Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama named Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters

The Ministry of Culture of France awarded Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama with the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) at a ceremony at the Embassy of France in Japan on May 30.

However, due to his rare public appearances, Toriyama-san did not attend. In his absence, his publisher Akio Iyoku received the medal on his behalf. “Mr. Toriyama is always very grateful to his French fans who started to appreciate his works very early in his career. Unfortunately, Mr. Toriyama almost never attends ceremonies and I have the honor of receiving this award in his place. He instructed me to tell you how honored he is to receive this reward from your country,” said Iyoku.

Dragon Ball first arrived to France as part of Club Dorothée, a children’s TV show, in March 1988. Glénat, the first French publisher of manga since 1991, brought Dragon Ball to newsstands and bookstores in 1993. Since then, Dragon Ball became a cultural phenomenon all across France.

https://youtu.be/ETZ4RN3hFww

[Source]: Huffington Post (France): Akira Toriyama nommé Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
[Via]: Anime News Network: Dragonball Creator Akira Toriyama Knighted by France.
[Reference]: Rockyrama: Quand le Club Dorothée diffusait le premier épisode de Dragon Ball.