The world of manga and anime has lost one of its most influential and beloved creators. Akira Toriyama, the mastermind behind the iconic Dragon Ball franchise, has passed away at the age of 68 due to an acute subdural hematoma.
Toriyama was born on April 5, 1955, in Nagoya, Japan. He showed an early interest in drawing and comics, and was inspired by artists such as Osamu Tezuka, Walt Disney, and Jackie Chan. He started his career as a manga artist in 1978, when he won an amateur contest organized by Weekly Shonen Jump magazine. He then became a regular contributor to the magazine, creating several short stories and series, such as Dr. Slump, which was his first major success.
‘DRAGON BALL’ creator Akira Toriyama has sadly passed away at the age of 68. pic.twitter.com/tTgjQcFn79
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 8, 2024
However, Toriyama’s most famous and influential work was Dragon Ball, which he started in 1984. The series followed the adventures of Son Goku, a young boy with a monkey tail, who searched for the seven mystical Dragon Balls that could grant any wish. Along the way, he met many friends and foes, and learned the martial arts of the Kame-Sennin school. The series was a huge hit, both in Japan and internationally, and spawned several anime adaptations, movies, video games, and merchandise. Dragon Ball is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential manga and anime of all time, and has inspired generations of fans and creators.
Toriyama also worked on other projects, such as the character designs and art for the Dragon Quest video game series, the Chrono Trigger video game, and the Blue Dragon anime and manga. He also created other manga series, such as Sand Land, Neko Majin, and Jaco the Galactic Patrolman. He continued to be involved in the Dragon Ball franchise, overseeing the new anime series Dragon Ball Super and the upcoming spin-off series Dragon Ball Daima.
Toriyama was known for his distinctive and colorful art style, his humorous and imaginative storytelling, and his love for science fiction and fantasy. He was also a private and humble person, who rarely made public appearances or gave interviews. He preferred to let his work speak for itself, and to focus on his family and hobbies, such as cars and model kits.
Toriyama’s death has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, colleagues, and celebrities around the world. Many have expressed their gratitude and admiration for his work, and how it influenced their lives and careers. Toriyama’s legacy will live on through his creations, which will continue to entertain and inspire millions of people for years to come. He will be dearly missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, Akira Toriyama. You were a legend.