Renowned manga artist Akira Toriyama, the creator of the iconic “Dragon Ball” series, has passed away at the age of 68. First serialized in 1984, “Dragon Ball” has become one of the highest-selling manga franchises worldwide, spawning numerous anime series, films, and video games.
In a statement attributed to Toriyama’s Bird Studio, it was expressed with deep regret that he had several ongoing projects at the time of his passing. The statement praised Toriyama’s immense passion and noted that despite his departure, he leaves behind a rich legacy of manga titles and artistic works.
“Dragon Ball” follows the adventures of Son Goku, a young boy who embarks on a quest to collect mystical dragon balls to defend Earth from sinister adversaries. Inspired by Chinese kung fu movies, Toriyama created the series while already celebrated for his comedic manga “Dr Slump” in the early 1980s.
The 1990s saw the emergence of the beloved “Dragon Ball Z” anime series, and Toriyama also contributed to the design of the highly successful “Dragon Quest” video games. Despite these triumphs, not all adaptations fared well, as evidenced by the poorly received live-action film “Dragonball Evolution” in 2009.
Shueisha, the publisher of the “Dragon Ball” comics serialized in the weekly “Shonen Jump” magazine, expressed profound sadness at Toriyama’s sudden passing.
Born in Japan’s Aichi region in 1955, Toriyama began his career after studying design at an industrial high school and working in advertising. In an interview, he described himself as
a “difficult” person and attributed the success of “Dragon Ball” to its ability to entertain rather than convey a specific message.
The news of Toriyama’s death sparked an outpouring of grief among fans in Japan and around the world. Fellow manga artist Eiichiro Oda, creator of “One Piece,” lamented Toriyama’s passing as premature and highlighted the immense impact he had on the industry.
Fans paid tribute to Toriyama’s legacy with artwork depicting his iconic characters and expressing gratitude for the joy he brought to their lives. Anime journalist Tadashi Sudo noted that Toriyama was a role model for many manga artists, admired for his ability to create compelling adventures and memorable characters that resonated with audiences globally.
