The building that once served as the private residence and office of the late artist Akira Toriyama in Japan has been largely demolished, sparking debate about the preservation of manga heritage.
Báo Tuổi Trẻ•03/11/2026
Despite being associated with the creative process of one of the most influential manga artists, transforming this location into a tourist attraction still presents many challenges regarding cost, ownership, and the family’s privacy.
This is the birthplace of many of Akira Toriyama’s famous works.
According to Mainichi Shimbun on November 3rd, Akira Toriyama used the house in Kiyosu as his residence and workplace for many years. It also served as the headquarters for Bird Studio, the company he founded.
After the artist’s death in March 2024, Bird Studio continued operating at this location before relocating to Tokyo in August 2026. By October 2026, the structure began to be demolished and much of it has already been removed.
The incident has caused much regret because this place is closely associated with Akira Toriyama’s creative process. Illustrator Matsuyama Takashi, his former assistant, said that most of the late artist’s works were created here.
Having worked on the construction project himself, he was saddened to see the place being demolished, although he understood that transforming a private house in a residential area into a museum was not an easy task.
A woman in her 60s living nearby also expressed regret at the building’s disappearance. She remembered him as a kind man who loved animals and said that many foreign tourists used to visit. For the locals, the building was also a symbol of the city.
The debate between conservation and privacy
In an article on Yahoo! Japan , pop culture writer Kawamura Meikou suggested that Toriyama’s workplace has the potential to become a destination for international fans.
He cited the Washinomiya area in Saitama Prefecture, which is associated with the anime Lucky Star and has maintained its popularity among fans for many years. Several locations associated with Slam Dunk also attract large numbers of visitors, demonstrating the appeal of pilgrimages to places related to entertainment works.
However, transforming a private property into a tourist attraction requires authorities to address numerous issues such as maintenance costs, building standards, fire safety, traffic, and the impact on surrounding residents. In particular, opening a private space to the public could disturb the peace of the deceased’s family.
Japanese readers also expressed differing opinions: “This is private property, so it cannot be done without the family’s consent. Relatives also have their own circumstances, so this is not a simple matter.”
Conversely, some suggest that a separate museum could be built to preserve Akira Toriyama’s manuscripts, documents, and memorabilia, instead of necessarily preserving his former workplace in its original state.
Kiyosu Mayor Nagata Sumio stated that the city understands the decision to demolish the structure belongs to the family of the legendary manga artist and will respect their wishes, while also hoping the demolition process will proceed peacefully. There is currently no official information regarding the family’s decision to demolish the structure.
MAI NGUYET
Original article
https://tuoitre.vn/noi-lam-viec-cua-cha-de-dragon-ball-bi-thao-do-fan-tiec-nuoi-100261103191619732.htm
Tag:Dr. Slumpakira toriyamaDragon Ball
Trending by Category
The secrets inside the giant mascot costumes of Masked Singer.
Báo Tuổi Trẻ6 giờ trước
