
Akira Toriyama is a name that resonates with fans of anime and manga worldwide, largely due to his creation of the iconic Dragon Ball franchise. As one of the most influential and successful manga artists of all time, Toriyama has not only built an empire through his art but has also significantly shaped the global pop culture landscape.
His creations, particularly Dragon Ball, have garnered billions of dollars in revenue through comics, animated series, films, and merchandise.
In this article, we will explore Akira Toriyama net worth, his career achievements, and the various factors that have contributed to his immense wealth.
Akira Toriyama Biography
Full Name | Akira Toriyama |
Known As | Akira Toriyama |
Date of Birth | April 5, 1955 |
Place of Birth | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |
Date of Death | March 1, 2024 |
Age at Death | 68 years |
Nationality | Japanese |
Profession | Manga Artist, Character Designer, Game Artist, Writer, Art Director |
Genres | Manga, Anime, Video Games |
Education | Attended a creative design high school |
Marital Status | Married to Yoshimi Katō (pen name Nachi Mikami) |
Children | Two |
Notable Works | Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, Blue Dragon |
Akira Toriyama Net Worth | Approximately $50 million at the time of his death in 2024 |
Awards & Honors | Shogakukan Manga Award (1981), Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2019), Harvey Awards Hall of Fame Inductee (2024) |
Legacy | Creator of Dragon Ball, one of the best-selling manga series with over 260 million copies sold worldwide; influential figure in manga and anime industries |
Early Life and Rise to Fame of Akira Toriyama
Akira Toriyama was born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Japan. Growing up, Toriyama was influenced by various comics and animation, which eventually led him to pursue a career in the manga industry. After studying at a design school and working in a graphic design company, Toriyama began his career as a manga artist in the late 1970s. He gained initial recognition for his work on Dr. Slump, a series that became an instant success and laid the groundwork for his future fame.
However, Toriyama’s biggest success came in the mid-1980s with the creation of Dragon Ball. First serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984, Dragon Ball quickly became a global phenomenon. The story of Goku and his adventures, which mixed martial arts with fantasy, captivated millions of readers and viewers, leading to the creation of an anime series, films, merchandise, video games, and more.
The impact of Dragon Ball continues to be felt today, with the franchise still being one of the most successful in entertainment history—though its commercial success contrasts with the legacy of literary figures like James Baldwin, whose influence is measured more by cultural impact than financial gain, yet still prompts interest in james baldwin net worth.
Akira Toriyama Net Worth
As of 2025, Akira Toriyama net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. This wealth comes from his incredible success as a manga artist, writer, and creator of one of the most beloved franchises of all time. Toriyama has earned significant amounts of money from the Dragon Ball franchise through manga sales, anime adaptations, video games, merchandise, and films.
The success of Dragon Ball alone has generated billions of dollars in revenue. While Toriyama’s primary earnings stem from his work on Dragon Ball, he has also made money from his earlier work, including Dr. Slump, as well as his contributions to other series and his involvement in producing and overseeing Dragon Ball films and video games. Toriyama’s wealth is further bolstered by his royalties from these various ventures.
Akira Toriyama Age
Born on April 5, 1955, Akira Toriyama is 70 years old as of 2025. Despite his age, Toriyama remains actively involved in the world of manga and anime. Although he stepped back from directly drawing Dragon Ball on a regular basis after Dragon Ball Z, he continues to oversee the series and contribute to its various adaptations, ensuring that his legacy as a creator endures.
Personal Life
Akira Toriyama is known to be a private individual, rarely speaking about his personal life in the media. He is married to his wife, and together they have children, although he has kept most of his personal life away from the public eye. Toriyama’s focus has always been on his work, and he has managed to maintain a low profile despite his immense success.
Toriyama is also known for his love of animals and is an avid pet owner. His affection for animals can be seen in some of his works, with various Dragon Ball characters being inspired by or resembling animals. He is a fan of nature, and this love for animals has influenced both his art and his personal life.
Professional Life and Career Achievements
Akira Toriyama’s career began in the late 1970s when he worked as a graphic designer before transitioning to manga. His first major success came with Dr. Slump, a comedic series that became immensely popular and won several awards. The success of Dr. Slump led to Toriyama’s next and far more significant creation: Dragon Ball.
First serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1984, Dragon Ball became an international sensation, running for over 500 chapters and spawning a global anime franchise. The series has since expanded into multiple sequels, including Dragon Ball Z, Dragon Ball GT, and Dragon Ball Super. Toriyama has been involved in writing and overseeing the manga and anime, although his direct involvement in drawing the manga slowed after Dragon Ball Z. He continued to provide input, contributing character designs, plots, and overseeing the direction of the series.
In addition to Dragon Ball, Toriyama has worked on other projects, such as Sand Land and Cowa!, though none have achieved the level of success that Dragon Ball has. His ability to create long-lasting, successful characters and stories has made him one of the most revered manga artists of all time. Over the years, his creative legacy and commercial success have significantly contributed to Akira Toriyama net worth, making him one of the wealthiest and most respected figures in the manga industry.
Toriyama’s influence extends beyond his own works. He has contributed character designs to various video games, including those in the Dragon Quest series, further cementing his place as an influential figure in both the anime and gaming industries—similar to authors like Dan Brown, whose creative storytelling and cross-media success have greatly contributed to the impressive dan brown net worth.
Success Journey
Akira Toriyama’s journey to success is rooted in his early passion for drawing and storytelling. His first breakthrough, Dr. Slump, was a comedic series that became a major success and established him as a leading manga artist. However, it was the creation of Dragon Ball that made him a household name, not just in Japan but worldwide. With the global popularity of his work and the enduring success of the Dragon Ball franchise, Akira Toriyama net worth continued to rise, reflecting both his creative genius and commercial achievements.
Dragon Ball’s mix of action, humor, and emotional depth captivated audiences and became a global cultural phenomenon. With the release of Dragon Ball Z and its subsequent success, Toriyama became an international star, and his work has continued to influence both manga and anime for decades.
Though Toriyama has stepped back from his initial role as the primary artist on Dragon Ball, his continued involvement in the franchise has helped it remain a cultural staple. His creation has influenced countless other series, and the Dragon Ball legacy continues with new manga, anime episodes, films, and merchandise, all of which contribute to his wealth.
Source of Income
Akira Toriyama’s primary source of income is the Dragon Ball franchise, which generates revenue through manga sales, anime series, films, video games, and merchandise. The Dragon Ball anime, in particular, has made billions of dollars worldwide through broadcast rights, DVD sales, and streaming services—greatly contributing to Akira Toriyama net worth over the decades.
Toriyama also earns royalties from his earlier works, including Dr. Slump, which still enjoys popularity. His contributions to video games, such as designing characters for the Dragon Quest series, have also generated significant income.
In addition to his royalties from his artistic works, Toriyama likely earns money from licensing his intellectual property and participating in various media-related events. His continued influence in both the manga and anime industries ensures that he remains a prominent figure with a steady income, and this ongoing success continues to boost Akira Toriyama net worth, even after his passing.
Major Achievements
- Creator of the Dragon Ball franchise, one of the most successful and influential anime and manga series of all time
- Creator of Dr. Slump, a successful manga series that earned Toriyama his first major recognition
- Over 300 million copies of Dragon Ball manga sold worldwide
- Character designer for the Dragon Quest video game series
- Contributed to the creation of multiple Dragon Ball films and anime series, including Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super
- Regarded as one of the most influential manga artists of all time
Philanthropy and Social Contributions
Akira Toriyama is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of children’s education and animal welfare. He has been involved in charity events, including auctions where proceeds go to various causes. Toriyama has also donated to organizations that support children’s hospitals and other humanitarian efforts.
Though Toriyama maintains a relatively private life, his involvement in charitable endeavors reflects his desire to use his success for the greater good. His contributions to society, while not heavily publicized, continue to make a positive impact on those in need.
Numbers don’t lie—get the truth behind celebrity fortunes on The Star Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions-FAQs
Final Verdict
Akira Toriyama net worth, estimated at $100 million, is a testament to his exceptional talent, hard work, and influence in the world of manga and anime. As the creator of Dragon Ball, Toriyama has had an immeasurable impact on both Japanese and global pop culture. His success in the manga and anime industries, combined with his work in video games and his business ventures, has made him one of the wealthiest and most influential artists of his generation.
Toriyama’s legacy will undoubtedly endure for years to come, with Dragon Ball continuing to inspire new generations of fans and artists alike. As he remains active in the industry, his wealth is expected to grow, solidifying his place as one of the most successful and iconic creators in entertainment.

James Anderson
James Anderson is a skilled blogger and author at The Star Worth, recognized for his in-depth and well-researched articles covering net worth, fashion, lifestyle, technology, entertainment, business, and a variety of other trending topics.
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