Bird Studio, Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama's place of residence and work, is in the process of being demolished.
A local resident shared the news on October 31 with a picture of the construction site. Located in Nagoya Prefecture, the building is instantly recognizable thanks to its cylindrical design and bright color scheme. Fans from all around the world also use it as a place of pilgrimage, hoping to access a part of the magic that produced so many beloved works.
The response to the demolition has been one of overwhelming sadness and even anger in some cases. One user on Threads pointed out that the homes of famous artists are usually preserved and turned into museums overseas, but there may be external factors at play here. Japan has one of the highest rates of inheritance tax in the world.
