Why Toyotaro's Power Scaling Isn’t a Problem — It’s a Reflection of Toriyama’s Vision

As fans panic over Toyotaro’s equal power statement in the Dragon Ball Super manga, I think it’s time we take a step back and remember who set the groundwork: Toriyama himself.

The Power Scaling Panic: Why Fans Are Worried

Ever since Toyotaro made that now-viral comment about drawing Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and Broly to “appear equally powerful,” the fandom has been in an uproar. Some folks took it as a sign that Toyotaro doesn’t understand power scaling. Others see it as proof that he’s “ruining” Dragon Ball now that Toriyama is gone. I’ve seen the arguments, I’ve scrolled through the replies, and I get why people are concerned. Toyotaro is officially leading the manga after Toriyama’s tragic passing, and fans are anxious about the future of a series we’ve all grown up loving.

But here’s my take: the outrage is not only overblown — it completely misses the bigger picture. In fact, what Toyotaro is doing isn’t new. He’s following the exact foundation that Akira Toriyama already laid down during the Granola arc and the Super Hero arc. The issue here isn’t Toyotaro’s statement — it’s how obsessed some fans are with power levels and “who’s stronger” debates, rather than appreciating the story being told.

Toriyama Already Balanced the Playing Field

Let’s talk facts for a second. In the Super Hero arc — which Toriyama himself wrote the story for — Gohan literally says that Goku and Vegeta would’ve struggled against Cell Max. That’s not a fan theory or a headcanon — that’s canon dialogue. We also saw Gohan Beast dominate in ways that rivaled even Ultra Instinct. Then there’s Piccolo with his Orange form, a transformation Toriyama gave him as a legitimate power-up to fight alongside Saiyans. Add in Broly, who is still sparring with Goku and Vegeta on Beerus’ planet, and what you get is a very clear message from Toriyama:

“These characters are closer in power than you think.”

Toriyama wasn’t trying to keep Goku and Vegeta miles ahead of everyone else. He was building up a team of equally valuable warriors — each with a role, each with relevance. So when Toyotaro draws a cover showing them all side-by-side looking equally powerful, he’s not pulling that out of nowhere — he’s honoring what Toriyama started.

Toyotaro’s Vision Is a Continuation, Not a Reboot

Now, is Toyotaro perfect? No. I’ve criticized some of his pacing and writing choices too. But let’s be fair — this man worked directly under Toriyama for years. He’s not some random fanfiction writer; he was chosen, trained, and trusted by the creator himself. The cover that everyone is arguing over — the one with Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Broly standing together — wasn’t just a hype visual. Toyotaro himself said it was one of the hardest drawings he’s ever worked on because he wanted to show how strong each of them is equally. Not stronger. Not weaker. Equally.

And again, this lines up with Super Hero, where Gohan Beast emerges and stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Goku’s Ultra Instinct. It matches what we saw in the Granola arc, where Goku and Vegeta were struggling to adapt while characters like Granola and Gas were dominating. It’s not about downgrading Goku and Vegeta — it’s about raising the ceiling for everyone else.

The Problem with Power-Obsessed Fans

Let me be blunt for a second: some fans are addicted to power scaling. Not storytelling, not character development — just raw, cold power. And when someone like Toyotaro dares to say, “Hey, all these guys are really strong,” suddenly that becomes blasphemy?

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — Dragon Ball is not just about who can punch the hardest. It’s about growth, emotion, relationships, overcoming odds, and yes, powerful moments. Goku finding a new level of peace in Ultra Instinct is just as important as Gohan unlocking Beast in a moment of desperation to protect his daughter. Piccolo finally reaching a new level after decades is storytelling payoff. Broly learning to control his rage is character growth. Not everything has to end in “Goku solos.”

Fans need to stop treating power scaling like it’s sacred scripture. This series has always been inconsistent with power levels — even Toriyama admitted he stopped keeping track! But what made Dragon Ball memorable wasn’t the math — it was the emotion behind every transformation.

Trust the Direction – We’re in Good Hands

It’s okay to be nervous about the future of the manga. I am too. Losing Akira Toriyama was a huge blow to all of us, and I’ll never downplay that. But let’s give Toyotaro a chance to honor that legacy. If you actually look at the trajectory of the manga, from Moro to Granola to Super Hero, you’ll see that the seeds of balance were already there. Gohan, Piccolo, and Broly weren’t randomly powered up by Toyotaro — Toriyama started that.

This isn’t a power crisis. This is evolution.

And if Dragon Ball is going to continue thriving in the modern era, we’re going to need more than just Goku and Vegeta running the show. It’s time we let Gohan shine. It’s time Piccolo got his flowers. It’s time Broly found his place. Toyotaro is showing us what Dragon Ball looks like when everyone matters. And I’m here for it.

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Final Thoughts: Power Isn’t Everything — Legacy Is

To all my fellow fans, especially the power scalers: I get it. We all love a good “who’s stronger?” debate. But when it starts to overshadow the heart of the story, we lose sight of what made Dragon Ball special to begin with. Toyotaro’s decision to depict the Z fighters on equal footing isn’t a betrayal of the series — it’s a tribute to its future. A future that includes everyone.

So instead of tearing Toyotaro down for continuing what Toriyama set in motion, maybe it’s time we support him and see where this path leads. Dragon Ball has always been about passing the torch — from Goku to Gohan, from student to master, from one era to the next. That torch is in Toyotaro’s hands now.

And honestly? I think he’s doing just fine.

"I’d rather be a brainless monkey than a heartless monster!", Goku, Frieza Saga.