With the recent passing of the Legendary manga artist Akira Toriyama, best known for his global success with the Dragon Ball series.
Fans are curious about his personal life, especially Akira Toriyama Wife Yoshimi Kato. On March 1, 2024, Toriyama died from a hematoma at the age of 68.
Achievements of Dragon Ball Creator Akira
- Akira is a highly influential Japanese manga artist born on 5 April 1955. Akira started his career at the age of 23, working for Weekly Shōnen Magazine.
- Akira first came to recognition by creating Dr Slump and Dragon Boy, which later evolved into the Dragon Ball we all know and love.
- Toriyama has made character designs for Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger, and Blu Dragon.
- Akira has also worked with IGN in game design and on illustrations, albums, and book designs.
- Toriyama won the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, Media Arts Festival Award, Shogakukan Manga Award, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and Special 40th Anniversary Festival Award.
- Akira is also nominated for the Tokyo Anime Awards Festival 2024 and the Grand Prix de la ville d’Angoulême award.
Akira Toriyama Wife Yoshimi Kato
Although Akira has lived an extremely private life, some things in his relationship are known. Yoshimi Kato is also a manga artist under the penname Nachi Mikami.
Yoshimi is fond of the Chinese aesthetic art style and has released her own manga. Some of her notable works are in The Top And The Bottom Of Rock And Roll, The Confusing Legend of St. Mephisto, and Rock and Rollers’ Story: The Queen Story.
Rock and Rollers’ Story: The Queen Story was a manga about the beginning of the famous American band Queen.
Akira and Yoshimi bonded through their love for art. After discovering their mutual interests, a romantic connection formed, resulting in both getting married on 2 May 1982.
Nachi quit her mangaka career after marrying Akira in order to support the family. They both went on to build a strong family and had two kids.
A son named Sasuke was born on March 23, 1987, and a daughter named Kikka was born in October 1990.
ALSO READ: Why Netflix Live Action Avatar: The Last Airbender Received Mixed Reception?
Yoshimi Kato’s Impact on Dragon Ball Franchise
Kato is also a respected figure in the manga community; she authored “Sachie-Chan Guu!!”.
Since both of them have similar backgrounds, Kato also helped her husband with a lot of work while creating the manga Dr Slump and Dragon Ball. Yoshimi drew all of Dr. Slump’s backgrounds before Akira had an assistant.
While Toriyama focused mainly on Dragon Ball and other ongoing mangas, Yoshimi supported her husband and helped Akira finish his mangas.
Kato played a quite yet significant role in Akiras’ success in the manga world.
Moreover, Yoshimi is known for her influence in Dragonball since Akira liked kung fu movies and Kato loved the Chinese art style.
This led to the collaboration of 2 artists, and Toriyama launched Dragon Boy, which later evolved into Dragon Ball.
We wish we could resurrect the legendary mangaka by summoning the Shen Long using the seven dragon balls, but unfortunately, it is impossible.
Rest in peace, legend. You introduced the world to Goku and his adventures.
Pillar of Akira’s life Yoshimi
Akira was a well-known recluse, yet with his marriage to Yoshimi, they managed to balance family and work. Likewise, Akira’s wife contributed to her husband’s design, and we can surely see that impact.
Although details of their love life are private, their marriage proves the power of combined creativity and compassion.
As fans try to deal with the loss of Akira, they should honor Yoshimi Kato, who helped shape and evolve the Dragon Ball Universe.
