Takashi Matsuyama

Takashi Matsuyama joined Akira Toriyama's studio in 1981, replacing previous assistant Hisashi Tanaka. Working under the pseudonym Matsuyama-kun, he became instrumental in bringing Toriyama's world to life during the second half of Dr. Slump and the entire Dragon Ball manga run. Matsuyama specialized in environmental artwork, handling the intricate backgrounds and landscapes that made the series' settings memorable. His contributions include the detailed architecture of Penguin Village, the distinctive look of Kame House, and the alien vistas of Namek. His architectural work gave physical dimension to Toriyama's universe, grounding the action in believable locations.

After Dragon Ball ended in 1995, Matsuyama briefly assisted Toriyama again in the late 2000s on the manga Oishii Shima no Ū-sama. A passionate custom figure collector, Matsuyama was responsible for introducing Toriyama to Kunihiro Suzuki in 1984, leading to the creation of the Fine Molds company. He has continued working as an illustrator, creating the artbook Motor Panic in 1992 and a home design guide in 1999, while maintaining regular work with the magazine Daytona.