Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama was born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Japan. He began his career working in advertising before submitting manga to Weekly Shōnen Jump. His breakthrough came with Dr. Slump (1980), a comedy series that showcased his unique humor and expressive art style and won the Shogakukan Manga Award. Toriyama’s global legacy was cemented with Dragon Ball (1984). What began as a loose adaptation of Journey to the West evolved into a long-running epic that defined action manga—introducing power progression, iconic transformations, and tournament arcs that became industry standards. Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and later continuations influenced generations of creators worldwide. Beyond manga, Toriyama was a celebrated character designer for video games, notably Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon, giving these franchises instantly recognizable visual identities. Known for his private lifestyle, Toriyama preferred simple living and minimal publicity. Despite this, his work achieved massive international success, shaping anime, manga, and gaming for decades. Akira Toriyama passed away in March 2024, leaving behind a cultural legacy that continues to inspire artists, writers, and fans across the world.