Who is Akira Toriyama, the father of Dragon Ball?

Akira Toriyama, the legendary manga artist and creator of Dragon Ball, left an indelible mark on the manga world and beyond. Known for his iconic character, Goku, Toriyama transformed Dragon Ball into a global success, reaching fans all over Japan and internationally. Through this article, we pay tribute to his great career, from its difficult beginnings to his recent death. The end of his life marks not only the loss of a great author but also the end of an era for manga artists everywhere.

Akira Toriyama's debut before Dragon Ball

A marginal boy

Born on April 5, 1955 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Akira Toriyama was not quite like other children his age. Rather than following a traditional school path, he chose to forge his own path. From his teenage years, he dreamed of becoming a comic book author and showed a certain rebellion against conventional norms.

After high school, he found a job at an advertising agency. But he did not adapt well to the demands of the rigid and punctual Japanese business world. His behavior, casual dress style, and frequent lateness quickly earned him the label of an outsider .

This atypical context forges Toriyama's unique character and style. It is already clear that he is not destined for an ordinary path. But how would this young rebel transform his art into a legendary career ? It is a question that would soon find its answer, as he turned to the world of manga , driven by his will to succeed.

His complicated beginnings in the world of manga

After quitting his job in advertising, Akira Toriyama finds himself penniless, living with his parents. One day, while sitting in a cafe, he comes across a poster to participate in a manga contest . Without much hope, he sends a comic story but unfortunately, this first attempt does not convince and each new attempt, failure is there. The publishers find his stories too original compared to the expectations of the public. He chains the refusals and Akira begins to doubt himself.

Toriyama then refined his craft and his sense of storytelling, searching for a formula that would appeal to a wider audience. His unconventional approach eventually caught the attention of Kazuhiko Torishima , an editor at Shueisha , who saw great potential in this rebellious young artist. Torishima would become not only his editor but also his mentor, guiding Toriyama to his first major success . Despite a difficult start to his career, he was on the verge of making a big splash in the manga world.

Dr Slump: His first success as an author

Akira Toriyama's breakthrough in the world of manga finally comes with Dr. Slump . After his first failures, he finally creates this series which will become his first big success. Dr. Slump tells the humorous adventures of Arale Norimaki, a robot with the appearance of a little girl and her creator, the scientist Senbei Norimaki.

First published in 1980 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump 581 , Dr. Slump quickly won over readers with its offbeat humor, original characters, and bizarre fantasy world. Akira Toriyama's talent was now recognized by all and he was seen as a rising figure in the manga industry. The series would even win the prestigious Shogakukan Award for best shōnen in 1982.

This first major success opened many doors for him, giving him the freedom and confidence to explore other ideas that would later lead to the creation of Dragon Ball. Akira Toriyama is now officially a recognized mangaka.

The Rise of Akira Toriyama with Dragon Ball

How Akira Toriyama Created Dragon Ball

In 1984, Akira Toriyama decided to stop Dr. Slump to devote himself to his new project: Dragon Ball , the first chapter of which was released that same year in Weekly Shonen Jump.

He was heavily inspired by Chinese mythology and the novel Journey to the West , which tells the story of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. It was this mischievous and overpowered character who gave him the idea to create Son Goku, the character from Dragon Ball. But Toriyama was also inspired by Jackie Chan films, combining comic lightness and martial arts combat.

Dragon Ball immediately appealed to the Japanese public and young readers identified with the characters. The manga quickly gained popularity and quickly became a bestseller with millions of copies sold in Japan .

Dragon Ball Adaptation into Anime and Video Game

After its success in Japan, the Dragon Ball manga was translated into several languages ​​and distributed in dozens of countries. The major turning point came when the animation studio Toei decided to adapt the manga into an animated series , thus transforming Dragon Ball into a global phenomenon. The broadcast of the anime adaptation began in 1986 and continued until 1989, covering the first 194 chapters of the manga. In France, Dragon Ball was first broadcast in 1988 in Club Dorothée .

The series was also adapted in 1986 as Dragon Ball: Shenlong no Nazo . More than 50 Dragon Ball video games have been released since then, ranging from fighting games to RPGs. This has allowed the series to increase its worldwide fame and become one of the most famous manga in the world. In parallel, Akira Toriyama would play a key role in the creation of the video game Dragon Quest , as an illustrator. His unique style is immediately recognizable in the design of the characters.

Since then, more than 300 million copies of Dragon Ball have been sold worldwide, ranking it among the best-selling manga in history behind One Piece. The anime and video game adaptations have largely contributed to the franchise's notoriety and revenue. The video games, for their part, have accumulated more than 70 million units sold.

Goku, Vegeta, Picolo... Who is his favorite character?

In an interview with the Kanzenshuu website, Akira said, "I think after all, Piccolo is the one I like the most." This statement surprised some, given the place of characters like Goku or Vegeta in Dragon Ball. In 2022, when the film "Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero" was released, he reiterated his affection for Piccolo , saying, "Piccolo is my favorite character."

Cross Epoch: Collaboration with Oda, the creator of One Piece

Considered a manga legend, Akira Toriyama has inspired many mangakas, such as Eiichiro Oda , who fulfilled a dream by collaborating with him on Cross Epoch . This special one-shot combines the universes of Dragon Ball and One Piece. Published in December 2006, this exceptional crossover brings together iconic characters from both series in a festive adventure. This collaboration not only delighted fans, but also demonstrated the mutual respect and admiration between two of the biggest names in manga.

The death of a legend

What did Akira Toriyama die of?

Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1, 2024 at the age of 68 from an acute subdural hematoma . This type of bleeding, which occurs between the brain and its outer covering, is often the result of severe head trauma. This serious medical condition sadly took away one of the most influential and beloved manga artists , leaving behind an indelible legacy in the world of animation and manga.

Touching tributes from around the world

Akira Toriyama's death has sparked an outpouring of emotional tributes from manga creators, animators, and fans around the world. Oda expressed his sadness and admiration, acknowledging the profound impact he had on an entire generation. Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of Naruto, also paid tribute to Toriyama, calling him a guiding light and a major inspiration for his career. He even stated that without him, he may never have been a manga artist and would never have been able to create Naruto.

Sand Land: his posthumous series

Sand Land is not really a posthumous series, but rather a manga created by Akira Toriyama over 20 years ago, which was adapted into an anime after his death . Originally published in 2000 in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, this short manga was collected into a single volume. The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic desert world where water is extremely scarce and controlled by a greedy king. It follows the adventures of Beelzebub , a demon prince, and an old sheriff as they embark on a quest to discover a mythical water source.

Will Dragon Ball continue despite his death?

Dragon Ball Super will continue despite the death of Akira Toriyama. The manga and its anime adaptations will not stop, thanks to the continuation of the series by Toyotarou , his former protégé. This continuity ensures that the Dragon Ball universe remains alive, even after the disappearance of its legendary creator.

All Akira Toriyama mangas

Akira Toriyama's Awards

Shogakukan Manga Award (1981) - For Dr. Slump in the category of best shōnen manga.

Kōdansha Manga Award (1985) - Shōnen category for Dragon Ball .

Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize - Multiple times for his influence on manga.

Special Prize for the 40th anniversary of the Angoulême International Comics Festival (2013) - Recognition of his contribution to the world of comics.

Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (2019) - A French distinction honoring his contributions to the arts.

Tokyo Anime Awards Festival - Lifetime Achievement Award (2024) - This award was given to him posthumously to recognize his impact on the anime and manga industry.