some of the most hype moments and battles fans have witnessed, bringing joy to millions of fans throughout the ages.

Nonetheless, Toriyama was more than just a master of combat scenes, as he was also a prominent and comedic writer. While the Dragon Ball Z series forced the creator to take a step back from writing hilarious moments, he never lost the spark to include them in the story. One of the best examples of this trend comes in the form of Burter, one of the Ginyu Forces’ most interesting .

Burter’s Past Is Classic Toriyama Humor

His Backstory Is Quite Hilarious for Such a Dark Character

Burter is one of the more eccentric of Frieza’s elite team of warriors known as the Ginyu Force. He was introduced as the fastest creature in the universe, capable of moving at speeds that not even trained fighters like Vegeta were able to follow. He was a brutal person who enjoyed toying with his enemies and bragging about his agility. While not among the strongest characters in the franchise, he was not lacking in the physical aspect of combat, proving himself as a true threat to the heroes.

Not even the most fearsome warriors in the series can save themselves from their mother or being a part of a hilarious joke.

His ruthlessness and desire for destruction would lead readers to believe that he suffered greatly as a child, as tends to be the case with anime villains. Yet, when Toriyama talked about his childhood, fans were shocked to learn that he did not have to endure hardships beyond a stern mother. As a kid, Burter was tasked with helping his family with the house’s chores, with almost all of them being assigned to him. Whenever his tasks caused him to be late preparing dinner, his mother would slap him on the head.

The fear of this punishment pushed Burter to train his speed and agility to the point where he became one of the fastest characters in the universe. His abilities were not the result of hours of training or the need for survival. He was simply a kid trying to appease his slightly abusive mother and avoid punishment. This kind of story proves that Toriyama never lost interest in making his manga as enjoyable for readers as possible. Not even the most fearsome warriors in the series can save themselves from their mother or being a part of a hilarious joke.

Dragon Ball Has Always Been Comedic

Even the Most Serious Battles Hide Memorable Jokes

For many years, Dragon Ball fans have raised concerns about the manga becoming less humorous with time. The original series was known for being full of gags and jokes, with several of these being fondly ed by followers of Toriyama’s work to this day. When the Saiyan Saga commenced, often considered one of the best arcs in the series, readers noticed a drastic shift in the story’s tone. Gone were most of the jokes and lighthearted moments, replaced by epic fight scenes that changed the Shōnen genre forever.

Nevertheless, when looked over carefully, it becomes clear that the author never intended to remove comedy from his series. It is true that, from the Z era onwards, jokes became a secondary priority for the series, as the focus was on the amazing battles of Goku and his friends against the villains who tried to destroy the universe. Still, many moments can remind fans of Toriyama’s original style, such as Kakarot biting Frieza’s tail to release himself from the tyrant’s grip. Despite fighting for survival, the hero decided to use a technique that can only be described as hilarious.

Goku’s face while biting the tail and Frieza’s immediate reaction can cause even the most stoic of fans to laugh. For a moment, both warriors forgot they were battling for supremacy and became a part of a memorable joke. Comedy might not be as prominent in the manga as it was during the original, but there is no denying that Toriyama tried to give it the place it deserved in the rest of his adventure. Dragon Ball might be among the best Shōnen manga ever, but it will always be a true comedy at its core.

Toriyama Found the Perfect Balance of Action and Comedy

​​​​​​​His Beloved Series Has the Best of Both Worlds

Even though Toriyama chose to focus on action rather than comedy during the latter years of his story, Dragon Ball still has one of the best blends of both genres. The series lends itself to being far more relaxing than other similar manga due to its endearing cast. Goku, besides being one of the best and most popular protagonists of all time, is an affable and friendly man who loves fighting for fun. His unique attitude towards combat makes most battles feel more like an entertaining spectacle than a matter of life and death.

Nevertheless, when necessary, the author would let go of all comedic moments and create some of the most tense and dramatic moments in anime history. Whenever the series became more serious, fans knew that it was time for an epic battle to take place. This masterful use of two often conflicting genres is one of the reasons why fans consider Toriyama one of the best manga authors of all time.

Dragon Ball’s Action Is Still Top Tier

​​​​​​​The Author Shone Through Battle Scenes

Toriyama’s comedy will always be a beloved and vital part of the success of the Dragon Ball franchise. However, fans know that what truly helped the series shine was his exciting and unforgettable battles. Many fans will fondly the jokes written for the series, but almost the entire world knows about Goku’s epic transformation into the legendary Super Saiyan. It is thanks to Toriyama’s one-of-a-kind mind that readers can enjoy some of anime’s best fights while enjoying his manga. Without him, the industry at large would be completely different from what fans know today.