鳥山 明 (Kanji) | Akira Toriyama (Spouse: Yoshimi Katō / pen name Nachi Mikami; Children: Sasuke Toriyama and a daughter, Kikka)
Akira Toriyama (1955–2024) was a legendary Japanese manga artist and character designer, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of the medium. His works profoundly shaped the global popularity of Japanese pop culture and defined the modern shōnen (boys’) manga genre.
Toriyama began his career working at an advertising agency in Nagoya, where he designed posters. Unfulfilled by the corporate environment, he quit after a few years and began submitting manga to Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump to win prize money. Though his early submissions were unsuccessful, his editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, recognized his talent and encouraged him. In 1980, Toriyama achieved his first massive success with Dr. Slump, a gag manga about an eccentric inventor and his robot daughter, Arale. It became a smash hit, earning him the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1981 and proving his mastery of comedic timing, expressive linework, and whimsical mecha designs.
In 1984, Toriyama launched his magnum opus: Dragon Ball. Initially inspired by the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and Hong Kong martial arts films, the series evolved into an action-packed epic following the life of Son Goku. Dragon Ball ran from 1984 to 1995 and became a global phenomenon, selling hundreds of millions of copies worldwide. Its distinctive art style, dynamic fight choreography, and emphasis on training, transformation, and camaraderie established the blueprint for countless subsequent manga hits, directly inspiring creators of series like One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach.
Beyond manga, Toriyama left an indelible mark on the video game industry. In 1986, he was enlisted as the lead character designer for the pioneering role-playing game Dragon Quest. His appealing, instantly recognizable monster and character designs—most notably the iconic “Slime”—became a hallmark of the franchise. He also served as the lead designer for the critically acclaimed RPG Chrono Trigger (1995) and the Blue Dragon series.
Toriyama passed away in March 2024 from an acute subdural hematoma at the age of 68. He left behind an unparalleled legacy, running Bird Studio and continuing to contribute story concepts and character designs to the ever-expanding Dragon Ball universe until his final days.
Cause of his eath
Akira Toriyama, the renowned creator of Dragon Ball, passed away on March 1, 2024, at age 68 due to an acute subdural hematoma. According to Bird Studio, he passed away from this condition, which is a buildup of blood on the surface of the brain, often caused by a head injury.
Active in others filds : Video Game Character & Monster Design, Vehicle/Mecha Design, Toy Design.
