolah got strong too fast

Toyotaro said he wanted everyone to see how strong Granolah was against Goku and Vegeta right away. I can't really hate him for that decision. Still, "i'm just never gonna like that" Granolah got so strong so fast. It was a little too fast-paced if you ask me. That doesn't mean the arc will be bad. I loved the latest chapter, and the fight improved. I don't think we've seen Granolah at max power yet.

Toyotaro also admitted that after Ultra Instinct in the Moro arc, he had trouble coming up with something beyond perfection. To me, that shows they wrote themselves into a corner and are writing arc by arc.

Designs, Oatmeel and Vegeta's new route

Granolah is completely Toyotaro's design, with an old-school, steampunk look, like an RPG character. It's well designed and very Dragon Ball, though my favorite Super design is Monaka. Toyotaro designed the Heeters, but they were rejected three or four times before Toriyama finished them. Oatmeel will come into play later and isn't just there to explain the story.

The biggest scenes were still to come. Vegeta's God of Destruction path takes a different route from Goku's Ultra Instinct. Toyotaro said Vegeta hadn't exactly caught up, so he had not surpassed Goku. He wouldn't reveal who's stronger, calling it spoiler territory.