Some interesting stuff from that interview. This part in particular caught my interest:
So Toriyama chose them himself, which includes Roshi and Tien.
I won't lie: the eternal Yamcha fan in me wishes he'd left the Desert Bandit finally have his due, but we can safely say that would have probably ended with him getting eliminated first anyway, and likely in a more embarrassing way than Krillin actually did as well. It's strange for him to do that considering how he's been effectively nerfing them from the start and all, making their attacks and power ups useless in the face of the latest enemy, and either writing them out to focus on Goku, or bringing them in to lose in order to make Goku more impressive. It seems he wanted to make better use of them in this arc (which makes sense, as Goku and Vegeta can't fight everyone, and since he's always kept the number of antagonists small, they end up doing the bulk of the work anyway).
Anyway, the ball was still dropped pretty badly with Jiren in terms of personality, but you have to admit, the fight with him and Goku (the first time) was pretty hype, and I'm hoping this next one will be better.
One Strip! One Strip!Nakamura: I’m sure everyone realizes this too, but in a situation like this, the story’s not going to end with Goku simply firing a Kamehameha and finishing Jiren off, like with previous villains (laughs).
After all, Jiren isn’t evil
Nakamura: No, he’s not. Jiren carries a lot of baggage and doesn’t live his life based on malice. Ultimately no matter who wins or loses, though they both have different stances, when the battle is over they might feel something new. A bit like Bushido.
I see; so they’re letting their fists do the talking.
Nakamura: I want children to pick up on what Jiren learns and feels from fighting Goku. I think it’s probably something that can be applied out in the real world, too. Since others won’t share all of the same sensibilities as you; in fact, most people don’t think the same way you do. In this series it’s a physical battle, but I think everyone has had a time where they’ve felt something when their ideas clashed against someone else’s. I think Toriyama-sensei‘s Universe Survival arc is that sort of story. I made it with that interpretation in mind.
Takami: Director Nakamura has pulled the Universe Survival arc along up until now, and the last two episodes feature storyboards and direction that he put his whole heart and soul into. I truly can’t say anything else than “don’t miss it!”
Nakamura: No, it’s nothing special… but still, I’ve never fretted over anything as much as this before. Personally I think the ending to episode 131 is very fitting. While the Universe Survival arc may be Goku’s story, I think it might actually be Jiren’s story, too. I think that was Toriyama-sensei‘s intention when he set up someone like Jiren as the greatest rival, someone who’s not simply evil. I made it with that interpretation in mind, but I wonder how everyone else will feel about it.
Takami: I hope people’s eyes are glued to director Nakamura’s full-force direction and the ending which Toriyama-sensei has prepared for this story. Personally I even get the feeling that Toriyama-sensei is trying to set up even more stories.
Nakamura: Even after the story is over, please keep watching to the end and don’t change the channel. There’ll be something special!
Word of God speaking here. Guess that clears that up.
edited 10th Mar '18 4:06:15 PM by PushoverMediaCritic
I don't think anyone has claimed that Jiren is evil.
Just that he's a supreme arse.
edited 10th Mar '18 4:06:46 PM by LordVatek
This song needs more love.How many character sacrifices have purposely been undone by the Dragon Balls?
As far as I can recall, Roshi was the only character they wanted to wish back after his sacrifice.
Piccoro was only brought back because Earth Dragon Balls.
Veggie was only brought back by a technicality.
Karrot was only wished back to defeat Veggie and Nappa, but wasn't wished back the 2nd time...
Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie. Check out my art if you notice.I'm still wondering why he chose Roshi and not Yamcha (but that's my Yamcha bias speaking).
I guess he just likes Roshi more, which is his prerogative, but a little frustrating for someone who still wants the character to be thrown a bone in something beyond filler.
One Strip! One Strip!None of them are villains.
Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie. Check out my art if you notice.Here's how I'm guessing the final two episodes go (spoiler-tagged because I'll be mentioning spoilers).
130: Jiren powers up to maximum and he and Goku have a truly crazy epic battle. Jiren is either slightly stronger but at a disadvantage because of Ultra Instinct's unique properties, or he's slightly wealer and just at a disadvantage. We see from Jiren's perspective at times throughout the fight, and he realizes that Goku is this strong because of his friends' trust in him. Goku and Jiren are both tired, and Jiren manages to land one final blast, beating Goku and knocking him out of bounds. Just as Jiren starts to breathe a sigh of relief, a beam pierces through his chest from behind.
131: Jiren, the hero, fights Freeza, the villain. Even exhausted and heavily injured, Jiren still has a strength advantage, but Freeza fights dirty and Jiren is so tired and injured. No clue as to the rest of this, beyond all the universes getting wished back.
That's the kind of logic that carries over from fiction.
Rules of the Internet 45. Rule 45 is a lie. Check out my art if you notice.

Wow, he actually called him El Grande Padre in the Tweet.