Who Is Nachi Mikami? All About Akira Toriyama’s Wife

Nachi Mikami is a former Japanese manga artist, who is best known for her rock-themed shojo manga, such as The Top and Bottom of Rock and Roll and Rock and Rollers’ Story: The Queen Story. As per Wikipedia, she is also the wife of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, one of the most influential and popular manga series of all time.
Akira Toriyama was a legendary manga artist who created the iconic series Dragon Ball, which has influenced generations of fans and creators around the world. But did you know that he is married to another manga artist, Nachi? In this article, we will explore the life and work of Nachi Mikami, the wife of Akira Toriyama, and how they met and supported each other.
Early Life & Family
Nachi Mikami was born in Nagoya, Japan, in 1955. She started her career as a manga artist in 1977, when she published her debut work, The Top and Bottom of Rock and Roll, in the shojo magazine Ribon. Shojo manga is a genre of manga that targets young female readers and often features romance, drama, and comedy.
Mikami’s style was influenced by the rock music scene of the 1970s and 1980s, and she often incorporated real-life rock musicians and bands in her stories. Some of her notable works include The Confusing Legend of St. Mephisto, Rock and Rollers’ Story: The Queen Story, and Imagine. She also used the pen name “Yoshimi Kato” for some of her works.

Mikami was known for her expressive and dynamic art, as well as her witty dialogue. She had a loyal fan base, especially among young girls who admired her cool and independent character. She was also praised by critics and fellow manga artists for her originality and creativity.
Nachi Mikami Wiki | BIO
| Name | Nachi Mikami |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1955 |
| Birth Place | Nagoya, Japan |
| Occupation | Former manga artist |
| Spouse | Akira Toriyama |
| Children | Sasuke and Kikka |
| Notable Works | The Top and Bottom of Rock and Roll, The Confusing Legend of St. Mephisto, Rock and Rollers’ Story: The Queen Story, Imagine |
| Pen Name | Yoshimi Kato |
| Style | Rock-themed shojo manga |
| Influences | Rock music of the 1970s and 1980s |
| Wikipedia | @Akira_Toriyama |
How Nachi Met Akira Toriyama?
Mikami met Toriyama in 1981, when they were both working for the same publisher, Shueisha. Toriyama was already a famous manga artist, thanks to his hit series Dr. Slump, which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. Shonen manga is a genre of manga that targets young male readers, and often features action, adventure, and comedy.
Toriyama and Mikami were introduced by their editor, Kazuhiko Torishima, who thought they would get along well. Toriyama was immediately attracted to Mikami, not only because of her talent and personality, but also because of her short hair, which he preferred. Mikami was also impressed by Toriyama’s charm and humor, and they soon started dating.
The couple got married on May 2, 1982, in a simple ceremony. They decided to keep their marriage a secret from the public, to avoid unwanted attention and pressure. They also agreed to respect each other’s work and independence, and not to interfere with each other’s creative process.

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How Nachi Supported Akira Toriyama?
Nachi Mikami continued to work as a manga artist after her marriage, but she also helped Toriyama with his work, especially when he was busy or behind schedule. She occasionally assisted him and his assistant with drawing backgrounds, inking, and coloring. She also came up with some ideas and suggestions for his stories, such as the name of the Kamehameha, the signature technique of the Dragon Ball characters, which was inspired by the Hawaiian king Kamehameha I.
Mikami also supported Toriyama in his personal life, by taking care of their home and family. The couple had two children, a son named Sasuke, born in April 1987, and a daughter named Kikka, born in late 1990. Mikami raised them with love and care, while also encouraging them to pursue their own interests and dreams.
Mikami gradually retired from her manga career, as she focused more on her family and her husband’s work. She still occasionally drew illustrations for magazines and books, but she did not publish any new manga series. She also rarely appeared in public or gave interviews, preferring to stay away from the spotlight.
Husband’s Death
According to my research, Akira Toriyama, the husband of Nachi Mikami, passed away on March 1, 2024, due to an acute subdural hematoma. He was 68 years old.
An acute subdural hematoma is a type of bleeding near the brain, which head trauma, blood thinners, or other medical conditions can cause. It can lead to increased pressure in the skull, which can damage the brain and cause coma or death.
Toriyama’s death was confirmed by the official Dragon Ball website, which posted a statement honoring the creator on March 7, 2024. The statement expressed deep regret that Toriyama still had several works in the middle of creation with great enthusiasm, and hoped that his unique world of creation would continue to be loved by everyone for a long time to come.

Net Worth & Lifestyle
Mikami gradually retired from her manga career, as she focused more on her family and her husband’s work. She still occasionally drew illustrations for magazines and books, but she did not publish any new manga series. She also rarely appeared in public or gave interviews, preferring to stay away from the spotlight.
Mikami’s net worth is not publicly known, but her husband, Toriyama, has an estimated net worth of $55 million as of 2024. He earned his fortune from his successful manga and anime series, as well as his video game and character design work.
Physical Appearance
Mikami’s physical appearance is also not widely known, as she has avoided media exposure. However, based on some photos and illustrations, she has brown eyes and brown hair, which she usually keeps short. She is about 5 feet and 2 inches tall, and weighs around 55 kilograms. She has a youthful and attractive appearance, despite being in her late sixties. She often wears casual and comfortable clothes, such as jeans, t-shirts, and jackets.
Nachi and Akira Toriyama Today
Mikami and Toriyama are proud of their children, who have grown up to be successful and independent. Sasuke is a game designer, who has worked on several popular video games, such as Chrono Trigger and Dragon Quest. Kikka is a singer and songwriter, who has released several albums and singles, and performed at various events and concerts.
Mikami and Toriyama are also supportive of each other’s work, and often collaborate on projects. They have co-authored several books, such as The World of Akira Toriyama and The World Special of Akira Toriyama, which feature their illustrations and comments. They have also contributed to various charities and causes, such as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami relief, and the preservation of endangered animals.
Mikami and Toriyama are a rare example of a successful and happy marriage between two manga artists, who have overcome the challenges and pressures of their industry, and maintained their love and respect for each other. They are an inspiration to many fans and creators, who admire their talent and passion.
Nachi Mikami is a former manga artist, who is best known for her rock-themed shojo manga, such as The Top and Bottom of Rock and Roll and Rock and Rollers’ Story: The Queen Story. She is also the wife of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, one of the most influential and popular manga series of all time. Mikami and Toriyama met in 1981, when they were both working for Shueisha, and got married in 1982. They kept their marriage a secret from the public, and respected each other’s work and independence.
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Content Source:- Wikipedia.org



