Entertainment · K-Culture & Anime · 6 hrs ago

Akira Toriyama’s former studio in Japan is being demolished

Akira Toriyama’s former studio in Japan is being demolished

Akira Toriyama’s former home and workplace is being demolished in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

The building also housed Bird Studio, the company Toriyama was associated with, and was known to fans as a place connected to his work.

Toriyama, who died in March 2024 aged 68, created Dragon Ball and Dr. Slump, and designed characters for the Dragon Quest games.

Demolition began in October, after Bird Studio moved from Kiyosu to Tokyo in August 2026.

Kiyosu’s mayor said the city understood the decision to be the family’s, but no official reason for the demolition has been confirmed.

The demolition’s completion date and what will happen to the site are unknown; the building is in a residential area, and the mayor said the city would respect the family’s wishes and let the work finish quietly.

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What people are saying

Kiyosu Mayor Sumio NagataMayor of Kiyosu
I understand that the demolition was decided by Professor Toriyama’s family.
via mediadogs.jp
Takashi MatsuyamaFormer assistant and illustrator
Most of Mr. Toriyama’s works were born there. It was also where I worked, so I feel sad.
via mediadogs.jp
Since it is a residential area, I think it would have been difficult to turn it into a museum, and it couldn’t be helped.
via mediadogs.jp