1 definition by Everyone hates Tien

A term referring to the practice in media (notably in shounen manga/anime) of powering up side characters off screen to bring them up to par, or surpassing, the protagonist. These powerups happen regardless of sense, often with little explanation. Named for Dragonball creator Akira Toriyama due to how often it happens in the Dragonball media.

Coined by youtube user PlagueofGripes in his video on the treatment of the character Tien from Dragonball, highlighting how everyone in-series gets a Toriyama Handjob except Tien.
"This is after a long series of episodes about how Krillin had given up fighting and was so weak that bullets were now a serious danger to him, so he got a shit-licious power up. That is a Toriyama Handjob." - PlagueofGripes
by Everyone hates Tien September 14, 2017
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