Akira Toriyama
Man who made materpieces
Here's the timeline of Akira Toriyama
- Early Life and Influences:
- 1955: Akira Toriyama is born on April 5 in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
- Artistic Beginnings: As a child, he enjoys drawing and is inspired by animals, vehicles, and animation.
- Tezuka Influence: Osamu Tezuka’s iconic work, Astro Boy, sparks his interest in manga and storytelling.
- Career Milestones:
- 1978: Toriyama begins his professional career as a manga artist.
- 1980–1984: Creates the whimsical science fiction comedy series Dr. Slump, featuring the misadventures of a quirky inventor and a robot girl.
- 1983: Dragon Ball begins serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump. Initially an adventure/gag manga, it evolves into a martial arts fighting series.
- 1995: Dragon Ball manga concludes after 519 chapters, spanning 42 volumes.
- Video Game Collaborations: Toriyama designs characters for popular video games, including the Dragon Quest series, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon.
- Legacy and Global Impact:
- Dr. Slump sells over 35 million copies in Japan, showcasing Toriyama’s comedic and imaginative storytelling.
- Dragon Ball becomes a cultural phenomenon, selling 260 million copies worldwide. It is hailed as one of the best-selling manga series ever.
- The anime adaptations of Dragon Ball contribute significantly to the global popularity of anime beyond Japan.
- In 2019, Akira Toriyama is honored as a Chevalier of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his contributions to art and culture.
- On March 1, 2024, Toriyama died of an acute subdural hematoma, at the age of 68. A funeral was held privately with only his family in attendance.