Akira Toriyama Biography: Parents, Wife, Children, Age, Wikipedia, Career, Nationality, Net Worth

Akira Toriyama was a renowned Japanese manga artist and character designer, widely recognized as one of the most influential and significant figures in the history of manga. Best known for creating the iconic series Dragon Ball, Toriyama’s work left a lasting impact on the genre and inspired generations of artists and fans worldwide.

He began drawing animals and vehicles during his childhood and made his professional debut in 1978 with Wonder Island, published in Weekly Shonen Jump. Over the course of a prolific career spanning more than 45 years, Toriyama produced numerous acclaimed works that cemented his legacy in the world of manga and animation.

Profile

• Full Name: Akira Toriyama
• Stage Name: Akira Toriyama
• Born: 5 April 1955
• Died: 1 March 2024
• Age: 68 years old
• Birthplace: Kiyosu, Aichi, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Japanese manga artist and character designer
• Height: Unknown
• Parent: Karazu Toriyama and Tombi Toriyama
• Siblings: Uzura Toriyama
• Spouse: Nachi Mikami (m. 1982–2024)
• Children: Sasuke Toriyama, Kikka Toriyama
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $50 million to $55 million

Early Life And Education

Akira Toriyama was born on April 5, 1955, in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, to parents Karazu and Tombi Toriyama. He had a younger sister named Uzura.

He pursued his interest in art by attending a high school specializing in creative design, later enrolling in an art school in 1974, though he left in 1977 before completing his studies. Toriyama then worked at an advertising agency in Nagoya for three years before beginning his career as a manga artist.

He is of Japanese ethnicity, his religious beliefs were not publicly disclosed.

Career

Akira Toriyama’s journey into the manga industry began after he left his job at the age of 23. Despite early setbacks and moments of doubt, he remained determined to succeed. His professional debut came in 1978 with Wonder Island, published in Weekly Shonen Jump.

Though the story placed last in reader rankings, Toriyama continued to hone his craft, producing hundreds of unpublished pages. His breakthrough came with Dr. Slump (1980–1984), a science fiction comedy that earned him the 1981 Shogakukan Manga Award.

The series, centered on the quirky inventor Senbei Norimaki and his robot creation Arale, sold over 35 million copies in Japan and led to a long-running anime adaptation.

From 1984 to 1995, Toriyama created Dragon Ball, a martial arts adventure following the life of Son Goku. The series became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 260 million copies worldwide and inspiring numerous anime adaptations that helped popularize Japanese animation globally.

Known for its dynamic action sequences, compelling characters, and humor, Dragon Ball drew inspiration from martial arts films, particularly those of Jackie Chan, and remains one of the most successful and influential manga franchises of all time.

Following Dragon Ball, Toriyama shifted his focus to shorter works such as Cowa! (1997–1998), Kajika (1998), and Sand Land (2000). His final solo manga project was Jaco the Galactic Patrolman (2013).

In addition to manga, he made significant contributions to the video game industry, notably designing characters for the Dragon Quest series, Chrono Trigger, and Blue Dragon. His achievements were recognized with the Chevalier of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2019, and in 2024, he was posthumously inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in global pop culture.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @akira.toriyama

Personal Life

Akira Toriyama married fellow manga artist Yoshimi Katō, known by her pen name Nachi Mikami, on May 2, 1982. She occasionally assisted him in his creative work.

The couple had two children: a son, Sasuke, born in 1987, and a daughter, Kikka, born in 1990. Toriyama passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 68, due to an acute subdural hematoma, a condition involving bleeding near the brain.

Net Worth

Akira Toriyama had an estimated net worth of $50–55 million at the time of his death in 2024, largely earned through the success of his iconic manga series Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump. His work extended into anime, films, merchandise, and video games, with additional income from character design contributions to major titles like Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger.