Photos showing the demolition of Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama’s former home and workplace, Bird Studio, in Kiyosu City, Aichi Prefecture, have surfaced online.
Bird Studio was established by Akira Toriyama in 1983, following the success of his Dr. Slump manga.
It served as both Toriyama’s personal workplace and residence, with the building designed by the mangaka himself.
Bird Studio is where the late manga artist worked on some of his best-known creations, including Dragon Ball. Naturally, the news of its demolition has garnered a lot of attention on social media platforms.
Toriyama’s Bird Studio Is Undergoing Demolition:
Photos shared on X on Oct. 25, 2026, show activity at the site, along with what appears to be a road occupancy permit issued by Kiyosu City. The document mentions the installation of scaffolding in connection with the “Toriyama Bird Studio demolition work.”
According to the permit, it was issued on Oct. 19, with the road occupancy period scheduled to run from Oct. 21 to Nov. 20, 2026.
Additional photos posted on Oct. 30 show scaffolding erected around the building, suggesting that preparations for its demolition are underway.
While no official reason for the demolition has been revealed so far, there is speculation that inheritance tax could be a factor behind the decision.
A Nara City Council member suggested in a post on X that the property may have been subject to inheritance tax if the land and building were registered under Toriyama’s personal name, even if most of his copyrights belonged to a company.
The council member speculated that the potential tax burden may have forced the family to make the difficult decision to let go of the property.
Akira Toriyama debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1978 with Wonder Island before achieving mainstream success with Dr. Slump in 1980. He later created Dragon Ball, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1984 to 1995 and became one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
The franchise remains a global phenomenon through its anime, films, games, and merchandise.
He passed away on March 1, 2024, at the age of 68 due to acute subdural hematoma.
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