Akira Sakuma
Akira Sakuma (さくま あきら Sakuma Akira, born July 29, 1952) is a Japanese video game designer best known as the creator of the Momotaro Dentetsu series.
He also works as a freelance writer for books, magazines, newspapers, and comics. He has co-authored Hetappi Manga Kenkyūjo with Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump), and other works with Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest series). Sakuma is also notable as the creator and the director of Jump Broadcast Station for Weekly Shōnen Jump between 1982 and 1995. Sakuma also has released an album, and been a singer and a song writer. Sakuma has influenced many X and Y generations young creators, writers, manga artists, and comedians.
Akira Sakuma was born in Suginami, Tokyo and graduated from Rikkyo University and Kazuo Koike's Gekika Sonjuku. His father was an engineer at Nissan, and later owned a toy store. Due to the stroke in 1990s, he carries a handicap in his left side of his body. He is also diagnosed with Carpal tunnel syndrome.
He considers Koichi Sugiyama and Kazuo Koike his mentors.