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Kiyosu City Uses Late Akira Toriyama's Design for 20th Anniversary Logo
posted on by Ken Iikura-Gross
The anime and manga world was stricken with sad news in early March with the passing of legendary manga author Akira Toriyama. His works influenced many anime and manga fans, illustrators, and authors around the world. While his legacy still lives on in Dragon Ball Daima, Sand Land, and the Dragon Ball Super manga, among a few other projects, he will always be remembered for his work on Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, and Dragon Quest. One of his final pieces will likely be enshrined for eternity in Kiyosu City, Aichi Prefecture as he created the new logo for the city just before his passing.
The official X (formerly Twitter) account for Kiyosu City's announced the new logo on January 23 with Mayor Sumio Nagata presenting the new logo. The tweet also notes the design was made by Toriyama, himself.
清須市市制20周年記念ロゴマーク決定！
— 清須市 つながる地元魂 (@kiyosu_city) January 23, 2024
デザインはなんと！
清須市ゆかりの漫画家 鳥山明先生です。#鳥山明 #AkiraToriyama #清須市 pic.twitter.com/el71Beu433
Kiyosu City's 20th anniversary logo has been decided!
The a designer!
Akira Toriyama, a manga author with ties to Kiyosu City.
#鳥山明 [Akira Toriyama] #AkiraToriyama #清須市 [Kiyosu City]
The late Toriyama's fun design captures the rounder strokes he used in his later works. Unfortunately, the tweet and Kiyosu City homepage do not list who the samurai in the logo is. However, considering the history of the city, we can extrapolate the figure as potentially Oda Nobunaga.
After the joyous news for the city, the world was hit with the sad news of Toriyama's passing. The city's X account posted words of condolence and Mayor Nagata posted an official message on the city's homepage.
鳥山明先生の訃報に接し、心からお悔やみ申し上げます。
— 清須市 つながる地元魂 (@kiyosu_city) March 8, 2024
鳥山先生には、20周年記念ロゴを描き下ろしていただいたばかりでした。
先生のこれまでのご功績に深く敬意を表するとともに、心からご冥福をお祈りいたします。#鳥山明 #清須市
We would like to express our deepest condolences upon hearing of the passing of Akira Toriyama-sensei.
Toriyama-sensei had just created a special 20th anniversary logo [for the city].
We would like to express our deepest respect for the his achievements and pray he rest in peace.
#鳥山明 [Akira Toriyama] #清須市 [Kiyosu City]
I would like to express my condolences on the news of the passing of Akira Toriyama-sensei.
Toriyama-sensei has been active for many years as one of Japan's leading manga authors, having worked on many works such as Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball. Toriyama-sensei's works are loved across generations and borders.
In addition, Toriyama-sensei recently designed the logo for the city's 20th anniversary.
I would like to express my deep respect for Toriyama-sensei's achievements, and on behalf of Kiyosu City and the citizens of Kiyosu, I would like to express my deepest condolences and pray for his soul to rest in peace.
March 8, 2024
Kiyosu Mayor: Sumio Nagata
Although the design was made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Kiyosu City, it may just as likely remain the city's logo indefinitely. As one of Toriyama's final pieces of art, it's nice to know it was to promote his hometown.
Sources: Kiyosu City website (link 2), Kiyosu City X/Twitter account (link 2), Comic Natalie
