Editing Akira Toriyama (section)

== Career ==
=== Early work and ''Dr. Slump'' (1978–1983) ===
[[File:Dr Slump (2981906771).jpg|thumb|upright|''[[Kanzenban]]'' edition of ''[[Dr. Slump]]'', published by [[Shueisha]]]]
After quitting his job at the age of 23 and asking his mother for money while unemployed, Toriyama entered the manga industry by submitting a work to an amateur contest in [[Kodansha]]'s ''[[Weekly Shōnen Magazine]]'', which he had randomly picked up in a coffee shop.<ref name="creation"/><ref name="ITpart2">{{Cite web|last=Konno|first=Daiichi|url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/business/articles/1810/29/news002.html|title=『ジャンプ』伝説の編集長は『ドラゴンボール』をいかにして生み出したのか|work=ITmedia|language=Japanese|date=October 21, 2018|access-date=December 24, 2021|archive-date=May 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505180743/https://www.itmedia.co.jp/business/articles/1810/29/news002.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The timing did not line up for that contest, but another manga magazine, ''[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]]'', accepted submissions for their Newcomer Award every month. [[Kazuhiko Torishima]], who would become his editor, read and enjoyed Toriyama's manga, but it was not eligible to compete because it was a parody of ''[[Star Wars]]'' instead of an original work. Torishima sent the artist a [[telegram]] and encouraged him to keep drawing and sending him manga.<ref name="ITpart2"/><ref name="SJ interview">{{cite magazine |title=none |magazine=[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]] |issue=1 |publisher=[[Viz Media]] |date=November 26, 2002}}</ref> This resulted in ''[[Wonder Island]]'', which became Toriyama's first published work when it appeared in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' in 1978. It finished last place in the readers survey.<ref name="creation"/><ref name="ITpart2"/> Toriyama later said that he had planned to quit manga after getting paid, but because ''[[Wonder Island 2]]'' (1978) was also a "flop", his stubbornness would not let him and he continued to draw failed stories for a year; claiming around 500 pages' worth, including the published ''[[Today's Highlight Island]]'' (1979).<ref name="creation"/> He said he learned a lot during this year and even had some fun. When Torishima told him to draw a female lead character, Toriyama hesitantly created 1979's ''[[Tomato the Cutesy Gumshoe]]'', which had some success. Feeling encouraged, he decided to draw another female lead and created ''[[Dr. Slump]]''.<ref name="creation"/>

''Dr. Slump'', which was serialized in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from 1980 to 1984, was a huge success and made Toriyama a household name. It follows the adventures of a perverted professor and his small but super-strong robot [[Arale Norimaki|Arale]].<ref name="ANNJT">{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Jason|author-link=Jason Thompson (writer)|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2011-03-10|title=Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga – Dragon Ball|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 10, 2011|access-date=March 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916075738/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2011-03-10|archive-date=September 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1981, ''Dr. Slump'' earned Toriyama the [[Shogakukan Manga Award]] for best ''[[shōnen manga|shōnen]]'' or [[shōjo manga|''shōjo'' manga]] series of the year.<ref name="ShogakukanAward">{{cite web|url=http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html |script-title=ja:小学館漫画賞: 歴代受賞者 |language=ja |publisher=[[Shogakukan]] |access-date=August 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094941/http://comics.shogakukan.co.jp/mangasho/rist.html |archive-date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> An anime adaptation began airing that same year, during the [[prime time]] Wednesday 19:00 slot on [[Fuji TV]]. Adaptations of Toriyama's work would occupy this time slot continuously for 18 years—through ''Dr. Slump''{{'}}s original run, ''Dragon Ball'' and its two sequels, and finally a rebooted ''Dr. Slump'' concluding in 1999. By 2008, the ''Dr. Slump'' manga had sold over 35 million copies in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Manga Properties in 2008 – Rankings and Circulation Data|url=http://comipress.com/article/2008/12/31/3733|publisher=Comipress|date=December 31, 2008|access-date=March 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630142029/http://comipress.com/article/2008/12/31/3733|archive-date=June 30, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> 

Although ''Dr. Slump'' was popular, Toriyama wanted to end the series within roughly six months of creating it, but publisher [[Shueisha]] would only allow him to do so if he agreed to start another serial for them shortly after.<ref name="Forbes">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/10/15/kazuhiko-torishima-on-shaping-the-success-of-dragon-ball-and-the-origins-of-dragon-quest/#1b1b1ac8d9ab |title=Kazuhiko Torishima On Shaping The Success Of 'Dragon Ball' And The Origins Of 'Dragon Quest' |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=October 15, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017001412/http://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/10/15/kazuhiko-torishima-on-shaping-the-success-of-dragon-ball-and-the-origins-of-dragon-quest/ |archive-date=October 17, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Chozenshu">{{cite book |title=Dragon Ball 超全集 4: 超事典|trans-title=Chōzenshū 4: Super Encyclopedia|language=ja|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|year=2013|pages=346–349|isbn=978-4-08-782499-5}}</ref> So he worked with Torishima on several [[One-shot (comics)|one-shots]] for ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' and the monthly ''Fresh Jump''.<ref name="Shenlong2">{{cite journal |title=Shenlong Times 2 |journal=Dragon Ball 大全集 2: Story Guide |isbn=4-08-782752-6|publisher=[[Shueisha]] |year=1995| language=ja}}</ref> In 1981, Toriyama was one of ten artists selected to create a 45-page work for ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''{{'}}s Reader's Choice contest. His manga ''[[Pola & Roid]]'' took first place.<ref name="creation"/> Toriyama was selected to participate in the contest again in 1982 and submitted ''[[Mad Matic]]''.<ref name="creation"/> His one-shot ''[[Pink (1982 manga)|Pink]]'' was published in the December issue of ''Fresh Jump''.<ref name="theworld">{{cite magazine |title=鳥山明 THE WORLD アニメスペシャル |magazine=[[Weekly Shōnen Jump]] |language=ja |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |date=October 10, 1990 |pages=72, 74, 75, 82–86}}</ref> Selected to participate in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''{{'}}s Reader's Choice contest for a third time, Toriyama had the bad luck of drawing the first slot and had to work over New Year's on 1983's ''[[Akira Toriyama's Manga Theater|Chobit]]''. Angry that it was unpopular, he decided to try again and created ''[[Chobit 2]]'' (1983).<ref name="creation"/>

An official Toriyama fan club, {{nihongo|Akira Toriyama Hozonkai|鳥山明保存会||"Akira Toriyama Preservation Society"}}, was established in 1982. Its newsletters were called ''Bird Land Press'' and were sent to members until the club closed in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dragonball.news/news/20190528_wx.html |script-title=ja:[鳥山明ほぼ全仕事] 平日更新24時間限定公開！ 2019/05/28 |work=Dragon Ball Official Site |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |language=ja |date=May 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528143658/https://dragonball.news/news/20190528_wx.html |archive-date=May 28, 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 29, 2019 }}</ref> Toriyama founded Bird Studio in the early 1980s,<ref name="studio">{{cite web|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|url=http://kotaku.com/dragon-ball-is-made-in-a-very-orange-building-1609446227|title=Dragon Ball Is Made in a Very Orange Building|work=[[Kotaku]]|date=July 23, 2014|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824151427/http://kotaku.com/dragon-ball-is-made-in-a-very-orange-building-1609446227|archive-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> which is a play on his name; {{nihongo|"tori"|鳥}} meaning "bird". He began employing an assistant, mostly to work on backgrounds.

=== ''Dragon Ball'' and international success (1983–1997) ===
[[File:Dragon Ball manga 1st Japanese edition logo.svg|thumb|left|''[[Dragon Ball]]'' logo]]
Torishima suggested that, as Toriyama enjoyed [[kung fu films]], he should create a kung fu ''shōnen'' manga.<ref name="Story">{{Cite book |title=Dragon Ball 大全集 2: Story Guide |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |year=1995 |isbn=4-08-782752-6 |pages=261–265 |language=ja |trans-title=Dragon Ball Complete Works 2: Story Guide}}</ref> This led to the two-part ''[[Dragon Boy (manga)|Dragon Boy]]'', published in the August and October 1983 issues of ''Fresh Jump''.<ref name="theworld"/> It follows a boy, adept at martial arts, who escorts a princess on a journey back to her home country. ''Dragon Boy'' was well-received and evolved to become the serial ''[[Dragon Ball (manga)|Dragon Ball]]'' in 1984.<ref name="Forbes"/><ref name="AnimeEncyc">{{cite book |last1=Clements |first1=Jonathan |author-link1=Jonathan Clements |last2=McCarthy |first2=Helen |author-link2=Helen McCarthy |title=The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917 |date=September 1, 2001 |publisher=[[Stone Bridge Press]] |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=1-880656-64-7 |oclc=47255331 |pages=101–102 |edition=1st}}</ref> But before that, ''[[The Adventure of Tongpoo]]'' was published in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''{{'}}s 52nd issue of 1983 and also contained elements that would be included in ''Dragon Ball''.<ref name="theworld"/>

Serialized in ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from 1984 to 1995 and having sold 159.5{{nbsp}}million ''[[tankōbon]]'' copies in Japan alone,<ref name="jump2014">{{cite web|url=http://adnavi.shueisha.co.jp/mediaguide/2014/pdf/boys.pdf |title=Shueisha Media Guide 2014: Boy's & Men's Comic Magazines |publisher=[[Shueisha]] |access-date=April 20, 2015 |page=2 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721170746/http://adnavi.shueisha.co.jp/mediaguide/2014/pdf/boys.pdf |archive-date=July 21, 2015}}</ref> ''Dragon Ball'' is one of the [[List of best-selling manga|best-selling manga series]] of all time.<ref name="Shueishabest">{{cite web |title=Top 10 Shonen Jump Manga by All-Time Volume Sales |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-23/top-10-shonen-jump-manga-by-all-time-volume-sales |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=October 23, 2012 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008192850/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-10-23/top-10-shonen-jump-manga-by-all-time-volume-sales |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> It began as an adventure/gag manga but later turned into a martial arts fighting series, considered by many to be the "most influential ''shōnen'' manga".<ref name="ANNJT"/> ''Dragon Ball'' was one of the main reasons for the magazine's circulation hitting a record high of 6.53 million copies (1995).<ref name="IbarakiInterview">{{cite web |url=http://comipress.com/article/2008/03/31/3452 |title=The Reminiscence of My 25 Years with Shonen Jump |last=Ibaraki |first=Masahiko |translator=Ohara, T. |publisher=ComiPress |date=March 31, 2008 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912001524/http://comipress.com/article/2008/03/31/3452 |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://comipress.com/article/2007/05/06/1923 |title=The Rise and Fall of Weekly Shonen Jump: A Look at the Circulation of Weekly Jump |publisher=ComiPress |date=May 8, 2007 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213050220/http://comipress.com/article/2007/05/06/1923 |archive-date=February 13, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the series' end, Toriyama said that he asked everyone involved to let him end the manga, so he could "take some new steps in life".<ref>{{cite book |last=Toriyama|first=Akira|title=Dragon Ball, Volume 42 |year=1995 |publisher=[[Shueisha]]|isbn=978-4-08-851090-3}}</ref> During that near-11-year period, he produced 519 chapters that were collected into 42 volumes. Moreover, the success of the manga led to five anime adaptations, [[List of Dragon Ball films|several animated films]], [[List of Dragon Ball video games|numerous video games]], and mega-merchandise. Aside from its popularity in Japan, ''Dragon Ball'' was successful internationally as well, including Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with 300–350{{nbsp}}million copies of the manga sold worldwide.

While Toriyama was serializing ''Dragon Ball'' weekly, he continued to create the occasional one-shot manga. In 1986, ''[[Mr. Ho]]'' was published in the 49th issue of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''.<ref name="theworld"/> The following year saw publication of ''[[Young Master Ken'nosuke]]'', which had a Japanese ''[[jidaigeki]]'' setting.<ref name="theworld"/> Toriyama published two ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' one-shots in 1988; ''[[The Elder (manga)|The Elder]]'' and ''[[Little Mamejiro]]''.<ref name="theworld"/> ''[[Karamaru and the Perfect Day]]'' followed in issue #13 of 1989.<ref name="theworld"/>

Also during ''Dragon Ball''{{'}}s serialization, Torishima recruited him to work as character designer for the 1986 [[role-playing video game|role-playing]] video game ''[[Dragon Quest (video game)|Dragon Quest]]''. The artist admitted he was pulled into it without even knowing what an RPG was and that it made his already busy schedule even more hectic, but he was happy to have been a part after enjoying the finished game.<ref name="Chozenshu"/> Toriyama continued to work on every installment in the [[Dragon Quest|''Dragon Quest'' series]] until his death. He also served as the character designer for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super Famicom]] RPG ''[[Chrono Trigger]]'' (1995) and for the [[fighting game|fighting]] games ''[[Tobal No. 1]]'' (1996) and ''[[Tobal 2]]'' (1997) for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]].<ref name="IGN">{{cite news|title=74. Akira Toriyama|url=http://www.ign.com/top/game-creators/74.html|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616092517/http://www.ign.com/top/game-creators/74.html |archive-date=June 16, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The September 23, 1988, festival film ''Kosuke & Rikimaru: The Dragon of Konpei Island'' marked the first time Toriyama made substantial contributions to an animation. He came up with the original story idea, co-wrote the screenplay with its director [[Toyoo Ashida]], and designed the characters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/sakuhin/nenpyo/1988/04_kosukesama/kosukesama.htm|title=小助さま 力丸さま コンペイ島の竜|work=[[J.C.Staff]]|language=Japanese|access-date=July 15, 2022|archive-date=April 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402122926/http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/sakuhin/nenpyo/1988/04_kosukesama/kosukesama.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It was screened at the Jump Anime Carnival, which was held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Taniguchi|first=Riuichi|url=https://jp.ign.com/manga/73874/feature/|title=漫画・アニメ・ゲームすべてに新たな扉を開いた鳥山明、その大きすぎる功績を振り返る|work=[[IGN Japan]]|language=Japanese|date=2024-03-11|access-date=March 16, 2024}}</ref>

=== Short stories and other projects (1996–2011) ===
A third anime adaptation based on ''Dragon Ball'', entitled ''[[Dragon Ball GT]]'', began airing in 1996, though this was not based on Toriyama's manga directly. He was involved in some overarching elements, including the name of the series and designs for the main cast.<ref name="GTDragonBox">{{cite book |title=Dragon Ball GT Dragon Box: Dragon Book |publisher=[[Pony Canyon]]|year=2005|page=1|language=ja}}</ref> Toriyama continued drawing manga in this period, predominantly one-shots and short (100–200-page) pieces, including ''[[Cowa!]]'' (1997–1998), ''[[Kajika]]'' (1998), and ''[[Sand Land]]'' (2000). On December 6, 2002, Toriyama made his only promotional appearance in the United States at the launch of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''{{'}}s North American counterpart, ''[[Shonen Jump (magazine)|Shonen Jump]]'', in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Akira Toriyama To Appear at Shonen Jump Launch Party |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-12-02/akira-toriyama-to-appear-at-shonen-jump-launch-party |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=December 2, 2002 |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510150117/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-12-02/akira-toriyama-to-appear-at-shonen-jump-launch-party |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Toriyama's ''Dragon Ball'' and ''Sand Land'' were published in the magazine in the first issue, which also included an in-depth interview with him.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shonen Jump No. 1 Contents |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-10-03/shonen-jump-no.1-contents |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=October 3, 2002 |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510232756/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2002-10-03/shonen-jump-no.1-contents |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Toriyama also wrote a short [[self-parody]] of ''Dragon Ball'' entitled ''[[Neko Majin]]'', in the form of eight one-shots released sporadically from 1999 to 2005. The eight chapters were collected into a single volume and published in April 2005.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:ネコマジン|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-873825-X|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|language=ja|access-date=March 21, 2014|archive-date=November 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104160750/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-873825-X}}</ref>

On March 27, 2005, CQ Motors began selling an [[electric car]] designed by Toriyama.<ref name="car">{{cite web |title=Akira Toriyama Car |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-01-31/akira-toriyama-car |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=January 31, 2005 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925090345/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-01-31/akira-toriyama-car |archive-date=September 25, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The one-person QVOLT is part of the company's [[Choro-Q]] series of small electric cars, with only 9 being produced. It cost 1,990,000 yen (about $19,000 US), has a top speed of {{convert|30|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} and was available in five colors.<ref name="car"/> Toriyama stated that the car took over a year to design, "but due to my genius mini-model construction skills, I finally arrived at the end of what was a very emotional journey."<ref name="car"/>

He worked on a 2006 one-shot called ''[[Cross Epoch (manga)|Cross Epoch]]'', in cooperation with ''[[One Piece]]'' creator [[Eiichiro Oda]]. The story is a short [[Intercompany crossover|crossover]] that presents characters from both ''Dragon Ball'' and ''One Piece''. Toriyama was the character designer and artist for the 2006 [[Mistwalker]] [[Xbox 360]] exclusive RPG ''[[Blue Dragon (video game)|Blue Dragon]]'', working with [[Hironobu Sakaguchi]] and [[Nobuo Uematsu]], both of whom he had previously worked with on ''Chrono Trigger''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toriyama to work on Xbox 360 game |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-05-17/toriyama-to-work-on-xbox-360-game |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=May 17, 2005 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110052542/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-05-17/toriyama-to-work-on-xbox-360-game |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, Toriyama felt the 2007 [[Blue Dragon (TV series)|''Blue Dragon'' anime]] might potentially be his final work in animation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/blue-dragon/blue-dragon-toriyamas-final-anime-247955.php|title=Blue Dragon, Toriyama's Final Anime?|author=Brian Ashcraft|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713170411/http://kotaku.com/gaming/blue-dragon/blue-dragon-toriyamas-final-anime-247955.php |archive-date=July 13, 2011|website=Kotaku|date=March 27, 2007}}</ref>

In 2008, he collaborated with [[Masakazu Katsura]], his good friend and creator of ''[[I"s]]'' and ''[[Zetman]]'', for the ''[[Jump Square|Jump SQ]]'' one-shot ''[[Sachie-chan Good!!]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=DB's Toriyama, I's Katsura to Team Up on 1-Shot Manga |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-05/dbs-toriyama-is-katsura-to-team-up-on-1-shot-manga |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=February 5, 2008 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110125352/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-02-05/dbs-toriyama-is-katsura-to-team-up-on-1-shot-manga |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bokurano's Kitoh to Draw One-Shot Manga in Jump Square |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-03/bokurano-kitoh-to-draw-one-shot-manga-in-jump-square |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=March 3, 2008 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110125020/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-03/bokurano-kitoh-to-draw-one-shot-manga-in-jump-square |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was later published in North America in the free SJ Alpha Yearbook 2013, which was mailed out to annual subscribers of the digital manga magazine ''[[Shonen Jump Alpha]]'' in December 2012. The two worked together again in 2009, for the three-chapter one-shot ''[[Jiya (manga)|Jiya]]'' in ''[[Weekly Young Jump]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dragon Ball's Toriyama, DNA²'s Katsura to Launch Jiya Manga |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-12-01/db-toriyama-dna-2-katsura-to-launch-jiya-series |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=February 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110125536/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-12-01/db-toriyama-dna-2-katsura-to-launch-jiya-series |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Toriyama was engaged by [[20th Century Fox]] as a creative consultant on ''[[Dragonball Evolution]]'', an American [[Live action|live-action]] film adaptation of ''Dragon Ball''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schilling |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Schilling |title=20th Century Fox to roll with $100m Dragonball |url=https://www.screendaily.com/20th-century-fox-to-roll-with-100m-dragonball/408612.article |work=[[Screen Daily]] |date=March 12, 2002 |access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128143348/https://www.screendaily.com/20th-century-fox-to-roll-with-100m-dragonball/408612.article |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was released in 2009 and failed both critically and financially. Toriyama later stated in 2013 that he had felt the script did not "capture the world or the characteristics" of his series and was "bland" and not interesting, so he cautioned them and gave suggestions for changes. But the Hollywood producers did not heed his advice, "And just as I thought, the result was a movie I cannot call ''Dragon Ball''."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/culture/update/0329/TKY201303290330.html |script-title=ja:新作映画「原作者の意地」 鳥山明さん独占インタビュ |work=[[Asahi Shimbun]] | language=ja |date=March 30, 2013 | access-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501075658/http://www.asahi.com/culture/update/0329/TKY201303290330.html | archive-date=May 1, 2013 | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |url=http://kotaku.com/didnt-like-hollywoods-dragon-ball-movie-well-neithe-465066558|title=Didn't Like Hollywood's Dragon Ball Movie? Well, Neither Did Dragon Ball's Creator|work=[[Kotaku]]|date=April 2, 2013|access-date=July 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903173357/https://kotaku.com/didnt-like-hollywoods-dragon-ball-movie-well-neithe-465066558|archive-date=September 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Avex Trax]] commissioned Toriyama to draw a portrait of pop singer [[Ayumi Hamasaki]], and it was printed on the CD of her 2009 single "[[Rule/Sparkle|Rule]]", which was used as the theme song to the film.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dragonball's Toriyama Sketches Ayumi Hamasaki as Goku |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-03/dragonball-toriyama-sketches-ayumi-hamasaki-as-goku |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=February 3, 2009 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020001407/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-03/dragonball-toriyama-sketches-ayumi-hamasaki-as-goku |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Toriyama drew a 2009 manga titled ''Delicious Island's Mr. U'' for [[Anjō, Aichi|Anjō]]'s Rural Society Project, a nonprofit [[environmental organization]] that teaches the importance of agriculture and nature to young children.<ref name="Delicious">{{cite news|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201304130035|title='Dragon Ball' creator creates manga to raise environmental awareness|newspaper=[[Asahi Shimbun]]|date=April 13, 2013|access-date=June 28, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524104742/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/culture/AJ201304130035|archive-date=May 24, 2013}}</ref> They originally asked him to do the illustrations for a pamphlet, but Toriyama liked the project and decided to expand it into a story. It is included in a booklet about [[environmental awareness]] that is distributed by the Anjō city government.<ref name="Delicious"/> As part of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump''{{'}}s "Top of the Super Legend" project, a series of six one-shots by famed ''Jump'' artists, Toriyama created ''Kintoki'' for its November 15, 2010, issue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/40552 |script-title=ja:お待ちかね！鳥山明の新作「KINTOKI」がジャンプに掲載 |language=ja |publisher=[[Natalie (website)|Natalie]] |date=November 15, 2010 |access-date=January 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829043800/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/40552 |url-status=live }}</ref> He collaborated with ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' to create a video to raise awareness and support for those affected by the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]] on March 11, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Warren |first=Emily |url=http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?manga_and_anime_industries_react_to_earthquake_crisis_16521.aspx |title=Manga and Anime industries react to earthquake crisis |publisher=Asia Pacific Arts |date=March 16, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103112550/http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?manga_and_anime_industries_react_to_earthquake_crisis_16521.aspx |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Return to ''Dragon Ball'' (2012–2024) ===
In 2012, ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods]]'' was announced to be in development, with Toriyama involved in its creation. The film marked the series' first theatrical film in 17 years, and the first time Toriyama had been involved in one as early as the screenwriting stages.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Dragon Ball Z Film's Full Teaser & English Site Posted |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-07/2013-dragon-ball-z-film-full-teaser-and-english-site-posted |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=August 7, 2012 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118153826/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-08-07/2013-dragon-ball-z-film-full-teaser-and-english-site-posted |archive-date=November 18, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film opened on March 30, 2013. A special "[[double feature|dual ticket]]" that could be used to see both ''Battle of Gods'' and ''[[One Piece Film: Z]]'' was created with new art by both Toriyama and Eiichiro Oda.<ref>{{cite web |title=One Piece/Dragon Ball Z Ticket Set Illustrated by Creators |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-11-14/one-piece/dragon-ball-z-ticket-set-illustrated-by-creators |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=November 14, 2012 |access-date=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119040131/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-11-14/one-piece/dragon-ball-z-ticket-set-illustrated-by-creators |archive-date=November 19, 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

On March 27, 2013, the "Akira Toriyama: The World of ''Dragon Ball''" exhibit opened at the [[Takashimaya]] department store in [[Nihonbashi]], garnering 72,000 visitors in its first nineteen days. The exhibit was separated into seven areas. The first provided a look at the series' history, the second showed the 400-plus characters from the series, the third displayed Toriyama's manga [[manuscript]]s from memorable scenes, the fourth showed special color illustrations, the fifth displayed rare ''Dragon Ball''-related materials, the sixth included design sketches and animation [[cel]]s from the anime, and the seventh screened ''Dragon Ball''-related videos.<ref name="exhibit"/> It was there until April 15, when it moved to Osaka from April 17 to 23, and ended in Toriyama's native Nagoya from July 27 to September 1.<ref name="exhibit">{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-03-02/world-of-dragon-ball-exhibit-to-open-in-japan-in-march|title='World of Dragon Ball' Exhibit to Open in Japan in March|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=March 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924161615/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-03-02/world-of-dragon-ball-exhibit-to-open-in-japan-in-march|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201304270032 |title=ANIME NEWS: Latest 'Dragon Ball Z' film nabs 2 million viewers in 23 days |newspaper=[[Asahi Shimbun]] |date=April 27, 2013 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223549/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/cool_japan/anime_news/AJ201304270032 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref>

To celebrate the 45th anniversary of ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'', Toriyama launched a new manga series in its July 13, 2013, issue titled ''[[Jaco the Galactic Patrolman]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-26/dragon-ball-toriyama-to-launch-ginga-patrol-jako-manga|title=Dragon Ball's Toriyama to Launch Ginga Patrol Jako Manga|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=June 26, 2013|access-date=June 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629005153/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-06-26/dragon-ball-toriyama-to-launch-ginga-patrol-jako-manga|archive-date=June 29, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Viz Media]] began serializing it in English in their digital ''Weekly Shonen Jump'' magazine, beginning just two days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-01/viz-weekly-shonen-jump-adds-new-akira-toriyama-series|title=Viz's Weekly Shonen Jump Adds New Akira Toriyama Series|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 1, 2013|access-date=July 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704062231/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-01/viz-weekly-shonen-jump-adds-new-akira-toriyama-series|archive-date=July 4, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The final chapter reveals that the story is set before the events of ''Dragon Ball'' and features some of its characters. It would become the final manga that Toriyama wrote and illustrated himself.

The follow-up film to ''Battle of Gods'', ''[[Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'|Resurrection 'F']]'', released on April 18, 2015, features even more contributions from Toriyama, who personally wrote its original script.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nelkin|first=Sarah|title=1st Key Visual For 2015 Dragon Ball Z Film Reveals Frieza|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-17/1st-key-visual-for-2015-dragon-ball-z-film-reveals-frieza/.81112|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 17, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118002540/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-17/1st-key-visual-for-2015-dragon-ball-z-film-reveals-frieza/.81112|archive-date=November 18, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Toriyama provided the basic story outline and some character designs for ''[[Dragon Ball Super]]'', which began serialization in ''[[V Jump]]'' in June 2015 with an anime counterpart following in July. Although the anime ended in 2018, he continued to provide story ideas for the manga while [[Toyotarou]] illustrated it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dragonball.news/news/k191127000.html|title=『ドラゴンボール超』11巻発売記念！とよたろう先生直撃インタビュー&仕事場を大公開‼|language=ja|date=December 3, 2019|work=Dragon Ball Official Site|access-date=January 10, 2020|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208003500/https://dragonball.news/news/k191127000.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Dragon Ball Super: Broly]]'', released in theaters on December 14, 2018, and ''[[Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero]]'', released on June 11, 2022, continued Toriyama's deep involvement with the films, the latter being his final complete work on the Dragon Ball franchise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ressler|first=Karen|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-11-07/dragon-ball-super-broly-film-final-trailer-streamed/.139202|title=Dragon Ball Super: Broly Film's Final Trailer Streamed|date=November 7, 2018|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 2, 2019|archive-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120110203/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-11-07/dragon-ball-super-broly-film-final-trailer-streamed/.139202|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Harrison|first=Will|url=https://www.polygon.com/22590739/dragon-ball-super-super-hero-character-art-sdcc-2021-panel-recap|title=Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero character concepts revealed at SDCC 2021|date=July 23, 2021|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=May 8, 2022|archive-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102140911/https://www.polygon.com/22590739/dragon-ball-super-super-hero-character-art-sdcc-2021-panel-recap|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2024, a logo Toriyama designed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his hometown of [[Kiyosu]] was unveiled.<ref>{{cite web|title=清須市制２０周年ロゴ 漫画家の鳥山明さん考案 代表作はドラゴンボール|url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/aichi/news/20240127-OYTNT50299/|website=[[Yomiuri Shimbun]]|language=Japanese|date=January 28, 2024|access-date=March 9, 2024|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308110523/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/aichi/news/20240127-OYTNT50299/|url-status=live}}</ref> Toriyama created a new story arc for the 2024 [[original net animation]] adaptation of his manga ''[[Sand Land]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sand Land: The Series Anime Reveals March 20 Premiere, Cast for New Arc|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-03-04/sand-land-the-series-anime-reveals-march-20-premiere-cast-for-new-arc/.208285|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 4, 2024|access-date=March 9, 2024|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308002759/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-03-04/sand-land-the-series-anime-reveals-march-20-premiere-cast-for-new-arc/.208285|url-status=live}}</ref> He also created the story and character designs for the upcoming ''[[Dragon Ball Daima]]'' anime series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dragon Ball Daima Anime Series Reveals Staff|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-11-20/dragon-ball-daima-anime-series-reveals-staff/.204667|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 20, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2024|archive-date=February 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208115139/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-11-20/dragon-ball-daima-anime-series-reveals-staff/.204667|url-status=live}}</ref> Toriyama's final contribution to ''Dragon Ball'' was directing Toyotarou to redraw the end of chapter 103 of ''Dragon Ball Super'', so that a departing [[Piccolo (Dragon Ball)|Piccolo]] appears to wave back at the reader. A short tribute was included at the bottom of the page when it was published on March 28, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Will Salmon |title=Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama's last contribution to the manga was a drawing of Piccolo waving goodbye, and fans couldn't have asked for a better send-off |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/dragon-ball-creator-akira-toriyamas-last-contribution-to-the-manga-was-a-drawing-of-piccolo-waving-goodbye-and-fans-couldnt-have-asked-for-a-better-send-off/ |website=gamesradar |language=en |date=28 March 2024}}</ref>

On October 11, 2024, the [[Harvey Awards]] announced<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/the-harvey-awards-hall-of-fame-announces-inductees-for-2024/|title=THE HARVEY AWARDS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES FOR 2024|publisher=First Comics News|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 11, 2024|access-date=October 12, 2024|archive-date=October 12, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241012135449/https://www.firstcomicsnews.com/the-harvey-awards-hall-of-fame-announces-inductees-for-2024/}}</ref> that Toriyama was one of five comics creators to be inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame at the 36th annual Harvey Awards ceremony on October 18 at the [[New York Comic Con]].<ref name=NYTimes10.11.24/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbookclublive.com/2024/10/12/harvey-awards-hall-of-fame-2024-inductees/|author=Zalben, Alex|title=Harvey Awards Announce Hall Of Fame Inductees: Larry Hama, John Buscema, More|publisher=Comic Book Club|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 12, 2024|access-date=October 12, 2024|archive-date=October 12, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241012135136/https://comicbookclublive.com/2024/10/12/harvey-awards-hall-of-fame-2024-inductees/}}</ref> Acknowledging the accolade for Toriyama, Bird Studio Co., Ltd. and Capsule Corporation Tokyo issued a statement saying, "We are very honored to receive the news that Akira Toriyama has been selected for the prestigious Harvey Award Hall of Fame. As a creator, he had always said that his work says it all. We are especially grateful to the American fans for their long-standing enthusiasm and dedicated support. We hope you will continue to support his work for many years to come as we continue to develop and expand upon his masterpieces."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-2024-harvey-award-hall-of-fame/|author=[[MacDonald, Heidi]]|title=NYCC '24: Five inducted into the 2024 Harvey Award Hall of Fame|publisher=[[Comics Beat]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=October 11, 2024|access-date=October 12, 2024|archive-date=October 12, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241012134508/https://www.comicsbeat.com/nycc-2024-harvey-award-hall-of-fame/}}</ref>