CONCEPT ARTIST WHO’S WHO?Akira Toriyama

Who’s Akira Toriyama?

• Akira Toriyama (Toriyama Akira) is a Japanese concept artist who was born on April 5th 1955 in Nagoya, Aichi.

• Started of as a Japanese manga artist then became a game artist, writer, character designer and art designer.

• His debut work “Wonder Island” was released late in 1978 which was published in “Weekly Shonen Jump”

• The creator of the well known manga/anime series; “Dragon ball” (including “Dragon Ball Z)” which started in 1984 as a manga then anime in 1986.

• The character designer of the video game “Dragon Quest”

• Artist of “Chrono Trigger” & “Blue Dragon”.

Produced Concept Artwork

Here are several concept character designs produced by Akira Toriyama which have been in feature manga (Japanese comics), animes and video games.

I really admire these thumbnails of The character, “Son Goku” which were produced by Toriyama for his series “Dragon Ball”. His style of art is very creative just by looking the style of hair, eyes and eyebrows which looks interesting. In addition his art style is very unique compared to many other artist around the world even till this generation.

Dragon Ball Z is the successor of “Dragon Ball”. For me this is Akira Toriyama’s best project that he has ever made. From its processor His art work Akira has gradually developed on his style just by looking at how much detail he has put onto his work.

This is the cover art created by Akira Toriyama for a video game, Chromo Trigger. In addition the game was also produced by Akira.

Blue Dragon is also another project which artwork and the game is both produced by Akira. Blue Dragon also has an anime series which is based on the video games.

The image of two screenshots is from a Dragon Ball Z film (Dragon Ball Z: The Plan Eradicate The Saiyans) which the story and art work was created by Akira. The top image is the original movie which only was released in Japan on August 6rh 1993 and which leaves the bottom image as the remake which was released as a bonus feature of a video game (Dragonball; Raging Blast 2) in Japan, North America and Europe in 2010. Also the Dragon Ball Z anime series was re-mastered and then a remake was made which was called “Dragon Ball Kai” which was released in 2009.

Re-mastered & Remakes

Modern Projects

These are Akira’s most recent work including screenshots below each cover.

Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Gods (Film; 2012)

Dragon Ball Super (Anime series; 2015)

Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F (Film; 2015)

Why I venerate his work?

The most critical reason why I venerate the work of Akira Toriyama is because of his style of art. Akira’s style is self made which makes him unique and stand out more to others artists in the industry. From looking at his work he has a very creative mind in a way he makes the impossible possible. His style gains recognition which then inspired other artists to produce work similar to Akira’s especially his character designs. Akira’s career started in 1978 which is 37 years and people still acknowledge his work. His art work has also been developed and used on feature manga series, anime series and video games.