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Akira Toriyama

Akira Toriyama was a Japanese manga artist and character designer best known for creating *Dr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Akira Toriyama was a Japanese manga artist and character designer best known for creating *Dr. Slump* and *Dragon Ball*. His work also influenced anime, video games, and global popular culture. He died on 1 March 2024 at age 68.

Early life

Akira Toriyama was born on 5 April 1955 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and later lived in Kiyosu, Aichi.

Major manga works

Toriyama’s best-known manga series are *Dr. Slump* and *Dragon Ball*, with *Dragon Ball* becoming his signature work and a major international hit.

Other creative work

Beyond manga, Toriyama contributed character designs and artwork for video games such as *Dragon Quest* and *Chrono Trigger*.

Legacy

Toriyama is widely regarded as one of the most important manga artists in the history of the medium, with a large influence on manga, anime, and game design.

Key facts

  • Toriyama became internationally famous through *Dragon Ball*, which became one of the best-known manga and anime franchises worldwide.
  • He first achieved major success with *Dr. Slump*, which helped establish his reputation in the manga industry.
  • He also worked as a character designer for video games, including *Dragon Quest* and *Chrono Trigger*.
  • Several sources identify him as one of the most influential manga creators of his era.
  • He died in 2024 after suffering a subdural haematoma, according to French Wikipedia.
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Canadian context

Toriyama’s work, especially *Dragon Ball*, was widely distributed and influential in Canada through manga, anime broadcasts, home video, and fan culture.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Akira Toriyama?
He was a Japanese manga artist and character designer best known for creating *Dragon Ball* and *Dr. Slump*.
What is Akira Toriyama best known for?
He is best known for *Dragon Ball*, one of the most famous manga and anime franchises worldwide.
When was Akira Toriyama born?
He was born on 5 April 1955.
When did Akira Toriyama die?
He died on 1 March 2024.
What other work did he do?
He also designed characters for video games, including *Dragon Quest* and *Chrono Trigger*.

References

  1. Polish Wikipedia — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Toriyama
    Supports: Birth date, death date, nationality, and identification of *Dragon Ball* as his best-known work.
  2. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akira_Toriyama
    Supports: Birth/death dates, occupation, and worldwide fame from *Dragon Ball*.
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/toriyama-akira-1955
    Supports: Career details, major manga works, and video game character design work.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0868066/bio/
    Supports: Video game design work, influence, and award information.
  5. FNAC — https://www.fnac.com/Akira-Toriyama/ia89/bio
    Supports: Biographical details, *Dragon Ball*, *Dr. Slump*, and death date.
  6. New York Public Library — https://www.nypl.org/blog/2024/04/24/remembering-akira-toriyama-creator-dragon-ball
    Supports: Obituary-style overview of Toriyama's career and influence.