Dragon Ball Is Stuck in Power Struggle After Its Creator’s Death: Report

Dragon Ball Is Stuck in Power Struggle After Its Creator's Death: Report

As a dedicated fan of Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece, Dragon Ball, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sadness and uncertainty following the news of his passing earlier this year. Toriyama’s work has been an integral part of my life since childhood, providing endless hours of entertainment and inspiration.


Approximately eight months have passed since we sadly bid farewell to one of the world’s most renowned artists, Akira Toriyama. Known for his creation of the beloved series “Dragon Ball,” he left us all in March with a heavy heart. In the wake of his demise, fans worldwide have been pondering the future of “Dragon Ball.” A recent update from Japan sheds light on uncertainties within the IP due to internal disagreements.

In the aftermath of Toriyama’s passing, a contentious issue regarding “Dragon Ball” emerged and was brought to light in the latest edition of Weekly Toyo Keizai. According to reports, Shueisha, the long-term publisher of “Dragon Ball,” finds themselves at odds with Akin Iyoku, a friend of Toriyama who has managed the IP for an extended period.

From my gaming perspective, an unidentified source inside Shueisha leaked information to the magazine about the discord within the company regarding Dragon Ball. It all started in 2023 when Iyoku stepped down as the head of the Dragon Ball Room at Shueisha, responsible for managing Toriyama’s intellectual property (IP). He then established his own company, Capsule Corporation, to oversee IP licensing instead. This move left many at Shueisha surprised, leading to a power struggle. If the reports are accurate, Iyoku aims to have more control over Dragon Ball, but Shueisha is determined not to let go of the IP and maintain its ownership.

“Toriyama-sensei strongly disagreed with Iyoku being let go by Shueisha due to his deep trust in him. In response, Chairman Horiuchi of Shueisha made a surprise visit to Toriyama’s home.” An industry source shared this information with the magazine, revealing the tension between Shueisha and Iyoku that had developed as a result. Companies like Bandai Namco, which holds the licensing rights for Dragon Ball, found themselves in a difficult position due to this power struggle, further intensifying the conflict.

Iyoku-san, acting as Toriyama-sensei’s representative, gained independence from him. However, the rights for publishing the “Dragon Ball” manga remained with Shueisha. As a result, it became uncertain with whom to coordinate concerning issues pertaining to the authentic work.

The unexpected death of Toriyama has added another layer of complexity to the situation. Shueisha and Iyoku, as well as Toriyama’s family, need to be considered. For now, it appears that the future of Dragon Ball remains uncertain due to the ongoing power struggle.

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2024-07-22 00:40