Latest news with #KazuhikoTorishima
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Shonen Jump editor says 'Attack on Titan' is 'just noise' with a complex story that failed to last
Kazuhiko Torishima, former editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen Jump, has shared his views on Attack on Titan, suggesting its complex storyline may have limited its long-term appeal. Speaking at Japan Expo 2025, Torishima noted that while Attack on Titan generated global interest during its anime run, its manga sales slowed after the series ended. As reported by DB-Z, Torishima remarked, 'Creating a character is a simple thing. Even a child can do it.' He referenced a discussion with a German publisher, stating Attack on Titan 'made a lot of noise' during its anime run, but the manga's sales quickly fell off afterward. In contrast, Torishima highlighted titles like Dragon Ball and Naruto, explaining these manga sustained steady sales because they took readers on a journey through the eyes of the main characters. 'It's not so much about the story itself, but the fact that the reader is taken on a journey by the character,' Torishima explained. He argued this structure keeps both children and adults engaged, unlike complex narratives that may alienate some readers. Torishima used the analogy, 'We drink Coke and Orangina because they taste good. But when we're thirsty, we drink water,' suggesting that readers often prefer straightforward, engaging stories over those requiring deeper reflection. He also referenced Tom and Jerry as an example of effective simplicity, stating, 'It's very simple: the cat chases the mouse. That's the story. You watch it for fun, but at the end, there's nothing to learn.' Despite Torishima's remarks, Attack on Titan remains a global success, with over 140 million copies in circulation.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake' Will Be Released This October
The upcoming Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake has finally been given a release date for this October, and it will also include a Switch 2 version. Following the amazing Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake from the end of last year, the other two parts of the Erdrick Trilogy are being combined into one game. There is a logic to this, because not only was Dragon Quest III the narrative starting point of the trilogy, it was also a much bigger game than the preceding two. That's why the first two games are being bundled like this, because otherwise, they would be very short in terms of overall playtime compared to the third game. For instance, in the first Dragon Quest, you only have one playable character (shown above), and the overall progression is a lot more straightforward. There's also an Easter Egg at the end of Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake about Hargon, and I have a feeling that's also going to be fleshed out more than it was in the original games. Either way, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake has certainly piqued my curiosity about how the two games will be handled as one package. The other neat bit of news is that Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake is also coming to Switch 2. Considering the origins of the Dragon Quest series on Nintendo hardware, this Switch 2 support makes a lot of sense, and I'm curious to see how it will play on the new console. Don't forget to also check out my interviews with Kazuhiko Torishima and Yuji Horii on the origins of the Dragon Quest series. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake will be released on October 30 for Switch 2, Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.
