Government Officials And Dragon Ball Fans Push For An Akira Toriyama Museum To Be Built In His Hometown
With Toriyama’s success in popularizing anime and manga worldwide, these lawmakers should build a memorial in his hometown.
Since the passing of Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump in March 2024, fans have been advocating for a museum to commemorate his legacy. The demand for this tribute has grown so significantly that the mayor of Toriyama’s hometown has expressed support for the idea.
Fans have eagerly shared their thoughts online, suggesting, “It would be amazing if Shueisha (the publisher of Toriyama’s manga) and Aichi Prefecture collaborated to create a museum. Crowdfunding could bring in donations from across the globe,” “I’d love a place where we can meet all the characters and revisit our childhoods, even just for a little while,” and, “They should start with Penguin Village from Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball areas. Just thinking about it makes me want to visit right now.”
An official from the Aichi Prefectural Government’s arts and culture division responded, “Although we appreciate the fans’ enthusiasm, there are currently no plans for such a project.”
Nevertheless, during a press conference on June 3, Aichi Prefecture Governor Omura expressed his support, saying, “Personally, I agree with the fans and would love to see a facility like this here.” He acknowledged the difficulties related to copyright issues but added, “No specific discussions have taken place yet, but if the idea progresses, I would be hopeful.”
(Governor Omura)
Toriyama’s former assistant and illustrator, 66-year-old Takashi Matsuyama, shared a similar sentiment, “As a fan, I definitely want an Akira Toriyama Museum (in Japan). Fans all over the world think so, too.”
Further, a municipal government official from Kiyosu in Aichi Prefecture, Toriyama’s hometown, stated, “I have informed Shueisha that we would like our city to be considered as a potential site for the museum if one is constructed.” However, the official emphasized, “The priorities of Shueisha and other stakeholders, including his bereaved family, are of utmost importance.”
While plans for an Akira Toriyama museum have yet to be finalized, these officials should remember that Toriyama crafted a special commemorative emblem for Kiyosu City in Aichi Prefecture, celebrating its upcoming 20th anniversary in 2025. What Toriyama has achieved in his life, which took the entire anime and manga industry to global popularity, it’s the least these politicians can do is create a memorial for him in his hometown.
About Dragon Ball:
Dragon Ball is a manga series by Akira Toriyama. It first began its serialization in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in 1984.
The manga was later adapted into a multitude of animated series, movies, and games.
The franchise consists of five different anime series, about 21 animated movies, and around 10 games spanning various platforms, from Famicon to Playstation and Xbox.
Synopsis of the Dragon Ball anime:
The story of Dragon Ball follows the life of Son Goku, a monkey-tailed boy loosely based on the traditional Chinese folk tale Journey to the West, from his life and adventures as a child all the way up to being a grandfather.
During his life, he fights many battles and eventually becomes (arguably) the strongest martial artist in the universe. He is not without help, however: the comic boasts a large ensemble cast of martial artist heroes and villains which provide the conflict that drives the story.
Source: mainichi.jp, via CBR
