What Inspired Toriyama To Create The DBZ Aesthetic?

Was it ever stated as to what influenced and inspired Toriyama to draw in the aesthetic he drew for Dragonball and Dragonball Z?

Is the DBZ aesthetic purely unique, or did other forms of media influence the design?

Well, his biggest influences as an artist were Osamu Tezuka and Walt Disney, iirc. His round art style for Dr. Slump was carried over to DB at first. As the series became more action-oriented, the art style gradually became straighter and more angular. This was probably to help him draw fight scenes better.

It's a pretty common style. There are a couple of 90s video games with the same style.

Progression. Stories often get darker and more serious as they got along, and Dragon Ball is no exception.

DBZAOTA482 said:

Progression. Stories often get darker and serious as they got along, and Dragon Ball is no exception.

Click to expand...

Except OP's talking about the aesthetic (how it looks), not the story itself.