Takashi Matsuyama Article

Illustrator Takashi Matsuyama (66, pictured, of Seki, Gifu), who worked as an assistant on Dragon Ball, continued his close relationship with its creator even after the serialization ended. “His competitive streak was really something else,” he says.

Matsuyama-san, who was a master of military model-making, was scouted without warning by Toriyama-san, who had similar hobbies: “I want you to help me with the serial.” The next day, he quit his job at a design agency and moved near Toriyama-san‘s home, where he worked.

He would go to the studio in the evening, and leave the next day. Listening to programs they had recorded off the radio, the two laughed as they worked. In their free time, they would play video games for a breather. It was in that sort of free-spirited, at-home atmosphere that an adventure tale full of dreams was spun.

Toriyama-san never acted high-and-mighty, but he wouldn’t give an inch. He would go all-in against his tough editors when it came to his creations. He would face his desk with pride on full display. Matsuyama respected his professionalism, and was inspired by it. “Starting when I was a kid, I would draw pictures of all the things I wanted, like pets.” Through such statements by Toriyama-san, Matsuyama really felt his sheer power.

When Matsuyama-san, who remarried last fall, asked Toriyama-san to be his witness, he happily accepted. At that time, Toriyama told him that he would be undergoing surgery for a brain tumor in the new year: “It’s on the outside, so it’s not such a big deal.” He was nonchalant about it, but Matsuyama recalls him struggling with quitting smoking: “I need a cigarette,” he had groused.

Having promised to pay him a get-well visit once he was discharged from the hospital, the sudden news of his death came as an understandable shock to Matsuyama. “The experience of working with Toriyama-san was like a dream come true. I’m struck all over again by the fact that I had the privilege of doing something amazing. Everything I know, I learned from him.”

(Article by Atsushi Okamura)