Kazuhiko Torishima, once an editor of “Dragon Ball”, commented on the fact that the Japanese manga industry had lost its artistic independence and has now faced an uncertain, possibly dark future.
Digitization as the main problem
During a press conference at the Japan Expo on July 4, 2025, the corresponding statements fell in Paris, in which Torishima also called the main reason for this loss of identity – namely the increasing shift of the industry to digital platforms that are largely based on algorithms:
»Digital platforms usually only show users similar content that corresponds to their previous preferences. In the meantime, many manga seem interchangeable-as if there were only uniform goods based on the pattern of fast food chains. Japanese manga culture seems to have lost its artistic independence. “
In addition, this would also lead to manga from their traditional young readership, since children often have no access to digital platforms because they often do not have smartphones or credit cards. Demographic change in Japan is also a major challenge for the publishers.
When “Dragon Ball” started in 1984, around 8.22 % of the Japanese population of the main target group of classic “Shonen” manga-so were male and at the age of 5 to 15 years. Today it is only 4.2 %.
Finally, Torishima complained that publishers would prefer to hire people who almost only consume manga, which inhibits creative diversity. A further cultural background – for example through the interest in literature or film – can bring new impulses and fresh ideas for the medium.
How do you see increasing digitization? Do you prefer to read on smartphone & Co. or do you prefer classic printing plants? Let us know!
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Via DB-Z
©Bird Studio/Shueisha, Toei Animation
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