 The author used suggestions in fan mail he received, though generally doing the opposite of what was suggested.As an example, many fans told him not to kill Vegeta, which is exactly what he did.<ref name="Animation2"></ref>

Wanting to escape the Western themes that influenced Dr. Slump, Toriyama used Oriental scenery in Dragon Ball.In addition to referencing Chinese buildings and scenery, the island where the "Tenkaichi Budōkai" is held is modeled on Bali (in Indonesia), which he visited in 1985.