When it comes to the Dragon Ball universe, fans have dozens of animators to thank for the franchise. While Akira Toriyama was the one to birth the Dragon Ball story, artists like Minoru Maeda were instrumental in giving the franchise is distinctive anime style. For Dragon Ball Z, animator Masaski Sato was one of the key animators who helped define the aesthetic of heroes like Goku, Krillin, and even Vegeta. Now, the artist is speaking out about his work on the franchise and admits he’s a bit disappointed with one aspect of Dragon Ball Super.

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In an interview with Hobby Consolas, Sato took time to answer questions about Dragon Ball’s future. It was there that Sato said he was not involved with Dragon Ball Super in any way and that the series doesn’t give him the same feeling as Dragon Ball Z. “At the time I did my job, Dragon Ball was quite unknown,” he said. “I read volumes to get to know the world of Dragon Ball (which I still re-read once in awhile and still enjoy!).”

However, Sato does seem to have one complaint about Dragon Ball Super. The artist is less-than-pleased with the insane and somewhat arbitrary power levels gifted to characters Goku and Vegeta. Since the anime is not based on any manga, it is difficult to navigate how the characters will progress.

“Apart from Goku and Vegeta, who have become very powerful, it seems that the other characters are not up to par,” he explained. “It is also difficult to know if Goku and Vegeta are at the same level.”

He continue, saying, “As neither I nor my friends are involved in the project, it is difficult to know what the future holds for Super.”

However, it looks like Sata would be interested in bringing back his distinctive art style to Dragon Ball Super. When asked if he would like to return to the franchise, Sato said yes.

“Yes! I never thought I'd join the community of creators of Dragon Ball,” he said. Sato did say the art style of Super is different from what he has produced in the past, so he doesn’t think he will be asked to return due to its “foreign” animation.

You can check out the brief synopsis for the next saga of Dragon Ball Super, ‘Universal Survival,’ below:

“At Goku’s request, the Omni-Kings’ “Tournament of Power” martial arts tournament between universes now begins! …But this also proves to be the beginning of universal destruction. What awaits the victors of this tournament, and the vanquished…?! How will these intense team battles between the elites of each universe turn out…?!”

Shortly after the new arc was announced, the Dragon Ball Super website shared a short message from producer Shunki Hashizume. “Dragon Ball Super enters its new chapter, the “Universe Survival Arc”. As you can see from the main visual, it’ll be a full-throttle story where Goku and the rest of the Universe 7 warriors form a team to take on a tournament between universes!” he wrote.

(Photo: Toei Animation )

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“Artificial Human No. 17 and Majin Boo are there too, so personally I can’t contain my excitement at the thought of what kind of fights we’ll see! Look forward to this new chapter that’ll be sure to feature super-intense battles with nonstop appearances by the elites of each universe!”

When the new arc debuts, Dragon Ball Super will be fitted with a new director. Kōhei Hatano, who has worked on previous episodes, will take charge when Morio Hatano exits the series.

[H/T] Hobby Consolas