Akira Toriyama is widely recognized as a legendary manga artist, best known for creating the iconic Dragon Ball series. Despite his fame, some intriguing aspects of his life even devoted Dragon Ball fans might not be aware of. Let’s explore some lesser-known facts about Akira Toriyama:
List of 10 Lesser Known Facts About Akira Toriyama
10. Akira Was Manga Club President
During his high school days, Toriyama served as the president of a manga club, showcasing his early passion for the art form.
9. Video Game Designer
In addition to manga, Toriyama has made significant contributions to the gaming world as the art designer for the beloved Dragon Quest series and the classic game Chrono Trigger.
8. Respect for Fellow Artists
Despite his success, Toriyama maintains genuine respect for other manga artists and has an extensive collection of autographs from renowned figures in the industry.
7. Unplanned Shift to Battle Manga
Toriyama initially aimed to become a gag manga artist but transitioned to writing battle manga at the suggestion of his editor, leading to the creation of the groundbreaking Dragon Ball series.
6. Jackie Chan’s Influence
Toriyama drew inspiration from martial arts icon Jackie Chan, evident in the humor and action of Dragon Ball. Chan even paid tribute to Toriyama in one of his films.
5. Initial Motivation for Manga
While Toriyama found success in manga, his initial foray into the field was driven by financial necessity rather than pure artistic ambition.
4. Early Rejections
Toriyama faced numerous rejections early in his career, with many of his early works being turned down by publishers before finding success with Dr. Slump.
3. Near-Quit Experience
Toriyama contemplated quitting manga before achieving success but persevered through initial failures, driven by a sense of pride and determination.
2. Early Prototypes of Dragon Ball
Before Dragon Ball, Toriyama created prototypes like Dragon Boy and The Adventure of Tongpoo, experimenting with concepts and character designs.
1. Favorite Character
Surprisingly, Toriyama’s favorite Dragon Ball character is Piccolo, showcasing his appreciation for the series’ diverse cast.
These lesser-known aspects of Akira Toriyama’s life shed light on the journey of the creator behind one of the most beloved manga series of all time.
