Vision
The documentary does not focus solely on Toriyama's works but opens its perspective to appeal to an audience of all kinds, inspiring through the contrast of a reclusive personality who created a global phenomenon.
Through a visually cinematic and emotionally resonant narrative, we revisit the key moments that shaped Toriyama’s journey, guided by the authoritative voices of those who witnessed it firsthand. The result is an experience that is emotional, profound, technically insightful, revolutionary, and, above all, lighthearted and entertaining… just as Toriyama himself would have drawn it.
A window into a past that is still alive.
Mission
Preserving Toriyama’s works and legacy, while highlighting the exceptional individuals who supported him along his journey.
Our mission is to give visibility and international recognition to the professionals who collaborated with him. This is a truly collective project, supported by manga universities, comics museum, collectors, and internationally renowned content creators with global audiences.
The documentary will be self-funded and entirely non-profit. If the documentary will be acquired by a major streaming platform upon its release, all proceeds will be donated to initiatives in Toriyama’s memory or to his hometown, with the dream of establishing a small museum dedicated to this extraordinary story.
Synopsis
Carl Gustav Jung once said, “The child is the divine core of the human being, the one that connects us to the future and keeps us alive and growing.”
Akira Toriyama was born in 1955, just a decade after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and only three years after the end of the American occupation. Japan was a nation still marked by hardship and reconstruction, a society searching for new dreams recovering from immense trauma… and yet, from this context, Toriyama would grow up to create stories so light-hearted, comical, and full of wonder that, fifty years on, they continue to enchant new generations, while the children who first discovered them have now grown into adults.
How was this possible?
This documentary aims to awaken the inner child in all of us, bringing back the joy and wonder that Toriyama’s stories gave to our youth. Through the real-life experiences of those who had the privilege of working with him, the film hopes to inspire a new generation with a timeless story that has deeply influenced many of today’s most renowned mangaka.
The project explores Toriyama’s unconventional yet extraordinary character, highlighting the striking contrast between his reserved personality and the global resonance of his works. Far from the busy streets of Tokyo, the narrative unfolds chronologically, exploring the defining moments of his life: from his childhood in the Nagoya countryside and his first creative steps, to his pivotal relationship with Kazuhiko Torishima (the launching pad for his success), and from there to the many others who walked alongside him during his extraordinary journey. In true documentary style, the film moves between the wonder and challenges of the creative process, revealing both the missteps and revolutionary choices that helped reshape the industry. The heart of the project, and its greatest strength, lies in its drive to evoke emotion through an unconventional medium, a documentary, in a space where such stories are rarely told. For the first time, audiences will encounter the key figures of Toriyama’s world through an empathetic lens, as they share memories of a vibrant past that remains alive in the hearts of so many.
The documentary’s style will be visually stunning, shot with cutting-edge Arri cinema cameras and enriched by animations and studio-recreated scenes that evoke the nostalgic atmosphere of bygone days, a sentiment we all hold dear.
The People
Beyond the world of manga, Toriyama’s influence expanded across anime, thanks to his legendary collaboration with Toei Animation, and into the dynamic realm of video games, with such titles as Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger. The list of potential participants is still in development, but we are currently considering the following individuals: Kazuhiko Torishima (editor), Yū Kondō (editor), Fuyuto Takeda (editor), Yuji Horii (creator of Dragon Quest), Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru (animator), Takao Koyama (screenwriter), Kozo Morishita (president of Toei Animation), Mami Koyama (voice actress), Masako Nozawa (voice actress), and Takashi Matsuyama (Toriyama’s assistant).
We also aim to involve public figures who could lend further prestige to the project, and we remain open to suggestions and contributions from all participants. Through a private client, we have a direct line to Jackie Chan and are exploring the possibility of including him in the documentary; however, this will depend on the involvement and agreement of the individuals listed above.
Nagoya Film Commission
Nagoya City plays a pivotal role in the documentary as it is the birthplace of Akira Toriyama. The city holds particular significance given the artist’s career choices; Toriyama famously chose not to move to Tokyo for work, opting instead to remain in Kiyosu, the rural town where he was born and raised.
As we retrace the steps of his life, we will also explore the places he frequented, the local communities he knew, and the small-town charm that defined his surroundings. By delving into his daily routine and the locations he loved, we aim to uncover elements that may have inspired parts of his work.
The Nagoya Film Commission will support actively the project providing access to historical archives that shed light on the socio-cultural context of those years, permissions on special locations and exclusive interview with the Governor of Aichi and the Mayor of the city. Nagoya will serve as the backdrop for this extraordinary, globally renowned story, providing the perfect setting to illustrate the genius and personality of a man who chose to spend his entire life there.
Importantly, should the documentary be sold to a platform, the proceeds are intended to be donated to Nagoya City, either for local events or to establish a small museum dedicated to Akira Toriyama, preserving his legacy for future generations.
