 However, he said he still tried to resist by returning to the adventure aspect with the Red Ribbon Army arc, and visiting Penguin Village from "Dr. Slump" to add comedy.When that did not work out, fighting became the main theme for the manga.<ref name="SuperHistory"></ref>

Toriyama said that by the second half of the series, he had become more interested in coming up with the story than drawing it, and that the battles became more intense by him simplifying the lines.He also said he would get letters from readers complaining that the art had become "too square", so he intentionally made it more so.<ref name="Illustrations"></ref> Years later he stated that because "Dragon Ball" is an action manga the most important aspect is the sense of speed, so he did not draw very elaborately, suggesting that he was not interested in the art.<ref name="Chogashu"></ref> As the manga progressed, Toriyama struggled with the Android and Cell arc, feeling that he could not outdo the Freeza arc.